MAP OF SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA
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Southwest Florida has some of the best backwater fishing in the state. The fly angling in the extensive network of bays, mangrove islands, and tidal creeks can be challenging and rewarding. There are many oyster bars and acres of seagrass beds that attract an abundance of salt water fish. Snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, and tarpon can all be taken on the fly.
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LATEST SOUTHWEST FLY FISHING REPORTS
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The wind finally settled and the tide was predicted to be extremely low. So, that meant a trip to Pine Island Sound was in order.
The Sound is a great place to look for tailing redfish on a negative low tide.
Launched the kayak just before dawn and began paddling to a lush turtle grass flat that often holds tailers. Took about an hour before I saw my first tail.
In all, I saw about 12 tailing reds. I hooked up one briefly on my First Cast Crab. The fly, a crab imitation, was named First Cast Crab because I hooked a nice spotted seatrout the first time I cast it.
The FCC also produced several more spotted seatrout and a bunch of mangrove snapper. I found trout, snapper and snook in cuts on the outgoing tide in the backcountry. I caught a snook and some snapper on a chartreuse and white Super Hair Clouser.
Later in the afternoon, I hooked up a nice red on the Clouser. The red was in a foot of water on sand. There were a number of reds back there as the tide turned to come in.
Sightfishing has been pretty good, although the fish haven’t been large. Still, small snook, reds and trout are great when you see them before you cast and watch them eat the fly.
The beauty about fishing out of the Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5 is that I can stand up, pole and spot fish. It’s a very stable kayak and I love fly fishing out of it.
Tides are good the rest of the week for tailing reds.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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Fall is my favorite time of year to fish in Florida. Both freshwater and saltwater species seem to be invigorated by the change in water temperature.
Over the past week, I’ve caught a variety of fish.
In preparation for the fifth annual Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers/Sarasota CCA Fall Fly Fishing Challenge, I spent a few days checking out Bishop Harbor off southern Tampa Bay. I managed a 30-inch snook on fly and several spotted seatrout to 17 inches. The outside sand bar also is holding redfish, snook and large spotted seatrout. In addition, jack crevalle, ladyfish and bluefish are available.
I fished the inshore Gulf of Mexico with Capt. Pete Greenan the day before the tournament. We landed four of five false albacore that we hooked on Super Hair Clousers. The heaviest was an 9-pounder that I landed on 6-week. The albies were chasing flying fish. We also managed a couple of nice Spanish mackerel.
We left when the bite slowed and headed into Gasparilla Sound and Bull Bay to see if we could find redfish and snook. The sand bar outside Bull Bay had plenty of reds on it and we didn’t cast to them. Saw a couple of snook, too.
We caught spotted seatrout to 21 inches on Clousers. At Uncle Henry’s Marina, we landed marauding jack crevalle to 5 pounds.
On tournament day, we had to settle for trout. Pete won the Trout Division with 147 inches. I had 130 inches. I hooked one snook , but lost it on the jump. I did land a 4-pound black drum on a black crab fly.
With an hour left, we hit a sand hole in Whidden Creek. We caught all of our trout from one hole.
Freshwater fishing is picking up nicely, with bass, bluegill, shellcracker, shellcracker and channel catfish are cooperating. Small poppers are taking bass and panfish early. Myakka Minnows, nymphs and Wooly Buggers are working later in the day.
We’ll start our Everglades trips in about a month when the water level is down. That concentrates the fish and makes 300-fish days very possible. We target oscar, Mayan cichlid, bass, bluegill, speckled perch, stumpknocker and occasionally peacock bass.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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Redfish, snook and spotted seatrout have been the name of the game during recent visits to Bishop Harbor off southern Tampa Bay.
We have taken slams at that location over the past three outings. Fishing along the northeast side of the harbor, we’ve landed snook to 26 inches, redfish to 28 and spotted seatrout to 16 on Rapala Skitter Walks and plastic-tailed jigs. Most of the action has been around mangrove islands during the incoming tide.
The area also has been producing ladyfish, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper and flounder.
Trout also are prominent over and around grass patches throughout the harbor.
At high tide, we’ve been paddling out the mouth of the harbor into southern Tampa Bay. There we like to fish the sand bars and have been experiencing good sight-fishing for redfish and small sharks. We’ve taken reds to 28 inches and bonnethead shark to 36 on plastic tailed jigs and jerk worms. We’ve also been encountering spotted seatrout and pompano to 4 pounds.
With a change in weather (cooler) expected and good tides, we anticipate continued decent action over the next week or so.
In Sarasota Bay, we’ve been working deep grass flats on the east and west sides. Spotted seatrout to 21 inches, bluefish to 3 pounds, ladyfish, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel to 4 pounds and an occasional pompano are cooperating on topwater plugs, jigs and flies (Super Hair Clousers).
This action can be fast and is a lot of fun. It’s especially good for novice anglers who just like to experience hits on every cast.
Redfish are on the flats. Snook can be found along mangroves on the flood tide. It’s a good time for sight-fishing in north Sarasota Bay.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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Cooling water means hot fishing action along Southwest Florida
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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We’ve had some excellent action despite hot weather. Easterly breezes and some overcast have made outings quite bearable.
The biggest news is that we found a mother lode of baby tarpon. Ken Taylor of North Port fished with me earlier in the week when we launched at Pineland and fished Pine Island Sound. We found the diminutive tarpon late in the day and cast at them for a couple of hours.
Ken put a 15-pounder in the air on a Sebile plug. In all, we cast at an estimate 75 little tarpon.
I’m convinced the fly rod is the way to go on these. Presentations are quite and you can imitate small baitfish with a variety of flies. I would recommend 6- to 8-weight rods, floating or sinktip lines, 9-foot fluorocarbon leaders with 25-pound fluoro shock tippets.
The tarpon show up on the incoming tide and can be found all along the mangroves.
Sarasota Bay is yielding a variety of fish for those casting at Stephen’s Point. Look for spotted seatrout, bluefish, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle. Pompano are a possibility.
Beach snook season still is in high gear, and the action picked up considerably over the last two days. Anglers have been getting shots at several hundred fish per outing.
For sight-fishing the beach, we recommend 6-weight rods, sinktip or floating lines, 10-pound leaders with 20-pound fluoro shock tippets.
Fly choices include the D.T. Special (variation), Puglisi Minnows, Clouser Deep Minnows and Wide-Eye Snook Fly.
I fished Lake Manatee on Sunday morning at did well. I launched before daylight and quickly landed four bass to 4 pounds on a black popper.
When that bite ended at daylight, I switch to my 3-weight rod and Myakka Minnow. I caught 40 bluegill and most were hand-sized.
I fished several new areas of Lake Manatee on the west side of the bridge.
Baby tarpon, beach snook, bass and bluegill should cooperate for the next week or so.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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Snook action has been good along the beaches. We’ve been seeing up to 400 snook per outing.
Most of the action has been via the fly rod. We use 6- to 8-weight rods, sinktip lines, 10-pound fluorocarbon leader and 20- to 25-pound shock leader.
I took Dr. John Healey of Fort Worth, Texas out recently. He caught his first snook and first spotted seatrout. We fished Manasota Key. All fish came on the D.T. Special (variation). John went three of seven on snook.
Not bad.
Before I left for Michigan to attend my father-in-law’s funeral, I fished with Ken Taylor of North Port, Fla. I caught three of the six I hooked. Biggest fish was 26 inches. I lost one that I estimated at 30 inches when the hooked simply pulled.
On two solo outings, I landed a total of 22 snook to 26 inches.
In addition to snook, other fish available in the surf include spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish.
Beach fishing should remain good through August.
In the bays, we’re getting spotted seatrout, bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevalle, flounder, redfish and a few snook.
When fly-fishing, Clouser Deep Minnows and Ultra-hair Clousers are producing.
Spin anglers are doing well on jigs, topwater plugs and MirrOlure MirrOminnows.
Top spots include Buttonwood Harbor, Harbourside Moorings, Whale Key, White Key, Stephen’s Point, Long Bar and the Ringling flats.
In fresh water, we’ve been getting bluegill and bass on poppers and nymphs. During my last trip, I caught and released 30 big hand-sized bluegill on poppers and nymphs.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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West wind continues to plague fishing around the area, either forcing cancellation or forcing us to the west side of Sarasota Bay and surrounding waters.
When we have been able to get out, we’ve been concentrating around Buttonwood Harbor in north Sarasota Bay where we have been encountering spotted seatrout, redfish, flounder, jack crevalle, ladyfish and bluefish.
Spotted seatrout have been hitting plastic-tailed jigs, D.O.A. Deadly Combinations and flies. The trout have been running on the small side, but we have taken them as large as 22 inches. The top fly has been the olive-and-white Clouser Deep Minnow on a No. 1 hook.
Ladyfish, jack crevalle and bluefish have been attacking baitfish schools in open water just south of Whale Key. The hard-fighting blues have been averaging 3 pounds.
Redfish are cooperating just off sand bars and around mangrove islands. There aren’t great numbers of fish, but there are enough to make it a worthwhile venture.
Best area has been just off a mangrove island south of Whale Key. That’s where Mike Jensen of Peoria, lll., nailed four reds to 25 inches, including one on his first cast of the day.
Jensen went on to land several nice spotted seatrout, a few ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Fly-fisher Kevin Hill of Ashland, Ky., had a sub-par day around Buttonwood Harbor. Fishing was slow and we landed a few spotted seatrout, flounder, ladyfish and jack crevalle. Late in the day, Hill did get the opportunity to cast at four redfish and a snook just off the mangroves of White Key.
On July 13, I head out into the Gulf of Mexico aboard the Snook Fin-Addict with my good friend, Capt. Rick Grassett. Our goal was to jump a few tarpon on fly. Grassett had enjoyed good success over the weekend, landing two of five fish that he jumped.
We were greeted by rough seas caused by an overnight wind shift. We did get a few shots, but didn’t hook up.
Deep grass flats around Sarasota should continue to produce spotted seatrout, bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevalle and possibly Spanish mackerel.
We expect beach snook action to be good when the west winds settles and the east winds begin. Snook are in the surf and hitting a variety of flies and lures. Top flies include the D.T. Special (variation), Gibby’s Snook Minnow, Clouser Deep Minnow, Wide-Eye Snook Fly and Puglisi Minnow. Top lures are jigs with plastic tails, D.O.A. Shrimp, Sebile Stick Shads and MirrOlure MirrOminnows.
Baby tarpon are available in canals in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, in addition to a couple of spots in north Sarasota Bay.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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West winds have been the standard for the past six weeks, limiting fishing locations around the area.
Thankfully, action has been good along the west side of Sarasota Bay. Fishing in and around Buttonwood Harbor, Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing anglers have been catching redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Mike Hansen of Peoria, Ill., recently fished with me and did well. In fact, Hansen hooked and landed a 25-inch redfish on his first cast. That set the tone for a good day.
Admittedly, I didn’t think it would turn out so good. We faced a very high tide and full moon. But the fish apparently weren’t aware.
Fishing just off a sand bar south of Whale Key, we saw a shrimp jump from the water with a predator fish behind. Hansen and I cast jigs toward the boil and immediately hooked up. We landed a pair of 24-inch reds.
Spotted seatrout have been hitting 1/8-ounce jigs and D.O.A. Deadly Combinations. If you’ve never used the Deadly Combo, you should give it a try. It’s a D.O.A. Shrimp below a special popping cork. All you do is cast it out, let the shrimp sink and then “pop†the float a couple of times. Keep repeating. When the bobber goes under, reel in any slack and set the hook.
It’s just that simple.
Topwater plugs have been producing redfish and decent spotted seatrout inside of Buttonwood Harbor.
The Longboat Key perimeter canals has been yielding redfish to 30 inches. Most of the reds are taking jigs in cuts along the canal.
While paddling along the canal back to the launch, I noticed some breaking fish just offshore. Hansen and I paddled out and got into fish. He caught a couple of nice trout. We also managed a pair of 3-pound bluefish.
The weather has been hot, with frequent thunderstorms. We try to get out early to avoid the heat and storms.
We advise six-hour trips this time of year. We’ll hit the water a little after 6 a.m. and we’re back at the launch around noon.
Redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle should cooperate over the next month. In addition, there’s a possibility of large Spanish mackerel and a few pompano.
In fresh water, bass, bluegill, shellcracker and channel catfish are the main fare. Speckled perch (crappie) won’t get going until late fall.
Fly anglers are doing well in the salt on Clouser Deep Minnows, benbacks, rattle flies and Puglisi-style flies.
Bass, bluegill, shellcracker and channel catfish are hitting poppers, nymphs and Wooly Buggers.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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Sight-fishing for snook along the beaches is very good right now. There are plenty of fish and many large snook. In addition, we're catching nice spotted seatrout, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Last week, a school of 100-pound tarpon came close enough for a cast! Luckily, we didn't hook up.
On a typical day, my anglers are getting shots at as many as 500 snook.
Bay fishing has been good for redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, ladyfish, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, pompano and bluefish.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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Action has been very good on recent Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing outings. Buttonwood Harbor in north Sarasota Bay has been producing redfish to 27 inches, spotted seatrout to 21, bluefish to 3 pounds, jack crevalle, ladyfish, flounder, pompano and Spanish mackerel.
Reds and a few big trout are pounding poppers and minnow imitations early. When that bite subsides, we’ve been moving just outside and encountering fast action on blues, jacks, ladies, pompano and Spanish macks. Most of that action is taking place on Clouser Deep Minnow.
Last trip to Manasota Key produced eight snook to 35 inches. First five snook ranged from 18 to 21 inches. But then came fish of 26, 27 and 35 inches. They were caught D.T. Specials, Clouser Deep Minnows and poppers. The two largest snook came on the poppers.
Beach snook fishing is also heating up. Conditions haven’t been great, but the fish don’t seem to mind. This is perfect for fly anglers and spinning enthusiasts alike.
Fly anglers should use 6- to 8-weight fly rods, floating or sinktip lines, 12-pound leaders with 25-pound fluorocarbon shock leaders.
There’s no better fly than the D.T. Special.
JUNE FORECAST: Beach snook action will really heat up in June. These are perfect outings for those who like to fish for snook or who have never caught a snook. It’s all sight-fishing and anglers fishing with me usually get shots at least 100 snook during a typical morning.
Snook also should be cooperative in the backcountry, along with redfish and spotted seatrout.
The month should also be excellent for bass, bluegill, shellcracker and monster channel catfish in local lakes.
(Report added by Steve Gibson)
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MEMBER PICTURES OF THE SOUTHWEST
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Shallow-water redfish
Caught with: Super Hair Clouser
Fly size: 1
Inches: 23
Pounds: 3
Picture added: 11/17/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Backcountry snook
Caught with: Clouser Deep Minnow
Fly size: 1
Inches: 15
Pounds: 2
Picture added: 11/17/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Spotted seatrout
Caught with: First Cast Crab
Fly size: 2
Inches: 15
Picture added: 11/17/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Mangrove snapper on First Cast Crab
Caught with: First Cast Crab
Fly size: 2
Inches: 10
Picture added: 11/17/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Sunrise on Pine Island Sound
Picture added: 11/17/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Bishop Harbor snook
Caught with: Clouser Deep Minnow
Fly size: 1
Inches: 26
Pounds: 6
Picture added: 09/30/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Bishop Harbor redfish
Caught with: Crease Fly
Fly size: 1
Inches: 26
Pounds: 6
Picture added: 09/30/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Bishop Harbor snook
Caught with: Clouser
Fly size: 1
Inches: 25
Pounds: 6
Picture added: 09/18/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Bishop Harbor snook
Caught with: Popper
Fly size: 1/0
Inches: 24
Pounds: 5
Picture added: 09/18/2009
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Posted By: Steve Gibson
Comments: Bishop Harbor redfish
Caught with: Clouser Deep Minnow
Fly size: 1
Inches: 23
Pounds: 5
Picture added: 09/18/2009
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OTHER PICTURES OF FLORIDA WATERS
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SOUTHWEST FLY FISHING NEWS
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Yahoo! News
(Updated 11/16 2:22 AM)
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Yahoo! News
(Updated 09/14 10:34 AM)
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