 |
24 July 2017 Enough rain already and let's try Conserving our re
Capt. Jim Conant
July 24, 2017
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing has been very good this last month when you dodge all the rain we've had. This last two weeks has been tough trying to keep my clients dry and catching quality fish. I do try and keep them dry and have been successful on both dryness and fish. So on to the last three weeks of fishing.
Snook are BIG and on the beaches and in the passes. The big breeders I have had the most luck fishing the outgoing tide in the passes and the beaches on incoming. I've been using everything from threadfins to small white bait and even cut bait has been working as long as there is enough current to push it along. Snook have also been hitting good in the back country with a good tide. That being said the higher of the tides is the best.
Redfish are everywhere and also have been biting on the highest part of the tide or the lower part of the outgoing. When the tide is high I am hitting the mangrove lines (NOT BUZZING THE MANGROVES IN MY BOAT SPOOKING THEM) but looking for strategic areas that they will ambush their prey and been very successful. Live pin fish about 3-5 inches have been working along with cut pins and cut bait. Fishing the flats is working well also on a good tide but you have to sneak in on them as always and try not to chase them around. Once they move out of your area due to water levels move ahead of where they are headed and set up again in stealth mode.
Snapper and trout are abundant and I have been catching mostly keepers on the abundant small white bait that's around and the mini shrimp this time of year. And just about any lure will work for the trout when you find the right spot.
I've been seeing a whole lot of posts on FB and Instagram of all these huge catches coolers full and really happy fishermen/women. But with that haven't we all see a decline in our fishery? Do you really need to stock up your freezers with fish that's basically in your backyard? When you go out and fill up that cooler every time and think that you're the only one who fishes that location, think again. When you're not there someone else is and if they do the same thing the fish aren't going to have a chance to replenish themselves over time. So can everyone please try some conservation effort? I am a guide as everyone knows and yes my clients want to keep their catch most of the time. But I also try and tell them about conservation and encourage them to only take what they can eat that evening. Then when they are in charge of what they keep they keep very little and I tell them how to make a little less fish go a long way in when making dinner. I myself and most of my friends when we're fishing for fun don't keep any but I do occasionally keep a snook but only about 6 a year. Otherwise I go and support my community seafood restaurants in Matlacha, Pine Island and in the Cape when I'm in the mood for seafood. And their cooks are a heck of a lot better than what I am. Did you know SW Florida in particular our area from Lemon Bay down to Estero has more redfish tournaments than the rest of the state combined? So don't think your effort won't help conserve our precious resources. I hope my reports help everyone catch fish but also instill stewardship of what we do. If everyone gets into this mindset our fishery will rebound, fishing will get a lot better and a lot more fun for all.
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 Veteran with proof I have the best prices around and I guarantee it. 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
Target Species:
Snook Reds, Trout Snapper
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
