Should snook be pressured by Guides in SW FL after massive kill?
Capt. John GiddyUp-Bunch
April 9, 2010
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
My vote is NO. Leave our snook alone. One of the biggest snook kills in SW FL history occurred less than 3 months. There are trout, pompano, plenty of grouper to troll up, TripleTail on the markers, and cobia/permit on the reefs when we can catch a break with the wind. All of these species offer a splendid option to snook. All Guides must do what is right for them. If I refer a charter to another Captain, it will be a Captain that holds our fishery as close to his heart as me. Our snood deserve a chance to survive. Please cut these great fish some f-slack.
Grouper Trolling before the winds of the Thurs and Wed was outstanding with the exception of 1 day. Even through the winds and 2-3 ON-SHORE chop (and it can be miserable) Grouper were attacking MirrOLures (Pink/Orange/and ECMAC with a serious attitude.
Absent from my observation were bait schools and birds in the Gulf of Mexico. A major tarpon bite has to be right around the corner. My tarpon style does not include shutting off the motor and looking for free jumpers. I love to troll slowly, perhaps snag a grouper or kingfish or cobia, and just maybe a tarpon. Covering a lot of water is the key to finding Tarpon. We are WAY OVERDUE for the arrival of these great fish in SW FL.
Those embracing the end run theory might be on to something. Reports from the Big Bend area have cobia and kings in good numbers. This means but 1 thing. These fish migrated far out into the Gulf of Mex and avoided the cold water along the SW FL Beaches. I'm betting on a late run.
Plenty of Guides (who are truthful in their reporting) have struggled recently. I saw this post "If you can't catch fish now you might as well go play golf." Having past my PGA players test (PAT) on the first try, I'll stick to fishing and honest reporting. Thank you very much and splendid day to all.
Pine Island Sound Fishing Forecast:
Tarpon must be on the near horizon for SW FL. Hopefully when the POONS arrive considerable heat will be removed from our snook. Water tempts finally broke through 70. It was 72.7 yesterday (Thurs) 4/8/2010
Target Species:
Hopefully Tarpon but probably Grouper/Cobia/Permit/Pompano
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