Go fishing soon!
Capt. Van Hubbard
April 25, 2010
Englewood - Saltwater Fishing Report
4-22-2010 fishing report
What a week.
Pompano were hot for a few days but are sporadic right now. Big trout are still strong. Snook are here but cold waters are slowing them down, water temps from seventy outside to seventy-five inside. Bait still challenging north of Charlotte Harbor. Mackerel are still available and kings outside if you have the conditions to chase em. Tarpon moving up with several fish reported from Pine Island sound.
I decided to see about upgrading my Yamaha. I went to Ingman Marine as I have for years and Service Manager Ernie could not have been more helpful; we check the old F150 out and decided while it was working fine five years was enough for it. I was checking around to see about prices and found a used engine that was available right; nine tenths hours. So I acted promptly. I was on the service door entrance at eight-thirty AM Wednesday to get it done. I had it hooked up by four PM for sea trial by the able crew at Able Marine. I have been totally happy with Yamaha products for more than thirty five years. The engines are tough and dependable; plus good local service is essential for a working guide! It feels much better to have anew power system behind me as we crank into tarpon season. My sincere thanks to all the folks that helped pull this off.
Thursday I reconnected with a long time friend and fishing buddy, Big John H. He brought along a Boca Grande buddy Ted L. I went south to Charlotte Harbor with the new motor to castnet minnows early then picked them up at Stump Pass Marina at eight thirty AM. We caught a few snook at our first stop and then went looking for some of the tasty pompano. They were not as easy as they had been; too many macks and ladyfish to get a jig to the bottom. We decide to take advantage of the high tide and try some back country fishing. We found some hungry big trout and fired up jacks. They kept us busy for more than an hour. It was lunch time so we went back to the Stump Pass Grille for some tasty trout, shrimp and crab cakes. After a great lunch and rest break we went back after the pompano. John managed to capture two golden nuggets and Ted caught ladyfish, shark, mackerel, and many other species as we jigged for pompano. Ted said he had the most fun ever fishing! It was great!
Friday I picked up Grant, Eddie, and Christian at the Boca Grande Marina for a half day trip. Grant wanted his first snook and he almost got a nice thirty incher but she jumped off boatside on his last cast. Both others got one. We found some fat pompano but they teased us and we only landed one. It was awesome to see these shiny silver fish flashing in clear shallow flats. We also had some nice trout and bluefish to keep us busy.
Saturday Don brought his seven year old son Joshua for some catching. We caught ladyfish, pompano, trout, mackerel, sharks and more. We had to work around the windy but we had a great day Joshua will remember forever. These are the days that make my job worthwhile.
Sunday Rick, Jack, and Tim joined me to see what we could capture around another windy morning. It was challenging because the waters were stirred up from all the waves. I did catch some minnows and had some fine shrimp from Stump Pass Marina. We could not get any macks or pompano to go so we went looking for trout. It was slower than usual but we did catch a mess for their dinner.
It's supposed to blow tomorrow so I'll get the ten hour check up on my new engine. I expect some hot fishing when the winds calm down. We have a Full Moon Wednesday and waters are warming up fast now. Tarpon are close and should pick up this week. Snook are around but need that warmer water. Pompano and both macks are here we just need calm conditions to get outside to them. It's time to go get em! Let's Go Fishin' soon. Captain Van Hubbard. www.captvan.com
Englewood Fishing Forecast:
as winds back off Spring fishing will take off. tarpoin will be here any day. snook are almost ready to turn on! trout have been great. pompano and macks like the clean water after weather.
Target Species:
trout, pompano and mackerel
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