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Fishing Report for Pine Island Sound, Florida
Capt. Terry Pitz
March 2, 2002
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
Welcome to Capt. Terry's FISHING REPORT: Fishing Southwest Florida
March 2nd, 2002
Redfish, We've been having front after front the last couple of weeks. Cooler weather and lots of wind has been making some trips almost impossible. Redtide gave us a scare, but thanks to an East wind it didn't hang here for very long. We lost some mullet, bait fish, catfish and a few trout. I heard no reports of large amounts of game fish dieing. The few clients that braved the conditions found you can find a few hungry fish. You just have to work a little harder for them. The water temperature has dropped back down to 65 degrees. Redfish don't like the wind either, so find leeward sides of islands with some deeper holes and fish them hard. The trick is being there when they are feeding. I've been finding a few tailing reds on the lower incoming tides. Try working the edges of the sand bars and oyster reefs also. The water clarity is clear again and sight casting is here to stay for the next few months. Some people call it fishing for reds, I call it hunting. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. When fishing the mangroves, fish the top end of the high tide and get your fly, bait or jig underneath the mangroves as far as you can. This technique will also produce a few snook. A great way to cover a lot of water and it can be very productive. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or cut bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser and for some real excitement try top water on the overcasted days. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Watch for those TAILS!!!
Snook, with the water temperature in the 60's they've been a bit picky. Work the mangroves hard and you can still get a few. Not alot of large ones, but we did manage to land a 20 pounder a week ago. They still are hanging near the canals and back country, but at least they are eating from time to time. They can be very picky this time of year. Be patient and try a variety of baits. Large hand picked shrimp sometimes will get the larger ones to take. Find the warmer water and you will find the snook. This may include deep holes, canals and mud flats. 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. 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, winter time produces some large trout! Some very respectable Trout in the 20" to 25" range being caught with flies on or near the flats. Look for them in 3' to 5' of water. 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, We're starting to get excited about there arrival sometime in April. Yup, it's time to lube, repair and clean that equipment up, so it's ready for this spring. Nothing but memories of that silver king screaming away from those reels and smiles on the boat. If your a seasoned tarpon fisherman or a beginner, now is the time to book for this Tarpon season. 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!
CAPT. TERRY PITZ Fishing Southwest Florida http://www.flyfishingswfl.com
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