Spring Bite was on! April and May this year were outstanding months with great fishing. My clients targeted Redfish, Snook, Jacks, Black Drum, Sea Trout, Sharks, and the elusive Silver King, aka Tarpon. The weather pattern was a little off this spring with cold fronts continuously coming in through until May. Water temperatures have remained in the mid 70s and relentless winds have made conditions tough. All you had to do was get out of the wind and find some good current and the bite was on. Most of the bite came on soft plastic swim baits, in natural colors, along with Shrimp under a popping cork.
Then there’s that guy. You know the guy. Long time client, Mike, did it again, right before the close of Snook season. He picked up a keeper, 32″ Snook, a 27″ Redfish, and a 25″ Triple Tail. Earning the name Lucky Mike, after this Spring season.
Bent rods and wiped out customers is almost a guarantee on my trips in Spring thru Summer.
The Tarpon bite just seemed to be elusive this spring due to the colder water. My clients did have 8 battles in the one week they were around, but then a cold front would push through and the bite was gone. I am starting to see an up tick in the summer Tarpon, which is great as the water begins to warm. The 2nd bait fish hatch has begun bringing more fish to the area, and in great numbers. Catch and release Snook and Redfish, Sea Trout on the out side flats, and Black Drum, Sharks , and Tarpon on the mud flats. Pictured below is some more great action from the mont of May
The water is clean and free of the Red Tide. Fishing has been great. Thank you to all my clients for their help with this report. If you would like to come aboard and get in on the fun, I still have availability for the end of June and the month of July. Give me a call for reservations.
Until then, Tight Lines,
Captain Jim Fortman
239-325-7109
Backwater Fishing in Naples & the Ten Thousand Islands 