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Updated 3/17/08
Matt Mitchell with a 25-inch redfish caught last week
by Capt. Matt Mitchell
The big spring run of kingfish and bonita and everything else
that follows them right off our beaches should be in full swing
any day now. If we get some calm, light wind days it's a great
time to get out on the gulfside of the islands for some mixed
bag action.
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Run crab pots for tripletail
while keeping your eyes open for any surface activity. Springtime
visitors include sharks, mackerel and cobia and not far behind will be
the tarpon.
Spring days on the Gulf-side can be a National Geographic experience of
watching the whole food chain in action. Keeping your eyes open and
being ready for whatever species you encounter out there is the key to
success. Take a wide variety of tackle and baits with you as you never
know what you might run into during springtime in the Gulf.
Last week, slow daytime incoming tides made for average fishing action,
though I did get a few good fish in the boat, including a few bigger
reds and a two slot-size snook. These bigger fish took work and checking
out lots of different spots to locate.
The trout bite was even a little slower than it has been though they are
still around in good numbers. A 23-inch "gator" size specimen was the
big one of the week.
The better tide to get out and fish was the late afternoon high and then
the outgoing. In a two-tide-a-day cycle, as this week, was fishing can
be very tough. Simply put, moving water is the most important factor in
fishing our area. When the water moves as much in six hours as it does
the next 18 hours it's a given when gamefish are going to feed best.
Having to fish these lazy slow tides most of the week, I looked for
places the water was moving. Any kind of water movement is better than
slack water even if only wind-generated. Gaps and cuts between mangrove
islands work like a funnel for the wind. Wind-blown shorelines and
deeper channels produced the majority of my fish all week.
By the time you read this fishing report we will be in a much better
tide cycle. Tides will be back to the much better four-tide cycle. The
daytime outgoing tide is going to be all about snook fishing in and
around the passes for me. The dirty, stirred-up water and warm water
temperatures are the key to a good pass bite. I had several reports of
great snook action in the passes this week while fishing the late day
fast moving outgoing tide.
Drifting a live pinfish with or without a split shot or small lead egg
sinker is the tried and true method for pass fishing our area for snook.
The tide rips and eddies around the edges of the passes have been
producing lots of action. The same rip will produce hits every drift.
The fish have been on the short side of the slot but there are
definitely some keepers in there too. Its early in the year for snook to
be in the passes in such large numbers but with the unseasonably warm,
mid-70-degree water temperature, it makes sense.
Jigging and trolling with silver spoons around the inside and outside of
passes filled the void of back country, slack tide fishing. Consistent
action on Spanish mackerel and ladyfish has been the go-to for me on
slow days. Look for birds working close to the water around the passes
and right off the beaches to tip you off to there location.
When conditions are calm, get out a little further from the beaches and
look for sky-rocketing kingfish in the mix too. Drift and slow troll
with live shiners when you see one free jump or see lots of bait around.
Rig the shiners up with a small piece of light wire leader and a light
wire hook. King mackerel are a blast to catch on light spinning tackle
with their lightning-fast, long runs.
Click the links below to view copies of my other recent reports.
02/04/2008
- 02/11/2008
- 03/03/2008
- 03/10/2008
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