REPORT:
Boca Grande, Fl
2/1/01
Fishing Report
The warm weather Florida is famous for has returned. The cold spell is over and the fish know it. Everywhere I went I found fish cruising, eating, and just plain happy. The most abundant species was Seatrout. Redfish were also good. Sheepshead were also abundant, although I did not fish for them very much. Most of the Seatrout came from the Bull and Turtle Bay grass flats on the outgoing tide.
Flyfishers will be effective with brown shrimp patterns like a Bonefish Joe, a brown Clouser or a Greenan Redfish. All of these are meant to get down quickly. Spin fishers will do well with Cotee Jigs, Bass Assassins and, early, top water Mirrorlures.
Bette Jopp and a bunch of crazy Minnesotans, fished with Mitchell Keene and I in Bull and Turtle Bays on Monday. I seems like I have been relegated to carrying Mitchell's fish. I did manage a nice 31 inch Redfish to take big fish honors but Mitchell's team caught 10 keeper size Redfish right in front of me. We both added a large catch of Seatrout for the box.
Phil Saul and I fished artificial lures for a few hours Wed. am in a thick, wet fog. We fished over the pot holes in Gasparilla Sound and took 30 to 40 Seatrout to 24 inches. All of the lures we used took some fish but a chartreuse Bass Assassin caught the most and biggest.
The full moon in Feb. is on the eighth. This moon will move the fish due to strong tides and bright nights. More fish will become active as the water warms. Snook, now in season, will be on the feed for several days next week. Some signs of Snook activity is already apparent.
Anglers should make their plans now for what appears to be a very busy Tarpon season. To guarantee your first choice, reserve your dates now.
Tight Lines, Capt. Pete