Break out the plugs
Capt. Jeff Legutki
June 29, 2011
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Summertime means high water levels and stained tannin waters. Visibility for sight fishing is limited to a few locales.
Great time to break out the search baits, top water plugs and long casts to open flats, creek mouths, and ant type of structure.
With the hot water temps, first light brings the most action being the coolest part of the day.
Top water pugs methodically darting through the glassy surface will bring savage strikes from all the local game fish. Snook smash plus with abandon, tarpon cartwheeling through the surface missing the plug and coming back for more. And red fish crawling on the surface trying to get the plug in their mouth. Pure excitement.
Great sight fishing along the white sand beaches from Marco Island north for snook. Most fish are smaller males up to 25 inches, with a few bigger females showing their size and wisdom. A fly rod is my choice of weapon, like a smaller 7 wt. Small, sparse white flies work great as the fish are feeding on disoriented transparent bait fish.At times you can see schools of these snook coming and going for hundreds of yards.
Summer rainstorms in the late afternoons can bring great action as well. Rolling tarpon in the deeper passes, join popping snook along the jetties will keep you busy.
Heat of summer brings empty uncrowded waters for the fisherman alone to bask in solitude. Its a great time of year to fish and be a fisherman in south Florida.
Ten Thousand Islands Fishing Forecast:
First light brings a great bite, as well as through the night. Snook, tarpon and red fish are all for the taking.
Target Species:
snook, tarpon, and red fish that lurk in the shallows
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