Montana Fly Fishing

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Crane Meadow Lodge, MT Fishing Report
8/27/2011


I hosted a group of fly anglers at Crane Meadow Lodge in Twin Bridges, MT last week.  The group consists of clients, who have all become good friends over the past 10 years that we’ve been going to the lodge. Nick Reding, Bob Reynolds, Howard Curtis, Jay Sandza and Bob Virgil, all from the St. Louis, MO area, Mike Perez and Dennis Kinley, from IN and I all met up at the lodge last Saturday and Sunday. We fished the Beaverhead, upper Big Hole and Ruby Rivers, a spring creek and a high mountain lake.

We caught and released brown trout, rainbows, cutthroats and brookies on a variety of dry and wet flies. Some of the best dry fly action was with hoppers and caddis imitations. We also caught fish stripping streamers and nymphing. The Beaverhead River was fishing so well it was hard to do anything else, but we fished various sections of the river from Clark Canyon Reservoir to Barrett’s and on private water north of Dillon. We also waded the river in a few sections. Mike Perez and I each caught and released big browns to 24” (4-lbs) on hoppers in a spring creek. Bob Reynolds and I floated the Beaverhead on Thursday and had good dry fly action with browns to 22” drifting hoppers along grass banks and on current seams.

One of my favorite days was when Dennis Kinley, Jay Sandza and I waded the upper Big Hole River and had great action with brookies on small hoppers. They aren’t large but they are aggressive. They would sometimes launch themselves out of the water to blast our hoppers, providing a great fight on 2 and 4-weight fly rods. We ate lunch at a turn of the century one room log school house where students from the early 1900’s had carved and written their names and the date on the logs inside the building. Nick Reding, Bob Virgil, Howard Curtis and Jay Sandza had great action with cutthroats on a high mountain lake on Thursday.

Weather was great, lows in the high 40’s and highs in the low 80’s with very low humidity, except for a morning and an afternoon of thunderstorms, although the thunderstorms were strong with hail, wind and lightning. The variety is one of the things that bring us back to Crane Meadow Lodge every year. There are usually several different options for any given day from floating a river, wading a smaller tributary or spring creek to fishing dries and hoppers. The food and the accommodations are great and their guides are usually dialed in to the best action. The scenery is outstanding with lots of snow capped mountain peaks around. We saw whitetail and mule deer, elk, and antelope and numerous waterfowl, including the namesake of the lodge, Sandhill Cranes.

Flats action should be good next week in Sarasota Bay early in the day. Look for tarpon rolling on deep grass flats or around bridges. Outgoing tides in the morning will get stronger as we head towards the end of next week, which should mean good flats fishing. Check the coastal gulf for tarpon, albies and tripletail when conditions are good.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com



Guide Dave King and Mike Perez, from IN, with a big Montana spring creek brown trout caught and released on a hopper out of Crane Meadow Lodge in Twin Bridges.




Capt. Rick Grassett stripped a streamer to catch and release this nice brown trout on the Beaverhead River out of Crane Meadow Lodge, MT.



Guide Dan with nice Beaverhead brown trout caught and released on a dry fly out of Crane Meadow Lodge in Twin Bridges, MT.

Amelia Island Fishing Report

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Goodbye Irene



Mike Langston and his family were visiting Amelia Island this week so he scheduled an Amelia Island backcountry fishing trip on The Anglers Mark this morning. He brought along his son Scott, his son-in-law Rhett, and his brother-in-law Billy Pate and met me at the south end boat ramp at 7am. Hurricane Irene just passed off the coast but the skies were clear and there were just some remnants of wind. We headed up the intercoastal and cut in to Jackstaff to fish the flooded grass on the last couple of hours of an incoming tide. Our shrimp didn't seem to survive the trip but we used them anyway and it wasn't long before the anglers were getting bites, with Scott leading the way by hooking up the "poor man's Tarpon", a Ladyfish and then following that up with a hard fighting Jack Crevalle. Bill and Mike added a couple of smaller Jack's and while Rhett was tossing a topwater lure, he had a nice roll on the plug bit it didn't bite. We moved further up into the Horsehead area and fished over a large expanse of flooded oysters but had no bites, so we headed over to Broward Island on the very last of the incoming, first of the outgoing tide. This is always tough fishing but the guys were making excellent casts up between the submerged logs and it paid off when Bill's float went under and he had a battle on his hands.



He played the fish perfectly and brought to net a nice Redfish. Even though the tide was high, we switched Scott and Rhett to jig/shrimp combos' and it paid off. Scott hooked up first and played his Redfish expertly to the net. Mike switched to the jig/shrimp and on his second cast he had a strong hookup, fought it like a pro, and landed a nice 21" Slot Redfish! Rhett got in on the action by tossing his jig up between some limbs and, FISH ON! He worked the fish in and to the net for pictures and release and then Bill wrapped it all up when his float disappeared, his rod bent and a good battle ensued. He fought the fish to a standstill and we brought it aboard, another 23" Slot Redfish! With that, we called it a day, another great one to be on Amelia Island waters!

Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com  

Posted by Cpt. Lawrence Piper at 5:24 PM

New Permit / Pompano Rules Begin Aug. 31

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has enacted new regulations that will strengthen protection of Florida's permit, pompano and African pompano fisheries. The new rules take effect August 31st. The FWC extended the current regulations into federal waters, giving more protection and increasing the enforceability of current rules. Previously, there were no regulations protecting permit, Florida pompano or African pompano in adjacent federal waters.New regulations separate the management strategies of the three species and create two new management areas for the harvest of permit. The two new management areas are seperated by a line running due east from Cape Florida and south of a line running due west from Cape Sable.

All state and federal waters south of the line will be designated a Special Permit Zone where the commercial harvest of permit will be prohibited. Recreational anglers will have a minimum size limit of 22 inches fork length and a daily bag limit of one permit per person and two per vessel. Also, recreational anglers are allowed to use only hook-and-line gear, except that spearing for permit is allowed in federal waters. There will also be a May, June and July harvest closure.

In the northern zone, there will be no commercial harvest for permit is allowed, however, commercial fishers who are targeting other species with nets outside of the Special Permit Zone are allowed an incidental bycatch trip limit of 250 fish. Recreational anglers will have a slot size of 11-22 inches fork length with a daily bag limit of two fish per person. Recreational anglers will be allowed one permit over 22 inches with a vessel limit of two permit larger than 22 inches in length. Recreational anglers are allowed to use only hook-and-line gear for permit, except that spearing for permit is allowed in federal waters. 

The new regulations will also extend current Florida pompano recreational and commercial gear regulations and commercial trip and size limits into federal waters, maintain the Florida pompano recreational minimum size limit of 11 inches fork length and eliminate the 20-inch Florida pompano maximum size limit for recreational harvest. The new rules will maintain the recreational daily bag limit of six Florida pompano per person and eliminate the aggregate limit with permit.

Current African pompano recreational size and bag limits were extended into federal waters, and spearfishing for African pompano is allowed in federal waters. 

Reel Work Sport Fishing
301 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-522-9399
1-877-524-9377
Email: lauderdalefishing@gmail.com
Website: lauderdalefishing.com
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters

Atlantic Snapper Grouper Management Plan

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is taking public comments until September 1st regarding Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic. Amendment 24 will implement a rebuilding plan for red grouper in the South Atlantic. Red grouper have been determined to be overfished and undergoing overfishing. The plan is intended to end overfishing immediately and increase overfished stock to a sustainable level. In addition, Annual Catch Limits (in pounds or numbers of fish) and Accountability Measures would be established for both recreational and commercial sectors of the red grouper fishery.

Written comments should be sent to Bob Mahood, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC  29405, or via email to: SGAmend24PHcomment@safmc.net for Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper FMP.  Written comments will be accepted from August 12, 2011 until 5:00 PM on September 1, 2011.

The hearings on Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan have been rescheduled as part of a series of public hearings that will be held in November 2011. Public hearings will be held in Florida on the following dates: Jacksonville on November 15th; Cape Canaveral on November 16th, and Key Largo on November 17th. Details regarding the locations for the public hearings will be provided as they become available.

Reel Work Sport Fishing
301 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-522-9399
1-877-524-9377
Email: lauderdalefishing@gmail.com
Website: lauderdalefishing.com
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters

Panhandle Fishing Report 8-26-2011

Report for 08/25/2011


Salt Water

PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
This week’s report includes an increase in flounder caught in the gulf canal and Intracoastal Waterway on live bull-minnows fished on a Carolina rig style. Scalloping remains good with the easiest and best scallop numbers coming from the flats between Presnell’s Marina and Oak Grove on the east side of the bay. On the west side, try between Blacks Island and Pigs Island in water waist-deep and deeper.

Reports of redfish are coming from the west side of the bay along the channel, starting outside the fire tower all the way to Pompano Point. Hit the flats early morning and late afternoon for your best chances at both the trout and redfish. A few flounder caught in the channels off Blacks Island and in the intracoastal canal on live bull-minnows fished on a Carolina rig along the drop-offs.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
There are a lot of King mackerel catches being reported from both wrecks and around the buoys. Further out some nice sized Wahoo catches trolling high speed lures like the Yo-zuri bonito or a panhandler. A fair amount of Cobia have showed up lately. A welcome surprise for all involved. Most have been in the forty to fifty pound range but a few were pushing sixty pounds. Amberjack are definitely on the menu, lots of nice sized fish being jigged up or live baited. You will catch a few short fish but you will be able to get your keeper as well. There is nothing like a few reef donkeys to top off an offshore trip. There are plenty of Black snapper, Trigger fish, White snapper, and Bee liners to help fill the box on your bottom fishing trip, and on your way out or back in you will likely find some weed lines with Mahi-mahi or Triple tail on them. So many fish, so little time!!

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Still a good Bull Redfish bite in the deeper channels and the pass, outgoing tide seems to be the best time to find them. They will hit just about any live bait, but a small live blue crab will definitely get slammed. Do not be surprised to see Tarpon rolling in the bay, or in the pass. It is also worth slipping up on crab balls and buoys in the bay looking for Tripletail. A few have been spotted recently and I am sure some have hit the dinner plate. A wily target for sure, but well worth the effort. Smaller Reds and Speckled trout are hitting well in the early morning, but can still be coaxed into a strike later in the day. Three to four feet of water seems to be their preferred depth, unless it has just rained and cooled the top layer of water down. Plan your trip for moving water, by that I mean a rising or falling tide, not slack tide. Remember, you need to run the boat so the gas does not go bad (here is your next excuse to skip mowing the grass!!).

PANAMA CITY BEACH SURF & PIER
The piers have been holding a lot of Spanish mackerel with some Bluefish and Ladyfish mixed in. A few King mackerel reported in the morning and late afternoon. Undersize Cobia are hanging around the pilings teasing everyone and feeding on the pretty good sized schools of baitfish (cigar minnows and herring). But there have been a couple of keeper sized fish caught. A pretty good run of Pompano came through last week and the week before. Some are still getting caught but the action has slowed a bit. Some Whiting are within reach of the surf anglers who have persevered through the August heat and the seaweed. Yes we are still battling the “green stuff” in the surf; doesn’t the June grass have a calendar? Some days are better than others and lately it seems to be clearing up.

DESTIN
Bottom fishing for Triggers and Mingo snapper in water 85-150 feet has been pretty good. The Amberjack have been good fishing live bait or butterfly jigging on the edge and big offshore wrecks in water 150-300 feet deep.

Trolling has been producing a few Kings near shore but many more trolling in the Nickey grounds, 18’s and timber holes. There are a few Blackfin tuna but they should be getting better by the day. For Wahoo and Dolphin the only pretty water I know of is a small patch running from the Ozark out towards the nipple.

Surprisingly the trout have started to bite pretty good at night under the dock lights even though it is very hot, Plenty of reds around most of the bridges. I would also expect the flounder to start to bite here any day.

On the jetties a few ladyfish, some blues and a few hard tails. In the surf and on the pier things have been fairly slow.

Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com

Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.

The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.

This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard.
Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association.
Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 8-23- 2011

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
August 22, 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn

Upcoming Seminars and Events

Saturday, September 3rd Fishing the Mullet Run
10: 00 - 12:00 "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Preparing for the Fall Mullet Run", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.

Saturday, September 10th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com

Saturday, September 24th Free Hook Kids on Fishing Program
09.00 - 15.00 National Public Lands Day at Bill Federick Park in Orlando.  The free kis event is sponsored by the City of Orlando, Anglers for Conservation, Teen Sportsfishing Association, FWC, Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Bass Pro and Mud Hole Custom Tackle.  The first 250 kids signed up get a free rod, reel and tackle box.


Last Weeks Fishing Report

Our typical summertime patterns have settled in, and we have Irene churning up the Atlantic forecasted to pass east of the Florida coastline by 100 miles or so., My adventures this past few weeks have involved more fishing than catching. The charter business is slow this time of year, so most of my fishing adventures involved spending time enjoying the water with my angling friends.

This episode starts on Friday with a trip to the Banana River No-Motor Zone. Our morning started off red hot, when my first cast netted a respectable jack crevalle caught on a chug bug while standing on the shoreline before we even had our boats in the water. Just offshore of the canoe launch, a school of glass minnows where getting hammered by an assortment of jacks, ladyfish, and sea trout. The bite was so aggressive that I actually landed two ladyfish at the same time. Although ladyfish and jack are fun to catch, we soon moved onto the flats in search of some redfish and snook.

The morning started out with a mild breeze from the south, but by the time we reached our destination, it intensified. This development foiled our plans for sight fishing reds, so we shifted to plan "B", and finished the morning catching numerous sea trout, ladyfish and jacks on top-water plugs and soft plastics.

The water quality in all three lagoons is very poor, infested by an intensive bloom of brown alga which is a serious threat. The dark murky water shades out sunlight killing sea grass beds and the decaying vegetation starving the water of dissolved oxygen. My fear is with the large influx of rain fall generated by Irene, we will experience large fish kills in the lagoon.  

Last but not least, if you would like to introduce a child to fishing, or maybe just improve their skills, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando and Angler for Conservation's Hook Kids on Fishing Program will be conducting a free kids fishing clinic, on Saturday September 24th in conjunction with the City of Orlando in celebrating National Public Lands Day. The event will be held at the Bill Frederick Park in Orlando and the first 250 kid signed up will receive a new fishing rod, reel and tackle box. This program is conducted with the support of area volunteers, and sponsored by Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, Mud Hole Custom Tackle and the Florida Guides Association. All kids must be accompanied by an adult, and if you need more information, contact me and I will hook you up. For more details on this event, visit www.cityoforlando.net/billfreerick.

Also, on another important note, remember snook season opens on September 1st, so be sure to fish responsibly and document your catch by signing up with the angler action program at http://www.snookfoundation.org.

As always, if you need imformation of have any questions, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captan Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187

For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.

Homosassa Fishing Report 8-2011

Crystal River and Homosassa Fishing Action!!
Report Date: August 11, 2011

As you can imagine the dog days of summer are here upon us. However, the good new is that all the kids are back in school and with the recent rains we have been getting from day to day both the water and air temps are finally starting to drop making for more comfortable fishing conditions. This added drop in water temperature has also triggered massive feeding frenzies from Redfish, Macks, Jacks, Bluefish, and Bonita. As usual these species tend to make up the majority of action here along the Nature Coast during this time of year, but there are still plenty of truly exotic experiences to mix up the action.



Checkout Steve with his first of 2 Tripletail he caught on the day.

As exciting as sight fishing for Redfish can be, a truly unique experience for our area is sight fishing for Tripletail. Tripletail are a prehistoric looking fish which resembles most of the floating grass or debris found floating along the Nature Coast this time of year. While this species is often overlooked (or not found) myself and my clients have been having a blast running from weedline to weedline in search of these perfectly camouflaged fighters. The trick when searching for Tripletail is to always make sure you are not running over more weeds than you’re looking at. My Sundance Skiff is perfect for this style of fishing and with the added flats tower we can spot these fish from a good distance away. When spotted as long as they are not spooked all it takes is placing a piece of shrimp, cut bait, lure, or fly on their nose and it’s game on. Their acrobatic jumps and great table fare make these species one of the more exciting fish to target during these dog days.



Todd had his hands full with this slob of a Flounder.

Another real bonus as of late is major influx of Flounder to many of the sand bars and oyster bars scattered throughout the Nature Coast. Historically August and September are two of the better months to target Flounder in shallow water, but with the recent influx of bait pods up and down the coast more and more flounder are showing up along the Crystal River areas. Fishing for Flounder is as simple as dragging a shrimp behind the boat and bumping the bottom ever so often. However, I like to work jigs tipped with shrimp because this give my clients more opportunities to catch other exotics including Permit, Pompano, Jacks, Trout, and even a Tarpon from time to time. Although most of the Flounder caught are well under 20” as far as an eating fish is concerned Flounder has to be way up on the list.



Checkout this 12lb Grouper that was caught on some extreme light tackle during a recent Red Hot Fishing Charter. Bob McGay released this fish after the battle.

GROUPER SEASON OPENS SEPTEMBER 1ST

If any of you are like me then I am sure you’re really looking forward to the opening of Grouper season. From the looks of things the closed season has helped this fishery quite a bit over the last few months and it’s nothing to hit a few rocks within a day and see the benefits the closed season has had on the fishery. Although most of the local rocks are now inundated with Snapper, SeaBass, and Mackerel there are still plenty of Grouper that are more than willing to wake you up out of your summer slumber and give you a tug on the end of your line that you will not soon forget. Even better targeting Grouper on Fly is a great way to get you in shape for the upcoming run of Bonita which will occur from the end of this month into November.



Scalloping Nirvana!!!!

SCALLOP SEASON IS STILL IN FULL SWING. GREAT CATCHES OF SCALLOPS ARE OCCURNG EVERYDAY SO IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD YOUR FILL YET GET ON BOARD ONE OF MY VIP SCALLOP TRIPS.

Capt. Kyle Messier
(352) 634-4002
kylemessier@yahoo.com
WWW.FLORIDAFISHINGADVENTURES.COM

North Indian River Redfish

Posted on August 13, 2011

They’re on the move folks. Our annual Redfish spawn is near and the bigguns are currently moving through the Haulover Canal.The Haulover joins the north Indian River with the south Mosquito Lagoon. These two lagoons are so far from a natural pass or inlet to be essentially land-locked bodies of saltwater.

This unique factor is the basic reason our redfish population lives their entire lives within this rather small locale. It’s also the reason this area is so famous for its redfish fishery.

Our mature breeding stock of redfish is able to successfully spawn in this warm salty environment rather than migrate to the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico as is the norm for all other groups of redfish.

For the angler this means big schools of hungry trophy redfish within easy reach of Titusville, Florida’s many boat ramps. Fishing here for the next 6 to 8 weeks should be an awesome experience as long as the weather allows us to see into the water.

Once located live and cut baits will usually do the trick, but for the most exciting experience fishing a big “walk-the-dog” style of top-water plug is simply explosive!

Call now to book your trip (321)302-3474

Captain Mark Wright
cell - 321-302-3474
home - 321-264-3474
e-mail: CaptMarkWright@earthlink.net

Tampa Fishing Charters 8-18-2011

Tampa Fishing Charters
August 15, 2011

With all of the recent rain it seems that the red fish have become more active. I had the pleasure of filming with Bill Miller of Hooked On Fishing this week. So in preparation, I decided to take my boys pre-fishing. The fish sure did not disappoint us.

The white bait is still fairly inconsistent and very small making for a difficult bait catching experience. I am catching bait on the grass flats and still having to chum. After catching bait with my boys, we went looking for reds and snook. At the first spot we caught a couple reds, including the one the 26 incher in the picture above and the one in the picture below.

After that, we moved around and found some snook that were willing to cooperate with us. It is nice to see these fish biting in the middle of August. The highlight of the trip was when Noah caught his first snook all by himself.

The hot summer months fishing has been pretty good. The fish are in the deeper spots. They are not always as big as I would like, but it has been steady action in what is usually the most difficult time of the year to fish.

Captain Rick Reddick
813-787-0249
www.captainrickreddick.com
info@captainrickreddick.com
Tampa Fishing Charters | Tampa Fishing Guides

Florida Keys Bonefish 8-2011

Key West Fishing Report Aug 12
Posted on August 12, 2011 by DrCatcher

Bonefish



Bonefish on Jig Key West

Thats been the lately of it. We have had the weather man report 40 -60 percent chances

of rain and we wind up with nothing more than a convective orphan of a storm that wets the island city of Key West and does not hamper the fishing. Both inshore and offshore fishing has been very good and our clients are happy.

Lobster season started off with a bang last week on the 6th. Lots of boats out there. I have spoken to a few people so far and they say “easy picking” . Thats good news for visiting tourists wanting to catch a bug or two.

Fishing in Key West has been pretty stellar. Summers can be a little slow do to the heat but this year the heat is on and the fishing is awesome.

In the backcountry and on the flats we are getting a decent early morning tarpon bite. Its over by 8:30. Then off to the shallows. Last couple days the water is real high in the AM and low in the evenings. This makes great for lady fish, jacks and fun fish during the heat of the day and there are MANY around. Also large Mangrove snappers have found their way into the backcountry for some nice 3 and 4 lb fish on fly and live bait. During the afternoon is the magic. After that stray storm pushes through we are getting awesome shots at permit and bonefish, completing a great day of backcountry inshore fishing.

Photo Credit Capt. Kyle K. of Dream Catcher Charters provided the shot of the bonefish. Photo was taken with his new Nikon D7000. Great capture..

Offshore the reef bite is hit and miss. the clearer the water the harder it is. But if you find some chalk water start your bottom fishing and there they are. We did real well on muttons and groupers at the beginning of this week with some nice filets for the Hook and Cook program for some lucky anglers from Michigan. 16lb muttons.. NICE>. Followed up by 4 – 9 lb mangrove snappers.

In the blue water I spoke to Capt. Brice Barr this week. He runs the Double Down out of Garrison Bite. He is a STELLAR deep sea guy and our go to guy for this sort of fishing for our clients. He runs a number 1 hull about 40 ft in length. Capt. Brice told me that the dolphin were a ways out but in good sizes. Just past the wall (23 miles) or so look for the birds and weed. Gaffer fish to 25 lbs. with a mix of Wahoo. Good Times..
To Book Capt. Brice Call Island Genn at 1-888-362-3474 or email her islandgenn@me.com

NOTE!!! If you are looking for a fishing charter in the Florida Keys and not in Key West check out our Florida Keys Fishing Web site.. Here you will find guides and charters to suit your needs..

Thanks for visiting and checking out the report. Be sure you take a look at Island Genns Blog The Key Wester to help you plan your vacation here in Key West, Florida.

Capt Steven Lamp
5555 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
http://www.fishingkeywest.com
www.dreamcatchercharters.com
captstevenlamp@bellsouth.net
888-362-3474

Merritt Island Fishing Report 8-2011

Fishing Never Better Then Now



Fishing along the central east coast of Florida could not be any better than it has been over the past several weeks. Capt. Rocky, fishing the Indian River near Titusville and the Banana River near Cocoa Beach, has been guiding clients to huge numbers of huge redfish, including a three day charter sequence last week that tallied 44 redfish, averaging better than 20 pounds, 12 gator trout, and numerous black drum. Meanwhile, Capt. Peter has been concentrating on the Banana River near Merritt Island and the Indian River between Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce with great success. Indeed, let’s start our individual reports with Peter in Ft. Pierce.



The snook and trout fishing in Ft. Pierce is on fire right now. Capt. Peter has split his time over the last two weeks between the Banana River near Cocoa Beach and the Indian River in Ft. Pierce. The water in Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce is very clear and is providing great sightfishing. The early mornings are spent casting to tailing trout in redfish along the shallows or rolling tarpon in along the channel. Once it’s bright enough to see through the water its game on for sightfishing snook and trout! The big snook and trout are holding along sandbars and grassflats, and are eating baits well. Ten trout over 20 inches were caught in one morning in less than two hours with four of them going 27’’, 28’’, 29’’, and 30’’. Some of the snook caught have even gone over the 40’’ mark. There has also been good numbers of mangrove snapper and flounder near the Ft. Pierce Inlet. These fish have been providing quick action and good dinners.



Recently married, Chad and Janel Smith of Redding, Pennsylvania were spending their honeymoon week in Orlando which included a custom fishing charter on the Indian River Lagoon with Capt. Rocky. Now Chad was the experienced angler of the pair as he had fished many times with his father and his skill was obvious over the course of the outing. However, Janel was the lucky one on this particular day as she landed the first redfish and the biggest redfish (weighed 23 pounds). And she may well have landed the most reds too if she hadn’t decided to give fishing a rest in order to catch a few sunrays and read a book. This allowed Chad to pull ahead and finish ahead in the fish count. The pair caught 12 reds, all fish well over slot-size, and two fine trout. It was a great day of fishing as well as a great way to start a marriage. Congratulations and best wishes to Chad and Janel.





Big redfish and a front row seat to the last shuttle launch made for a great day. Michael Kirkpatrick and Diane were guided by Capt. Peter to a unique day in the Banana River. Starting the morning off fishing a group of large redfish holding on a sandbar produced six large reds with most of them close to or over 40 inches. To get to the best location to view the shuttle launch, the anglers left the redfish biting and made a run north the southern border of NASA security zone. Being closer than everyone but the VIP’s, Michael and Diane had a spectacular view of the Atlantis. The rest of the afternoon was spent fishing spoil islands and grassflats for more hard fighting redfish. Michael and Diane were able to boat another five big redfish before the storms rolled in. It was definitely a day to remember for all!



Charles Coleman from Isle of Man, Great Britain was in town to visit his mom and chartered Capt. Rocky to chase some reds and enjoy some rays. Charles brought along his good friend James who had only been fishing once before. The two fished the stretch of the Indian River Lagoon near Titusville on a beautiful summer day with blue skies and calm winds. They caught 12 reds, all over ten pounds, and one trout. James had the hot rod for the day catching 9 of the reds while Charles got the trophy red measuring 39 inches and weighing 18 to 22 pounds. Needless to say, James is now thoroughly hooked on fishing.





Dr. Z treated his son, Bryce, and son’s friend, Dre, to a fun time tugging on fish before moving out of the area. It was a beautiful day on the river with clear skies and a light breeze. Capt. Peter poled the boat up on the flats where the anglers could cast to groups of redfish sitting in potholes and sandbars. Accurate casts awarded the anglers with hard fighting redfish and beautiful gator sized trout. These guys were great anglers and a ton of fun to fish with! The final tally for the day was 11 redfish and a handful of gator trout.


Edgar Luna and his two sons Andre and Tony, Chicagoans now living in Austin, Texas, chartered Capt. Rocky recently for a day of redfishing on the Indian River Lagoon. It was one of those magical days on the river where the redfish flooded the flats in search of food, fame and fortune … and they found gold in the abundance of bait served by the Lunas. But when the day was done, the fame belonged to Andre, Tony and their dad because they caught 20 redfish along with a confused gator trout. One redfish measured in the slot and every other fished went at least 36 inches and weighed a minimum of 20 pounds. The two biggest reds were 30 pound monsters. What a glorious day on the river!




A family fun day quickly turned into a big fish day for the Deeks family. After fishing all morning, Capt. Peter invited his family out on the boat to spend a couple of hours playing on the sandbars in the Banana River. But before they made it to the islands, Peter poled up to a nearby flat that had produced 10 or so big reds and some trout for him earlier that day. In an hour and a half, Pete, Marilyn, and Christa brought in red after red. The two schools of redfish were heavily feeding all day and were busting mullet into the air and taking the bait as soon as you could get one near them. Most of the fish were in the 32-35 inch range with the exception of one slot fish and one massive red that Pete brought in for a quick photo and release.



Dave Reinbold splits his time between his residence in the Pennsylvania and West Melbourne. He is an active, accomplished angler who loves to pursue big fish in the shallow waters on the Indian River Lagoon. The last time he chartered Capt. Rocky, Dave and his wife fished the Sebastian Inlet area and caught snook, redfish, trout and giant Jack Carville. This past week he was guided to the grass flats of the Banana River is search of big redfish. Over the course of his half day charter he caught eight big reds (most were in the 15 to 20 pound range) and eight gator trout (the largest measuring 31 inches and weighing close to 10 pounds). He also had the strange experiences of lassoing a ladyfish and landing a sheephead which tried to eat a mullet. Indeed it turned out to be both a wonderful and weird day for Dave. Pictured below is Dave holding one of his better reds, his monster trout and his tiny sheephead with a giant appetite.






“Gator” was given an early Father’s Day present, a half day of red-fishing with Capt. Peter, by his loving wife, Tianne, and son, Boog. It was a half day trip in the afternoon in the Banana River. Most of the time was spent casting to groups of redfish holding in “holes” along the flats. Gator got most of the attention - due to the nature of the trip… but Tianne’s luck and Boog’s skill kept showing up dad on his very special day…HaHa. They were a great family and their positive sense of humor is always welcomed on the boat. The trio caught 10 redfish, and a nice trout. The biggest fish award goes to Tianne for her 42’’ bull redfish – It was all she could do to refuse Boog’s money offers’ to hand the rod off during the fight.



Tony and Maria were invited on a fishing trip by CR Hall while visiting beautiful Florida. Little did they know it would be a trip that will be talked about for a lifetime! The morning started off fishing for the big “over-slot” bull redfish. Capt. Peter positioned the boat up on the grassflats where schools of redfish were feeding on the edge of sandbars. Casting big baits to big fish in shallow water never gets old – especially when they are as aggressive as they were on this trip. Sore muscles, full cameras, and CR’s passion for grilled redfish helped make the decision the finish off the day targeting keeper sized redfish and trout. After boating 14 redfish, some gator trout, and a nice mess of fish in the cooler they called it a day – and this is where the trip went from fun to memorable. . .

About two miles from Kiwanis Island Park, driving back to the boat ramp, everyone was watching as a seaplane took off across the rough water and eventually headed into the sky. As soon as it became airborne, all eyes came off the place except for CR – who gave a quick elbow to Peter after about 20 seconds after liftoff. Just then Peter looked to see the plane falling nose-first into the water which became a massive explosion of water and plane parts. Everyone emptied their pockets of cell phones and belongings as the boat raced to the crash site, visualizing a very bad scene and hoping for the best. Arriving on the scene, there were pieces of the plane floating about and a wrecked plane slowly sinking…just then a person popped up out of the water (the pilot – no passengers) and asked for a ride! With only a banged up knee, and some bruises he was plucked from the water and carried to shore where paramedics, firemen, and police officers were already there waiting. It was an amazing relief that the pilot was in such good shape!



Native Sons Fishing Guides
Captain Rocky Van Hoose
321-986-9588
rvanhoose@cfl.rr.com

Captain Brad Jones
321-626-5072
jonesmelb7@bellsouth.net

Amelia Island Fishing On Fire

Fish On Fire
Sunday, August 14, 2011

Chuck Leshinsky was visiting the Jacksonville area with his family so he and his three sons Ryan, Aidan and Nathan, along with their Uncle John Orr, took in a Amelia Island backcountry fishing trip on The Anglers Mark.  We loaded up with 7 dozen live shrimp, launched at 7am,  and headed to an flooded oyster bar with the tide still coming in.  It wasn't long before young Nathan had a strong hookup and he and his dad battled a hard fighting Blue to the net for pictures.  After that, all the young anglers joined in, catching fish right after left. Ryan was making perfect casts to some flooded marsh grass and it paid off with quality catches of Seatrout.  Aidan was getting in to the action, with help from his Uncle John, and boated multi-spotted Redfish and flashy Ladyfish.  Both John and Chuck helped with the young guys (thanks!) and the bite was non-stop for about an hour and a half.  We made a brief stop to "reload" with shrimp and then headed up the Jolley River to Snook Creek, anchored and fished our shrimp under float on the last of an incoming, first of an outgoing tide.  It took awhile, but when the tide changed, the action picked up.  Ryan had a quick breakoff on a Shark, then Adian's FINS braided line began to rip out and the fight was on!  He had everyone scrabbling to get out of the way as the Shark took him from bow to stern and back again, causing the other anglers to duck and bob to get out of the way, but Aidan held on and with help from his dad, we soon boated a 3'+ Shark on the light tackle rig!  Pictures were taken and the fish was released to be caught another day.  Ryan was now tossing a jig/shrimp combo and he began to pick up Trout and had some nice sized Whiting, so John and Chuck switched too.  Chuck's drag began to rip and he had his own Shark battle, fishing it like a pro, and he too brought it to the net for pictures.  John topped off the day by catching one of the bigger Trout we've had in a while, a 24"er, caught at 10:30am!  With that, we called it a day, another great one to be on the water!

Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com 

Posted by Cpt. Lawrence Piper at 1:23 PM

Mosquit0 Lagoon Fishing Report 8-15- 2011

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
August 14, 2011

By Captain Tom Van Horn


Upcoming Seminars and Events

Saturday, August 20th  Snook Fishing
10: 00 - 12:00 Snook Fishing Tactics "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Snook Fishing Tactics ", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 S. Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.

Last Weeks Fishing Report

Fishing this last week was challenging once again on tayshe days I fished. My week started on Monday as we launched before daylight in an effort to beat the heat and the afternoon storms. Our plan was to look for tarpon along the beach, so as we headed south out of Port Canaveral and we were greeted by a stiff southeast wind and a moderate chop. Following the beach, we located and netted pogies just south of the Cocoa Beach Pier, and then headed south looking for signs of tarpon. The combination of tall storm clouds over the Gulf Stream blocking the sun to the east and choppy seas made it difficult to locate any action, so after reaching Patrick AFB we turned around and headed back to the Port Canaveral buoy line. On our way back, we did locate terns diving on glass minnows and some bonito busting bait, and we were successful at catching several nice fish in the ten pound range on a DOA Bait Buster. We also caught both bonito and sharks trolling pogies on the buoy line before a super squall blow in from the west. Our only option was to run in and the squall caught us with 50 knot winds and white out conditions about a half mile from the ramp, and our day of fishing was done.

My next adventure was to the Mosquito Lagoon on a two boat charter with Captain Chris Myers, and we knew it would be tough with all of the rain we experienced over the past week. Our plan was to meet our clients at 0530, but the full moon enticed me out of bed, and I was on the water at 3am. I launched the boat and spent the next few hours enjoying the early morning darkness putting around the Haulover Canal fishing with topwater plugs and enjoying the luminescence. After meeting our clients we hit the lagoon before sunrise and quickly located a massive school of mullet getting busted by larger fish in the dark, but we were unsuccessful in making any connections, and the frenzy only lasted a few minutes. Once the sun was up we found horrible water conditions. The water was very high and hot, about 90 degrees, with no visibility. We had cloudy skies and a north wind of at least 10 knots, and we spent the remainder of the day polling the flats looking for fish until the heat drove us off of the water. We had shots at dozens of fish, but we just couldn't get them to eat.

I know I'm just singing the blues, but fishing is fishing, and I know things are fixing to fire up as the breeder redfish begin to school up for their spawn and the silver mullet begin their fall migration.

As always, if you need imformation of have any questions, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187

For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.

Florida Panhandle Fishing Report 8-12-2011

Report for 08/07/2011
Salt Water


PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE

Lots of good reports from charters, local anglers and out of town-ers catching keeper Amberjack. No shortage of smoker King mackerel either, the bait has been easy to find and you can definitely tell from the smiles, stories and yes even proof positive, pictures! The heat has been nearly un-bearable, but those who have been able to talk themselves out have been rewarded with some really good fish. With the water temperature approaching bath water levels you will need to go deep when trolling. Lots of schoolie Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) getting caught anywhere there are sargasso weed lines, and there are plenty. Bee liners, Triggers, Red grouper and Black snapper are pretty plentiful out there as well. There have also been several nice sized (40/50lb. ) Cobia caught off the wrecks lately!!! It is always cooler out on the water than on land, so put up the bimini top or bring along a sombrero and get you some!

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM

Bull Reds, Spanish, Bluefish and Bonita reported in the pass early in the morning on the falling tide. This makes it difficult to decide between a steel leader or flouro-carbon. Steel is the safe way to go but it might cost you the attention of a Bull redfish. There have been a few reports of Tripletail in the bay this past week, so keep an eye peeled for these wary, sideways swimming delicacies. Crab buoys, or any other floating object can hold them. Several reports of Tarpon getting launched in the bay, watch for their tell tale roll and try to land your offering well ahead of them so not to spook them while still being in their path. Not easy, but if it was easy, everybody would be doing it! Trout and smaller reds have been harder to find, I am sure this is due to water temps, work a drop off "downstream" of a grass flat would be my suggestion. Early or late should yield best results.

PANAMA CITY BEACH SURF & PIER

King mackerel are still getting caught but it is not gang busters all day, mornings and believe it or not night time have been best. Watch the fishing forecast for the best times and you will be using all the tools at your disposal to properly apply your "sweat equity". A fair amount of Spanish mackerel, not too many Bonita and some Ladyfish are getting caught but again this can be hot, then cold (you know how it goes). Large Redfish are feeding around the piers on the cigar minnows schooled up around the pilings. Frozen will work but a live wiggler will definitely work better so bring along a sabiki rig to catch your own. Surf fishing has been very difficult at best due to the June grass, so callahead to see the conditions or have a plan "B".

NAVARRE

PIER
King Mackerel- Some kings have been caught this week. Most anglers are using live cigar minnows, threadfin herring and hard tails. However frozen cigar minnows will work in a pinch. Baits are rigged with 40# to 60# wire leaders using a single treble or double hook stinger rig.

Spanish Mackerel- The Spanish bite can be hot and cold. There have been some caught this week using live cigar minnows, frozen cigar minnows and frozen LY’s. These baits are usually rigged with 18# to 40# wire using a single treble hook. Good artificials include the Gotcha plug, silver spoons and the local bubble rig.

Whiting- The Whiting bite has remained steady over the last week. Fresh peeled shrimp fished on the bottom will produce fish.

Pompano- There are still a few fish around. Live sand fleas and shrimp fished on the bottom will produce fish. Pompano jigs will also take them.

Bonito- There have been some caught in the last few days. Any fast moving spoon or jig will get the job done.

Redfish- A few Reds have been caught this week. Anglers are using live cigar minnows, hard tails, pinfish, live shrimp or cut mullet or menhaden . You can catch them with a fish finder rig and a circle hook.

SURF
Pompano- There are still some fish around. Best baits are live shrimp and sand fleas. Although fresh dead shrimp will work well. Most anglers are using a two hook bottom rig fished in a cut in the sand bars. Weight used is determined by the tide current and the sea conditions.

Redfish- Anglers are catching some big bull reds while fishing for Pompano. The will hit the same baits, but don’t be afraid to try some cut mullet or LY’s.

Sharks- There are several species to catch and area anglers have been catching Black Tip, Spinners and Bull sharks. Most shark fisherman are fishing high capacity reels with 80# test line on a 50# to 100# rod. They are using fresh Bonito or Skipjack for bait and using a 6’ leader of at least 400# test with large circle hooks. They are placing the bait usually behind the first sand bar.

Skipjack (Ladyfish)- These are all through the surf and they have been caught all this week. They are not particular on what they hit. Live sand fleas and shrimp work well. Frozen shrimp, cut mullet and cut LY will work too. Almost any artificial spoon, plug, fly or jig moving at a very high speed will catch them.

Whiting- The Whiting bite remains steady. These are being caught using a two hook bottom rig with live shrimp or peeled fresh dead shrimp.

INSHORE
Speckled Sea Trout- Fishing for the trout has been very good all this week. I have had good reports of them being caught off the grass flats in 5’ to 7’ of water. Live shrimp is a great bait fished under a popping cork. A live Croker, Finger Mullet or Pinfish is also a great bait. They can be fished on a cork or on the bottom. Good artificials include silver spoons, DOA Shrimp, Yozuri Crystal minnows, MirroLure Mirrodine lures and Berkeley Gulp soft plastics.

Redfish- These have been caught on the grass flats as well with the same baits used for Trout. Although don’t leave home without a Johnson Silver Minnow in gold. Deep water docks, dock pilings and bridge pilings are all good places to find Redfish. There can be some good top water action early in the morning casting Skitter Walks and Top Dogs on the flats

Flounder- I have heard of some flounder being caught around structure this last week. Most anglers are using bull minnows, tiger minnows and finger mullet. I use as light of weight as possible when fishing with live bait for these. Don’t over look the jig and grub combination or jig and Berkley Gulp combination.

OFFSHORE
Trigger Fish- You can find these on the artificial reefs. I have had good reports of fish being caught on squid and cut Bonito. Use a fairly small hook to get these fish to take the bait.

Red Snapper- This season is now closed for harvesting. These fish are everywhere! From 2miles out of the pass to the edge. Live cigar minnows, threadfins, hard tails, pinfish and grunts all work well. Frozen squid, cigar minnows and Bonito chunks will work as well. Butterfly, Bomber and Williamson jigs will catch them too. Look for them on the artificial reefs and natural bottom.

Black Snapper- Good reports of these this week. Fish the same way as you would for the Red Snapper.

Scamp- These have been caught this week as well. You can use a lot of the same baits as with snapper, although live pinfish with the top fin cut off and the tail trimmed work for me. Look for them on any natural bottom or artificial reef.

Grouper- Don’t forget that Black and Gag are closed. However there are some Red grouper available. These will inhabit the same natural bottom and artificial reefs as their cousins and the Red Snappers. Live baits will produce fish, but so will the Butterfly, Bomber and Williamson jigs.

Amberjack- This season opened on August 1. Deep water wrecks in 60’ to 200” should hold some good fish. Live baits and Butterfly type jigs will catch their share.

King Mackerel- There have been kings caught on the beach all the way out to the edge. A favorite way among anglers is to cast out a fly line rig with a live bait while you are bottom fishing. Also, trolling a live cigar minnow, hard tail or large menhaden will produce good fish. Trolling a duster rig with a frozen cigar minnow is a tried and true method. Rapala, Yozuri and Stretch 25 / 30 are all good lipped diving plugs that catch fish.

Wahoo- There were some good catches last week around the Nipple and Spur. These fish can be caught on the Yozuri Bonito in purple/black and hot pink/black. A Wahoo Whacker is another great bait. These fish like to hang out around weed lines as well, so be prepared.

Dolphin- I have had reports of good fish being caught on some flotsam around the edge this week. Most fish have been in the 5# to 20# range. Look for anything that is floating on the water. Use a stealthy approach and make a cast to it with a jig or live bait. Sometimes you can chum them up with cut cigar minnows, and then stick a hook in one of the cigar minnow pieces. I have not heard of any weed lines this week, but they are very good to troll along the edges of. A tolled naked ballyhoo is one of my favorite baits.

Tuna- Schools of Black fin have been found within 20 miles. Look for birds working the water. Diamond and small Butterfly jigs are great lures to use. Also small poppers worked on the surface will take these fish. The Yellowfin report has been a little spotty. Last report I had was from a boat working the oil rigs 70 miles out. They caught some fish in the 60# to 100# range on chunk baits and trolling cedar plugs.

Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com

Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.

The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.

This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard.
Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association.
Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.

Jensen Beach Fishing Report 8-11-2011

FISHING 8/9/11

Yes, we need rain, but not all at once and not every day. Afternoon showers are as reported not two weeks of rain every day starting at 3: pm, enough. The only good thing is after fishing just pour the bleach over the boat and it will rinse automatically. Plan your trips early or later and the rain will not be a problem.

Surf anglers have found the Tarpon are chewing; the area between Shuckers and Nettles Island access has been the location for bait, lots of small baits and a favored spot for the Tarpon, Snook and some mighty big Jacks. Look for the bait balls, that is when the fish are eating not to say they are not fowling a school but when you see the bait all balled up the fish are eating. Snook tend to follow the bait, Tarpon will just roll through them and the Jacks, well it is sort of crash and grab but if you want Varity, fish bait with the same profile. Tarpon will focus on a size, Snook not quite as picky and the Jacks, if it moves eat it. Fish early and beet the rain, Whiting and Croaker all good size, there all day and just a pitch not a cast will put you in the fish.

Off shore it was not a busy week but anglers found Dolphin at 90’ out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet from out inlet it was 60’, 100’, and 130’ not far from the inlets. These fish were gaff size from 12 to 25lb Dolphin, holding on weed and temp lines, small Kings north of the inlet and that ever “elusive” bone heads are every where. Good reports of Sails not quite pesky but plenty of them and the Black Fins are at the Hill. Bottom fish seams to have slowed but then not too many anglers have gambled on the rain, bottom has slowed not much current.

In shore finally some Reds on the west bank of the river, Walton road, county line and the flat behind the Dolphin Grill have all been very productive and the time was not an issue or the tide. These fish were in 18” of water all slot size fish. Trout mix in the same areas but most of the good Trout fishing was on the east side. Tarpon at Big Mud all day, not hungry, at the bridges during the dark hours is when they get their appetite going and the Snook, well they know the season closed. Had several anglers ask about the Blue fish in the river????? I don’t know why they are here but watch your fingers and I sure like how they handle a rubber bait. Plenty of Drum, Snapper and Sheephead to keep anglers busy at the causeways a piece of shrimp will get them and yes it is raining as I am typing.

Till next week do not forget you rain poncho…………………………………Freddie

Snook Nook Bait & Tackle
3595 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach, FL
(Just South of the Jensen Causeway)
(772)-334-2145
(Since 1949)
E-Mail: henry@snooknook.net
www.snooknook.net      

Key West Fishing Report 8-2010

Hot Temperature and Hot Fishing



Summer time fishing in Key West has been GREAT!
August 6, 2011 by DrCatcher

The crew here at Dream Catcher Charters has been busy, busy, busy. Inshore, offshore and our family fun fishing charters.

Inshore Capt Kyle K. and Chris C. of Dream Catcher Charters fishing aboard their Yellowfin 24 bay boats powered by Mercury Verado 300′s have been reporting waves, not singles but waves of bonefish mugging them on the flats while in pursuit of tailing permit. These guys are very responsive to a shrimp tipped jig eating well. According to Capt. Sparky he landed a fish on Friday that was well over 7 lbs. Capt. Kyle has reported two releases of NICE sizes upper slot snook.

Shark fishing has been a main staple of fun for folks looking or an easy way to latch on to a 300 lb behemoth and get a hard fight in. Sharks are everywhere lately very close to Key West. The shark watching boat that takes tourists out to view sharks that came on line last year here in Key West uses copious amounts of chum to bring them close to the boat. This is a boost to the numbers of large sharks we are seeing on the flats close to Key West. I suspect These sharks are getting programed to stay in that area for constant feedings. We have been fishing sharks here out of Key West daily for over 15 years and never seen the numbers we see these days in these areas. Good for our trips though.. we don’t have to go far to get a guy to live the dream catching a huge shark.

Offshore things have been interesting.. I was out yesterday to the West and found that the cleaner the water got the slower the fishing was. We made it to about 20 miles of the Dry Tortugas. As the tides changes and water clarity diminished the bite came on and gave us a stellar box of nice Mutton snappers and Red Groupers all coming to about 30lbs of filets for our dinner tables. Fish Fry at my house.. NICE….

August is a great month for fishing the Key West area. We have trips for inshore, offshore, backcountry and flats fishing here at Dream Catcher Charters. Check out our web sites and see what we have that might be fun for you.. We encourage all ages, skill levels and thrill seekers but we have only one requirement our anglers have fun!

Thats it for this week. We have some seriously cool stuff coming up for Dream Catchers in the coming year we will be excited to tell everyone about soon enough..

Capt Steven Lamp
5555 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
http://www.fishingkeywest.com
www.dreamcatchercharters.com
captstevenlamp@bellsouth.net
888-362-3474

Amelia Island Fishing Report 8-2011

Amelia Island Fishing Report
August 2011

Hello Anglers!
WOW, what a month! July was hopping and it looks like August will be just as good.  Look for Fall fishing to be some of the best at Amelia Island.  Don't forget, the Amelia Island Fishing Report is kept up to date so visit regularly during the month to see what's biting! Get away from it all, book a trip,  and Let's Go Fishing on The Angler's Mark!

This Month's Fishing Reports:


Brian Shepley and a Tripletail

We had some great fishing trips in July and saw lots of Manatee, Spoonbills, and Osprey.  I mentioned surprises last month but little did I know, Amelia Island backcountry fishing has all kinds of surprises!  Check out the "Weird Fish Report".
 
We had trips with Jack Crevalle, nice Flounder, catches of Blues, Seatrout, Sharks, and a great day of Redfishing.
See the complete and up to date Amelia Island Fishing Report then book a trip on The Anglers Mark!


Some Great Fall Fishing!

My guests always ask me when is the best time to backcountry fish at Amelia Island and my opinion would be the Fall, with Spring running a close second.  For one, most folks have completed their vacations and returned home for school and work.  The weather is cooler and it's more comfortable to be out on the water.  My records show that the "catching" tends to be more with quality fish (Reds, Trout, Flounder) and the baitstealers and shark leave the area.  If you are local or live within driving distance, check your calender now for September and October, and give me a call or send an email and let's set a trip up!  It won't be too hot so it would be a great time to introduce your child to fishing! It's a great time to get out with your friends - split the cost - and enjoy a day out on the water!


More Stuff at The Anglers Mark
Super Specials: Multi Trip Discounts, Special Occasion Fishing Trips,
Backcountry 101, Win a Free Fishing Trip
Amelia On The Water: Things to do, Places to Stay, Where to Eat
Labor Day Weekend is Sept. 3-5,  Book a Fishing Trip!
Facebook - Please "Like"!

August Forecast:
I checked my journal and saw that last year the Amelia Island fishing seemed to turn on in August.  More Redfish, more Trout, more Flounder and even a few Jack Crevalle thrown in.  There were less "baitstealers" and shark.  It'll still be hot so we've got to be out by 7am, if not earlier and wrap up no later than 11am.  There's less of a crowd on the water, so contact me and we'll set up a fishing trip on The Anglers Mark.

Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com 

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 8-8- 2011

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report,
August 6, 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events

Saturday, August 13th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com

Saturday, August 20th  Snook Fishing
10: 00 - 12:00 Snook Fishing Tactics "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Snook Fishing Tactics ", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 S.Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.



Carrie's First Redfish

Last Weeks Fishing Report
Well, the heat of summer is upon us, and thus far we have dodged the summer squalls as Emily skirts the east Florida coast heading north offshore with little or no ill effects to our weather on Florida's Indian River Lagoon Coast. Heat indexes have been reaching 100 degrees plus by noon, so start your day before sunrise and start looking for a cool shady place by noon.

On the lagoons this past week, waters levels are up and the clarity has improver some, but we still have a heavy concentration of alga in the water making sight fishing tougher. The mullet schools are starting to form up on the flats and the redfish have been mixed in. The key has been to locate heavy concentrations of mullet and then watch very closely for reds amongst them. Matching the hatch with a weedless lure like the DOA Baitbuster has proven successful this past week, or try fishing very slow with a Berkley Gulp or DOA Shrimp under the mullet schools.

There have also been reports of medium size tarpon (40 to 60 pounds) showing up in the Hualover Canal and lagoon channels, but there are still no real signs of the glass minnow schools in open water like we typically see this time of year.

Along the beach, the snook are starting to show up in the surf from Patrick AFB south and there are good numbers of large tarpon working bait pods from the edge of the breakers out to forty feet of water. The key for the tarpon is to locate pods of pogies, and then watch for tarpon rolling. After fish are located, either slow troll or drift live baits back into the school. There have also been bonita and some kingfish in the same areas and some kingfish on the Port Canaveral buoy line, but the better concentrations of kingfish have been o 8A Reef or Pelican Flats.

As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187

For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.

Sarasota Bay Fishing Report 8-8-2011

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota Fishing Report for 8/5/2011
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, a couple of days during the past week caught and released trout to 17”on DOA Deadly Combos and Grassett Deep Flats Bunny flies. We focused on glass minnow schools at Stephens Point and near Whale Key and Bishop Point to find feeding fish. Due to very warm water in the bay, the best action was early in the day.

Tarpon action slowed during the past week as tides weakened coming off last week’s new moon. Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with me still averaged 5 or 6 shots at tarpon per trip. Fish were a little deeper in the water column, requiring quick casts to get the fly deep enough in the water column. We had several follows, a couple of bites and one brief hook up.

Tarpon are thinning out in the coastal gulf as they move to inside waters where you may also catch them around bridges or find them feeding in bait schools in deeper areas. Action should also be good for trout and blues on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay and around lighted docks and bridges close to passes and in the ICW for catch and release snook.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com

Tampa Bay Fishing Report 8-2011

Tampa Fishing Reports
3 August 2011 14:43
Written by Stewart Ames



As predicted, Tampa fishing for snook held up well into the last month and average fish size remained good . First thing in the morning and on the strong incoming tide were the most productive times, but several spots were also quite productive on the outgoing tide. With August comes summer's real heat and this, in itself, will cool the bite. Adding to the slowdown is the fact that many fish have now spawned and are, as a result, less aggressive and more dispersed. This is not to say that snook fishing is over by any means, but it just won't be as easy. Fishing strong tides early or late in the day, as well as night fishing, become the best times to fish for those still wanting to target linesiders. Whitebait's a little harder to find now as well but is available to those willing to set the alarm early to chase that "before sunrise" bait. Grass grunts or pigfish are a good alternative for anglers wanting to sleep in and can be found in or near the passes over slightly deeper grassy spots.





August is usually a decent month for catching redfish as they are among the most heat tolerant of our game fish however this month's report is unchanged from the previous months...with larger schools of fish remaining noticeably absent. Fish are being found solo or in groups of two or three fish. Large Redfish caught along mangrive shorelineThis being the case, most Tampa fishing guides just plan on working hard if they want to catch a hand full of fish. This means drafting an itinerary that incorporates a lot of spots and fishing fairly rapidly. Most Tampa fishing charters initially target residential docks and progress to oyster bars, spoil islands and mangrove shorelines as the tide rises. Fifteen minutes on a spot is usally all that's required. As redfish make a living feeding on small crabs, a piece of cut bait is like a gourmet dinner and will typically be sniffed out and consumed by any fish in the neighborhood, quite often on the first cast. Most of the smaller fish seen this last spring are in the twenty inch range now and there are still some large fish cruising in small groups or solo. Happy angler with first quality redfishDo remember that, even though reds can handle the heat, they are still very likely to take advantage of any shade that is available so, when fishing docks or mangrove shorelines that provide shade, make sure to cast baits into these areas (under docks and into mangrove caves). On Tampa fishing charters this time of year, cut chunks of mullet and ladyfish with a large split shot placed right above the hook are a preferred rig for these environments as they skip quite well and allow the angler to deliver a bait into the fishiest areas. Towards the end of next month when water begins to cool a little bit, redfish may begin to think about schooling up again.

Tampa Dock Redfish





So what other Tampa fishing opportunities are available now? Seatrout can still be found out along the beach in limited numbers and on deeper, inshore grass flats as well. These are not the large fish of winter but can provide some rod bending action when things are slow. Another option is night fishing in one of our local passes for shark. Although a variety of types can be caught, blacktip sharks are quite common and among the better sharks to eat. Equipped with some bluefish or mackerel chunks and a few chums bags, finding a smaller specimen is likely and a much larger fish is always a possibility. Do remember that everything looks a lot different than during the day so go a little slower, use a GPS to stay clear of channel markers, and make sure all navigation lights are working properly. Tampa fishing guides also know that near shore reefs and ledges should be holding key west grunts, flounder, small grouper, a stray mackerel....maybe even a barracuda. On a calm day, these reefs can provide a nice change of pace. In another 8 weeks, these same reefs will be lit up with fish... kings, Spanish mackerel, bonita and shark.



The beauty of fishing in the Tampa area is that, even in months when fishing is "slower" there are still opportunities to go out and catch a variety of fish. Good luck and good fishing.

Captain Stewart Ames
Gone Fishing Charters
US Coast Guard Licensed Captain
Member Florida Guides Association
sames001@tampabay.rr.com
(727) 421-5291

Tarpon Springs Fishing Report 8-1-2011

Hot Enough for Ya?
7/21/2011


Well it is no doubt, a hot summer! All around the country we are seeing record highs. Here in Florida, we are having a typical summer pattern with early afternoon showers, following very humid and hot days. The fishing is also a little predictable this time of year. We have to change up our normal approaches to account for the often, overheated shallow waters. Most of us Clearwater Fishing Guides are seen working the beach swashes for Snook and Trout, as well as the passes where the water flows are a little cooler than the stagnant backwater locations. I was in water last week over 90 degrees! After noticing the temperature on my fish finder, I knew it was time to move west towards cooler waters. High 80's is a little more tolerable to most of our fish. However, don't forget, we are in a subtropical region so our fish do like the warmer weather. But still, they tend to get a bit lethargic in the shallow areas, especially on lower tides when they cannot access the shade of the mangroves.
Snook are still a popular target right now. The bite has began to slow for sure. Recently, I had some trips where we fished into groups of twenty or more Snook at a time. Presenting Sardines and Pinfish until we finally got a taker. Unfortunately, that was the only bite we got and had to move after a couple hours to find other, more cooperative fish. That's Snook fishing though. Varying your bait can be a way to entice Snook to eat. Grunts, Sardines, Pinfish, and Shad are all frequently successful in getting stubborn fish to react. The main thing to remember is that Snook will often eat at a specific time in relation to the tide. The fish I left the other day, may have eaten every bait we threw at them in a couple hours. The time we were there may not have been lunch time for them. That can be the frustrating side of fishing for these finicky fish. But the wait can be extremely rewarding for those willing to put in the time. As a guide, I know the potential and often have the patience to continue to present the baits in the correct manner. Once you get a 35 incher on the line, you easily forget the time it took to get hooked up, I promise!
Redfishing has proved to be difficult in the last few weeks. My best day recently was with my client, Dan Houghton. We were able to land 10 Reds after hooking 14 or 15 fish. They were all under one dock and none larger than 18 inches. They were fun to get on small sardines with a split shot near the hook to slow the baits in a quick tide. I have had other trips in the past couple of weeks when we caught one or two larger fish, but the schools are certainly fewer this month. I expect, like each year, that the fall months will see a resurgence of bigger schools gearing up for their spawn season.
Trout are plentiful on the beaches near rockpiles and deeper grass flats. The inside grass flats aren't holding the numbers they were a few weeks ago, I'm sure due to the higher temperatures. Certain flats have had a good bite nearer the passes on the incoming tides. The falling a tides are good too, especially in the morning hours. Areas that have clearer waters are always more productive than dirtier waters. Most of the Trout are on the small side, but many large fish have been caught mixed in with the Snook in swash channels along the beaches. It's always a bonus to hook a Trout over 20 inches in the middle of summer!
While Trout fishing this week, a client hooked a 90 - 100lb Tarpon on a light tackle rod. We had her on for a little over an hour before the backing line finally broke. It was exciting, but I knew the likely ending to that story. The Tarpon are still traveling the beaches, just a few yards offshore. I have had moderate success on them this year, having been focused mostly on our Snook fishing.
Soon I expect to hear that Mangrove Snapper have moved onto the nearshore reefs in greater numbers. There are Flounder being caught there already. As the water temps cool through the fall months, the reefs will be a focus once again. For now, I am moving around with several approaches to mix up our day and assure everyone is having fun on the water. Let's get you out there and enjoy the beautiful resources Florida has to offer. I have plenty of days available for August so don't hesitate. Call now at 727-365-7560 or e-mail from this website to book your trip. See ya soon...

Capt. Brian

Capt. Brian Caudill
727-365-7560
braincandle2@yahoo.com
http://www.captbrian.com/

Amelia Island Fishing Report 8-2-2011

Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Life in the Backcountry



Young Dan McBryan set up an Amelia Island backwater fishing trip today with  his dad, Lou, while they were visiting the area.  We made a plan to get started extra early, 6am, to take advantage of the first of an incoming tide.  Our first stop was an oyster lined bank of the Jolley River and the guys were tossing 1/4 jigs with Gulp minnows and shrimp.  Both anglers immediately began to get bites and soon Lou yelled, "fish on" and he reeled in a feisty Redfish.   The baitstealers were nipping the tails off of the Gulps so we moved on up the river to a large creek where Dan worked his jig slowly along  an oyster bank.  He felt a heavy weight and expertly hooked up on a fish, playing it perfectly to the boat and we netted a good sized Flounder for pictures and release.  He also caught a weird fish that we have yet to identify!  Later in the morning we fished outside Tiger where we were joined by Manatee, then we went inside Tiger and were treated to a large number of Roseate Spoonbills roosting.  The bite had slowed so we made one final stop outside Tiger at a flooded oyster bed and had Dolphin and Manatee cruising by, along with a large pod of Stingray.  We eventually called it a day, another great one to be out on the water!

Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com 

Posted by Cpt. Lawrence Piper at 8:29 PM

Sarasota Fishing Report- 8-3-2011

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota Fishing Report for 7/31/2011

Late season tarpon action continues to be good. Although we had a couple of slow days, tarpon got aggressive as we approached the new moon of July 30th. Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, jumped 5 tarpon and landed 2 during the past couple of days.

We had quite a few shots at tarpon and several follows on Monday and Tuesday. My brother, Kirk Grassett from Middletown, DE, and friend Nick Delle Donne, from Lancaster, PA, fished with me from Thursday through Saturday. Rusty Chinnis, from Longboat Key, joined us to fish in his Hells Bay skiff on Thursday (2 boats). We were left with a big swell and tough conditions from a tropical wave that passed through on Wednesday, but despite that Nick jumped and landed a 90-lb tarpon on a fly with Rusty that day.

We fished Sarasota Bay in the morning on Friday and Saturday and caught and released trout to 17”, a bluefish and a pompano on Clouser and Nick’s Motion Minnow flies. Tarpon action heated up those days as the numbers of fish bumped up and they got aggressive. Kirk and Nick each jumped a tarpon on Friday and Nick fought his fish for about 40 minutes before the hook pulled close to the boat. The action reached a peak on Saturday as we jumped 3 fish and landed 2 of them, each about 75-lbs. We battled tough conditions late in the day as a stiff sea breeze blew against a strong outgoing tide and made it very rough. Kirk jumped and landed a fish late in the day that almost broke us off while he cleared his fly line. The fly line grabbed a zinger pinned to his shirt, almost ripping his shirt off and then wrapped around his foot. After making it past those hurdles, he battled the fish in rough seas. Despite all that, the fish was alongside the boat and DNA sampled within about 30 minutes. A memorable fish!

Although tarpon numbers are dwindling, they are aggressive. We averaged a dozen or more shots a day at the end of the week and if you got the fly in the right spot they ate it! Tarpon will thin in the coastal gulf as we head into August, but they’ll move to inside waters where you may catch them around bridges or find them feeding in bait schools in deeper areas. Action should also be good on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay for trout, blues and more.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com



Kirk Grassett, from Midletown, DE, jumped this tarpon on a fly in the coastal gulf off Sarasota while fishing with his brother, Capt. Rick Grassett.



Nick Delle Donne, from Lancaster, PA, "bows to the king" while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Best Topwater Redfish Bait

My Favorite Topwater Lure

The next few months are the best time to catch redfish, and assorted other species, on topwater lures. If you have been to Mosquito Lagoon lately, you know there is floating grass almost everywhere you go. Any lures with treble hooks will quickly be fouled. Nearly every charter, we have been watching redfish explode on our surface baits. In the summer months, I never go out with out a DOA Baitbuster. The shallow running model is deadly on redfish of all sizes. While the Baitbuster does not float, I retrieve it at a speed that is just fast enough to keep it on the surface. With a hook that comes out the top, the bait rides over most of the grass and rarely gets fouled. Out of the many lures I use to catch redfish, watching them eat a Baitbuster is the most exciting as they bring their whole head out of the water to do so.



The fish will attack this bait all day long. Don't be surprized if you land some big trout as well. The same bait in the sinking or trolling model is also my favorite lure for medium to large tarpon, always a possibility in the summer. If you love a topwater bite but hate dealing with grass and treble hooks, pick up a couple Baitbusters and give them a try. Here is some action from last summer in this redfish on Baitbuster video.



Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
http://www.floridafishinglessons.com/
321-229-2848

Snook Regulations 2011

Updated:  June 10, 2011

SnookAt the June Commission Meeting, Commissioners received a staff report with the most recent information on the status of the snook population, which suggests that snook on Florida's Atlantic coast were less severely impacted by cold weather than Gulf coast snook.  Based on this information, Commissioners ruled to reopen snook harvest season September 1, 2011 in Atlantic waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.  The regular daily bag limit of one snook per harvester per day will apply, as will the 28"-32" total length slot limit.

The current harvest prohibition of snook in all of Florida's Gulf of Mexico, Everglades National Park and Monroe County state and federal waters will remain in effect until August 31, 2012 to allow the snook population additional time to rebound and provide time to complete a full stock assessment.  Catch and release of Gulf coast snook is still permitted at this time.

Gulf Grouper Regulations 2011

These are the latest fishing regulations for grouper in the Gulf Of Mexico. There will be an open season for both Federal and State waters from Sept. 16 through Nov. 15. This is only for 2011.

Gulf of Mexico (except all state waters of Monroe County)

Updated: June 1, 2011

2011 Gag Grouper Closure and Fall Harvest Season
in Federal and State Waters

The latest stock assessment indicates that gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished and undergoing overfishing. NOAA Fisheries Service recently announced interim rules that prohibit recreational harvest of gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters until long-term management measures for gag grouper can be developed.

The first interim rule prohibited harvest of Gulf gag grouper in federal waters through May 31, 2011. At its February meeting, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council discussed a second interim rule that would continue the interim gag grouper closure through the end of 2011, but also allow for a recreational open season for gag grouper in Gulf federal waters from Sept. 16 through Nov. 15. This rule has been approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

These closures also prohibit anyone on board a vessel for which a federal commercial or charter/headboat permit for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish fishery has been issued from harvesting or possessing gag grouper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The FWC Commissioners approved rules that closed state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Monroe County, to the recreational harvest of gag grouper from June 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011, with the exception of a fall harvest season September 16 through November 15, 2011.  These rules will be in effect for 2011 only.