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8 April 2018 Fish turning on and off
Capt. Jim Conant
April 8, 2018
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report
8 April 2018
Fish turning on and off
I've been trying to wrap my head around the bite the last two months and I don't think my head is that wide. While out with my clients fishing one day I'm on fire and the next 2 we are catching low numbers of keepers or a lot of shorties. We are still catching fish and my clients are happy but I'm not satisfied wanting more for my clients. All I can attribute it too is the changing weather patterns every couple of days. This change in weather keeps fish not wanting to eat. While they normally gorge themselves before a front and then again a couple of days after the front passes. Lately we've had changing weather patterns every two to three days which makes finding that feeding time hard. This has also made the water temps drastically change from 72 to 80 degrees in a couple days then back down. This plays havoc on the bait as well for those of us throwing a cast net. Some days the bait is plentiful and easy to catch then the next day it's like where did they go? I know I can make a long run around to the sound or down to Sanibel bridge to catch bait but that would make me late picking up clients at their set time. But that is why cut bait is my best go to bait. The last front I was fishing with three clients and we had monster snook and red fish all around the boat. Watching these fish all around throwing greenbacks, cut bait and shrimp and also chumming to get the bite started and they just sat there. Clients were excited seeing these huge fish all around and knowing we couldn't be in a better area. Me, I was totally frustrated. Can't be a winner every day and there is no perfection in fishing. But I strive for that.
Inshore bite, Reds are out there and most have been caught on greenbacks with a few on cut bait, mullet or lady fish. I try to find a happy medium in water clarity not the gin clear water where you see the fish and they see you too and not the really dark stained waters where you see no life on the water. But just rite where you can barely see the bottom at two feet and have good moving water. The same goes with all species. Makes it a little easier to be stealthy. Snook have been around and the monsters we've been seeing are big for a reason, they're not dumb. Been getting black drum on shrimp in channels around 4-5 feet deep near structure or oyster bars.
Gator trout are on the flats using popping cork and shrimp or free lining greenbacks.
Snapper are getting thick everywhere and been seeing nice size ones next to manmade structures.
Tarpon are in the Harbor I just haven't had a Tarpon trip to really report on them. But catch some crabs or some nice size threadfins and free line them. Then hold on for some fun.
Offshore
My Captain friends who have permits for going past 9 miles are killing it out there, Grouper, yellow tail and more. If you want a great trip out in the deep waters let me know and I will hook you up with a couple Charter Captains that have been on fire lately.
Tight lines
Check out and like my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jimbocharters/ and Instagram #jimboscharters page for recent pictures and trips. If you're ready to go fishing give me a call to plan your trip so we can try and catch the tides right. If you're a Disabled/ Retired Veteran or first responder I have discounts for you. I'm also on Facebook at Jimbo's Charters where I post pictures if my clients let me and my website www.Jimboscharters.com and my You tube channel I am slowly building https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDg-V7oR-ex6W-5ztwLAQ
Also, if you see me out there say Hi. I am a friendly guy that likes to help. Just don't ask for a pin point location, but I will tell you what I am catching fish on.
Captain Jim
239-671-4692
Matlacha Fishing Forecast:
When we get some steady wather patterns and steady water temps fishing is going to be great.
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