Keys Summer Fishing Red Hot

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Mama mia, what a catch!!

A couple vacationing from Como, Italy dropped in for a half day fishing excursion aboard the Capt. JR.



Luca and Lella Tagliabue scored quickly landing a total of 16 Dolphins (mahi), 4 blackfin tunas and 3 tasty tripletails by midday! Not to shabby, MAMA MIA!!!

The summer time fishing is still red hot at Holiday Isle, so please call Ernie or Nicki at 305 664 2321 x642 to book your own exciting offshore fishing trip today!!



Capt. Bruce Anderson with Mr. Mangrovian (from a recent reef trip).

Tasty Yellowtails, from Capt. Easy reef trip.

Nikki Holiday Isle Offshore 800-327-7070 Etc 642

Holiday Isle Resort and Marina
84001 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-2321 ext. 642
Direct: 305-433-9942
www.holidayisle.com
kharper@holidayisle.com

How To Fish Light Tackle

Fishing Report 08/20/2009 – Capt. Terry Frankford


Anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin have caught several species including mangrove snapper, redfish, trout, and black drum to name a few. We had to travel from spot to spot before finding fish, however we hung in there and enjoyed a tight line, and dinner on the plate.

A Fish Tail aboard the Reelin & Chillin
Dave Mathias and I headed out one morning for a near-shore trip. We had all the bait we needed picking up six dozen handpicks, and a dozen pinfish at Hart's Landing. Then on the way out we netted a hundred or so shiners just off Lido Beach. The plan was fish a few reefs eight to ten miles out, however the weather offshore looked threating - lots of lightning. We decided to try a little inshore fishing before making the decision on going out. We headed to a grass flat in north Sarasota Bay on the east side - five to seven feet deep. I started chumming the white bait, maybe six or eight at a time, and the fish turned on. It took Dave and I about an hour to put eight trout in the live well - our limit, along with three bluefish. The weather offshore was getting worse so we called off going offshore and decided to try for reds - one of Dave's wifes favorite inshore fish. We bounced around from dock to dock, flat to flat, bay to bay, and never did find a red. However, we each caught a black drum, and a bucket full of mangrove snapper. All in all it was a great day with plenty of fish on the line, and in the box. I also found out the next day that Sue, Dave's wife, really enjoyed the black drum. She blackened it just like she does the reds, and loved it.



Light Tackle - More Hookups
Using light tackle makes for great action when catching inshore species. Hooking a fish in open water you still have to take your time - let it run - tiring it out - then bring it in for the catch or release. When fishing structure like docks it even gets wilder - you need to horse the fish out from the piles before you can wear him out. The exciting part is just when you think you have him close to the boat he ends up running back to the piles.


The thing about light tackle is your bait has more action, and doesn't wear out as fast - using 10lb test on the reel, 20lb test mono leader, and a #4 Owner MUTU circle hook, (a very small thin wire hook) keeps the bait moving. Think about it this way: Take 100' of close line, tie it around your waist and take a swim - most likely you could swim a good distance with no problem. Now replace the close line with 100' of large rope you would use to dock a cruise ship and try swimming - most likely you would go about two feet, and fall to the bottom worn out. Same thing with a live shrimp or live shiner. You may loose a few fish, however you will get way more strikes. The difference would be like: Heavy tackle, 5 strikes 4 fish - light tackle, 10 strikes 7 fish, take you pick...


Tight Lines & Good Times,

Capt. Terry Frankford
Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.
941-228-7802
terry.frankford@verizon.net
www.charterfishingsarasota.com

Jacksonville Fishing Report 8-18-09

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8/18 - A really nice day on the river!

Yeah, it may have been a bit breezy. It has been for a few days now. But that's what kept it cooler. The sun may have bumped in and out because of the clouds. But that's what kept it cooler.
And yeah, we may have gotten really wet because of a short rain shower that snuck up on us.
But again, that really cooled us off.

Had Louise H. and her son Garrett aboard today, visiting from the Lone Star state. And actually quite close to the good ole Gulf of Mexico, one seriously fishy body of water. But as Louise told me in the beginning...."we're not fishing people". But heck they wanted to give it a try.

And I think they were very pleased that they did. Because we had a really great day. And even though they may have been fishin' rookies, they both did exceptionally well. And as usual, when I have the gals aboard, they're the fish magnets!!

After I shagged off my morning "stow-away", we took off just after 8am.



We headed up river. At the first stop, I try to find a nice calm easy to fish spot. So everyone on board gets acclimated to the tackle and gives me a chance to teach them about float-rig fishing.
And we were on our spot 5 minutes with lines in the water about 30 seconds when Garrett hooks the first fish of the morning. "I.G" - instantaneous gratification!!! That's what I like to see. And coming to boat is the first Speckled Trout. Not a keeper, but it doesn't matter at this point.

Then it was mom's turn, and Louise reels one on in.



Right then, we started to get some falling tide current, so we shifted on over to an area that had good steady current, straight behind the boat. But that had the wind straight to our stern, and we wobbled around a lot on anchor. But we got the job done, and started catching Trout right away.

We were fishing now, no more than an hour maybe and already caught 6 and had 3 up to 19-7/8ths of and inch, in the fish box. Again, not bad for my float-rigging newbies. They both got into the rhythm and that means fish!!





After boxing some nice Trout up to 20 inches, we moved on and tried our hand at some bottom fishing for a big red. But it's still summer and the first hook up was a monster Stingray that smoked off line so fast there was no stopping the big "dumpster-lid", and it broke off.

My patience for this is about a foot long. Starring at the rod tips, (I hate stinger fishing...) so we moved on and went back to float-rig fishing and catching good fish. But the next spot was short lived. Here came the clouds and ran us off to a safe haven, but as I ran there, we ran straight into the big rain. We got wet, but during the down pour the boat was safely tied up and we took cover with a handful of other fisherman under a roof that was close by.

After the shower we found a nice calm river and a lesser breeze on the next spot. Caught some more throw back Trout and boxed even more up to 20 inches, again. Along with plenty of Ladyfish and jacks, and the days only Mangrove Snapper at 14 inches, that hit the ice along with a double limit of beautiful Specks. I know, I couldn't believe it either.....only one Mangrove?? We really didn't have many problems with the "shrimp snatchers" much at all, today. Maybe because I fished deeper waters, further away from the hard structures.





Louise was the "hot rod" all day. And it was well deserved. She was on her game.
I believe, she should fish more often. She might get really hooked.

They ended their day by taking a bag of freshly caught trout all filleted, de-boned and skinned by their guide to Singletons Seafood Shack and having them cooked up for them. They just don't get fresher than that. Louise gave me some also, because they had more than enough and when I got home and put everything away I was reminded of what a nice day we had with a big plate of fresh fried Speckled Trout myself for supper. Ahhhh, the fruits of our FUN. sure did taste good.


See ya out there...
Posted by Capt. Dave Sipler at 8/18/2009

Captain Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
904-642-9546
charters@captdaves.com
JacksonvilleFishingReports.blogspot.com

Jensen Beach Fishing Report 8-15-09

FISHING 8/15/09

Weeds in the surf, that is north of county line, south from Jensen to the inlet, no complaints. One of the great things about our area is our access to the water, if it is weeds then just move north or south to the next access until you run out of weeds. Look first from the dune walk, looks good, then time to unload the gear. Surf continues to be the place with fish all day. On the catch list is has been Snook on top water, Whiting and Croaker on pieces of shrimp, Blues and Mac's on cut baits and yes still a few pompano. The cool thing is that it is an all day bite, it may be Snook early then the Whiting move in and next is may be the Jacks and Lady fish, the fish have been in and out all day. Numbers of rod pullers, with the species changing almost hourly. Bring the light equipment, you will be casting north and south, the fish are at your feet, in the trough.

Off shore, plenty of bait, Sand Pile, BullShark, House of Refuge, one does not need to get caught up in that pile of boats just to get bait. Now where to fish, that depends on your target if it is Dolphin go deep, 300' out to the Push Button. That is the one place that you will get the 15 to 20lb fish, not allot but that is the location. Yes they are closer but few and far in-between. Now if it is fish that start your hart forty to sixty feet of water, Cobia, Kings, Sails that is the zone. On the out side edges of the bait schools, that's where dinner is why should they be else where. Have that pitch rod rigged and ready you will use it. Bottom fishing, excellent with plenty of Muttons and mangroves, even the Yellow Tails made the catch list this week.

Boaters, waders the river has been busy with Reds, Trout and Snook (season is closed) but you need to be there before sun up, 9:30 am that bite is over. Early morning anglers have started their day with top water baits and as the sun rises they are going to soft rubber baits. Live shrimp, try a popping cork or a rattling float to get their attention. Now if your time is after sun up go to the channels edge and slow down, the fish want out of that bright sun and they will go to the channel, deep water. Fishing the bridge, Drum. Snapper. Jacks, Pompano and Lady fish all on live shrimp. Pompano from the bridge at the east end of the Jensen causeway on the in coming tide, not sure what they are doing here it is summer, but then Blues and Mac's on the beach.

Talking and reading about fishing will not work you have to get your bait wet.....................................................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
www.snooknook.net

Panhandle Fishing Report 8-15-09

Report for 08/15/2009

Salt Water

MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Bottom fishing is been steady with live bait working well on grouper and snapper. Reports have the strong Snapper bite at about 80’ however; many respectable snapper are being caught in much shallower water. Grouper continue to be picked up in 170-190’ of water south of Cape San Blas, mainly red snapper, but a few more gags and scamps are being caught as well. King mackerel bite remains steady also. Drifting live baits is working the best, but dusters and cigar minnows are also effective. Tarpon are schooling and feeding in the Indian Pass, area and tripletail have continued to be great sport from Indian pass through Appalache bay.

ST JOSEPH BAY
Trout fishing continues to be great in St Joseph Bay this week. There are many reports of trout on the flats between Pigs Island and Eagle Harbor and between Eagle Harbor and Pompano Cove. The key is to fishing very early in the day or very late. The height of day is proving to be sparse where fishing is concerned due to the large numbers of scallopers visiting St Joe Bay. The reports for redfish are coming from all the west side starting outside the fire tower all the way up to Pompano Point. Hit the flats early morning and late afternoon for your best chances at and redfish.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Red Snapper season is coming to a close. The last day for Snapper is August 14th. They are still biting good over the wrecks and hard bottom areas within 12 miles. Larger snapper are being found further out. Wahoo are being caught from 20-40 miles out. Hi speed trollers, like the Yo Zuri Bonita, are a sure bet. King mackerel seem to be everywhere. They are being caught steadily from the beach out to 40 miles. The Grouper bite has slowed inshore, but good reports are coming from 20 plus miles out. Use large live baits. Lots of Amberjack’s are still being caught around the 100’ mark over bridge spans and large wrecks. Big hard tails are the best bet for keeper Amberjack’s.

Photo's Courtesy of Chris Diehl, fish caught August 8th on the Seminole Wind with Capt. Billy Archer





ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
King mackerel are being caught regularly off the new city pier along with Spanish, Bluefish and Lady Fish. Tarpon are on the beaches in better numbers now. Be stealthy, throw live baits, and keep your fingers crossed for a hook up! Ladyfish, Bluefish, and Spanish mackerel are biting good at the jetties on spoons and Gotcha Plugs. Mangrove Snappers are still being caught off the rocks with live shrimp. Redfish have been found on the flats in East and West Bays; while Bull Reds are still being caught with live shrimp and pinfish around the jetties. Trout are being caught on the flats with topwater lures early and live shrimp under a cork later.

DESTIN
Finally after several weeks of so so offshore fishing it has finally turned back on. From the nipple, across the flats and towards the elbow there has been a good bite of offshore species. The best catch I have heard of was from a private boat that had 2 white marlin and 2 blue marlin and a 40lb dolphin.

Kings are still very good near shore with a few mixed blackfin tuna, dolphin and bonita.

The last week of snapper season has been very good and it is a shame that it closes midnight on Friday the 14th. Grouper have been ok and very good numbers of Amberjack.

On the pier, there have been a few Kings in the afternoon, a few Spanish, some ladyfish and a few hardtails.

In the bay, trout have been very good sized and some very nice reds at the Destin Bridge. Most of the action has been very early on the morning or very late in the day.

Fresh Water
Black bass can be found following schools of shiners right now. You can enjoy some great topwater action under these conditions. Look for schooling shiners on the surface and you can bet the bass will be nearby waiting on lunchtime. Toss you favorite crank baits or topwater lures and hold on the fishing is great.

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.