Migrating tarpon are on their way

February 1, 2019

With a warm winter season, migratory tarpon scouts have been seen and the main body is definitely on the way to local waters to join our resident fish that prefer Cape Coral year-round.If you need one now then you should trailer the boat or hire a guide to get to your fish. The 10,000 Islands will offer world-class tarpon fishing this month especially if you enjoy sight casting to back country shallow bay fish with flies or lures.Hiring a guide is highly recommended as it will save time and you won't get lost, which is quite easy to do. Also take proper long sleeves/long pants, socks, ...

Snook bite has remained pretty hot

January 25, 2019

According to the FWC, "Snook are one of the many reasons Florida is the fishing capitol of the world."As the water temps drop so does snook activity but, since the waters have remained relatively warm this winter, the snook bite is still pretty hot. Slowly cruise the shorelines of Pine Island or Matlacha Pass during bright sunny days between fronts and you just may spot a long-as-your-leg snook of your dreams, belly to the bottom and backs nearly exposed in thin clear water trying to absorb as much heat energy as possible.Be aware that they probably won't respond to your lures other ...

Hunting tripletail, and some boat/trailer mishaps

January 18, 2019

Pick your weather day and head offshore to scout for tripletail. Usually found under a crab float or around markers or even random floating grass or garbage. Sometimes, seen floating on their sides hence the nickname: leaf fish.Pick a line of crab floats and motor by them, but not too closely. ...

One cast, one lure, three fish!

January 11, 2019

A good hunting or fishing guide naturally wants his or her clients to catch fish or bag game as well as providing friendly companionship, coaching and teaching as needed during the trip experience.I've been with guides that seemed more interested in catching their fish rather than in me ...

Hitting the flats looking for the first catch of the new year

January 4, 2019

By the time I arrived at the ramp on New Year's Day, the tide had dwindled and dock reports from returning anglers where pretty grim.With little free time and wanting to catch my first flats fish of 2019, we launched the boat.The boat parade was on as flats boats, go-fast boats and family cruisers filled the channels heading north and south, keeping any sane fish wanting to keep his scalp and scales far away from that action and deep under cover.The problem was, the tide had run out, the shorelines and roots exposed, where did they go? We needed fish!By this time the sun had warmed the ...

Fishing’s best now on, or close to, the bottom

December 28, 2018

Christmas holidays in the low 80s? I'll take it, along with a couple dozen, big, handpicked shrimp and jig heads to pin them to and slowly fish them around deeper docks or bridge structures.The action is on, or close to, the bottom so pick a weedless style jig heavy enough to get down and stay down in the current.Get-ting anglers to slow their winter retrieve is the biggest problem. Reeling ultra-slow, jigging and letting the lure fall back is impossible for some anglers and takes real concentration.The other issue is "touch" or feel or, learning how to jig the bottom without hanging up ...