Post by goindeep on Jul 7, 2009 21:38:22 GMT -5
Well, the beach hasnt been looking too promising lately so I decided to scout a couple of different locations.
Had some errands in Tampa, so I figured Id drive down hwy 41 a few miles and check out the Apollo Beach power plant area since I hear its a great place to fish for sharks and cobes in the winter. Hit the little "island" just south of the plant....ritzy area to say the least. Got to the north tip as far as I could drive, and walked out near the "beach" (near the warm water runoff I assume?) but it started pouring rain and I didnt have a chance to get a good look...
Didnt feel like sitting there waiting out a storm, and I could see that it was clear to the south, so I ran a few miles down to EG Simmons park. Drove all around the place, lots of mangrove heavy areas to fish. Found a little dock-like thingy (I think they call it a pier even though its not really), and figured Id see if there was any bait around. The water was only like 4 or so feet deep, but BROWN AS HELL. Couldnt see the bottom. As soon as my shrimp-tipped sabiki hit the water I was catching baby pinfish, 2-3 inches long. While catching the little pinners, I saw a school of something swim 10 feet from the dock...not sure what they were because of the water color, but they were all about 12-18 inches long, and there were about 10-15 of em....if I only had a pin rigged up...
Anyway, tried pinning a pinfish on the bottom for a bit, no dice. Saw some fish jumping near the groves, so I tossed a freelined pin over towards one of em. Set my pole down to grab a smoke (yeah, I fell off the wagon already), and the pole bends twice before I can grab it. I wait a second or 2, it bends again, I yank and feel a little resistance, then POP goes the hook. Dammit. Not sure what it was, but the jumping fish looked like trout. Then the wind picked up and I didnt get another hit with my remaining bait.
The area looks interesting, Im gonna have to definitely check it out again. After google mapping the park when I got home, I noticed a couple other spots that might be worth checking out.
I might make a full day of it next time. Although I didnt have much luck, it was fun exploring new places to fish.
Had some errands in Tampa, so I figured Id drive down hwy 41 a few miles and check out the Apollo Beach power plant area since I hear its a great place to fish for sharks and cobes in the winter. Hit the little "island" just south of the plant....ritzy area to say the least. Got to the north tip as far as I could drive, and walked out near the "beach" (near the warm water runoff I assume?) but it started pouring rain and I didnt have a chance to get a good look...
Didnt feel like sitting there waiting out a storm, and I could see that it was clear to the south, so I ran a few miles down to EG Simmons park. Drove all around the place, lots of mangrove heavy areas to fish. Found a little dock-like thingy (I think they call it a pier even though its not really), and figured Id see if there was any bait around. The water was only like 4 or so feet deep, but BROWN AS HELL. Couldnt see the bottom. As soon as my shrimp-tipped sabiki hit the water I was catching baby pinfish, 2-3 inches long. While catching the little pinners, I saw a school of something swim 10 feet from the dock...not sure what they were because of the water color, but they were all about 12-18 inches long, and there were about 10-15 of em....if I only had a pin rigged up...
Anyway, tried pinning a pinfish on the bottom for a bit, no dice. Saw some fish jumping near the groves, so I tossed a freelined pin over towards one of em. Set my pole down to grab a smoke (yeah, I fell off the wagon already), and the pole bends twice before I can grab it. I wait a second or 2, it bends again, I yank and feel a little resistance, then POP goes the hook. Dammit. Not sure what it was, but the jumping fish looked like trout. Then the wind picked up and I didnt get another hit with my remaining bait.
The area looks interesting, Im gonna have to definitely check it out again. After google mapping the park when I got home, I noticed a couple other spots that might be worth checking out.
I might make a full day of it next time. Although I didnt have much luck, it was fun exploring new places to fish.
