25 Jan 15 Big Reds are getting harder to find

Capt. Jim Conant
February 1, 2015
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report

I haven't posted in a couple weeks due to being extremely busy. Well since my last report I've still had my clients on some over slot redfish and under slot snook with a few unexpected monster snook breaking my clients off after heading into the mangroves. Since the 25th of Jan until recently I've still put my clients on some reds although the reds and snook have been small due to all this cold weather and low water temps. The water in Matlacha is crystal clear along with anywhere else like pine island sound and Charlotte harbor. With this in mind it's time to lighten up on the leader material to 20lbs -15 lbs so it's a little less visible and I'm also shrinking my baits to a large shrimp size. As much as I don't want to I'm going to have to target trout for a while until conditions change for the larger Reds. For the novice fisherman it's time to look at your maps and start finding deeper pockets of water in the colder weather.
My preferred live bait now is shrimp and pinfish which will still get you on the smaller species like mangrove snapper and trout along with gator trout and other larger predators lurking around the holes. And a trip I took today I had one of my new favorite clients Henry, an 88 yr. old WWII Navy Veteran. We weren't on any big fish but I kept him plenty busy the first half of the trip before I tried getting him on some upper slot fish. It was a definite honor to be able to fish with this Veteran. And from one Vet to another THANK YOU.
Tight Lines
If you're ready to go fishing give me a call to plan your trip so we can try and catch the tides right. As I do cater to the Veteran community, if you're a Veteran with proof I have the best prices around and I guarantee it.
Captain Jim
239-671-4692

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