On the Water with Capt. Bill Russell | Anglers catching fish despite recent winds
Capt. Bill Russell
Typical of March, windy conditions prevailed much of the week — with some days strong and a few light wind days mixed in allowing anglers to run west into Gulf waters.
Once again last week was a good week for catching sheepshead across inshore waters. Fish up to 7 pounds were caught from all the usual areas around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, the barrier islands, creeks, oyster bars and areas with structure and water movement. Best bait included shrimp and fiddler crabs rigged on a small jig head or a small sharp circle hook with split-shots or knocker rigs.
Before the cool front mid-week, water temperatures climbed into the 70s resulting in good snook action. Snook were hooked around docks near Boca Grande and Captiva passes, sand holes and island points in Pine Island Sound and oyster bars and shorelines in Matlacha Pass. Many were running from 20-26 inches with fish up to 40 inches reported. Baits included a variety of soft plastic baits, live shrimp and cut ladyfish. The snook bite will be off and on until water temperatures stabilize in the mid-70s.
Many anglers found good seatrout fishing throughout Pine Island Sound. Fish were averaging in size from 13-17 inches with a good percentage of keepers over 15 inches. Most were either caught drifting over 4 to 7-foot grass flats or working sand holes and troths adjacent to shallow flats. For bait, white, pearl and chartreuse plastics, gold or silver spoons, Gulp shrimp and live shrimp under popping corks all caught fish. A few pompano and lots of ladyfish were caught as well.
On the few days weather allows, boats are boxing limits of red grouper in depths from 90-110 feet. Snappers, including mangrove, yellowtail, lane and vermilion, were also taken from the same depth. Nearer shore, sheepshead, mangrove snapper and Key West grunts were taken on shrimp fishing hard bottom, ledges and reefs in 25 to 40-foot depths. Spanish mackerel were hooked casting spoons with a fast retrieve around Helen’s and Pace’s Place reefs.
Weather is always hard to predict in March. We want it to be spring but often Mother Nature has other plans. Cold fronts continue to roll in, but they gradually become weaker. As long as I’ve been fishing, wind is a factor this month. Over most days it’s not a deal breaker, you just have to learn to fish around it. As water temperatures continue to warm, look for fishing to become more consistent.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at: myfwc.com.
Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish. If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location. In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service — call or text 239-410-8576; visit the website at fishpineisland.com; or email gcl2fish@live.com.
Have a safe week and good fishin’
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning.
To reach BILL RUSSELL - news@breezenewspapers.com, please email