Fishing Report – week ending 7/31/2009
The water has cooled down a bit and we are seeing an occasional afternoon storm to give us some much needed rain. Water temperatures in a couple bays were around 85 earlier this week.
The week started out with some outstanding sight fishing for redfish on Sunday. We had a great outgoing all afternoon with some pretty clear water making it easy to spot these fish cruising the oyster bars and points. We had tails showing on a couple occasions, not something you see a lot here in the 10,000 islands. The fly of choice was a small Natural tied on a size 2.
There have been pods of juvenile tarpon around rolling early and late. The fish are in the 10-25 pound range and great fun on an 8 or 9 weight rod. On Monday I found a small pod of maybe 10-15 fish actively rolling in a small cove in about 4 feet of water. The Green Lantern was just the ticket, two fish on the first two casts. Second fish was bigger than expected and went through the shock like butter on the first jump – should have had 40# on. Hit another 3 fish before they decided they had enough.
Snook continue to be stacked on the beaches with good reports up and down the coast. Just a reminder, if you are on foot and fishing from the beach, starting this Saturday you now need a shore fishing license. If you already have a saltwater license, you are covered.
All the best,
Capt Bill Baldus
