About Neil Taylor: The Umpire, the fishing guide
Neil is a former professional baseball umpire who moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1993. Eleven years working in pro baseball, with many years as a crew chief, he began his post-baseball fishing career in 2004 becoming a guide in 2005. He has fished Florida waters since 1975 and has concentrated on inshore fishing. Neil has fished exclusively in kayaks since 1998. A guide since 2005, Neil has refined his teaching style that is complete, comprehensive and valuable.
Neil fishes all of Tampa Bay, Clearwater, Dunedin, and Palm Harbor and on up the Nature Coast of Florida's Gulf Coast. Trips cover the entire range of species available in the Gulf and inshore waters. Charters specialize in snook, redfish, speckled trout, flounder and pompano. He also has success catching sharks, cobia, mangrove snapper, bluefish, mackerel, sheepshead, black drum and tarpon.
Neil Taylor is a graduate of the University of Arizona, with a business degree, formerly on the Board of Directors for Pinellas Coastal Conservation Association, an active supporter of Tampa Bay Watch, the FWC and Pinellas County Sheriff’s office, outdoor writer and featured speaker on kayak fishing.
Trained in First Aid and CPR, Neil has a "perfect record" of delivering people back alive to their loved ones.
The host of "Kayak Fishing Skool", the fourth Thursday of each month (Bill Jackson's, Pinellas Park)
A regular guest on the late Captain Mel Berman's radio show and featured speaking events. Special segment "Yakkin' with Neil" on the 1010AM radio program "Backwaters, Beaches and Bays" (8 to 10 AM)
Correspondent for the St Petersburg Times "Captain's Corner" articles
Speaker for the "St Petersburg Times Fishing School" seminar series.
Coastal Angler Magazine columnist, "Deep Thoughts, Shallow Minds"
Catch 47 "Fish Finder" contributing field guide.
Kayak report contributor for 1010AM radio's Backwaters, Beaches and Bays fishing show, Sundays 8-10:00 AM.
HPAC newsletter "Strike Three Kayak Fishing Report" author.
Administrator for www.capmel.com and coordinator/host for the "Captain Mel Trout & Redfish Classic" (inaugural event February 2011; 2012 tournament will be in March)
Neil coined the phrase, "Something violent is about to happen!"
Pro Staff Affiliations: (Click for links)
Native Watercraft
St Croix Rod
12 Fathom Lure
Finatic Designs
Stick It Anchor Pins
The Edje jighead
Smith Optics
Tuf Line Braided lines
Daiwa Reels
