Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor

Capt. Van Hubbard
July 3, 2006
Boca Grande - Saltwater Fishing Report

Great July fishing.

7-2-06 web

Take time to be thankful for our freedom around the good fishing.

We have enjoyed some great snook and redfish action the last couple of weeks. Tarpon are good one day and challenging the next. Baitfish are still easy and so we mix it up. Look for tarpon and catch a few when they co-operate. If they play hard to get, we just catch and release some snook and reds. It gets hot in the afternoons but we usually have made our day early. The winds have been calm most morning, finally. The sunrise is beautiful over the slick surface. Then the ripples of tarpon backs break the glassy surface and we go into action. We set up our approach in front of the school of silver kings. Bring into play the trusty Motor Guide to slip into casting range. Then make our presentation just ahead of the happy fish. Everyone is alert as the school approaches our crabs and then the silver flash as a mega silver king slurps in the bait. REEL, Reel, and as the line starts to scream off you pull back and it explodes; frequently several times. Many times they manage to get off but most of the time you stay connected. It helps if you bow the rod and relax the pressure as tarpon fly. These acrobatics are impossible to describe. I did not truly appreciate em until we did the TV shows. As we watched the aerial gymnastics in slow motion on video we actually could grasp the contortions, twists and turns. Amazing, truly amazing; only in slow mo can you actually see all the contortions.

The snook are big fun also. They jump and run and on matched gear they entertain with style. We have been sharing this with lots of kids. It’s the perfect match; lots of fast action. Kids need to see immediate results to hold their attention. Some adults are prone to this also. The redfish are sporadic but awesome fun when they make an appearance. Fish striking all around the boat and double even triple headers going constantly. Some of the reds are slot fish. We also have been getting a mess of fine Spanish mackerel. Having fun fishing and dinner too, not a bad way to spend your morning.

Finally enjoy this Forth of July. It’s time to show veterans and especially active duty military men and woman our appreciation. We are very lucky to be in the USA. Any time you think it’s bad here look around at the third world countries and thank your God for being born here. Let’s Go Fishin’. Soon. Captain Van Hubbard.

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