Capt. Jeff Legutki
July 4, 2005
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore report 7/3/05
Sorry it has been so long since my lasy report, but my computer caught a nasty little virus and shut down.
In my last report, I was fishing with two fine fisherman from St. Louis, Mr. Jim Buckler and son BJ. We had many shot's but just could not seal the deal. The following morning was redemption day. Again, we were blessed with flawless condition's and plenty of willing fish. BJ landed his first tarpon on the fly weighing in at 80 pound's, and twenty minutes after that Jim followed through with a brute over a hundred pound's. Unfortunately the big one ended up throwing fly after it's duration of cart wheeling jump's and blistering run's. I think we got the most out of that fish except the long drawn out tug of war at boat side.
Jim finished the day with a beautiful 30" snook to finish our trip in the Everglades.
As June arrived, so did the summer rain storm's, or should I say "monsoon". We must have received 3" of rain the first day, dropping the water temp ten degree's and throwing the salinity level's to the other side of the chart's. Totally changing everything! The tarpon spread out and to the point where finding them was no easy task.
Since then we have been focusing on snook in the passes and beaches. Naples has been reigning supreme with all the fresh water. Gordon's Pass has been the place to be. It has not been uncommon to go out and literally catch 50-60 snook a trip on live bait. I'd say 10 to 15 of those fish have been over the legal slot size, up to 42" caught by Jimmy DeGeorge.
Until the next report, focus on the outside point's, passes, and beaches. It seem's all the fish are enjoying the salty water on the ouside gorging themselves on the vast supply of bait sweeping in with the tides. Fishing can not get any better or easier than the present time, get out and enjoy yourself, and be safe and courious to other's.
Come fish the 10,000 Islands and the Everglades National Park for tarpon, snook, red fish and more with either flyrods or light tackle. All artificial no live bait, geared for two anglers.
Fly through the shallows in a Hellsbay Whipray. Fishing with the finest equiptment like Sage fly rods and Bauer reels or St. Croix spin rods and Quantum reels.
Sight fishing is my passion! Target the toughest saltwater species in mere inches of water and fool them into eating year round.
