Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hi All,

I'm planning a move to the Tampa area in a few months. I'd really like to be near the Apollo Beach area as it gives direct access to the entire Bay for somewhat protected fishing. I'm not a huge offshore guy.

I'm looking at canal front homes so that I can just jump on the boat and head out. here's the dilemma...

As many of you know, suburban Tampa homes can get pretty pricey, especially canal frontage. I see that your money goes much further in the New Port Richey are so i'm starting to look at homes there. Couple of questions... there doesn't seem to be any protection between the Gulf and the first set of canal front homes. there also doesn't seem to be a lot of area for inshore fishing. as soon as you are out of the canal you either go offshore, or, north or south. Is this true? Are water depths a problem?

I know there are a couple of members from that area. I'm hoping you can jump in and set me straight on the area.

Thanks,

Jimmy

Bump

Anyone from the area?

What kind of boat will you be fishing from.

Brett is back!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use a 22ft StarCraft tritoon with 150 Opti

Lots of trout in the new port richey area. They stick to shallow grass flats in 4'-8' of water usually. Redfish will be in shallower. Snook are around up north but a little thicker in the bay. Plenty of docks to fish. It's basically bass fishing techniques in salt water. Even the tackle is similar.

Jimmy wrote:Hi All,

I'm planning a move to the Tampa area in a few months. I'd really like to be near the Apollo Beach area as it gives direct access to the entire Bay for somewhat protected fishing. I'm not a huge offshore guy.

I'm looking at canal front homes so that I can just jump on the boat and head out. here's the dilemma...

As many of you know, suburban Tampa homes can get pretty pricey, especially canal frontage. I see that your money goes much further in the New Port Richey are so i'm starting to look at homes there. Couple of questions... there doesn't seem to be any protection between the Gulf and the first set of canal front homes. there also doesn't seem to be a lot of area for inshore fishing. as soon as you are out of the canal you either go offshore, or, north or south. Is this true? Are water depths a problem?

I know there are a couple of members from that area. I'm hoping you can jump in and set me straight on the area.

Thanks,

Jimmy

I go out of American Marina in Port Richey on the Coty River. There are plenty of reasonably priced homes on the river with 5-10 minute access to the gulf and the inshore fishing is very good here. Nice grass flats just out of the canal and good red and trout fishing near the stilt houses just 1/2 mile offshore. Depths at low tide can be 2-3 feet in the winter but there's plenty of 4-6' water around. Stay away from Hudson as depths are brutal in the winter and there's nothing to do for miles from there. You might check in the Gulf Harbors area just north of Tarpon Springs too. Lots of houses for sale and easy access to Anclote Key with Great fishing and a very nice beach area.