Reds on fire, near shore Ok
Capt. Jim Conant
February 1, 2017
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report
1 February 2017
Reds on fire, near shore Ok
Over the last month with my new boat I have been fishing all over the place from Matlacha when I want to get on Red fish and Trout to Pine Island Sound when I want to catch Sheepshead, snapper and Snook and Reds and whatever bites the hook when I've been fishing the passes and near shore.
A quick run through of what has worked for me. In Matlacha Reds are on fire on the higher tide and the beginning of the higher outgoing tide on cut ladyfish and cut mullet in creeks and up on the flats North and South of the bridge. Snapper, sheeps and Trout I've been hitting on shrimp under a popping cork around oyster beds with deep drop offs.
In Pine Island sound the same as Matlacha for reds on cut bait but in the sound I am looking for signs out on the flats wherever the flats may be. I've caught almost on every flat in the sound when there isn't a lot of traffic and the water is moving in 1-2ft of water. The bad part was the latest cold fronts to move through the area which seriously slowed the redfish bite down in the sound. Matlacha on the other hand still catching but later in the day. In the sound I am catching a lot of 14" trout over grass flats in about 3-5ft of water with good moving tide. The cold snaps were having doesn't affect trout, snapper and sheeps like it does Reds and Snook.
While fishing the passes I've had good and bad days and should trust my fish finder more. When it's not showing me fish I still try and fish it and I probably shouldn't and move on. But when I am on I am using shrimp and small white bait that is probably gone now and Pinfish. Most fish have been caught on shrimp.
After this latest cold front the last days of January I was still able to find pinfish today 1 February 2017 while waiting for my wife shelling on the beach. Not a lot but still found them. Later this week as the weather warms up the fishing should too on the afternoon hi tides and warmer waters and get away from the latest moon phase. I am tired of fishing negative tides.
My new website is up and running with a new calendar that you can use to book your dates! If a date you want is booked online, call me instead and I may be able to squeeze in an afternoon trip to get you in.
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:
Later this week as the weather warms up the fishing should too on the afternoon hi tides and warmer waters and get away from the latest moon phase. I am tired of fishing negative tides.
Target Species:
Red Fish, Snook Trout, Snapper, Grouper
More Fishing Reports:
