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Updated 3/08/10
Fishing Is
Getting Better
Fishing this week sure got a lot better than it has
been. Warmer afternoon temperatures really had the fish more
fired up than they have been in weeks. No trophies this week but
day in day out consistent fishing finally.
Sheepshead and trout were the majority of the fish caught on my
boat last week along with a few reds and the first few snook I
have caught since the big fish kill. I was not targeting snook
but they sure were a welcome surprise. |
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One mangrove channel I have been fishing in St. James City had
hundreds of 18- to 24-inch snook in it along with a few real bruisers
too. This is the first large concentration of snook I have seen in
months. With the water still cold at 58 degrees the snook were not
moving really fast but it sure is a good sign to see so many after
thousands died less than two months ago.
Large schools of ladyfish could also be found in these deep water,
sheltered mangrove creeks. They were packed tight and made for some
non-stop action on both live shrimp and plastic jigs. This time of year
these ladyfish will stay put in these same creeks and canals just
waiting for the water to warm up before they move out. They are a great
way to start a charter or a day?s fishing, getting everyone in on the
action often with double and triple hook-ups. Mixed in were also a few
trout even though the ratio is about 10 ladyfish to every trout caught.
The sheepshead spawn is really in full swing with the majority of of the
bigger fish caught being filled with roe. There are plenty of them out
there, many over the 15-inch mark. Scouting around before a charter this
week I saw thousands of good size sheepshead in the clear water from the
tower. The most productive time I have found to catch these fish is on
the higher water with a slow moving tide. One good hole will often
produce a dozen or so decent size sheep. Chunks of shrimp double-hooked
on a jig head with a sharp hook catch more than live whole shrimp. I
also like to sharpen the hook on my jig head after a few fish; keeping
it razor sharp will hook these hard-mouthed bait stealers If you?re
looking for a fish dinner, sheepshead are hard to beat.
As temperatures slowly warmed, trout could be not only found in mangrove
channels but also out on the flats. Drop-offs around Picnic Island were
some of the hottest action around for big trout. Shrimp and soft plastic
shrimp fished under a popping cork caught trout almost every cast. All
of these trout were over the 15-inch minimum along with four or five a
trip over the 20-inch max. I did best working the sand holes and
drop-offs. With the water so clear, work your baits right on the edge of
the flat where it falls off into to five to six feet of water.
Fishing this week with long time client Nick Basilio from Pennsylvania,
we had a great day of non-stop action and a cooler full of fish at the
end of the day. Nick's son and grandchildren were in town and they just
love to fish. Despite a cold windy afternoon and never venturing far
from the sheltered warm creeks around St. James city, Molly Basilio,
Nick's granddaughter, caught everything that swims along with some of
the bigger sheepshead of the trip. It's great to see children really
enjoy fishing and all the nature out on the water that we start to take
for granted. .
Capt. Matt Mitchell moved to Sanibel in 1980 and has fished local waters
for more than 25 years. He now lives in St. James City and has worked as
a back country fishing guide for more than 10 years. If you have
comments or questions email
captmattmitchell@aol.com.
Click the links below to view copies of my other recent reports.
02-08-2010 -
02-22-2010 -
03-01-2010
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