On the Water: Warm weather kicks off the month
How weather can change everything on the water. After a cool November that dropped water temperatures and jump started the winter fishing pattern, December rolled in with mild sunny days and reversed the trend.
Warmer water and plenty of sunshine has brought back baitfish, plus hungry predators giving anglers lots to fish for. It might not last too long as cooler days are once again in the forecast this week.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish were found in good numbers throughout Charlotte Harbor, in deeper waters of Pine Island Sound and on the gulf side of the Sanibel Causeway. Most were located feeding on bait schools in 5 to 8-foot depths over grass/sand marbled bottom. Live pilchards, shrimp, small silver spoons and chartreuse shad tails on a quarter-ounce jig head were baits of choice. Big ladyfish and sea trout were also caught from the same inshore areas.
Trout, with a few over 20 inches were caught in mid-Pine Island Sound and along the eastern side of Charlotte Harbor and near Bokeelia, the largest were taken from sand potholes surrounded by turtle grass flats. Fish were caught on live shrimp, pinfish or pilchards, either under a popping cork or freelined and a variety of artificials.
A few nice flounder were also taken from the holes, and redfish were found in similar sand holes on the lower stages of the tide near Buck Key and south of Demere Key.
Early morning low tides gave anglers opportunities to sight-fish for reds over the shallow flats. Fish were noted between Pineland and Demere Key and Forty-Acre Bay in the sound, Turtle Bay across Charlotte Harbor and Indian Fields of Matlacha Pass. The best opportunities occurred over the first hour or two of an incoming tide.
Anglers fishing the Matlacha Bridge are reporting plenty of ladyfish, small mangrove snapper, a few nice sheepsheads and small snook after dark. All fish reported were caught on live shrimp.
A few snook over 30 inches were also caught just before the season closed. Sheepshead, pompano and Spanish mackerel were caught by shore-bound anglers from the Sanibel Fishing Pier and at Blind Pass on Sanibel.
Many anglers are beginning to target sheepshead as the water cools down. Fish to 5 pounds were found around the old Phosphate Dock at Boca Grande Pass, rocks and pilings around Redfish Pass and oyster creeks in “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge and near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River.
I’m always amazed at how much weather dictates our fishing and how quickly things can change. In the past week or so, our inshore waters dipped down below 60 degrees, then after a mild week, it was back around 70 degrees. No doubt it will drop again this week – that’s to be expected, it’s just a question of how far? Whatever the water temperature, there are good fishing opportunities, and a day of fishing sure beats a day fighting the holiday crowds.
We have holiday gift certificates available.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at 239-283-7960; www.fishpineisland.com or email gcl2fish@live.com
Have a safe week and good fishin’.