I'm going to drive up to the Hillsborough River in the morning. It's located just north of Tampa. It will be new water for me.

I've heard it has a decent populaton of panfish.

Hope to give your a good report tomorrow afternoon or evening.

__________________
Steve

Marshall Univeristy, 1971

Heritage-endorsed guide

I have fond memories of the Hillsborough River.... Lived in Tampa for the first 18 years of my life.. I remember catching a 4lb. bass out that river while fishing with my dad in our little jon boat.. My dad told me if I caught a bass over 5lbs. he would get it mounted for me.. The fish I caught may of went 3.5-4lb's.. At the time I was convinced that it went over 5lbs. and wanted my dad to mount it for me.. I was probably 7 years old and just learned how to cast a baitcaster.. Long story short.. The fish escaped through a small hole in our fish basket and I blamed my dad for turning it loose so he wouldn't have to mount it.. The last time I was there we went to bass fish but it turned into a Alligator Gar fest.. Lost a couple good spinnerbaits that day.. I'm sure you won't have problem finding panfish in that river...

I lived in Tampa for 17 yrs. the Hillsboro is great. The river runs into the man made canal. They channeled the old river. The bypass is fantastic. A friend and I was fishing from a 12" jon boat one evening after work, and caught a stringer that was longer than the boat. The green and black beetle spin was the ticket back then. thats been 20 years ago. Ask about the bypass, you may have trouble getting in. we put in on state rd property at the RR bridge. Good luck ! small world aint it?

Just fishing is a little bit older now, hios memory is failing. The fish did weigh 5lbs and I did turn it loose on purpose. What he didnt tell you is that he all but stomped the bottom out of the boat. He copped an attitude , thought I was gona have to beat his but. Fond memories.