Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor

Capt. Van Hubbard
October 2, 2004
Boca Grande - Saltwater Fishing Report

We can enjoy good fishing again.

Great weather and fishing, finally.

We enjoyed a few days of fair skies, clearing waters and the fish like it. Baitfish are bunching back up. Many are still small but millions of minnows are almost anywhere you travel in side and on the beaches. Few signs of mackerel but snook, reds and small trout are abundant. With food everywhere you’ll want to hustle when fish feed because they can be lethargic if full. You may know the feeling like after Thanksgiving dinner.

We’ve brought home reds for dinner everyday and nice a snook (30") yesterday. Smaller snook and trout make up in enthusiasm for their lack in size. With two half day trips this week we have not made it down to the Harbor recently. It’s nice catching some fish close to home. Our water temps have crept back into the high 80s and cleared up nicely. It’s back to mostly sight casting to feeding fish. Some big jacks are testing our strength and gear. We saw a school Tuesday that were so big we choose not to cast to them with the 10 pound gear we were holding at the time. Tarpon ger would have worked but we could not grab it fast enough. This is the time of year that you never know what will cruise by your boat. I saw a nice cobia swimming over a big stingray on Tuesday also.

Spanish Mackerel should be moving back into the area soon. Kings wont be far behind. The big storms in the Northen Gulf should start the migrations traveling in our direction. Some pompano have teased us and more will be here anytime. The big schools of redfish are around now too. Snook will be pushing harder as waters cool next month. Trout will be closing here November 1, so get them while we can. It’s so nice to get back to some normal activities. We were spared any major damage here locally but devastation was so close many friends were not as fortunate. Be thankful for what we have and enjoy what’s left. To many got hurt bad. If your thinking about a fishing trip it’s time to set one up. Our industry needs to get b ack to work. Let’s Go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard

More Fishing Reports:

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