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Beach Snookin!

Capt. Butch Rickey
June 21, 2014
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report

Week ending 5/10/14.........

It was a busy week in spite of the fact that I only had one outing. For most of the week the tides were poor, as well.

On Wednesday I had what was supposed to be a beach sightfishing trip with Todd Lawson, but the constant barrage of windy fronts had our beach waters looking a brownish sand color, and there was absolutely no visibility. There would be no sightfishing, but Todd still wanted to go and learn what he could learn. I spent a long while Tuesday evening getting my beach fishing cart and tackle ready. I picked up Todd at 0 early:30, and we were off.

We headed first for the Blind Pass area. The closer you are to a pass on the beach, the greater the number of snook should be. Not only was the water so dirty our lures needed headlights, but shortly after arriving we got an onshore wind to make things even more challenging. We kept at it though, and I think we'd bought a couple hours of parking. We tried to pull our lures as much as possible along the edge of the wash, which is where the snook are normally most prevalent. But the surf was up, and if we cast more than a few yards, the surf and wind would just wash the lures right up on the sand. To my surprise, we actually caught a jack and a ladyfish there.

We headed back as our time ran out, and loaded up for Bowman's Beach area. We bought three hours there I think, and covered a lot of beach. Todd did get one snook in spite of the conditions, and had several follows. But, other than some good leg exercise, that was it. As our time expired we moved on, and decided to fish a spot Todd had fished before, west of the Sanibel Pier on the north side. We didn't get a take there, but I did see what I think was the largest snook I've ever seen, and not once, but twice!

I was standing about knee deep on the edge of a grassline, when I noticed a large shadow slowly meandering my way. Tarpon I thought, and started shooting presentations to it. As the big fish slowly moved right toward me, I realized that the fish was indeed a huge female snook. There was no question about it, the visibility was great, and she and her black racing stripe were every bit of 5 feet long! She swam within 5 feet of me like I wasn't even there. I kept throwing at her until she disappeared from sight.

Maybe ten minutes later I was given another shot at her as she came back by me on the exact same path. That big girl wasn't about to take a lure. Thus the old saying, "Big snook don't get big by being stupid!" She apparently peeled off her course and never got to where Todd could see her.

That was our day. Todd was a great companion on the beach, and a serious angler. The fish don't care how serious we are, though. When that water ain't moving, they ain't eatin! I told Todd I'd comp him a kayak trip when he returns in October.

Target Species:

Snook

More Fishing Reports:

 

Top Florida fishing guide, Capt. Butch Rickey has fished the waters of Pine Island Sound around Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine Islands, as well as Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, and southern Tampa Bay, for much of his 65 years. He now offers guided kayak fishing trips, as well as sightseeing and bird watching tours anywhere that can be reached by kayak from southern Tampa Bay to Estero Bay.

Contact Info:

BarHopp'R Kayak Fishing
11520 E Palm Drive
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Phone: 239-628-3522
Alt. Phone: 239-633-5851
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