By Captain Terry Fisher
January fishing had many challenges due to cold fronts, winds, lower tides and a Super Moon to end the month. The cold fronts discouraged anglers and boaters from leaving the warmth of their homes, rental houses, hotels and condos. High winds echoed watercraft advisories. North and easterly wind directions refused to allow water into some of the estuary locations by creating low water levels and the Super Moon triggered mass land exposures throughout Pine Island Sound.
However, in spite of all of this, anglers of all ages refused to be land bound and overcame the obstacles to catch fish. Even my wife and I took a day to fish with R. D. and Cindy Jones, long time friends from Marion, Indiana. R. D., Cindy and 1st Mate Vicki are each pictured with a nice Sheepshead caught during one of the cold fronts to welcome in the year.
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Fellow U.S. Marine, Alex Dziuba and his wife Renee of Heber Springs, Arkansas, joined me on a half-day charter to catch fish for dinner. Pictured are Alex and his brother Bob of Las Vegas, each with one of many Sheepshead caught during a break in the weather. Renee is pictured with a Gag Grouper she landed under one of the many docks located around Boca Grande Pass. Lot’s of Mangrove Snapper were also caught. Great going Renee and Bob. Semper Fi, Alex!
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I also had the pleasure of guiding a true outdoorsman, Mr. Micheal Aden of Cody, Wyoming and his friends from Boston, Mass. to catch table fare. Micheal is a big game guide and recently purchased a home on Pine Island as a retreat, when not guiding or hunting. Micheal and his friends, Steven and Dawn Mattaliano are all pictured together with Sheepshead. Dawn is pictured with one of the bigger fish of the day. Last year I had the pleasure of taking Micheal and his girlfriend Linda of Boulder, Colorado, fishing for Tarpon. Micheal will be featured on Fish Face Charters new brochures with his Tarpon, courtesy of Linda’s great photo shot!
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Even-though fishing has been difficult with all of the obstacles thrown at us; it has been fun and rewarding for anglers and boaters willing to blaze the trail. Next weeks forecast looks to be much better and I am looking forward to warmer mornings and hope the trend continues.
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone tighter lines and safe boating. Call 239-357-6829 to book a charter or email [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more information, including Captain for Hire (by the hour) on your vessel for safety, navigation, fishing techniques and fishing locations that will insure your every adventure on the water is a success. Pick up a copy of the Coastal Angler publication at any SW Florida Marine Industries member location, Bass Pro Shop, West Marine stores, Publix and most bait and tackle shops, to read my monthly fishing reports.