Everything is coming together nicely. The red tide is gone, the water temperature is up and the harbor is full of bait. Our summertime fish, tarpon, shark, cobia, mackerel are all starting to show up in the harbor in good numbers and it’s only going to get better. Now is the time to get out there and get catching. Not fishing, catching!
The 20 foot hole (the upper hole) in the harbor seems to be the hot spot. Good reports of tarpon, shark, cobia and spanish mackerel. There was even a king fish caught in the 20 foot hole! I’m also hearing reports of cobia on the markers and on both the east and west sandbars. Tarpon are also starting to show up at the 41 bridge at night.
And don’t forget the usual suspects either. Snook, redfish and trout are all doing extremely well and so are flounder. There is plenty of bait to be found at the markers, in the middle of the harbor, the skating rink and even in the mouth of the Myaka River.
Sharp nose, Black tips, Nurse, Lemons, Spinners, and Bulls & Bonnets, which to be fair are here all year. But we do see increased numbers as the water warms up. each year as the water hits 75 degrees Cobia, Tarpon and shark move up from where ever they are during sown bird season, Crazy but each year as the Snow bird leave the big fish show up, How crazy is that, but just like their human counter parts the go south during the colder months and return as the waters warm.
Shark fishing is like sailing hours of boredom punctuated by moments of shear excitement or terror.
Simple procedure – anchor your boat or cast your line out from the dock better if you chum and wait for the rush of a screaming reel.
This is just a long winded way of saying the Sharks are back n the Harbor and the numbers are growing, the numbers of Sharks will peak out in May the prime month for Sharks, But you may want to consider Catch & release during may as that is when the Sharks are going to give birth. By June they are done “Pupping” and dinner time may resume,
Yes I eat Sharks it is some of the best tasting meat and very healthy for you. Why buy fish oil tablets, ok some one else kills the fish for you, but when you do it your self no waste is the key. and I never take one while I still have meat from the first one.
Any way good luck out the have fun, and watch where you put your finger, It is Shark fishin after all.
Frank
UPDATE – 4.15 at 5pm
Shark are moving into the harbor, So it is time to start bending the points of the barbs on your hooks down, barb-less does not work, really bad idea, but bending the barb down so the bait & the fish stay on but are very easy to release is the key to a healthy shark population, Circle hook are too hard to get out and dangerous on the fingers, So use a J hook and flatten the barb.
The big mistake most people make is too big a hook, for black tip or Sharp nose go to a 4/0 with a chunk of bait 2 fingers wide. Good luck
Last week was fantastic for the ‘back country’ charters for those able to handle spin cast equipment as well as a few who wanted to learn. My charters boated two 30+ inch Snook while working the Mangroves on both incoming and outgoing tides. Lots of other fish action was captured on camera and video while anglers caught their share of Seatrout, Crevalle Jacks, Lady Fish, Shark and Redfish in the mix. Herewith are pictures of clients; Mr. Dan Damon of Battle Creek, Michigan and Mississippi River Boat Captain, Don Mc Daniel with Holly Jett from Edwardsville, Illinois proudly displaying their ‘Snooks of a lifetime’. Great going and congratulations to both of those anglers who prevailed over my constant instructions (‘suggestions’) while fighting and landing their first Snooks!
Spring is here and the fish are very active both inshore and offshore. Lots of big Seatrout are being caught in the clean, clear flats where there is good water movement. The Redfish are here and are being caught early morning on top water plugs, jigs and spoons and more so, on live bait in the afternoon. The Tarpon are beginning to show up in numbers making it worth-while to start planning a trip so long as the weather permits. Look for Cobia close to shore and out on the structures in most any depth. They are curious and will hit anything from a shrimp to artificial. King Mackerel are being caught on live pilchards, pinfish and artificial lures in about 30 to 65 feet of water on the same structure as one will find most reef species.
If you want to book a charter or have any questions, I will be honored to take your call at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com.
