Sightfishing summer time snook
Capt. Jeff Legutki
August 16, 2009
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Summer time in the the 10,000 Islands means short fishing windows in the early morning or late afternoon before sunset into the night. The heat of the day is a major factor for shallow water fishing here. Shallows with the dark bottoms are void of life, so you need to find lighter colored bottoms with moving current for a better comfort zone.
Right now sight fishing snook of the beaches is probably the best option during the day time. Hordes of male snook are cruising the surf line searching for food. Some times you see single fish, and sometime you will run across pods of fish, smashing bait fish in the surf.
Most fish are small, sub slot snook, eager to take a small white deceiver pattern like the "DT" or lightbulb. Clean ocean water calls for flouro-carbon leaders as light as #25. A 7wt. rod is more than enough for the fish due to the lack of structure. Higher tide stages are the best, pushing the fish right up against the beach making the visually easy to spot.
Tarpon are present along the beaches in loose pods spread out making them tough to target. Early morning at first light is the easiest way to find the rollers to position yourself for a point of interception. Big streamer patterns in white and chartreuce tied on a 3/0 have been working well.
Night fishing for snook has been the norm this time of year. Little boat pressure and the heat to a minimum. Residential dock lights are loaded with snook and baby tarpon waiting for a well place fly. Non stop action!
Ten Thousand Islands Fishing Forecast:
Stable weather as fall moves into the picture will bring hordes of bait fish that will start their migration down the coastline. Behind them will be a little bit of everything from tarpon to cobia!
Target Species:
Anything that eats a fly,especially tarpon and snook!
More Fishing Reports:
