Best Crappie Fishing within 1 hour of Tampa Bay area

[USF_BULL_92]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and also somewhat new to freshwater fishing. Lifelong FL native and fisherman, just always in the Gulf.

I would like to try my luck with some crappie fishing but really have no idea about the most productive lakes in the Tampa Bay area. I actually live in Pasco County, a little north of Tampa, and have no problem trailering even up to a couple of hours (although preferably just 1 hour each way).

I did go to Lake Tarpon a few weeks ago but didn't catch anything. Maybe just too early in year? It was before all of these cold fronts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Bigslab11]

One good way to get a general idea of good local lakes and ways to fish them is go over to the "Florida crappie club" section and check out tournament results!

[USF_BULL_92]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out!

[Yelim]

Tarpon is a good fishery. Lots of specks caught from there. Teneroc in Lakeland is good, must follow their rules. Takes time to learn any place you go. Lk. Manatee in Manatee county is very good but has a 20 HP or less rule.

How were you fishing at Tarpon?

[USF_BULL_92]

Thanks for the suggestions. At Tarpon I bought some live minnows at a local bait shop and used a crappie rig I bought online. The rig was basically a jig at the bottom and a hook about 6" up from the jig. i am sure there is a name for this rig I just cannot recall it. I'd put the live minnow on the empty hook and just used a bobber. Fished the N end of the lake around docks and channels. I caught a couple of small bass but that was about it.

[USF_BULL_92]

I also fished the lilly pads directly across from the Anderson Park boat ramp, but didn't get a single bite.

[C_D]

Depends on the time of year on fishing in pads or reeds compared to open water. Right now all I am getting are in open water on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Would be about an hour and a half drive one way for you.

If you do head over this way let me know and I can get you direction to some good areas.

[skeetbum]

Welcome from Orange City. Just stay in touch here and the rigs and depths and so on will be posted on regularly. Some good folks over your way, you'll be catching fish soon. We fish year round with a catch rate sometimes better than others.

[Yelim]

Thanks for the suggestions. At Tarpon I bought some live minnows at a local bait shop and used a crappie rig I bought online. The rig was basically a jig at the bottom and a hook about 6" up from the jig. i am sure there is a name for this rig I just cannot recall it. I'd put the live minnow on the empty hook and just used a bobber. Fished the N end of the lake around docks and channels. I caught a couple of small bass but that was about it.

Do you have a trolling motor? Do you have any electronics, fish finder? These pics are what is called spider rigging. there is a 1/2 oz sinker with jig tipped with a minnow or crappie nibble on the end of each line. You only need as many poles as you can afford. You move around slowly, till you find fish , then back and forth over that spot till they move or quit biting. Then find another spot. At Tarpon they should be in 10' to 15' depths. All of this info is subject to variables that you will learn with experience. If Tarpon is close to you go there till you figure it out. Search and read on this site for info, there is a ton of it on here. Pick brains for info and keep the parts that fit you. Refuse to give up.

[Specklocker]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and also somewhat new to freshwater fishing. Lifelong FL native and fisherman, just always in the Gulf.

I would like to try my luck with some crappie fishing but really have no idea about the most productive lakes in the Tampa Bay area. I actually live in Pasco County, a little north of Tampa, and have no problem trailering even up to a couple of hours (although preferably just 1 hour each way).

I did go to Lake Tarpon a few weeks ago but didn't catch anything. Maybe just too early in year? It was before all of these cold fronts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sent you a P M.