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Fishing Report for Pine Island Sound to Sarasota Bay, Florida
Capt. Butch Rickey
May 27, 2007
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 5/26/07
by
Capt. Butch Rickey
The wind just won't go away! With the exception of Monday, we had wind gusting over 30 MPH every day of this week. Wednesday it was gusting to 38!! I have no interest in taking my customer out in a wind like that, especially when it's being generated by a big high pressure which is making the fishing just that much tougher. It was a very short week.
By the time Monday morning rolled around I knew the fishing would be more of the same tough conditions we've been facing for some time now. It would be a tough bite, which is regrettable for a first trip with a new customer. Back during the winter when the trip was booked, I'm sure none of us could imagine we'd be having such bizarre weather in the middle of May. The weather is normally calm and the fishing great in May.
My customer was Dr. Vinse Rucker, of Olathe, Kansas, and brother-in-law, Joe. Once we got their gear stowed we were off to catch bait. The wind was already brisk out of the east/northeast. All the guys had been telling me how great the bait was on the flat outside the A span while we were waiting on our customers. So, I decided I'd go ahead a join them instead of going to the B Span flat, where bait has been great, as well. At first, we couldn't get anything in the net. I made a move, and although we did get bait dimpling close to the boat, we had a hell of a time getting it close enough to catch. I was having to throw the net to the end of the rope to get anything other than pinfish. But, we finally were loaded up and ready to fish, and I was exhausted and feeling the bug that I still hadn't shaken.
We headed north into the Sound, and I knew that we wouldn't have any water moving until around 11 AM, which would make fish even harder to catch. We took up residence at a spot where I knew there would be at least a little crawl from the water. I hope it would be enough. But, 1 snook and 1 trout were all we could get to eat.
We moved on, and settled on another spot that would magnify the poor current flow. And, although we had fish there, they weren't about to eat our offerings. We worked the area over quite well, but to no avail. We moved on.
Still looking for water with some hint of movement I settled on a small canal lined with structure. We managed to catch a few small snook and a jewfish, but weren't able to get a real bite going. We moved on. I decided on a big change, and went to a completely different area of the Sound.
We had to wait a while at the new spot, but we finally caught a handful of snook. But, we were not able to find the good bite we were looking for, and that I'd had there some many times. We were again on the move to another different area.
SPRING FISHING FUN!
We settled on a pretty mangrove shoreline on the east side of a small mangrove key. But, before we could even get our baits on the changing wind had blown us off our spot. When the wind changes 35 to 40 degrees, you have to adjust the boat for it. When it's flopping back and forth it will make you crazy. We stuck with it and did manage to catch one snook and one nice red for the Slam.
SPRING FISHING FUN!
It was now time to head home, and it had been a hard day, indeed. But, I guess those are the days that build character. Anyone who fishes seriously knows that there are tough day and there are good days.
The upcoming week is a full one, and I just heard on the Weather Channel that it's going to be more of the same all next week. And, I also finally heard them mention for the first time that it's the Bermuda high that's causing this bizarre weather. I've suspected that for some time. It's just not sitting where it's supposed to be sitting, and has taken up position early in the season.
Tight Lines!
Be sure to check out my new eBay Store BarHopp'R Fishing Finds!
And, be sure to check out www.BestFishingBooks.com Books and gifts for fishermen from my friend Jim Dicken!
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 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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