Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor

Capt. Van Hubbard
August 15, 2005
Boca Grande - Saltwater Fishing Report

Boca Grande fishing looking good.

8-15-05 web

Snook season opens September First and should be good.

It’s been impossible to predict much with fishing this year. We have the fish, it’s just working around fresh water, weather and red tide blooms. So far red tide has just brushed by us. Some slight fish kills, mostly baitfish. It’s moved fish around but not hurt local population around Charlotte Harbor. God only knows what we’ll have tomorrow but so far so good.

Snook are smart and we have seen some fine bunches dodging the small blooms. Mostly undersized line-siders, but several slot fish and some big beautiful trophies as well. They are feeding aggressively at times. When the waters settle out they will be back into their old habits. The good news now is they can get hot any time. The bad news is trying to guess when. The best part is so far lots of snook.

Reds have not been right since the big storm a year ago. We are seeing more every day and this is encouraging. Most are slot fish but some bigger ones for fun. We have caught and released reds to 35 inches this summer.

Trout have been good down in the Harbor and Pine Island Sound if you want to ride around and find em. Some dead fish were reported around Captiva Pass this week. They appear to be blown in from the Gulf so far. With gas so high I’ve stayed closer to home and played with the snook mostly.

Some of the guys enjoyed some hot tarpon fishing last weekend. It’s hit and miss but fun if you catch it hot. Lures are out fishing live baits for many.

Outside I hear about a few permit and cudas but have not hunted them down, lack of off shore clients right now.

Area waters are clearing up as the rains have slowed down for now. Baitfish are easy one day and hard the next but so far enough to fish with. They are all sizes from tiny to tarpon sized. It’s good to see some pinfish and mullet around also. The manatees and dolphin are doing fine. Everything points to a good snook season opening up soon.

Let’s Go Fishing soon. Captain Van Hubbard. [email protected] or

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