The bite is heating up for spring break
Were getting there, slowly, but we are getting into spring like fishing. We had a few cool mornings and several windy days however overall fishing is getting better and larger fish are moving in.
We received are first tarpon report of the season with Dave Ellis hooking and landing one on fly. He was fishing in lower Pine Island Sound with Captain Joe Harley. Also during the Bobby Holloway Tournament a few anglers noted small groups of tarpon rolling in the Sound. It won’t be long until the large migrations arrive. There are also sharks showing up in the Sound, smaller bonnet heads were a common nuisance for trout fishermen in the Sound and larger sharks are also making their way inshore. I was really surprised how many sharks I spotted cruising the channels between flats from Demere Key north to Pineland. They averaged from four to six feet and most were in scattered groups, if you spotted one you would generally sight another four to six within a hundred yards. We haven’t fished for any yet but it is getting about time.
Red fishing was consistent over the week for anglers making the commitment. Often a little patience was necessary but the reward was very good catches of fish from sub legal of about seventeen inches to over-slot fish over thirty inches. Reds were caught at both ends of Matlacha Pass and the Sound on live shrimp, cut bait and a variety of artificials. Captain Charles Epranian reports several days with good red fishing in southern Matlacha Pass near St. James. From undersize rats to oversize, reds were caught in two to four feet of water during the incoming tide on live shrimp fished on jig heads. Captain Ken Honc reports catching reds over several days in the northern Sound. Working live shrimp along shorelines on the lee side out of the wind produced fish from nineteen to thirty inches. The best bite was the last hour of incoming and first hour of the falling tide. Redfish were also reported in the Indian Fields area of Matlacha Pass and in the southern Sound near Cork Key with gold spoons, pearl colored jerk shad and live shrimp taking fish.
Trout are getting bigger each day with plenty of reports of “gator” trout caught over the week. We actually had one day in north Matlacha Pass where we only caught five trout but they were all huge. The smallest measured twenty-two inches and the largest twenty-five inches, all were caught on live shiners in sand holes on the incoming tide, four came from one hole. Fishing with the kids during the Holloway Tournament we finished up the day in a sand hole near the fish shacks and caught a dozen or so fat trout that were all from eighteen to twenty-one inches, these were caught on the falling tide. There was also plenty of big trout over three pounds weighed in for the tournament. Look for trout fishing to get better each day with the warming waters.
Spanish mackerel continue to run through the Harbor and Sound and bluefish are beginning to get in the mix. There is an abundance of glass minnows they are feeding on, but live shrimp under bobbers, silver spoons, small shiny lures and live pilchards if you can get them are all working well. The mackerel we caught this week off of Bokeelia were a good bit larger than those caught last week. Look for a grassy bottom with sand patches in five to eight feet of water and watch for birds. We also caught our first snook of the year, not a lot, only three but they were sure fun and appreciated. The largest was twenty-nine inches and the smallest twenty-four. They quickly jumped on live shiners near oyster bars in Matlacha Pass. A few guides are reporting big snook stacking up on deeper shorelines and points near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, they are finally moving to their warm water homes. Remember snook season will remain closed until further notice, have fun catching them but release them quickly and safely to insure they return to the water healthy.
With my life Laurie I had the pleasure of taking kids from Pine Island Elementary fishing in the Bobby Holloway Fishing Tournament. We had a blast and it is always so much fun to spend a day fishing with kids. I would like to thank Auryana, Megan and Valerie for a fun filled day and a good job catching fish. You girls were great and hopefully we will see you again next year.
Speaking of kids, don’t forget Spring Break is here. They are out of school for awhile and we are finally getting nice weather, take advantage of it and get them on the water. They grow up way to quick and you can never get this time back, so if at all possible plan a day or two with them on the water. Not only will the little ones have a great time, but you get to leave the struggles of life at the dock for a while and be a kid again yourself.
Have a safe week and good fishin’.
If you have a fishing report or would like charter information please contact us at: Phone: (239)-283-7960, Website: www.fishpineisland.com, E-mail: gcl2fish@live.com