On the Water: Fishing good despite unfavorable conditions
Overall, despite a brisk wind and often low tides, fishing reports were good over the week.
Schools of seatrout were found throughout Pine Island Sound, with several anglers reporting hook-ups on every cast. Fishing artificial and live baits over 4 to 6-foot grass flats from the powerlines north to Part Island took trout up to 21 inches. Baits included shrimp, pinfish, spoons, shad or shrimp tail plastics. Ladyfish, jack crevalle, sharks and a few pompano were hooked as well.
Redfish action was consistent over the week across the Sound, Charlotte Harbor and Matlacha Pass. Fish averaging 17-25 inches were hooked along shorelines and oyster bars and in deeper sand holes and troughs on the lower water. Some areas’ water is clearing up and others remain dirty, but fish were caught in both. To baits were live or cut pinfish and gold spoons.
Snook anglers found success working structure and shorelines around Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor and areas around St. James City. Snook to 32 inches went for pinfish, pilchards, hand-picked shrimp, shad tails and top-water baits including Zara Spooks. Snook up to 31 inches and a few oversize redfish were caught from the Matlacha Drawbridge after dark set in.
Sheepshead are beginning to arrive as catches of larger fish was on the rise over the week. Sheeps up to 18 inches were caught on shrimp on jighead rigs and live shrimp in areas around the Gulf Passes and the Sound side of Sanibel and Captiva islands including Blind Pass. More and larger fish will continue to move in as the water continues to cool down. Sheepshead are a fun fish to target through the cooler months and one of our best eating.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations before hitting the water by visiting Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576, online at www.fishpineisland.com or via at email gcl2fish@live.com.
Have a safe week and good fishin’
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.