The fishing was great this summer with Snook , Redfish, Sea Trout, Mangrove Snapper, and Tarpon in the mix. The weather this year was not as hot as usual. Low 90’s this year with the afternoon rain to cool us back to the mid 80’s. Water temperatures never reached past 87 degrees. The big plus was that there were no named storms until the end of summer. The waters were very healthy this year with bait and feeding fish on almost every point in the 10,000 Islands.
Big female Snook on there spawn cycle were on the mangrove shorelines, almost all of the passes , and on all the beaches. Summer is the best time to get the PB Snook. They are on the shorelines spawning and feeding. They are not the easiest fish to bring to the boat, but the most gratifying when you do. They are fast, smart, and know the shorelines, one mistake and they will have you in the roots. Best baits this year live mullet, ladyfish, 3″ paddle tail swimbaits, and white bucktail jigs. Young Kellan was the big Snook winner for the summer with his 37incher taken off a mangrove shoreline while fishing for Mangrove Snapper. sometimes they prefer a small bait. Snook season runs between October to December 1st and they will be around as long as the water temperature stays above 70.
The other guys roaming the shorelines in the summer are the Goliath Grouper. This fish can reach up to 400lbs on wrecks in the Gulf. In the backwaters the average is 10 to 30 lbs with the occasional 50 lber. A fun and ugly fish to catch. Pro tip do not put your hand in its mouth.
The Redfish bite really turned on at the end of summer, especially in September. Redfish usually turn on in October, but with all of the bait and cooler summer temperatures they started early. Best bait to target this fish is a shrimp tipped bucktail jig. They hold close to the mangrove shorelines, you need to make that cast close. Another great bait is a cut piece of ladyfish close to the shoreline. These fish can pull, you have to get them away from the shore before they find a root. Redfish will get more plentiful as Fall sets in. The waters are healthy and so are the fish stocks, I hope to get you out on the water. Please give me a call, text , or email if interested in fishing the 10,000 Islands Preserve. Thank you for visiting and the read.
Tight Lines,
Captain Jim Fortman
239-325-7109
