Route #16: September 6, 2008
Demens Landing to Bay Vista Park

“Almost There” – Well, after a weekend of high wind it was with great relief that when I arrived at Bay Vista Park to drop my truck off there was no wind and flat calm conditions. Last weekend the winds were up so high, we could not safely get out of the St. Marina area. As I pulled into the park, I noticed a group of ladies around some of the picnic areas. I thought it was kind of early to be setting up for a barbeque, but evidently they were putting stuff away. Anyway, one of them motioned to me to keep my lights on, then asked if I could help find their car keys. I broke out my Q-beam and after about 5 minutes, Bingo – Keys found. Hey, I need all the good karma I can get.

Meeting up with Todd, who would be the only one joining me today, we set off out of Demens Landing. As we came out of the marina and around the breakwater, we could notice a bunch of floating trash and debris. There was also a noticeable odor in the air, almost like red tide. With all the rain we had in the past week it would not be uncommon to have some sewage run off and I was hoping that the rest of the trip wouldn’t smell this bad.

Sunrise over Tampa Bay.

Having never fished this area at all, I was pleasantly surprised to find these flats just teaming with bait fish. First thing in the morning we both got into a huge school of feisty ladyfish as well as some trout and the ever present pinfish. With so much bait in the water, we took our time heading to Bay Vista Park, working schools of finger mullet. As we worked a beach shoreline, Todd and I were treated to an early morning serenade at a local Bed and Breakfast that over looks the water.

Another music lover.

Shortly after, I hooked up with a really nice snook which made 3 or 4 jumps before I got it close to the kayak. As Todd was coming over to snap some pictures the same thing that has happened to all the big snook I’ve hooked up so far this year happened again, chewed through the leader. This snook had engulfed my Spook JR all the way down its mouth, so my 25 lb leader didn’t last long. With all this bait in the water, I told Todd there had to be another one around and sure enough it wasn’t long before he hooked up with one.

Todd hooked up with a nice Snook.

A nice 30 inch Snook.

Leaving the bait fish behind, we made our way towards Bay Vista Park. I came across a small mangrove island full of pelicans, which didn’t seem to want their picture taken very much.

It’s been a while since I caught some quality fish on one of these trips, and I made up for that today. Casting a top water Spook JR lure, I watched as a nice size redfish rolled on top of it, crushing it. After getting it to the kayak and snapping a few pictures, I got two more big strikes when I saw the school of redfish cruising right at me. A short cast later and I was hooked up again. This time the school came right by me, so I told Todd to cast out in front of me a short distance as I could clearly see them. I gave him a play by play account, I saw the school turn towards his She Dog lure, and one fish came out of the pack. Telling him to get ready, he too hooked up and we had a double going on.

After taking some quick pictures, we decided to call it a morning and head over to the park.

It was a good call as the breeze started picking up. So much in fact, that when we got back to Demens Landing all the sail boats had taken to the water.

Todd and I put in 7 miles today to bring the total for the trip up to 122.9 miles so far. The catch for the day was 4 ladyfish, 1 trout, 1 jack, 2 redfish, a lost snook and 3 pinfish (I don’t really count them, just thought I would throw them in there). With 1 more leg to go, I have mixed emotions about the upcoming finale. I look forward to finishing; it’s been a great undertaking, but it took a lot longer than I thought it would. I hope in some way the fact that I started in February and its now September does not in some diminish what I have done.

One more day to finish my Paddle Around the Bay.