Mike's Outdoor Adventures

We had visited several locations that I like. It was July 25,2020. Olin had landed one black tip shark and one large catfish so far. That was disappointing to me so we kept searching using my Humminbird Side Scan sonar until I located two small sharks. We dropped anchor and put out 4 lines. Line was screaming off one reel. There was no doubt that this was a big shark. Olin is 11 years old and after waiting for the runs to end temporarily he pulled the rod out of its holder. He did a great job fighting this 6 foot hammerhead for over 30 minutes before we had him alongside. He was beaming.
What a wonderful way to conclude a fun day on the water!

Traditional game fish have been challenging in 2019. I've moved into shark fishing and have had success there. The nurse shark and bull shark are easily over 100 pounds.

I've moved to Shark Fishing Charters exclusively and the demand has been quite strong. Fortunately we have a variety of species of them and in the last few weeks my clients have landed two in excess of 150 pounds.

Fishing has been tough over the last few weeks. Yesterday one of my clients landed a 33 inch Cobia on pretty light gear. It was a tough fight with the fish making more that 6 runs before he agreed to come into the boat. It was 3 inches short of legal so it was released after taking photos. These are beautiful fish and near the top for best eating species.

The water quality in Pine Island Sound has improved with very small traces of Red Tide showing up in samples taken by Mote in Sarasota. As daylight temperatures rise our water will reach a point that the game fish bite will be on. Right now we seek out fish holding over darker bottoms to provide them the warmth they want.
Tarpon will be migrating north once our waters rise above 70 degrees, with the numbers increasing after it reaches 75 degrees. Right now it is 67-68 degrees. If you have an interest in Tarpon fishing, give me a call at 239-672-1580.

After many months of red tide and dirty water, fishing has picked up again. The most plentiful species is our Sheepshead. They are relatively easy to locate in the clearer waters. Fish around and under docks and allow your bait to just sit. Using a taught line, use a finger to sense when they bite.

Use a pinch weight 18" above the hook. The shank of the hook should be long since they swallow the bait quickly and the hook is often deep in their mouth. While the regulations limits allow for 8 fish over 10" per angler, I suggest that you will get much more meat from those 15" or larger. Let the little guys grow up.

After many months of poor water conditions and below average fishing, things are looking up. In areas protected from the wind the water is gin clear. The sheepshead bite is excellent. Fish in, around and underneath docks with a whole shrimp or even part of one, using a weight 12-18 inches above the hook. Use a long shanked hook because they tend to swallow it and you'll need something to grab on while removing it. Often hook extraction is not easy because of their hard mouths and their unwillingness to "open up".
One is allowed to harvest up to 8 fish per angler daily and it must be over 10 inches. There is very little meat on the small legal ones, so I suggest you release them, keeping fish of 15" or 16" and larger.

After more than two months of miserable fishing because of
Red Tide and Green Algae, we are seeing some return of decent fishing conditions.
Large Red fish and Snook are holding under docks near the passes in Pine Island Sound using Pin fish on a circle hook. I hooked a Snook over 40 inches but he ran under the dock and broke me off. A leader of 100 pounds reduced to 40 pounds very close to the end is recommended. Use only a rod with a backbone since you will need to drag them out quickly. Best of luck to each of you

I believe I've been hacked so I'm changing my password. You may need to change yours but I'm not sure.