Very impressive numbers of fish have been in the area for some time but the late cold front shut them down for a bit. Now with water back up to 78-80 degree’s the fish are on a binge. Here is a fish caught in Redfish Pass, on Friday before weekend boat traffic stomped all over the fish.
heck of a fight released safely.
After a colder and windier than normal that saw many catches of Black Drum and Sheepshead, the fronts have finally slowed from a 5-7 day pattern to 7-11 day range. In addition they are not as intense as they were. This has lead to water warming from the low 60’s to mid 70-‘s in just over a week.
That’s fairly typical for water get back to a more normal temp, stimulating bait-fish to return and the fish to feed ahead of the spring spawn. Valentines Day is a good reference point for temp normalization in a cooler then normal winter. Note the chart below from SCCF’s Recon site shows on Jan 31, 58 Degree water! Now into the lower to mid 70’s in just 2 weeks.
The first Tarpon are being spotted as they begin to work their way down from a winter stop in the River and up from the 10,000 islands and the keys. Sharks are not far behind.
Book now for Tarpon starting in April through June. Snook Season reopens March 1st and smaller ones are starting to show up in the passes now.
Snook are hitting good.
Summer time fishing has been going off big! The Snook are going off, big and small. Red Fish are making their presences known all around. Mangrove Snapper are hitting good, Trout, all the cast of characters, sharks, Mackerel, Cobia, Permit are enjoying abundant supplies of bait fish.
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After a number of false starts the water temps have finally reached 80 after getting knocked back each week for several weeks. The first big push of tarpon came in on the 18th or so. The warm water has presented a lot of opportunities for Sharks in the Bay, as heavy persistent winds block much of the access to the Gulf for much of April 21017.
First Black Tip Shark
Double Black tip Sharks
Black Tip Sharks are fun to catch especially on light tackle. They do everything you could ask of a game fish with multiple runs and jumps.
At anytime you can encounter a tarpon crashing the action. These sharks have been running 2-3 feet but the bigger 30-40 and up to 70 lb Black Tips along with the full complement of Bulls, Hammerheads and Lemons are following the tarpon.
If you have young men in your family, the allure of sharks is a powerful one. Here a few pics from recent trips.
Great Permit catch by Jonathan S.
Redfish
Permit!
Mild fronts are keeping the water temps in the low to mid 70’s and the bite hot.
Permit have been regular catches in the Gulf and even in the Bay. These hard fighting great eating fish are so much fun to catch on light tackle. Mangrove Snapper and Grouper are also hitting well on the natural ledges with the occasional Cobia crashing the Party. Black Fin Tuna are still chasing Thread-fin if your lucky enough to run in to them.
Book now before the weather turns and you can’t get out!