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Fishing Report for Pine Island Sound, Florida
Capt. Terry Pitz
December 24, 2003
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
Welcome to Capt. Terry's FISHING REPORT:
Dec. 24th, 2003
Redfish, December has been excellent for redfish and January should be the same. Cold fronts have pushed the reds into large schools. The schools range from ten to a hundred. Fishing reds on the flats can be a casters' dream. The water clarity is clear and sight casting is here for the next few months. On the lower tides, they become very visible with their tails sticking up in the air. Fishing for tailing reds is great fun! The trick is being there when they are feeding. I've had several trips landing more than fifty in one day. Try working the edges of the sand bars and oyster reefs. Some people call it fishing for reds, I call it hunting. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. When fishing the mangroves, fish the top end of the high tide and get your fly, bait or jig underneath the mangroves as far as you can. This technique will also produce a few snook. A great way to cover a lot of water and it can be very productive. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or cut bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser and for some real excitement try top water on the overcasted days. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Watch for those TAILS!!!
Snook, The cooler water temperatures have slowed the snook fishing down a bit. But, with some persistence you still can manage to catch a few nice snook. I've been finding them mainly near the flats, canals and back country. A few in the 15lb to 20lb class. Fishing them on the out going tide usually produces the best results. Brightly colored flies or plastics also are working on some of the deeper holes and against the mangroves. Keep your eyes open and fish them on the tides that create good current. Hungry Snook means Bait, though throwing a well placed fly will usually be rewarded with an aerial show.
Speckled Trout, Winter time produces some large trout! Some very respectable Trout in the 20" to 25" range being caught with flies on or near the flats. Look for them in 3' to 5' of water near the edges of the grass flats and sand holes. Watch where the birds are feeding and give it a try. A great top water feeder on overcast days, makes for some sure fun. Again flies, artificials and bait will bag a few of these hard hitting fish.
Tarpon, Most of the tarpon have returned to their winter locations. It's time to lube and repair your equipment, so it's ready for there return next spring. When the tarpon are here and conditions are ideal, an experience of a lifetime awaits you. Flies, artificials and bait can hook these sought after critters, but getting them to the boat is a whole other story. These beautiful fish will range from 30lbs. to 200lbs. Average being around 100lbs. They will test your skill and your equipment when hooked with the fly rod or light tackle.
Cobia, Tripletail & Jacks: These three species can be encountered on many of my trips. When you run into these species they are worth throwing for! All are fantastic fighters and can be caught on the flyrod or light tackle.
A day on the flats will always take you home with some memories and remember fishing is fun, so have fun out there! Don't take it so serious that you can't have a good time.
Till the next update take care and keep those lines TIGHT!
CAPT. TERRY PITZ
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