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Southwest Florida Fishing Report - Bonita Springs to Captiva
Capt. John GiddyUp-Bunch
July 8, 2006
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
As the Spring/early Summer Tarpon Season comes to a close, 2006 will go down as one of the best but as one of the most diabolical. Professional Guides share one common bond. How we feel about ourselves after a fishing trip is of the greatest importance. "That's why they call it fishin not catchin" just doesn't cut it when it comes to Tarpon off the bite. This was the Jekyl and Hyde of all seasons. One day the bite is on fire and the next day fish are rolling all around the boat seemingly laughing at every offering. The great days of the 2006 Tarpon Season are now a bitter sweet memory. If you fished with me in 2006 and Tarpon were rolling around the boat but would not touch our offering, none of the four or max 5 trips sits well with me to this day. When I no longer care, I'll hang up my rods and reels. For anyone with a truly competitive nature, only you might understand. GiddyUp! Here's the scoop on my Birthday. 39 again. MAYDAY!
Tripletail: Who can afford to run for these beasts? Answer: This would be me. My Honda 225BF is part of the gas savings story but setting out several Tripletail Condos has really paid huge dividends. It is painfully easy to do. Drill a hole through a round board the size of a Hola-Hoop, drop a line through it, and attach a sinker plus a small float. Where you anchor your Tripletail condos is your business. My T-Tail cribs are within 5 miles of St. James City. Let's just say this. I'm eatin' large when I need to and my clients are scoring some nice tail. When my paying customers are scoring tail, Life is good. "GiddyUp"
Tarpon: Some smaller Poons' can be found in northern Pine Island Sound. So, where is NPIS? I define this location as NORTH of Redfish Pass. "Charlie Pass" is a perfect place to start looking. Both sides of the Intracoastal hold fish in the 70-80LB class but the West side seems to hold better numbers. Inshore tarpon fascinate me with their wild nature. It has always been my belief REDHEADED WOMEN come back as Tarpon. There is simply no better explanation. Only those who have experienced the aforemention understand. Best Bait is Bud Light with Pinfish under a cork float. GiddyUp!
Pompano: I love trying to find these little hard fighting mofockers. When found, pound for pound, these delicious jacks perform with some serious GiddyUp. The best way to find them is at the intersection of deep cuts and shallow bars. The Mofockers skip right off the boat and sometimes right into the boat! Off Cayo Costa is a great place to do some Pompano snoopin'. My dog, L/CPL Cooper, usually split a 2-3LB Pompano (baked) for dinner. They are worth the hunt for fight and flesh.
Redfish: PLS TELL ME WHERE I CAN FIND THEM.
SNOOK: The Linesiders are all over the beach. It is the perfect time to walk the beach with light spinning gear and a white bucktail. Remember for always: "If your feet get wet, you will not catch beach snook." Keep the sun behind you and make your casts from about 20FT onshore.
So there it is. The Dog Days of Summer must describe the intense tropical rain in SW FL because it certainly does not describe the fishing.
DON'T FORGET TO ALWAYS FILE A FLOAT PLAN WITH SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU. IF YOU DON"T HAVE ANYBODY WHO LOVES YOU, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
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