Redfish And Big Macks Attack Sarasota

Fishing Report 01/04/2008

Capt. Terry Frankford

The fishing remained hot in the Gulf of Mexico, plenty of Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, and Little Tunny made lines scream aboard the Reelin & Chillin. Then things changed just after Christmas. The weather was great one day then poor the next. Bait became harder to find, so the switch from scaled sardines (white bait) to live shrimp was made. You could still use a chicken rig in the gulf for big sardines, however the cast netting really slowed for white bait in the Sarasota Bay areas. The Mackerels were still hanging around enjoying the shrimp my client's offered, however they started to slow down.I decided to keep inshore for the last part of the week and try my luck inside. Things paid off for several trips. We found Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, and Ladyfish in Sarasota's Big Pass. Fishing structure from north Sarasota Bay to the Robert's Bay area we found Redfish, Sheepshead, and Mangrove Snapper. Just a quick review of a few trips aboard the Reelin & Chillin this week:

There are so many trips booked this time of year that I don't have enough space to give details on all the Mackerel catching trips. It went like this: Head out in the morning, catch twenty or thirty Mackerel, come back in at noon. Head out for the afternoon, catch twenty or thirty Mackerel, come back at four. Yes, there were a couple trips that a little surprise was enjoyed like when Tyson Paradis caught a twenty-seven inch Cobia on fifteen pound test line. And like when Kayla Kerns hooked into a Little Tunny on lite-tackle causing me to ditch the anchor and chase her fish for fifteen minutes before she landed it. However, all in all it was a Big Mackerel attack.The Ibbott's Dave, Ryan, Brock, and Karla had a great Redfish day, as long as you weren't looking for dinner that is. Reason, most fish caught were released because they were over the twenty-seven inch slot. It doesn't get better using lite-tackle with only ten-pound test line catching and releasing these big fish. The day started with Karla landing a twenty-eight inch Red. Then Dave picked up two, the first being twenty-eight inches and the second thirty-one inches. Brock picked up the last one at twenty-nine inches. Several broke off under docks, and a couple were lost at the boat. All fish were handled carefully for a photo and then quickly released alive and well. Not a bad day of angling, only one was caught in the slot, not enough for dinner, however these anglers still deserve a steak on the grill for a job well done.

Dave Ibbott with a 31" redfish

What's to come:

I'm really looking forward to the Sheepshead coming in. I have been checking out my favorite spots and they are starting to arrive. I have already caught several, some around docks inshore and a couple on nearshore reefs about a mile out in the Gulf. I know there are still Redfish around and some big ones at that. Fishing structure with live shrimp and keeping eyes peeled for schools on the grass flats is my method for catching a few. I still think Mackerel will be around here and there, the Ringling Causeway Bridge would be a great location to check out every now and then. Pompano are not the easiest species to find, however I know they are now around and should be for a little while.Tight Lines & Good Times,

Capt. Terry Frankford

Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.

941-228-7802

http://www.charterfishingsarasota.com/
terry.frankford@verizon.net
http://www.naturetourflorida.com/

Cool Weather Sends Fish To Deeper Water

January 3, 2008
INSHORE:
The new year was welcomed by Ol' Man Winter this week on the Treasure Coast! Cool temperatures and lots of windy weather has reduced the options of fishing around the area and left most anglers wishing for a chance to get out on the water. The winds will be around for a while, so plan your adventures carefully and safely if you plan on venturing out to fish. Depending on the direction of the wind, you can find places in the river. Offshore will be another challenge for a while.
I did get out prior to the front moving into the area and the fishing has been good on the river. Trout has been the most prevalent bite. Now that they are back in season, many anglers will be targeting them for table fare this month. Some big trout have been on the flats, but look for them to move into deeper water as the area cools down now. Live shrimp on popping corks, DOA CAL jerk baits, top water and suspending lures can all get you some trout in the boat. Most grass flats have held trout, if you can get around the ladyfish and jacks to find them.
Redfish have continued to bite along the flats. Lots of reports of redfish from the Power Plant to the Moorings from anglers. Live shrimp, Gulp shrimp, DOA shrimp or jerk baits have all been working out there. The water is getting churned up this week and will take several days to clear back up once the weather clears up. Look for grassy flats with sand holes scattered through it for some opportunities for a redfish.
Snook fishing has slowed for now. Since the season closed, anglers have mostly been targeting fish that they can keep. Make sure you practice a safe catch and release on any snook you catch this time of year. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere again. They will attack just about anything moving and are great to keep the kids occupied. Still lots of mackerel around the inlet and channels of the river. Croakers have been biting around the bridges and catwalks lately, along with some black drum. Still some flounder around the inlet and docks. Most of the reports are prior to the cold front moving in, so things could change as the weather clears. Hopefully, the pompano bite will improve with the cooler weather.
Surf: Some anglers are venturing out on the beach in spite of the windy weather. Look for pompano, whiting, mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the surf if it is fishable. Shrimp, sand fleas, small bucktail jigs and silver spoons are good choices along the beach. Good luck and keep warm!
Tip of the Week: As winter settles in on the Treasure Coast, windy conditions will be the norm on most days for the next several months. Small boats that cruise the river in search of a good fishing spot can be especially vulnerable to water blown around in the boat from choppy waves and blustery winds. Make sure cell phones or any things that could be damaged by salt water are stowed secure and dry from the conditions. Dry boxes or zip lock bags can save a cell phone or car keys from sure disaster from the effects of saltwater. Keep them safe and dry before you leave the dock!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!Good Fishing and Be Safe,

Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com/
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

(Captain Charlie Conner has been fishing the Indian River Lagoon for over twenty-five years. Specializing in light tackle fishing in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Port St Lucie, Florida. His weekly South Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report gives you the latest inshore fishing information for the Treasure Coast area on the Indian River Lagoon.}

Redfish Biting Before Front

Monday, December 31st, 2007
Is it really the end of the year?

Jim couldn't have picked a better day in December to go fishing. The weather forecast predicted high temperatures in the low 80's and calm winds. To top everything off, another guide friend of mine let me in on a little secret the other day. He told me where to find scaled sardines for bait. Thousands of them to be exact. We almost never have them around in late December and they proved to be the ticket to some really nice fish. Unfortunately, they probably will disappear with tonight's cold front.

After running to the bait spot and loading the live well, I ran back to the ramp and picked up Jim. He's from Missouri and tagged along with his fiancé on her business trip to get away from the frigid temperatures they had back home. While he was here, he thought he would try his hand at saltwater fishing for the first time. He's no stranger to fishing mind you, in fact, he's president of his local fishing club. But this was the first time that he'd feel salt course through his veins.

We started of trying for and got a few decent trout while we waited on the tide to get right for redfish. The tide was sluggish and the bite really never turned on. So after a few fish, we decided to go hit the reds early. It paid off.

We didn't get into the double digits with reds but they were quality fish. In the first couple of hours, Jim managed a 20", 22", 25", 29", and a 33" red. Though we saw several fish and even spooked a school of reds nearing 100 fish, the bite was kind of slow due to a weak tide. But, at least the fish he caught were big. I think he was happy, judging from the grin on his face, and I've maybe added another addict to our saltwater fold.

Tampa Bay Fishing

Captain Clay Eavenson

813-300-2147

http://www.captainclay.com/

gofishing@captainclay.com

Spotted Seatrout Season Opens

Spotted seatrout season re-opened in the southern half of Florida at midnight, January 1, 2008. The southern region extends south from the Flagler/Volusia County line on the Atlantic coast, to the Fred Howard Park Causeway (1.17 miles south of the Pinellas/Pasco County line) on the Gulf coast. There is a 4 fish per person daily bag limit for spotted seatrout in the southern region, and 5 fish per person daily bag limit in the north region. The slot limit for the entire state is 15"-20" with 1 fish over 20" allowed per day. You may not use multiple hooks when fishing for spotted seatrout using live or dead natural baits. Spotted seatrout season will close in the northern region for the month of February.

Putin' A Hurtin' On Some Big Bend Fish

John Heagy's Redfish from 12/20/07 with Capt. Jason Rucker

I guess this is the day for many people to reflect on the past year and to think about their New Years Resolutions. For the moment, I'm being thankful that this last week of December has been comfortably warm & mostly sunny, that we've had guides out fishing AND their anglers have been catching fish.

The past 5 days Capt. Jr. Holland's Bay-fishermen have put a hurtin' on some trout, one morning they limited out by 9:30. He's also catching plenty of Sheepshead and will continue to do so probably through February. Today, Capt. Tommy Holland fished "The Girls" of a 3 boat trip who easily out-fished the guys! Capt. David Heinke fished from his flats skiff every day this last week (3 days with paying clients) and caught everything from Reds to Stripers. John Heagy & his son fished with Capt. Jason Rucker last week when they were catching reds up to 8 lbs casting their fly line in the clear shallow water along the marsh grass edges.

If you fished with us in 2007 and are interested in the same days in 2008 AND if you haven't heard from me yet about confirming those dates, please get in touch with me so I don't leave you off the calendar by mistake. (I haven't contacted everybody quite yet & Bo - I got you covered!)

On the Forgotten Coast Real Estate Front I'd like to first say that the market here is quietly moving right along, with end users finding their first or 2nd homes. Also, if you don't have any plans for Groundhog day, the Realtors of Franklin & Southern Gulf Counties are holding an area wide open house on Saturday February 2nd (10-4) we'd love to have you plan to come see what we have to offer.

Thank you for being a part of our fin-tastic year!
Kathy Robinson

Robinson Brothers Guide Service

118 Commerce St.

Apalachicola, Florida 32320

850-653-8896

850-653-7196 (cell)

http://www.blogger.com/ http://www.blogger.com/

REALTOR - Robinson Real Estate Company

http://www.blogger.com/ 850-653-1653
Member:Apalachicola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce http://www.blogger.com/Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce http://www.blogger.com/Gulf County Chamber of Commerce http://www.blogger.com/Florida Guides Assn. http://www.blogger.com/Florida Realtors Assn.