Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor & Matlacha Pass

Capt. Glenn Grimes
May 18, 2005
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Tarpon are banging

The waves were rolling in and it was a bit rough as we set out to Sanibel island to chase after the silver king.After collecting some threadfin herrings my friend Capt Bob Winger and his friend Ted Lyke put out three lines.After what was about an hour Capt Bob had a hard strike and the fish took to the air.The fish made two or three jumps and then the work began.The fish went deep and after 1 1/2 hrs the fish was boat side but was in no mood to come aboard.The fish went deep again.At the 2 hr mark I took over the pole as everybody was tired.After winching the fish up from the bottom only to have the leader break.I felt bad for losing that one but on the next drift we hooked into another one and the fight was on again.We eventually landed that fish which weighed in at 771/2 lbs.On the third drift I had a strike from a fish in the 100lb range that exploded out of the water and ran straight at the boat and threw the hook.It was getting late so we wrapped it up after that.The tarpon are hitting real well right now so now is the time to book a trip and experience some of the most exciting fishing S.W.Florida has to offer.

Snook fishing has been equally as hot.Although snook are catch and release till Sept 1st.They are a blast to catch on light tackle.Snook have made their move to the outer islands and passesThey are also on the beaches around the snags.Greenbacks are still the bait of choice floated on a cajun thunder popping cork or freelined.

Redfish are also making a good showing appearing mostly in the northern half of the Sound.Tactics remain the same for reds.Floating small greenbacks or pinfish under a popping cork under the mangrove trees.On low tide look for them in the many potholes along the grassflats.

Seatrout remains excellent using the same baits as snook and reds.Tactics are to drift across shallow grassflats in 3 to 4ft of water casting live greenbacks to the potholes.

Lots of sharks are around making for some fun fishing.Most are caught while fishing for other species but you can target sharks by anchoring on some of the deeper flats and using dead baits such as catfish tails and cut ladyfish to catch them.Well that will do it for this week.Capt Glenn.

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