Sure Feels Like Spring in Southwest Florida
Capt. Bill Russell
March 8, 2011
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
It's less than two weeks until its official, but it sure feels like spring has already arrived in southwest Florida. Bait fish have arrived and we are catching an increasing number of species around Pine Island and larger fish are moving in every day. Many days of strong wind made for some challenging days on the water over the past week but the bite has remained steady
Most days are giving up trout over sand/grass patch bottom in three to five foot depths in northern Pine Island Sound, Spanish mackerel and small sharks and too many big ladyfish, were also mixed in. Larger trout, with many over twenty inches, were caught off oyster bars and small potholes. We are also catching a few tasty flounder each day.
On days with a strong wind from the southwest we had some good incoming tides in mid Pine Island Sound and found plenty of action on redfish, although most are still running below the eighteen inch minimum we did manage a few keepers.
With the arrival of shiners (pilchards) and warmer water the snook bite is beginning to turn on. We haven't really been targeting snook but have been catching good numbers while looking for reds. We fish for both in the same areas so it's very common to catch snook and redfish together.
We caught a couple nice pompano around Bokeelia and noted a steady increase in mackerel action in the Harbor. I am also beginning to see a few tarpon showing up in the Harbor and northern Sound and sharks up to six feet.
Warm water equates to more and larger fish and that's just what we are beginning to experience in our waters. Spring officially begins on the 20th, but we are on pace for an early start. Bait fish are beginning to arrive as are the large predator fish, the upcoming weeks should give us some great fishing.
It's a great time to get out there and fish!
For charter information please contact us at:
Phone: 239-283-7960
Website: www.fishpineisland.com
E-mail: [email protected]
"Catch the Action" with Captain Bill Russell
Target Species:
Sea Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Mackerel, Snook, Sharks
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