Well in a week and a half water temperature has dropped ten degrees giving us a taste of things to come. There will be hot spells mixed in with cold fronts moving forward, but winter patterns begin now. Overall, it’s a great time to be fishing as pelagic fish show up and the local fish now settle into their Winter haunts. This being the first real water temperature drop tells everyone Winter is at our doorstep.
Redfish love this first change in temperature, and that held true all week. Both good numbers of fish were caught as well as the arrival of their close relative the black drum. Fish were found primarily along mangrove shorelines during the sunny days. When the days were cloudy and windy, we had fish spread out everywhere there was water.
Snook slowed down a bit mid region, but the Matlacha and Caloosahatchee river did have several studs caught this week. Surprisingly there was plenty of white bait available to fish with, and most of the fish were caught using them.
Trout are starting to be seen in areas that have been severely deprived for a year, and that’s so nice to see. The areas in Charlotte harbor, North Pine island sound, and South of Gordons pass that had them before, have many now. The cooling of water helped that situation and should continue too.
Offshore it’s been a mix of fish. Red grouper in 70-90 feet has been good, as well as mangrove snappers and yellowtail. Gag grouper have found their way to the shallower waters. You’ll be able to find these fish in 30-40’ on ledges and structure. Finally, kingfish love these cool downs. It’s going to be good for several months. Anglers who fish from in site of land all the way out will catch kingfish for months to come moving forward.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com
239-313-1764