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Southwest Florida - Naples, Marco, 10,000 Islands
Capt. Jeff Legutki
March 8, 2006
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
"Spring fishing in the Everglades"
Mar.7.2006
Spring is starting to take effect on the fishing in the famous Everglades. With the warmer mornings and lighter winds the fishing is getting better every day!
Tarpon are filtering in from their winter hidey holes. At first the vangaurds of the group are making their presence, showing themselves here and there on the calmer days. The numbers are low right now, but if you take the time you can find them. From time to time you will see them laid up in quiet secluded bays, or even a few groups have been seen off the beaches free jumping. I think by the next full moon the strong currents will pull more fish into our area.
Tarpon can be caught with multiple methods, my favorite way is with the flyrod. It may take alot of patience, poling, and searching, but the rewards are worth a life time of memories. I prefer bigger more visual flies like the "Tasty Toad" in dark colors, or large whistler patterns. An 11 wt. is perfect for the job and an intermediate line with 80 lb. shock leader will keep you connected.
If the long rod is not for you, try a stout 30lb. spinning outfit. I prefer an eight foot rod for maximum leverage and casting distance. The St. Croix Tidemaster TMSXHXF is a perfect choice. I use a Quantum Cabo 60 spooled with 30lb. power pro. This combo will give you everything you need to whip the siver giant.
If you like tossin lure its hard to beat a DOA Baitbuster in black and silver or a large Terror Eyes in natural tones. Everyboby has their own prefered lure, but those two have worked well for me and my clients.
If you prefer a more relaxed approach cut bait or big live baits are hard to beat. Ladyfish, mullet, catfish will all work, dead or alive. With these methods, I use about a four foot section of 50lb. with a 18" piece of 80lb. for shock leader. I like the Gamakatsu Octopus circle hook in 8/0. Simply throw out your bait and put in the rod holder, back off on your drag half way and wait for the tarpon to make his first jump before you pull the rod from the holder, this will ensure a good hookset. Once the fish is screaming away tighten your drag to where you like it and hold on!
Snook are making their presence with an endless appetite. Gorgeing everything that comes too close, lures flies, and live bait if you have it. I'm finding snook all the way from the outside barrier islands to the deep back country. Its so nice to hear that unmistakable pop the snook makes when their feeding.
Red fish have been in good numbers hanging over oyster bars and muddy coves. The past month I have been seeing large out of slot fish in good numbers in the shallows. Last Sunday I fished with Jason Shearwood and landed two big reds on fly. One fish was 28" and the other 29", one fish was caught off the back of a cruising ray. Both fish fell for the Lazy Shrimp pattern on a #1 hook.
Fishing is getting better everyday, and the weather is perfect so get out and make a memory that will last a lifetime.
Capt. Jeff Legutki
Anglers Addiction Guide Service
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