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Fishing Report for Pine Island Sound, Florida
Capt. Terry Pitz
August 1, 2001
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
Welcome to Capt. Terry's FISHING REPORT:
August 1st, 2001
Redfish, are schooled up in some very large numbers. When you find them things can get pretty exciting. Lots of doubles and even triple hookups. The weather the last couple of weeks has been a big factor. Lots of weather related cancelations. Maybe next time guys. I've been finding them on the grass flats and against the mangoves at high tide as well. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and when found you may even consider wading after them to improve your chances of not spooking them. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or white bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Fish them on a tide thats producing good current.Watch for those TAILS!!!
Snook are still in or near the passes and beaches. Fishing them on the out going tide usually produces the best results. Brightly colored flies or plastics are working on some of the deeper holes and against the mangroves. The takes can be very soft even with the larger snook, so stay focused. Keep your eyes open and fish them on the tides that create a good current. Hungry Snook means Bait, though throwing a well placed fly will usually be rewarded with an aerial show.
Speckled Trout are scattered they can be found almost any where on or near the grass flats. Some very respectable Trout in the 20" to 25" range being caught with flies on the flats. A great top water feeder makes for some sure fun. Again flies, artificials and bait will bag a few of these hard hitting fish.
Tarpon, I'm still seeing some here and there, but most of my trips are booking for redfish and snook. I was cast netting some bait the other morning at about 6:00 a.m. still very dark out. Throwing my chum and watching a small lightning show in the West. After about 20 minutes of chumming I threw that first net to the area I was chumming. The water erupted with this huge explosion. I could see the line on my net to my wrist starting to tighten up and I thought OH S___! Here we go. The mysterious monster must have gotten free from the net and the net went limp again. I threw the net right on top of a curious tarpon. Thank god he got out or he would of torn my $300 cast net to pieces, not to mention what it would of done to me. When the sun came up I watched several 40 to 60 pound tarpon feeding on bait in the area. It was better than caffine. I was ready to go fishing. I'm not finding large numbers of them, but managing to still catch a few. I'm starting to see a few near the South end of Pine Island and Matlacha Pass. It'll be nice having them so close to home again. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean there not there. Pull your fly rod out on the rolling and laid up tarpon. Drift live bait with green backs, crabs, white bait and pinfish or dead bait with ladyfish, catfish or mullet in the holes. If you put your time in and keep your eyes open you will find them. When the tarpon are here and conditions are ideal, an experience of a lifetime awaits you. Flies, artificials and bait can hook these sought after critters, but getting them to the boat is a whole other story. These beautiful fish will range from 30lbs. to 180lbs. They will test your skill and your equipment when hooked with the fly rod or light tackle.
A day on the flats will always take you home with some memories and remember fishing is fun, so have fun out there! Don't take it so serious that you can't have a good time.
Till the next update take care and keep those lines TIGHT!
Note: I will be on vacation from Aug. 3rd thru the 21st. All email will be answered when I return. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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