Go Where the Fish Are: Wheedon Island

Capt. Mark of A Action Filled Adventure said the north end of Tampa Bay has been decimated because of the cold weather the past two winters.

Not so at Wheedon Island State Preserve, he said.

The waters of the park, located at 1800 Wheedon Dr. in St. Petersburg (from Town 'N' Country it's a simple run down Old Tampa Bay) are reportedly holding plenty of healthy snook, redfish, trout and flounder.

"There are big trout on the outside bar, the outside reef, of Wheedon Island," he said.

Capt. Mark said the Wheedon Island Power Plant kept water temperatures warmer through the past couple winters. "So that area didn't have a big fish kill," he said.

The waters around the preserve are especially conducive to people who like to wade-fish and kayak. "Because it's a big park," he said. "

Capt. Mark recommends working areas that do not have much boat traffic. In essence, find a spot no one knows about.

Because sardines have been hard to find - even for the professional fishing guides - Capt. Mark said to work paddletail jigs. Some anglers in the area have had luck slowly dragging jigs across the bottom or bouncing them slowly.

"My favorite color of paddletail," added Capt. Mark, "is white."