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Southwest Florida - Naples, Marco, 10,000 Islands
Capt. Jeff Legutki
January 8, 2008
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cold snap changes patterns
January greeted us with a real nasty cold front. Although it was due, winter was late to show itself. Before the front we had unusual warm water for the time of year. a day before the front the water was 77 degrees, and one of my regular clients, Chris Bamford hooked and fought a 125 lb. tarpon for 30 minutes before it wore through the 80 lb. shock leader.Front shows up and the water plummets down to 53 in less than 24 hours. Shocking the fish and some dieing off (snook)!
Naples and Pine Island had it worse but I did see several dead snook, jacks, catfish, and a spadefish.
Fish were so lethargic they wouldn't move. Another client of mine Jim Potts from Alaska caught a snook and as soon as the fish felt the hook he curled up like he was hit with rigamortis and we slid him right to the boat without a fight.
Following couple days water rises to mid 60's and the redfish have been real active. I have been flyfishing mostly and doing extremely well with crab patterns. With the rigid cold snap, all the phytoplankton died off and the waters are gin clear in the shallows. Fantastic sightfishing on every trip and the fish are cooperating well. And most of the reds we have caught are super fat and heavy, I think they have been feeding on alot of the dead fish from the chill.
Conditions are back to a typical winter pattern and the fish are finally where they should be for this time of year. Fishing with the flyrod has been great and the soft plastics are working well for the spin fisherman. Until my next report, tight lines and screaming drags to all.
Call now to reserve a day sightfishing in the 10,000 Islands and the Everglades, the season is upon us now and days are filling up fast!
Capt. Jeff
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