On the Water: Warm weather brings good fishing
The first week of April brought warm days that resulted in good fishing. Seas were calm a few days then winds picked up hampering offshore fishing. Despite the stiff breeze the inshore bite remained steady.
Anglers are hooking the largest trout of the year throughout the inshore waters. Also known as “gator trout,” there were reports of fish up to 26 inches. They were often caught in areas holding snook around oyster bars, island points and sand holes in Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. They were hooked on top-water lures, small live baitfish and shrimp. Most of these big girls are full of eggs (the future), so it’s a good idea to enjoy the fight, snap a quick photo and give them a healthy release. The limit is one per boat over 19 inches if you decide to keep one.
Not all the trout are oversize, there are plenty that fall in the keeper slot between 15 and 19 inches and they are thick right now. These slot fish can be caught in the same areas previously mentioned plus grass flats in 3 to 7-foot depths, bar drop-offs and off the beaches or around the gulf passes.
With warmer weather, small bait fish are moving in and becoming a large part of trouts’ diet. Shrimp and shrimp-like artificials still catch fish, but it’s a good idea if tossing lures to also have some that mimic the bait fish.
With water in the mid to upper 70s, snook are hungry. There are larger fish around, but smaller snook far outnumber the bigger ones. The best bet for success was fishing shorelines, bars and structure with the wind and tide working together moving water. Snook numbers are increasing around the gulf islands and passes.
Most redfish reports came from mid-Pine Island Sound fishing cut baits along shorelines on the rising water. Baits included cut mullet, ladyfish and thread herring.
Spanish mackerel, at times mixed with ladyfish, went for spoons and mylar jigs both inside and outside the gulf passes and over grass flats near the channel in the Sound. Large schools of ladyfish and a few jack crevalle were harassing bait fish in north Matlacha Pass, Charlotte Harbor and between St. James and the Sanibel Causeway.
Although it is often difficult to locate and fish with the wind, tarpon numbers are increasing daily. Tarpon were jumped on cut bait and small live crabs in the Sound and Charlotte Harbor, plus numbers are increasing in Boca Grande Pass. Often this month brings the best tarpon fishing before the chaos that comes with May and June.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the 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 turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location. In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service — call or text 239-410-8576; website at www.fishpine island.com; or 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.