16 April 2017 Everything is biting from punta rassa to charlotte
Capt. Jim Conant
April 16, 2017
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report
16 April 2017
Everything is biting from punta rassa to charlotte harbor and Pine island sound.
The inshore bite has been on fire! Cobia, Tarpon, Snook, Bull Reds Mangrove Snapper and gator trout has all been fantastic.
Cobia 33"-44" I have been out on the flats in 3-5 ft of water and free-lining the bigger greenbacks while chumming a 3-5 wounded greenies every 20 min. And same technique when drifting in the harbor.
Tarpon 5'-8'same as cobia just with the biggest of the greenbacks or threadfins when I catch them but first I cruise around looking for signs of tarpon before setting up shop.
Snook on an incoming tide on the sides of mangrove islands with a good current going by or on these windy days the wind driven side where it meets calm water behind it. Hit each spot for 3-5 casts and move on.
Redfish 26.5"-34"have been a blast from upper slot reds to big bulls they are all munching on cut bait. Pins ladyfish and mullet have been the ticket. Cut in 1" chunks and have fun on the flats on incoming or outgoing and under UNDER the mangroves wait 30 minutes and then move longer if you're on the flats and schools are cruising the flats, don't chase them unless your poling or you'll ruin it for everyone.
Snapper 11"-14"hit oyster bars on a moving current free lining shrimp on #1 owner j-hook. Remember don't over fish an area. Take a couple and leave the rest there is no reason to stock up a freezer and ruin a hole.
Trout 16"- 23" out on the grass flats with moving water, I use B52 popping corks with 2ft of leader to a jig head with shrimp. I also use owner2/0 mutulight wire hooks with plenty of leader material 20lb and free line them way out letting them swim freely.
Forecast: Tarpon only getting better as we see the bait move in tides getting higher and warmer. The bigger sharks will be moving in from offshore.
Tightlines
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Captain Jim
239-671-4692
Matlacha Fishing Forecast:
Forecast: Tarpon only getting better as we see the bait move in tides getting higher and warmer. The bigger sharks will be moving in from offshore.
Target Species:
Tarpon, Red fish, Cobia, Trout, Snook, snapper
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