Topwater Time
Capt. Jeff Legutki
August 25, 2010
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
August and September are my favorite time of year to throw top water plugs and poppers on the fly rod!
Due to the heat, high water levels and tannic water clarity, noisy top water plugs get the most exciting strikes. Basically your blind casting structure and flats in glassy calm conditions during first light. Snook, baby tarpon, and red fish will all be willing to scarf down a noisy plug! Find current, bait , and structure, and you should find some fish. As the sunrises the action will slow down. Overcast days are prime time and will prolong the bite.
I had the pleasure to fish with Jan Mazier of Miami this past weekend. Conditions and tides were not really in our favor but made the best out of what we had. Throwing Storm chug bugs we caught 15-20 snook, nothing giant, but a lot of action. Jan did have a giant swipe at the plug, twice, but never connected. I saw the depth of the snook and would have called better than 15 lbs. Left a hole in the water big enough to drive through. Of course this was one that got away, along with another one a bit smaller. I was working the plug from atop of the poling platform, with the push pole between my legs when this fish smashes my plug. This one weaved his way through the roots fully in charge at this point of the fight, and won the battle in the end. Jan swears it was 12-15 pounds.
Once again, the one that got away!
Plenty of baby tarpon around, everywhere at first light! Foam poppers with the flyrod has been a blast! It is tough to sink the hook in the fish as the foam head prevents a good hook set, but the strike is ferocious and worth it! Most fish are between 5-20 lbs, perfect for the 8wt.
Best fishing is done first light, and after the afternoon rainstorms and into the night. Find good water movement and bait and you should find the rest.
Ten Thousand Islands Fishing Forecast:
If the weather stays stable like it has fishing should continue to be good!
Target Species:
snook, tarpon, and red fish that lurk in the shallows
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