Summer Weather Heats Up Tarpon and Snook Fishing
Capt. Matt Hoover
June 22, 2008
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Summer and soaring heat is upon us. Fishing has been good to spectacular. The mornings this past week have been still and the water has been glassy. Small to medium sized tarpon have been in many unexpected places and are willing to take a fly, lure, or live bait. These fish are a blast because they are often not more than sixty pounds. You can catch them on lighter gear without feeling like you just went ten rounds with George Foreman. There are full grown tarpon roaming the beaches from Marco to Wiggins Pass. These fish will respond well to all methods with live bait being the sure bet.
Snook are just about everywhere. It is a good idea to get on the water early as the bite will slow down by noon. It is a good idea to be around moving water to get the most action. Moving water is a little cooler and bait get trapped and disorientated in the eddies of the current easier.
There have been a lot of mackerel and jacks around the islands so expect a few of these guys as a pleasant by catch.
We have been catching a couple of redfish on each charter, but I wouldn't consider them to be" off the hook".
I had a request for some mangrove snapper this week. Snapper are tasty and they can be tough fish out of the gate when they strike. The snapper are pretty thick around dead falls and docks right now with some of them going to fifteen inches. We made our assault after I caught some micro bait on the beach. The stuff is everywhere right now. Using a #2 hook and small sardines, we quickly caught our limit. You will catch snook and everything else using small bait so be prepared.
I love this time of year. The fishing is great, the waters are quiet, and the early afternoon thunder storms are awesome. I'll see you on the water.
Ten Thousand Islands Fishing Forecast:
Warm,winds form the East and super fishing
Target Species:
snook,redfish,tarpon,trout
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