Spring in the Ten Thousand Islands means one thing: the wind picks up, and the fishing gets hot. This year, the 11 a.m. wind was so consistent you could set your watch by it. The upside? In the islands, a sheltered side is never far away.
March was a shark fest. The sweet sea trout bite we enjoyed all winter disappeared as blacktips and juvenile bulls moved in. The tarpon were slow to show, but finally started pushing in by late March, sticking around until mid-May.
Plenty of my clients hooked up with these kings, but many weren’t ready for the fight. Pay attention on the ride out, folks. I’ll tell you all you need to know to land one of these giants.
The Black Drum started pushing in mid March adding a great bycatch. They hang out to get in on the crab hatch that happens in Spring. I am always looking for mud being kicked up by these fish. They are a great fight and a delicious for dinner.
The Redfish bite stayed through spring hitting paddle tail and bucktail jigs. The one fish that took its time coming in was the Snook, not showing up until May (closed season, almost like they know). This year there were a lot of Sharks that scare the other fish away. It was all good, as we all need to eat. When they left, the fun and the fish came back!
Snook pictured above and fun time Jacks below. Always a great time here in the 10k Islands chasing tails and tricking fish.
Best picture of May. Above is my long time client Ken’s daughter in-law with a 24-inch Sea Trout as the storms were rolling in for the afternoon showers, she made one last cast! I hope you enjoyed this Spring report. I am hoping this coming Spring the Sharks will stay at bay.
Tight Lines,
Captain Jim Fortman
239-325-7109
Backwater Fishing in Naples & the Ten Thousand Islands 