2 May 2017 Bite continues to be great!
Capt. Jim Conant
May 2, 2017
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report
Since my last report two weeks ago all my clients have had very successful trips. Catching all inshore species when they presented their selves depending on weather conditions. From Redfish, which has been caught on every trip, and I was hired to take some guys out for a fishing tourney and they won. Snook when we targeted them not all keepers though. Trout keepers and a lot of plus sizes, big snapper without having to fish the passes or near shore. Cobia when the wind is down and calm of a morning. Tarpon before all the wind started blowing this week. The catfish bite is really strong when you're not fishing under the mangroves, pesky lil suckers!
Tarpon, I am having the best days fishing for them when I have nice big threadfins for bait while chumming small greenies. When I don't have threads I throw finger mullet if I have them, "live", then crabs , pins and lastly cut mullet. That's my own personal pecking order of preferred baits. With each of these baits comes the sizing of the hooks and leaders. Other Captains have their preferred methods as well.
Otherwise I am copying and pasting my last report as nothing has changed.
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.
Predictions:
Snook: should be moving to the beaches and out of season
Reds: getting a little easier to catch with the dirtying of the waters from wind and rain.
Trout: same
Snapper: same
Tarpon: Hot! Get out early zerodarkthirty or fish late after the sea-breeze subsides and on a moving tide. High wind days the bite dramatically slows but still catching. (BE COURTEOUS TO OTHER FISHERMAN)
Weather: getting hot, fish two days in front of a new frontal system or two-three days behind it. Afternoon T-storms- fish early and be safe.
Guiding season is slowing so I am more available for short notice trips and taking local veterans fishing. If you know of any service members returning from theater and vacationing down here send them my way for a free trip. Must prove they just returned and active duty and it is only the Veteran not the whole family and friends or that is a charged trip with a huge military discount.
Tightlines
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
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.
Predictions:
Snook: should be moving to the beaches and out of season
Reds: getting a little easier to catch with the dirtying of the waters from wind and rain.
Trout: same
Snapper: same
Tarpon: Hot! Get out early zerodarkthirty or fish late after the sea-breeze subsides and on a moving tide. High wind days the bite dramatically slows but still catching. (BE COURTEOUS TO OTHER FISHERMAN)
Weather: getting hot, fish two days in front of a new frontal system or two-three days behind it. Afternoon T-storms- fish early and be safe.
Target Species:
All inshore species
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