The water warms and fishing heats up. Wow, has the snook fishing been great lately, I mean really good. In the beginning of the week, and despite the cold front that brought the water temps crashing down again, all the way to 58 degrees, but it still didn't matter. Even on the coldest day this week we didn't have a day on the water where we caught less than 50 snook. Even on the fly it was nearly every third cast a snook would come up to the surface and suck in the fly. Snook fishing could get even better, most the snook are smaller and are easily available now, say 22 to 28 inches with a few over 30. As the water warms those larger snook will be easy targets over the next few weeks and I plan to put some big ones in the boat.
We are also doing pretty good on reds; they are in the 18 to 25 inch class and pretty much all keeper size. As the water warms red fishing will pick up and I should start seeing more mixed in with the snook. It's great when they are all mixed together and you're not sure if you have a snook on till he jumps or you can see the bronze color of the redfish. The water has been ultra clear this week. It's awesome, you can see everything. So many times you can actually pick out the fish you want to try for. It's great on live bait to watch the snook come up and smash a live greenback. Even more exciting for me is sitting in my tower watching a fly fisherman cast and strip the fly across the surface of the water and seeing 2 or 3 come fighting for it. Or just watching a smarter fish slowly inspect the bait or fly wondering if he's going to take it.
There are plenty of trout out there on the drop offs, deeper pot holes and on the flats to catch. Lots of nice eating sizes, 15 to 20 inchers if you want some good fryers or bakers; however you prefer to eat them.
As for offshore, I haven't been out since flats fishing is so good but you can bet as soon as the kings, tunny and mackerel move in I'll be out there smacking them along with the grouper.
Give it a few more weeks and the resident tarpon fishing should be good for fish up to 200 pounds.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. Good luck fishing if you are heading out on your own. If you are looking to have an action packed day on the water give me a call, I have some dates available. The flats are great now, tarpon and offshore soon.
Capt. Matt (800)521-2872