Boca Grande, fl.
20 August, 2005

 

The whole Charlotte Harbor area is alive with fish right now.  There are snook in the passes, on the beach and in

 

the mangroves.  There are tarpon roaming the upper harbor, lots of seatrout, plenty of Spanish mackerel and more

 

damn ladyfish than you can imagine. 

 

Fishing with Dusty Sprague and Ron Whiteley on Thursday, we had seven species of fish and a great lunch at the

 

Fishery.  Ron caught so many ladyfish in one spot that he actually got tired.  WE fished the west wall for snook and

 

Dusty hit a big fish about 36" on an Estaz.  After moving out to the main harbor we found a huge school of Spanish

 

eating bait fish and jumping out of the water.  Lots of fun.

 

Just a reminder that snook season opens on Sept. 1, 2005.  If you are looking for that one that you missed in the

 

spring now's the time.

 

"Redfish Round-up Time" is the new name for late Aug. and Sept.  The reds are schooling up as they should this time

 

of the year.  They are a bit spooky because of the fishing pressure but you can still get them to react early on the

 

tide.  Longer leaders and Fluorocarbon are important to keeping these fish fat and happy.  You'll find them in skinny

 

water that flows well with the tide. 

 

Red Tide Update - I've nothing to report because there is no red tide in Boca Grande.  I know every one is concerned

 

about the effect of the tide in the Tampa Bay to Bradenton area, but Boca has no problem at all.  While fishing the

 

flats and bays I noticed no dead or dying fish, no smell and plenty of activity.

 

Don't forget to come to the Mangrove Coast FFers meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 at Bee Ridge Park.  Call 941-923-6095 for

 

directions.

 

Fish Hard

 

Capt. Pete