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Southwest Florida - Naples, Marco, 10,000 Islands
Capt. Jeff Legutki
September 19, 2007
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
"Tarpon under the bait pods"
Fall fishing has started. Large schools of bait are starting to migrate from the north. Each morning you can feel the differece in the air, its less humid and the breeze appears to start earlier each day.
This past week after the new moon I have been concentrating mainly on the beaches and outside points.Large schools of glass minnows and anchovies are running off the beaches about a 1000 yards. Easy to find by watching the birds, and large schools of ladyfish and mackeral are thrashing the surface into froth. Along with tarpon ranging from 40 lbs. to well over a hundred.
Last week fished with good friend Capt. Jason Sherwood of Naples. Our plan was to connect with these fish with the fly rod. We arrived at the first pod of bait just as the sun was rising, within seconds we see four tarpon free jump through the school of bait. The water is about fifteen feet deep and smooth as glass. Even though the sun is not quite up yet we can see silver flashes under the bait pods.
So we both grab 11 wt. rods rigged with intermediate lines and chartuece glass minnow patterns. Jason is on the front and I am on the back casting at the same time drifting next to the bait. With in an hour and a half we jumped 7 tarpon up to 100 lbs. and landed two fish 60 - 70 lb.
Couple days later I went back with another friend Tom Shadeley and did the same thing. This day we jumped 4 fish before I hooked into a big fish that pulled us well over a mile into deep water. My 11 wt. was maxxed out and it took about 45 minutes to subdue the big fish. By the time we landed the fish the bite was over. Sorry Tom!
Get out and sample some of this fine fishing. Easy to find, just look for the birds and you will find the action. Snook are all along the beaches, and reds are showing up on the outside points. Until next time, tight lines and screaming drags to all!
Capt. Jeff Legutki
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