Route #2: February 3, 2008
Bishop Harbor to Cockroach Bay

After paddling 7.3 miles on Day 1, the expression “Your not as young as you feel” never meant more to someone than me this morning. I was tired and a little stiff as the alarm clock went off and I thought if I could just get in the shower, things would be OK. A hot shower, a bite to eat and I was off to Bishop Harbor.

The ramp at Bishops is just an old dirt ramp and on a low tide like this morning, it’s almost impossible to launch a boat, but it’s perfect for a kayak.

Launching at low tide.

Bishop Harbor launch.

What a great morning, no wind, incoming tide and a few of these teasing me on the paddle out.

Tailing redfish one.

Tailing redfish two.

These fish were really spooky and hard to get close to. With the glass conditions they seem to sense me coming before I could get close enough to make a decent cast. I continued on a short way to a pot hole that was full of trout, I managed to catch a few, but having a long way to go, I let them be.

I was treated to a really nice sunrise as I was heading out.

Bishop Harbor sunrise.

After paddling out of the mouth, it was out to the flats. Once there I pointed the kayak northward towards Port Manatee. I made a quick stop before making the crossing at the Port, where I found a few of my favorite fish.

Bill with a nice slot red.

At one point, I was literally surrounded by redfish. I caught four, all about this size. I tried a couple of different lures, the one that has worked the best is a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jig with a DOA Golden Bream paddle tail. I tried some new jerk baits and even DOA shrimp, but the paddle tails have produced the best this winter.

Pressing on, I made the crossing at Port Manatee. I was pretty apprehensive about crossing here, its very deep water with a strong current. As my luck would have it today, the winds were light, the tide with me and no large ship traffic.

Port Manatee.

Some of the visitors of Manaberth Key, a spoil island that is the center of much controversy. Sometime in the near future it will be closed off as a security zone. In order to fish there, you will have to attend a class conducted by the Port.

White pelicans at Manaberth Key.

I made good time against a slight north breeze, (thanks for nothing weatherman, they said southwest winds today) and I got past the Port with no problems. Just north of the Port, you come to Piney Point and the remains of an old ferry boat dock. It’s a great place to fish, but nothing was happening there today, so I moved on.

Piney Point ferry dock remains.

From Piney Point, it was just over three miles to Cockroach Bay and the boat ramp. This stretch of flats is more commonly called the “South Shore”. With an outer sand bar protecting miles upon miles of sea grass, its one of the most productive areas in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, it wasn’t today. I think I only saw about a dozen reds, mostly singles or doubles.

I arrived at the ramp much sooner than expected, total miles paddled today was 9.1. Not bad for 6 hours on the water. On my next leg of the trip, I will leave from Cockroach Bay and on that trip I will include more photos of the area as I plan on visiting a spot that is very special to me.