In like a lamb, going through like a lion

   A few weeks back I mention the effects of a La Nina to Florida. Well that jet stream holding that cold air in the Pacific Northwest has made the slip, and the fronts have been plaguing the entire nation. For the most part the water temperatures are staying above 60 degrees and once the dust settles; it won’t be long before we are where we should be. Though the weather is unfortunate, as I stated a few weeks back, this very well could be the norm. Funny how a few weeks back the local print fishing reports were exclaiming spring fishing, are now reporting using terms like Vernal Equinox. Oh, the hare and tortoise…. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all the time.

Depending on what side of the fronts you’ve been fishing, will have a direct impact on the catching. A few snook and redfish have made the bag prior and in between the fronts. The action has been best in the area flats and structures that see some effect from the warm runoff of the power plant. I’ve also found water up 70 degrees in the backwater creeks. The water is a little off color in these refuges, and has been the ticket for some great snook action. In other areas the fish are staging, yet not biting as well.

Trout fishing has been fair. The fronts had sent many fish back to the rivers and creeks. We caught many fish in the exact places we did back in January. Oyster bars, rocky cul-de-sacs, inshore mangrove points, and swash channels. Quality trout fishing remains strong in the skinny both north and south of the power plant. Start your drifts in as shallow as your boat will allow. This is where fishing has been best the past two weeks. Cotee jigs get the nod.

There has been a very impressive number of cobia hanging off the plant. Some days the water clarity allows for sight-fishing, others it is best just to fish. We have taken cobia in the past two weeks from the pier to 3 miles offshore. Keep in mind that these fish are around while trout fishing. Employing hand size live bait in tow on your drifts is a great way to get a brown bomber bonus.

For those fortunate enough to be able to stuff the livewell with scaled sardines, the action with the jacks has been phenomenal. Everyday I stop by the ol’ plant for some fun in the sun. Once you get these fish patterned, you will catch them 3 at a time for as long as two hours. We have taken fish to 13 pounds. It's hard to think of any place in the world, no matter the species, for tackle busting action like this.

So, with the jacks, 50 fish days have been average on our full days. Once the weather settles a bit, we will see some more consistent action on the snook and redfish. Until then, there are still plenty of fish around to make a most productive day!

Screaming Drags and Tired Arms !!!!

Robert McCue

Past reports

Send E-Mail  
To Capt.Robert@gianttarpon