Reminder that we live in paradise
While being forced to be in Atlanta this past week due to family issues I have, of course, been keeping an eye on the weather in Cape Coral.
While there I got to sample some reservoir fishing for striped bass, hybrid striped bass, largemouth, spotted, and white bass. I admit these fish are strong in their own right and it’s nice to see actual trees, hills, and lush green fields again, but I would trade 10 pine trees for a palm, 25 stripers for one tarpon, 50 largemouth bass for one snook, and 100 white bass for one good ol’ mean jack.
I grew up fishing stripers and bass in the Mid-Atlantic States, but once I caught my first snook and then tarpon, I was hooked. Being away makes one realize again, just how good we have it in our own saltwater fishing paradise. Couldn’t wait to get home.
Capt. Miles of Cape Tool & Tackle reports good snook fishing in the passes while some still remain on the beaches due to rather warm water. He also says the snook transition (toward the backcountry) has started. The water is very muddy due to recent rains.
The bait situation is very good with plenty of pinfish and whitebait available. He is catching bait around the Jug creek area along with plenty of seatrout.
Redfishing has been good for him and getting better. Redfish are schooling in the Burnt Store area along with schools of oversize reds in north Pine Island Sound as well as north Matlacha Pass. Tarpon are available in Charlotte Harbor as well as the mouths of the Peace and Myakka rivers. He’s using the traditional live ladyfish for bait.
Capt. Tom of Angler’s Outlet tells of tarpon fishing in the river coves and canals. Watch for rolling fish. Usually tight-lipped about locations, he mentioned to try some general areas around Iona cove, Miserable Mile and areas near the mouth of the river (slow zones). These fish are responding well to chumming, so stop in and grab a few blocks of chum before heading out to your favorite river haunts.
Customers are reporting redfish catches in Pine Island Sound. Look for snook in the river starting at Spaghetti Point and heading north along the shorelines. He also reports good snook fishing along the docks in the river near the Southwest Canal (and not just at night). Trout fishing in Pine Island Sound is outstanding just north and south of the power lines as well as the Bunche Beach area, with sharks and plenty of kitty fish.
Capt. Rob of SoulMate Charters speaks about dirty water this past week due to Hurricane Fay. Bait is plentiful for him around Picnic Island and is scooping up pinfish and whitebait to use. This past week his clients caught snook in Ding Darling as well as south Matlacha Pass. Big catches of trout and ladyfish on Long Bar in the middle of Pine Island Sound. He is catching (smaller sized) tarpon in the Pine Island Sound area near the power lines and near Chino Island.
Capt. Mike Smith, fishing out of Lehr’s Economy Tackle, brings reports of good snook fishing in the river mouth area on pinfish, whitebait and good ol’ Mirr-O-Lures. He has been catching redfish in the north Matlacha Pass area near Indian Fields. These are 24- to 32-inch fish.
Also, more redfish action near the Burnt Store Bar area. He reports redfish and tarpon action just north of the power lines in Pine Island Sound. Trout fishing has been good this past week near Gull Island.
Between dirty water, poisonous river discharges, wind, rain and back-to-back storms, we are still blessed with some of the world’s finest inshore saltwater fishing.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. Contact him at captgeorget3@aol.com, or (239) 282-9434.