 |
Southwest Florida - Naples, Marco, 10,000 Islands
Capt. Jeff Legutki
December 7, 2005
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Dec.7.2005 : Naples/10,000 Islands
The cold breath of winter is breathing down our necks. The cool breezy mornnings and ultra low tides signify winter is on the way. Time to switch up our patterns once again, pushing deeper into the back country in search for dark bottoms and warm water.
This time of year the most effective way to bend a rod is as simple as throwing a jig tipped with shrimp. The retrieve must be slow at a snails pace for the fish are on the lathargic side. Deeper holes and grass flats will hold the most fish. Anything can end up on the hook. Outside near the passes you can catch anything from bluefish, pompano, spotted sea trout, red fish, mackeral, and even bonita. From time to time you hear of some one hooking into kingfish on the outside of the passes fishing under the birds.
Tackle for this type of fishing is on the smaller side, ultra light spinning outfits like the Quantum Catalyst 20 on a 7 1/2' med.lt St. Croix Tidemaster, spooled with 10 lb. power pro. Most of the fish you tangle with are under ten pounds, so why not get the most out of them. The light line helps for those longer cast with the light baits and jigs!
Lure slection is personal preference in what you have confidence in. I like to use Rip Tider 3" shrimp tails in gold n glo for the outside, and the new penny color for the back waters of the 10,000 Isalands. If I'm fishing for pompano outside I prefer 1/4 oz. tube jigs in pink or tan colored heads. If I'm sightfishing for reds and snook in the shallows I like skimmer jigs, they don't snag the oysters as much and skip quite well under the trees. The main key to success this time of year is a real slow presentation!
One of my favorite things about the winter in the 10,000 Islands is the clean water and the endless options to get out of the northerly winds of the passing fronts. This is when I am doing what I love most, "SIGHT FISHING" with the fly rod. Throw in a low outgoing tide with scattered clouds and a light northerly flow and you have perfect conditions!
Red fish will be the cream of the crop this time of year with the cold water. Snook are around and can be caught, but are more into surviving the cold over eating. Usually too lathargic to chase down prey. Tarpon are pretty much gone to where ever it is they go this time of year, aside from the few small guys in the fresh water creeks. The cold doesn't bother the redfish or sea trout. You can find the two togeather in many places, like out off the grass flats and pot holes outside to the deeper holes in the back country.
Red fish are famous for being in the skinny water, making them the ideal sight fishing species with the longrod! Outside oyster points, and shallow coves are good places to start looking. Fish the sunny shorelines with little current.
Tom Shadleys rootbeer colored RedfishCandy fly has been the most preductive pattern this year for sure! A 7wt. will handle everything you come across, and won't burn out the arm as quick as a bigger rod. Foating lines are the only way to go, unless you're dredging the holes with a sink tip for trout. Mangrove Outfitters Flyshop in Naples carries everything you need and more for the winter conditions. The shop carries these little rattle chambers for tying into fly patterns. They have been extreamly effective on trout on the grass flats and channels, espeacially in the dingy water!
Fish the warmest part of the day, no need for sun rise starts any more. Fish slow and when you find fish, you'll probably find alot more in those certain areas!
Be courteous to others and give them space, and most important have a good time. Until the next time, tight lines and screaming drags to all!
Capt. Jeff Legutki
Red fish are the most abundant
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
