Making New Memories With Old Friends
Capt. Butch Rickey
January 3, 2014
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
Week ending 12/7/13..........
Ran one trip and lost one this week. Between the economy and the season, things are very slow.
I ran another trip from Chic Bruning's place on Captiva, with Tom Olson, of Madison, Wisconsin, who is good friends with Tom Joseph, who is Chic's brother-in-law. All great guys!
We had a serious low tide that morning, so the first order of business was to clear out some of the oysters that lay in the launch area next to Chic's dock. Don't want any carved up hulls! Once we got the boats in the water we were off, but no trip through the mangrove tunnel on this morning. The tide was so low that it would have been impassible, even in the kayaks. We made our way out Roosevelt Cut, and around the north end of Buck Key to the fishing grounds.
We were fishing behind a cold front once again, so I didn't expect an aggressive bite, at all. But, with the blue bird skies and light breeze, it was a beautiful day to be on the water.
We began the day with fishing potholes; looking for trout, jacks, ladyfish, and flounder. We all caught plenty of trout, but not that many that were keepers. I spent a good part of the morning off exploring other potholes trying to locate a bite from those big trout that show up in the holes during the cold months. Caught lots of fish during the process, but didn't find those big yellow mouth sows. I did find some tailing redfish, but they ignored all my offerings.
Once the water was covering the flats we regrouped, and went in pursuit of redfish. That was slow, as well, but we did catch a few, and brought home our limit of redfish at 24, 26, and 27 inches. Fortunately, a 27 inch redfish will feed a family of six, unless they're real fish mongers.
When the day was done we made the trek home through the mangrove tunnel. It's really a beautiful ride. Back at Chic's we loaded up the boats and cleaned fish, and I was on my way. I wouldn't be able to launch there again until the guys return next year. Chic was gracious enough to bring up the possibility of my launching there at their family meeting in early December. But, the family understandably doesn't want their privacy invaded. I appreciate his asking, though.
So, I'm back to square one. If anyone out there has any ideas for access to that area, I'd love to hear them, as I'm fresh out.
There probably will not be another report before the Christmas holidays, so I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous 2014. Thanks to all my friends and customers who have fished with me this year, and years gone by.
Target Species:
The SLAM!
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