Everglades Backwater Fishing

August 2008 FISHING REPORT BY CAPT. BECKY CAMPBELL 239-695-2029 Everglades City, Florida
Don't forget!!! SNOOK!!! Season opens September 1

As you can see we were lucky again as Fay came across the state of Florida. We did get wet but not as wet as some places. The rain was very much appreciated by some, as it does cool off things a bit.

For a couple weeks before the storm, we were having west winds. This makes fishing on the outside almost impossible. The flats get rough and the water really gets stirred up. Good news is the fish we moving around in the backwaters.

A family of 4 fished with me on a sat for 3/4 day. Lets see, there was Maya who was 9 years young and her big sister Tara their father Dave and little Dave who wasn't little at all. We started off with the girls really putting the guys to shame until we moved to the second spot. Then the table turned and I really think it all equaled out pretty good. Maya caught the first and second snook ending with 9 snook for the day. (Good job Maya) Her sister wasn't far behind and then little Dave caught the biggest snook at 31 inches. He wasn't going for quantity he wanted quality. He also caught a 5 ft Bull Shark. Now that really gave him a fight. We had to pull the anchor and go after the fish as it was about to spool him. This was his first time fishing so I am sure he is hooked for life. Big Dave caught his share of snook and also caught redfish. He was happy being with the family and watching them catch fish and have a good time. They all tried to keep count, but sometimes it gets hard. They figured up that they caught 26 snook, 2 redfish, a yellowtail jack, 2 big sail-cats and 1 bull shark. Not too bad of a day when the wind was blowing out of the west about 25knts and we couldn't get out on the flat to try and catch trout. Anyway, while we were fishing we saw quite a bit of wild life. The dolphin we pretty playful, while along the way back we went to the bird rookery to see the baby pelicans and baby egrets. Really made a nice day out on the water.

September and October are great months for fishing. The weather is starting to cool down and so is the water. Snook are still around the islands, and in the river mouths along with the redfish. Trout are on the flats and should have some pompano with them. The Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also in the passes and on the flats. Sometimes they seem to be everywhere. This is also a good time of year for the baby tarpon.
Actually there is never a better time of year to go fishing then when you can go fishing.

So come on, give me a call (239-695-2029) the weather is starting to cool off but the fishing is still hot.

Captain Becky Campbell
239-695-2029
www.evergladesfishingcharters.com/
CaptainBecky709@aol.com

Tampa Bay Snook And Trout On Structure

Tampa Fishing Report for Tampa Bay
September 3, 2008

September is typically the month when our local waters finally begin to cool down a little bit...the result of shorter days and slightly cooler nights. Snook season opens on September 1st. This slightly cooler water should have a positive effect on their appetite. Don't expect any "wide open" bites, but these fish will start to eat a little better. Night fishing will still probably be the most productive approach. Hunt near lighted docks or bridge structures for best results. Stay well away from the lighted area and cast to the edges. Allow your free lined live bait to swim through the "circle of light". If there's a snook in residence, there's a good chance he'll be on the end of your line in short order as these night fish are much more aggressive feeders. Trout are very common catches in these lighted areas as well and tend to be larger than the average summer trout. Whitebait and shrimp are both excellent baits for this type of scenario. When fishing major bridge structures, you might move up to jumbo baits such as ladyfish or grunts as there are some behemoth snook in these locations. Go a little heavier on your tackle as well so you have half a chance of getting one of these bridge beasts away from the pilings. If night fishing isn't your bag, try early and late in the day adjacent to our many spoil islands, as well as along mangrove shorelines. Tossing topwater and suspend lures will often elicit explosive strikes, but be prepared to make many casts to find your quarry.

August redfishing started off a little slow this year. The best approach was to keep moving, fishing numerous spots and different types of structure, until fish were located. Although a typical day would produce about a half dozen slot reds, the fish were scattered. Most locations would yield only a fish or two at best. After the stormy weather later in the month however, the fish seemed to school up better and the last few trips of the month produced greater numbers of fish. The most effective rig for catching fish over the last week has been throwing "bobbered" pinfish. When fishing in three feet of water, leave about two feet of line between the bobber and the hook, making sure to not give the pinfish enough slack to get into the grass. If you are not getting the casting distance you need with this rig, add a split shot about an inch or two above the hook to get an additional 10 or 15 feet on your cast. This sinker will not deter a redfish from inhaling your offering. Amazingly, whitebait fished this same way seemed less productive than the pinfish. When using this bobber technique, make sure that you "reel until you feel" the weight of the fish before setting the hook and use circle hooks to prevent fish from being deeply hooked. Redfishing will only get better and better from now through the early part of November, when our larger fish move offshore.

Trout are available out on the flats now but most fish are small. They will respond well to the smaller whitebait that can be found just about everywhere. As mentioned earlier, bigger trout can be found around dock lights at night if you want to increase your chances of catching larger specimens. Sometime in September, depending on how fast our first cool air gets here, we may see some Spanish mackerel move into our near shore waters. Fishing for these hard pulling, toothy speedsters should continue to pick up into October and November. Free swimming whitebait on a long shank hook or light steel leader will get the job done.

The best tide days to be on the water in September are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th through 19th and the 25th through the 30th. Many of these late September days are already booked but there is still some availability.

Good luck and good fishing.

Captain Stewart Ames
US Coast Guard Licensed Captain
Member Florida Guides Association
www.tampa-fishing-charters.com
sames001@tampabay.rr.com
727-421-5291

© 2007 Captain Stewart Ames, Gone Fishing Charters, Tampa, FL
727-421-5291

Lower Keys Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish

Key West Fishing Report - Fall 2008
By: Capt. Justin Rea
Click to visit www.flyfishingthekeys.com/


August 25, 2008

Tropical Storm Fay was nothing but a rain event for most of Florida. The Keys were lucky to be spared once again from any major damage from a tropical system.

A few of my anglers who were visiting from California and Nevada had the opportunity to reap the benefits of pre-storm fishing.

The tarpon run this year has been off by a long shot. Even in August on any given year we've found plenty of tarpon, even some of the larger 80- pound fish. This year they seemed to come through early and move through fast. There are still a few schools here and there but it is not stellar fishing for them right now.

On the other hand, permit and bonefish are becoming more plentiful. Before Fay passed over the Lower Keys my anglers had a chance to feed several permit and bonefish and successfully landed a few.

Now that we are nearing the end of August the tides are strong in the backcountry making for great conditions for permit and bonefish to feed. Later this week will be great for wade fishing in the evening for bonefish and maybe some permit.

September, October and November all hold great possibilities on the flats to catch permit and bonefish. If we're luckly there may be a few baby tarpon around to be had to complete the Grand Slam.

For more information on shallow water fishing this fall please call us at 305-744-0903.

Captain Justin Rea
Sugarloaf Key, FL 33042
www.flyfishingthekeys.com
justin@flyfishingthekeys.com
305-744-0903

St. Lucie Fish Are In Clean Water

Fishing 8/25/08


There back and I don't mean Snook, the Army Corp of Engineers is back in our in our water. The lake is a bad dream to the folks on the west and east coast, the level is out of control and they must slow it down, so here comes the pulse releases, lets hope they are short and minimal. New faces at S.F.W.M and the Army Corp and the purchase of Ag land south of the lake, shows there is a new attitude toward the water in our state, let us hope our estuary can live through it all.
Surf anglers look for the clean water, get away from the brown, blue green is the color. A good run of Mullet on the beach has big Jacks, big Snook and Tarpon crashing through them. Look for the bait schools and I know you will be in the fish. Cast some thing that is about the size of the bait in the school, that is what they are focused on, match the hatch. The Jacks will eat any thing but the Snook and especially the Tarpon can be real pickie. Plenty of big Croakers and enough Whiting to bring a bucket of ice with you, blue water and bait, does it get any better?
The river again get away from the inlets, look for the blue green water. This might not be the time for top water, the edges of the Indian River are pretty brown but toward the deeper water it cleans up. From Bear Point south to Stuart Causeway in three to four feet of water, Trout, Snook, Tarpon, few Reds, biggest Lady Fish I can recall and really nice Flounder have all made the Snook Nook log. Slow down, fish deep you are looking for the salt water, fresh water floats, thirteen inches of rain put end to the drought. From the bridges it has been Black Drum ,Snapper and plenty of them. Both species have a bag limit, do you know what it is. Black Drum, 14' min 24' max. five is the bag, Snappers have wide minimum depending the species, but the aggregate is ten, so now we both know. Shrimp is the bait form the bridge, it seems that is all they want, so give to them.
Off shore run to the blue water, get out of the brown, easy to find this color line. Bait has been an issue so get out the cast net and bring some Mullet, 150' there was a few Dolphin, 80' Kings and Cobia on Down lines but the key was the live baits. Bottom fishing is good with plenty of big Muttons a few Grouper, but the target has been the Snapper. Because the fresh water floats the salinity levels are still good deep. A Sardine on a jig has been very productive for all of the above.
North Fork, South Fork and the wide St. Lucie are all pretty much fresh water, still a few Snook at the Roosevelt, Evans Crary and the Inlet but you have to fish deep, slow presentation. Yes they will go into fresh water but the water is of such poor "Quality" they will stay down, how quickly things change, one storm. Jensen and Stuart causeway, best bet.
Till next week keep your fingers crossed, NO MORE RAIN...............................Henry



Fishing 8/24/08

Rain, did I say rain, enough that you could fish in most driveways, but the fish don't mind they are all ready wet. Every day the fresh water run off becomes less, more important is where to fish. If you are a fresh water fan go for it, salt water anglers you need to look around. Freshwater floats, when in area of doubt fish deep , keep your baits on the bottom.
The surf has had a lot of weeds, before you take your equipment to the edge look around, how is the color of the water, where are the weeds. With all our access move north or south and you will find that one that you can fish. Plenty of Snook, Tarpon and big Jacks for the early anglers but big Croaker and Whiting even a few Pompano have made the catch list. With every tide change the water cleans and the weeds break up, so things are looking real good, come on down check out the beach.
Off shore anglers are going way out for the Dolphin, 400' to 600' finding weed patches and coming back with twenty pound class fish, live bait was the secret. But the color line at 150' was where most anglers spent their time. On the list was Dolphin, Kings and more Bonita than you imagine. Bottom fishing has been excellent with a Snapper bite that will make you get out your rule book, lots of Muttons. For you anglers that do not do a lot of bottom, put some bait on the hook, you have to feed the little fish so the big fish will come to see what has drawn their attention.
River anglers, Snapper, Drum, Spanish Mac's at the bridges. Lots of Muttons but these fish have to be 16" and included in the 10 per day aggregate bag limit. Trout bite continues but in the deeper water, salinity levels are best close to the bottom. Tarpon bite in the Inlets, Tarpon in the St. Lucie and Indian River, plenty of fish just what time do they eat? Pesky Snook in the spill ways, all around the bridges, inlets and flats and it seems they are eating all day but we will see what happens come September First
Till next week, remember the Snapper limits.............Henry.

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

Florida East Coast Fishing Forecast 9-08

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast,
September 2008

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

As hurricane season progresses and the summer squalls move north in the Atlantic, the prevailing summer breezes will begin to switch from the southeast to the northeast. This transition signals the beginning of the fall migration of all critters preferring warmer climates. These gradual shifts also marks the beginning of the fall fishing season as hordes of baitfish, primarily silver mullet, and predatory species begin their southerly migration along the beach and through the Indian River Lagoon.

In my experience, baitfish move south in pulses or waves, rather than a continuous flow, so finding the bait is the key to catching fish. One day a particular location will be loaded with bait, and the next day they will be gone. It's hard to predict the magnitude and duration of the run, but it recent indications prove true, this years run will start early, and like last year, progressing into October and November. Currently bait pods are forming up in all areas of the lagoon, and small concentration of baitfish have already made their presence known around the Port Canaveral jetty and along the beach in the Sebastian area.

Look for snook, tarpon, redfish, bluefish, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, sharks, and large kingfish crushing and shadowing bait pods all along the beach. The bait pods are easily located by watching for birds diving and fish working the bait on the surface. Once you've located the bait concentration, simply determine its direction of movement, usually south, and set up in front of it and let them come to you. This is also my preferred time of year to target tarpon and snook along the beach.

The beach snook run has already started with a few fish being reported, and it will begin to pick up substantially, just in time for the opening of snook season on September 1st. When fishing from the beach, I prefer using live finger mullet as bait, match the hatch. Fish the very edge of the beach, just beyond the whitewater, and walk along the beach letting your bait drift along in the direction of tidal flow. This technique will allow bait to cover more ground and help keep your bait in the strike zone.

Near-shore, good numbers of kingfish will continue to work the beaches, Port Canaveral buoy line, and the inshore reefs and wrecks in 70 to 120 feet of water. When targeting kingfish, slow trolling live pogies (Atlantic menhaden) on stainless steel stinger rigs is the preferred method. Also as the water temperatures cool, look for the large rays to move into shallower water bringing cobia with them. In Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet look for flounder, mangrove snapper, redfish and snook around the jetties and other structures, and tripletail, barracuda, and cobia under the Canaveral buoy cans.

Inshore, sea trout are still plentiful on the deeper edges of the grass flats, with the best bite happening at first light and sunset. Also look for ladyfish, tarpon, and jacks to be mixed in. When targeting these fish, work top water plugs for explosive action. Near the end of the month, start looking for the pompano and flounder to begin moving out of the lagoon through the inlets into the near shore waters along the beach. Also watch for the larger redfish to begin forming up just outside Sebastian Inlet feeding on small baitfish and small blue crabs washing out with the tide.

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

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
www.irl-fishing.com
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
407-366-8085
407-416-1187 on the water