The rainy season has begun
We desperately needed rain and boy did we get it. Early in the week anglers were pretty much washed of the water, then for the rest of the week you had to keep a close watch on the sky for building thunderstorms. Our waters were getting very warm quickly this should help to cool things back down temporarily.
Despite the weather many of the best reports came from the beaches and a short distance offshore. Sea trout were running in good numbers along the beaches, they were caught along the surf near submerged trees, rocks and ledges, the same areas where snook hold during the warm months. The trout were taken on 3/8 to 1/2 ounce DOA Glow Shrimp and 1/4 ounce whit buck tail jigs. Snook up to thirty-five inches were also caught and released they went for the Glow Shrimp and live pilchards. Most of the trout averaged sixteen to eighteen inches.
Very large Spanish mackerel were caught a short distance from the lighthouse on Sanibel and not very far west of Redfish Pass. In both areas the macks were located under heavy bird activity and surface action. Also bonito up to eight pounds were caught in with the mackerel. A few king mackerel were also caught a little further offshore near the Edison Reef.
Also offshore, on a recent overnight trip Jerry Wolfe from St. James reports catching some dandy snapper. Fishing near the full moon they boated big “flags” yellowtails up to six pounds. Nice fish and thanks for the report.
Speaking of snapper, anglers are catching more and larger mangrove snapper inshore daily. With the water warming up this trend should continue as we head towards summer. Snapper up to fifteen inches were caught in the creeks at Ding Darling on Sanibel around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River and around the Gulf Passes.
The weather over the past week made it tough on tarpon anglers, especially those sight fishing. There were tarpon hooked up in Boca Grande Pass while jigging the incoming tide and near the fish shacks in the mid Sound while fishing live pinfish under bobbers and cut ladyfish on bottom. We managed to get off the beach of Sanibel one morning before the storms and were lucky enough to hook, land and get back inside just ahead of the storms. It was Michelle Barrette’s big gest tarpon to date, Michelle and her husband Tracey have caught many tarpon fishing with me over the years. This one we estimated at one hundred and fifty pounds and it took Michelle one hour and forty minutes to get boat side. Shortly after the fish was released the sky darkened and we headed for dodge, perfect timing.
It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend has come and gone already. That means school will end soon and the beginning of summer is here. Let’s all take the time and plan some summer fishing or boating trips with the kids and family. Instead of looking back at the end of summer and saying I wish we would have spent more time on the water, let’s plan now and do it!
If you have a fishing story or photo that you would like to share or for charter information please contact us at (239)283-7960 or visit us at www.fishpineisland.com. Have a safe week and good fishin ‘.