Spring is here and so are ‘Gator’ trout, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel and big Snook. Pictured here is Jack Roberts (10), of Blaine, Minnesota, posing with two of the three species mentioned. His Pompano was impressive to say the least. The big Seatrout he is holding is one of many he caught on a charter with me during a recent visit to Cape Coral. Jack mixed it up this year catching Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel and Jack Crevalle on artificial presentations as well as suspending shrimps under a cork. His attire is evidence of his commitment to becoming a professional angler. Great job Jack!

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Mr. Larry Olson of Bonita Springs is pictured with his ‘Gator’ trout caught on jig head (with live shrimp), suspended under a cork just off the flats around Cabbage Key. Larry and Liza Lufkin had a great outing catching more than their share of big trout and Spanish Mackerel.

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Snook season is open and there are plenty for the taking. Craig Miklus of Seymour, Ct. had the pleasure of angling a 32” Snook caught just off a small ‘Key’ in northern Pine Island Sound. Craig fishes all over the world and has landed several nice fighting game fish. He will attest that a big Snook will make you work for a successful landing on light tackle. He caught this ‘slot’ fish using a big shrimp (‘tail’ hooked) on a weighted jig head placed on the bottom of the seabed, just off structure and at the very top of an incoming tide. Good going Craig!

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Virtually every charter during the last couple of weeks has produced big Seatrout. The basic method has been ‘shrimps suspended under a cork’, over the grass flats in around 4 to 5 foot of water. Look for ‘milky’ green water and use a weighted jig head to keep the bait down.

Most of my fishing has been up on the northern end of Pine Island Sound due to the water conditions around Punta Rassa and St. James city. I look to continue this strategy until the water clears up a bit on the southern end of Pine Island Sound. Water temperatures are on the rise and I am looking for a Tarpon migration soon. A few have been caught and a number of them reported.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Charter information may be obtained at www.fishfacecharters.com or by emailing me at [email protected] I am easily reached via phone at 239-357-6829.

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