Tarpon fishing at the passes has slowed a bit for a lot of guides and civilian fishermen reporting in this week.

Capt Casey of D & D in Matlacha says it slowed for him at Boca Grande as of late due to a combination of factors, such as bait being tougher to find at the usual spots in Charlotte Harbor, strong winds, and muddy water, lots of boats and less than the normal amount of hookups for this time of year.

Trout fishing continues to be up and down in Pine Island Sound, as reported by Capt. Dick May of Easy Rider Charters. He attributes this to high salinity levels due to the ongoing drought among other factors like scarcity of bait. He also says tarpon at Boca Grande is slower than normal due to the less-than-perfect conditions, but is upbeat about the continuing good supply of willing redfish.

Redfishing is strong



Casting cut bait or shrimp under the bushes at higher tides brings them to the hook. Blacktip sharks are being caught just outside Captiva Pass, too.

Redfishing has been very strong for clients the past couple of months aboard Flying Fins Sportfishing. I am not a bait fisherman and count heavily on fluorocarbon leaders, gold Bagley’s spoons, some soft plastics, along with smaller topwater lures, and doing well with fly rods using long leaders.

Fish are getting spooked and by the time you see him you have been seen and the fish is on his way to parts unknown. Break out the push poles. Stealth mode is called for as well as being on the water early.

Try not to rock the boat as in super shallow water the fish feels the pressure of waves coming from a rocking hull. I fish with a lot of clients that have bad luck because they do not understand the importance of keeping still and quiet when fishing super shallow, clear water. These fish are getting smarter and smarter, it seems, but thank goodness not all of them.

Fish bridges late



Capt. Tom at Angler’s Outlet reports tarpon action in the canal systems of Southwest Cape as well as at the river bridges. Bridge fishing is a late afternoon, night, or early bite. Catfish tails, ladyfish, and casting fishermen are cashing in on this ongoing bite.

Tom says the new plastic swim baits are doing well for the lure guys casting the shadow lines along with the standard plugs and jigs.

If you have not tried this type of exciting fishing, go for it. A 100-pound tarpon hitting your topwater lure 10 feet from the boat in the dim light may cause cardiac arrest aboard your vessel. You will swear that it was seven or eight hundred pounds after it rips the hooks off your lure.

Fly-fishing types are cashing in on this action as well. It doesn’t get much more exciting than a fly rod caught, fought, or just jumped tarpon.

Short on bait supply



Lehr’s Economy Tackle reports good redfishing near the mouth of the river and strong breezes are keeping a lot of the offshore, Sanibel tarpon fleet inshore.

Mr. Dave also advises trying a low light bridge trip along any of our river bridges. A lot of folks are fixated on the Cape Coral Bridge, but he points out all of our bridges hold these overgrown herring.

Cape Tool & Tackle gives similar reports of bait being tougher than normal, but redfishing is strong using cut baits under the bushes, and snook along the beaches are getting better and better, but not yet in full swing.

Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming “pole and troll” zone news, coming to a fishing flat near you. Please get involved, it’s your water.

Be safe and courteous on the water



Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. Contact him at captgeorget3@aol.com, or (239) 282-9434.