Boca Grande Fishing Charters April Forecast
Capt. Danny Latham
April 15, 2012
Boca Grande - Saltwater Fishing Report
April is here and the fishing is unreal! Thousands of Tarpon have already made their way into Southwest Florida and they came hungry. The snook fishing continues to be outstanding, Redfish are feeding like mad and big trout seem to be all over the harbor. That's just the inshore bite. On top of that there are big Sharks roaming the flats, Kingfish and Spanish mackerel wreaking havoc on the bait pods and Cobia hanging around the nearshore wrecks and reefs. There is going to be some serious rod bending going on this month!
Speaking of Tarpon, I know I keep repeating myself but the 2012 Tarpon fishing season is only a few months away and for those of you who are looking to book a trip for the 2012 tarpon season I strongly urge that you start planning ASAP as my calendar is already over half full. I don't want to sound like a broken record but I would hate to miss seeing some of my repeat clients this tarpon season.
Thousands of Tarpon have moved into Southwest Florida in the past few weeks. These are the big ones too. Fish in the 100 lb. range seem to be the average but fish over 150 lbs. are a definite possibility. The average has been 2-3 hook ups a trip. They are being caught using a variety of methods including live bait drifting, sight fishing and dead baiting. This tarpon season is shaping up to be really good!
The snook fishing has been nothing short of spectacular the past few weeks. They have really been feeding and have been more than excited to see a livewell full of sardines. Most of my trips have been averaging an amazing 30-50 fish a day with the average size being around 24" and a few 30"plus fish mixed in. For you night owls, the night time Snook fishing around the lighted docks in Punta Gorda, Ft. Myers beach, Little Gasparilla and Boca Grande may be your best bet for some April Snook action. Lures like Mirrolure 3" Soft Sardine and Mirrolure Mirrodine should both be good choices for catching spring time Snook. Please remember that Snook season will be catch and release only until at least September 2012.
The Redfish fishing thisApril should remain to be outstanding. There are still Redfish EVERYWHERE! I am still catching a ton of fish in the 3lb-5lb range but I have been catching alot over 27 inches. Sardines and pinfish have been the top bait recently and they have really been responding to live bait chumming. I have had multiple 30 plus Redfish days recently and I don't see that changing any time soon. I have also been catching a lot fish on artificial. The Mirrolure "Provoker" rigged with a 4/0 Mustad Power Lock has been killing the reds and the trout on the higher tides.
Trout fishing has remained very good and getting a nice limit of trout has been pretty easy. I have been seeing a ton of big Trout on the flats and with a nice live-well of bait they have been really eating. I have started catching some really nice trout while fishing for Snook and Reds. I haven't gotten any fish over 9lbs so far this year but I have had quite a few in the 6lb-8lb range. April is the last month that the big trout fishing will be really good here in Southwest Florida and I don't mean 20" fish I'm talking about 25"-30" fish that can weigh as much as 10lbs! Those are true "gators" and this is the time of year to catch them!
The near shore fishing has really picked up. Spanish Mackerels have been all over the place and the Kingfish have been on all of the nearshore reeks and wrecks. Cobia have been on the offshore wrecks and reefs and quit a few have been mixed inshore while Tarpon fishing. Gag Grouper remains out of season but you can still have a good time playing tug-o-war with some as long as you are willing to let them go.
Whether you want to catch the fish of a lifetime or just relax with friends, you can count on Reelfishing charters to put together the ultimate Southwest Florida experience! Capt. Danny is the guide that will bring everything together for a fun, exciting fishing charter that you'll remember.
Reelfishing is a Fort Myers fishing charter as well as a Boca Grande fishing guide service. We pick up at several locations around Southwest Florida including Burnt Store Marina, Pineland Marina, Placida and the Boca Grande guide docks. Other arrangements can be made if necessary. We try to make fishing with Reelfishing charters as easy as possible.
Catch Fish, No Excuses!
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