On the Water: Uncooperative weather makes fishing interesting
To say the weather was all over the place over the past week would be an understatement. We had it all – cold, wind, rain (lots of rain), tornado warnings, small craft advisories and flood tides. And sandwiched between Friday’s rain and tornado warnings and Sunday’s wind and cold front was Saturday, one of the prettiest days we have seen in a while – no wind, no cold, and bright blue skies.
Obviously it’s been near impossible for anglers or fish to establish any type of consistent pattern with our ever-changing weather. If there is any good news, it appears the cooler water temperature has improved the sheepshead bite.
Sheepshead to 18 inches were reported in Pine Island Sound around the barrier islands. Most were targeted along shoreline overhangs, sand depressions and docks or pilings. Live or cut shrimp and barnacles were the favored bait. Sheepshead were also caught under docks around Punta Rassa, the Sanibel Pier, Blind Pass and the Bokeelia Pier.
Several pompano up to 3 pounds were caught while targeting sheepshead, plus a few were reported in north Matlacha Pass near marker 72 and around Cabbage Key in the sound.
The trout bite depended on the weather – if you hit the right day, it was good; if not, it was often a struggle. Trout to 19 inches were hooked in sand holes west of Galt Island, east of Blind Pass near Buck Key, in the upper sound between Burgess Bay and Pineland, and off Cayo Costa State Park’s eastern shore. Best baits included live shrimp and Gulp shrimp under popping corks, jig/shrimp combinations, and a variety of soft plastics.
On Saturday, the day with the Chamber of Commerce weather, a few redfish from 21 to 24 inches were caught in north Matlacha Pass and in or around Sanibel’s “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge. The best action came over the morning falling water while targeting creeks and shorelines with shrimp/jig combo’s and cut pinfish. Small snook, snapper and sheepshead were also hooked.
We need consistent weather for a week or so to get into a pattern. Doesn’t matter if it’s warm or cold, just somewhat stable without all the ups and downs, that would help fishing considerably. A week or so without the heavy rain would be nice as well.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at 238-283-7960, on the Web at www.fishpineisland.com or email: gcl2fish@live.com
Have a safe week and good fishin’.