Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor

Capt. Van Hubbard
March 13, 2005
Boca Grande - Saltwater Fishing Report

snook are ready come and get em.

Web 3/13-05

Captain Van Hubbard.

Spring is in Boca Grande snook are coming out.

Things are looking good right now for our inside spring fishery. The phones are ringing and everyone is excited about snook fishing. Baitfish are dropping into Charlotte Harbor and the fish are working from their winter habitats to eat them. Our weather seams to have gotten back to near normal and inside waters are warming up.

It looks like we are finally back to the good life around Charlotte Harbor. We did lose a few fish last month but indications are stacking up for snook to put on a strong show. They are predicting 80degree temps for the area this week. We should be about thru the cold fronts and a few cool changes will actually be welcome. Summer heat will catch us soon enough. If the waters warm to fast the migratory fish race thru to fast I’m anxious to play with a few king mackerel before the tarpon show up.

The winter visitors are here in numbers; we’ll see how the fishing season is this year. Some tarpon we reported killed off of Naples last month. It’s anyone’s guess how many or the effect on the population. A few fish should cruise in soon and we’ll keep you posted.

Snook populations are coming on strong. The messy red tide held back the spring transition a few years ago. When the fish came out they blew us away. Red tides are never good but we have had awesome catching after that one. With less pinfish, game fish will be hungry to eat our minnows. Lures can out catch baits some time too. The only sure thing about snook is that they will surprise you if you take anything for granted. That can happen in life sometimes? Experiment and stick with the thing that works.

We lost a lot of redfish with the big blows last fall. They traveled with the big tides. I’m watching how things shake out now. We have had plenty of small ones growing into the slot. Trout were coming on very strong and I predict good catching here also. Some big ones are taken now.

The migratory schools of fish are confused buy off shore water problems. We’ll watch and keep you up on their travels. Spanish and king mackerel should bless our catches any time. Temps are up to par; just keep your wire leaders handy. I packed some tonight. Shine up your Sabikis and hunt up your gaff. Expect to see baitfish and screaming gulls any day. Tarpon will be close behind. Please be careful and Let’s Go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard

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