Hi everyone, i'm a new forum member living in New England. I will be traveling to Florida for New Years and staying at my uncles condo in St. Pete. I have been looking up some places to fish around the area but have had minimal luck. I may need a guided tour as brining my tackle down might be an issue.

 

Is it worth fishing that time of year, my research found that it was the beginning of pre-spawn? Does anyone know if there are good places to fish near St. Pete and any reputable guide services? Any info would help.

 

Thanks!

Hey man, I used to live in St. Pete. Bass fishing is rough around there, now saltwater is a different story. RovingMutt and a few other members live close by and I know he goes to fish in lakeland. But you have lake tarpon(limited shore access), the hillsborough and braden rivers close by. And if you are spending money on a guide I would suggest traveling the 60 to 70 minutes over to Kissimmee and hitting a guide on TOHO prespawn/spawn you aught to be on the big girls then. WORTH EVERY PENNY.

That sounds great, I don't mind traveling an hour or more for a chance at a real pig. Up here its rare to find a 5+ and its my understanding they are more prevalent down there. I am worried about renting tackle so I might try to find a way to fit my 7ft rod and gear on the plane lol.

 

I looked in to TOHO and will be calling some guides asap. thanks for the great useful information!

That sounds great, I don't mind traveling an hour or more for a chance at a real pig. Up here its rare to find a 5+ and its my understanding they are more prevalent down there. I am worried about renting tackle so I might try to find a way to fit my 7ft rod and gear on the plane lol.

 

I looked in to TOHO and will be calling some guides asap. thanks for the great useful information!

 

If you ask around on here there are some folks that know a guide or two in that area. Check out with a search of the Southeast thread, I know a Disney fishing thread has some guides mentioned. If you book a guide there is no need for you to rent they provide the equipment, pretty sure that is how it works so ask before you try to fit your rod on the plane.

Tarpon and the Rivers are a waste of time for a Trophy.  You don't have to go all the way to Kissimmee but you do need to get into Polk county though.  There are many smaller lakes that offer the potential trophy and are still fishable when the NE wind blows.  The only problem with Dec through Mar in Central Florida is that it could be 85 degrees or 45 degrees with 30 mph winds.  The only thing that is certain is that it is about to change no matter what the conditions.  Make sure you talk about smaller lake options with any potential guide.  You DO NOT want to be on Toho in the middle of a severe cold front.