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Every Trip is an Adventure
Capt. Russ Walker
September 25, 2017
Cape Coral - Saltwater Fishing Report
September 20, 2017
Today was like it should be for every Professional Florida Fishing Guide. Headed out towards Boca Grande Pass to fish for Snapper with Allen and Bill from the Carolinas.
As we passed the north end of Cayo Costa, to our left, we saw birds diving. With the whip of the wheel we headed their way.
I had three rods already rigged with silver slabs with single hooks. Bill was the first to get hit and a big fight ensued. Believe it or not, the fighter was an offshore Snook. What a prize. It was Bill's first. Very nice just an inch over the slot limit, we let it go.
Over and over the spoons were struck. Giant 15 pound Jacks and absolutely huge 4 pound gulf ladyfish in the rip tide off the Boca Grande sand bar. What a blast.
On down south along the island, huge currents of threadfins, we threw our slabs but only ladyfish showed up. Where are the mackerels?
I cast my 10 foot net in 14 feet of water along the rip tide and got 150 huge baits. I never get crap in 14 feet but I did today. The sounder was solid red from top to bottom. Beautiful baits and into the live well they went.
On to the monolithic structure in mid Cap Pass. Lots of nice speckled trout.
Finally we headed to the Finale, as I call it, NW of the Broken Islands. Lots of Trout, nice ones too.
Bill was hit once again. This time a chartreuse boxer jig under a Louisiana Popping Cork loaded with a fat white shrimp from Barnhill's Bait.
Boom, the rig took off and there was no stopping it. Quickly, I double hit the Power Pole FOB, reeled in, started the motor and slammed it in gear. Bill was down to the mono by now.
We chased this thing for just over an hour and barely saw it twice. We thought it was a 70-pound Cobia. It was huge with wide shoulders. It never jumped once.
A 4000 II PENN Battle on a 6'6" Ugly stick rod I had rigged with 40 pound braid and a 40 pound mono leader. I always do this in case a big Cobia hits. Just a little insurance against a heart break.
To make a long story shorter…It turned out to be a 90 pound Tarpon. We had it to the boat four times but it wouldn't give up. The trout rod didn't have the poop to allow us to manhandle the fish so, after touching the cork again, it made one last run for survival and it popped the leader at the jig. Bill was saddened and relieved all at the same time. His arms were shaking.
Well that's enough for a 6 hour Tide Walker Charter.
See You Next Tide.
Tide Walker Charters where "Every Trip is an Adventure."
Article by Captain Russ Walker Sept 20, 2017
Cape Coral Fishing Forecast:
Great
Target Species:
Snook, Jacks, Mackerel, Ladyfish, Trout and Tarpon
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