Chokoloskee July 2017
Capt. Brandon Acosta
July 6, 2017
Chokoloskee - Saltwater Fishing Report

Your best bet for fishing the shallow flats and nearshore areas will be early morning and getting in before the late afternoon rain. The regular mid day storms will become more regular as the month progresses.

We are now fishing mostly on the outside flats and have pretty much left the backwaters for the summer. The Snook will be feeding on the moving tides along the beaches and troughs. You can "match the hatch" and throw them some nice live Pilchards, or you can fish both soft and hard artificials that resemble these live baits.
Redfish are roaming the outside oyster bars looking for little crustaceans on the bottom. Try throwing them a live shrimp on a 4/0 circle hook under a popping cork. Keep ringing that dinner bell by popping that cork about every 5-10 seconds.
Trout are around in good numbers. Fish the flats on the incoming tide with your favorite bucktail jig, Gulp shrimp, or just about any other soft plastic jig…tipped with a small piece of shrimp. Once you find a couple of nice fish, throw out a marker and either anchor up on the spot, or continue making drifts past the same spot.
Mangrove Snapper are also around in good numbers around the mangrove roots. All you need for them is some live shrimp threaded on a small 2/0 hook. The trick to hooking the snapper is to let them take the shrimp for a few seconds before reeling in. Usually you do not even need to set the hook, as they will do this on their own as they try to run away with your shrimp.
Captain Pete Rapps
Captain Rapps' Charters & Guides
239-571-1756
www.CaptainRapps.com
Captain Rapps' Charters & Guides offers expert guided, light tackle, near shore, and backwater fishing trips in the 10,000 Islands of the Everglades National Park, and Tarpon-only charters in the Florida Keys. Capt. Rapps' top notch team of guides accommodate men, women, & children of all ages, experienced or not, and those with special needs. Between their vast knowledge & experience of the area, and easy going demeanors, you are guaranteed to have a great day. Book your charter 24/7 using the online booking calendar, and see Capt. Rapps' first class web site for Booking info, Videos, and more at www.CaptainRapps.com
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