7/5/2010
Hi everyone! It is a hot summer! I like it hot though. It usually means the Snook are around, the Redfish are seeking shelter in the mangroves on the higher tides, Tarpon are cruising the beaches, and we get some rain showers on a regular basis. So, that is exactly what is happening right now! We are also blessed to have clean and clear water, free of oil in this region. Let's keep our fingers crossed and not forget those severely affected by the BP disaster. Now onto the fishing report...
Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of fishing in the Old Salts Ladies Tournament benefiting the 'Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation'. There were many species included in the tournament, but we were targeting Trout and Spanish Mackerel. We were able to catch several Trout but none that placed in the top three. Our biggest of the day was 2.2 pounds. Not bad for summer Trout though. We were fishing in deep water off of the beach around some man made reefs. The Trout love the deeper, cooler waters in the summer and are often accompanied by Cobia, Flounder and Mangrove Snapper. It is easy to spend an entire trip over these productive reefs. I am still fishing the rock jetties and flats that have moving water for the Trout, using mostly live Sardines. The Trout seem to be very plentiful right now. The Spanish Mackerel were few and far between for us. The ones we saw were shy and the ones we hooked came off. That's fishing!
Snook are also a welcomed sight. Although it took a while after this cold winter to see them in large numbers, they are showing up where they usually do. The points of the passes as well as around the inside beaches near the passes. I have done best on the start of the outgoing tides. However, any moving tide has produced a bite. The average size has been around 30 inches with a few well above that! On a recent trip with a group from Nike, we caught some big Snook in a swift moving tide. Casting up tide and allowing the baits to flow naturally along the shore. The Snook like to see a bait with a very natural presentation before they will hit. Remember that!
Redfishing has been up and down. We had big schools to pick on in the spring, but they have thinned out with the heat of the summer. There are a few mangrove lines and tidal creeks that I like to work in the summer. Some days I am a hero, others, well you know. When the Mullet are thick, I have higher hopes. Recently, I crept along the mangroves until the abundance of Mullet all seemed to turn into Redfish. I knew they had to be there somewhere with that many Mullet. I turned out and threw cut baits up under the bushes. Within a few minutes we had our limit and then some! We have also hooked several small Reds while fishing the beach troughs for Trout and Snook.
Mangrove Snapper are starting to show up well on the reefs a couple miles out. I like to downsize as much as possible for these guys. They are pretty smart and can drive you nuts, trying to catch the ones you can see in your chum line. Usually the ones you can't see are the ones we catch! I use 15 pound line with a small split shot and a cut sardine. If they still don't eat, I will take off the split shot. Chumming is the key to getting them up off the bottom and concentrated behind your boat.
Tarpon are still here! They are starting to decrease in quantity as they continue to migrate, but we will still see the best results around the big moons. Capt. C.A. Richardson reports many successful days in South Tampa Bay using Threadfins. I have had great trips in Boca Grande this year using live pass crabs or jig fishing the pass. Please, if you want a shot at a fish of a lifetime, don't hesitate to call to reserve your day.
Call 727-365-7560 or e-mail now now to get in on some summer action out here. It may be warm, but the thrill of hooking some great fish always makes it worth the sweat! Let's go fishing!
Capt. Brian
Capt. Brian Caudill
727-365-7560
braincandle2@yahoo.com
http://www.captbrian.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment