No luck catching redfish? Get back to the basics

November 10, 2017

New to the area and not having any luck catching redfish? Given up on trying to catch one on a lure or a fly? You've heard it's just like bass fishing and you've worn out your arm chunking and winding the flats all day and are ready to give up and go home?Call a guide? Call a friend? You can and I'll be glad to take your call, book a trip and even be your friend if you bring an extra sandwich!But first, if you are still determined to do it yourself, here's an easy method. Leave the overstuffed tackle boxes at home and go back to the basics.To get a trolling motor lead foot, chunk and ...

Big reds are hungry and willing

November 3, 2017

At times, local skinny water redfish can be as skittish as an over-pressured Keys bonefish in tourist season. Other times, redfish will eat any lure or fly you throw their way.That's fishing.Wednesday's charter was one of those days that make a client and guide very happy as the reds were hungry and willing.I al-ways prefer an early morning incoming tide for hunting reds in shallow water, but due to scheduling issues, the afternoon outgoing tide was what we faced.A few years ago I found a highly productive stretch of shoreline within sight of the Matlacha Bridge that few seem to fish and ...

Cold weather brings hungry predator fish

October 27, 2017

Recent cold fronts pushing through our area will put predators in full feeding mode and hopefully on the end of your line.Any beach-bound snook still cruising the Gulf or the passes will head east to join the rest of the gang moving inshore to warmer protected waters. Many of these snook typically winter upriver and will face very poor water quality issues as they swim east through the ongoing Lake O discharges.Best snook fishing occurs during periods of fast moving tides, especially outgoing tides where snook ambush small fish and invertebrates flushed out of the back country. Points of ...

Ready for a fishing marathon?

October 6, 2017

Let's see, a full moon, prolonged rain, high winds and muddy water. Just one of these conditions will often hinder a successful trip. With all the down time with Irma and October here and slipping quickly, I'm ready for a fishing marathon.When we do get a break, the water inshore will still be brown so think scent, noise and color. Load those lures with scent and keep re-applying. I'm not a big fan of rattling lures in clear water, but if it's stained brown, fish need all the help they can get finding your offering.Lure colors for brown water is an endless subject with no real clear ...

Fall fishing is the best

September 29, 2017

Fantastic fall fishing arrives in Southwest Florida to help erase The Irma Blues.With a day off I decided to go fishing for myself this past week with the toughest part being trying to decide what species to target.Fall fishing in South-west Florida is an angler's dream. From 50 miles offshore to poling a skiff in 5 inches of water, fall is about lots of choices for the coastal and offshore angler.Spanish mackerel, bonito, kingfish, flounder, schooling redfish and bluefish are all sure signs the end of summer is officially here although the air temperature is still blistering in the ...

Use colors, sounds and scents

September 22, 2017

Matlacha's dark murky waters made fishing tough, but not impossible for clients determined to catch fish this past Wednesday.Strictly shallow water lure and fly anglers determined to catch snook and reds on fakes, they shunned my suggestion to give in and make life easier by making better use ...