Inshore and nearsore fishing have been the name of the game recently with weather inconsistencies making it tough to get offshore. The nearshore reefs have been very productive on the calmer days with steady reports of mangrove snapper, lane snapper, porgies, and amberjacks. Nearshore ledges have also been producing some decent hogfish these past few weeks. Live shrimp rigged on a 1/4oz or 1oz Hogball depending on depth is the rig of choice. Triple tail reports have dwindled a bit but just inconsistent with the weather. When they’re seeing them, they are eating and they are not small. Inshore pompano reports have been steady as well with most reports coming from the flats and passes. This will also vary depending on water temps. Sheepshead are a best bet!! Constant sheepshead reports with no end in sight! Any structure, docks pilings, rocks, and oyster beds are great spots to look. Live shrimp are suggested along with fiddler crabs. Frozen shrimp works as well but has a tendency to get soft and fall off the hook very quickly. More redfish being reported every day and already a few snook mentioned on the flats! Temperature fluctuation will change things a bit these next few weeks, but bring on the spring fishing!!

Tight Lines

Recent offshore action had been extremely dependent on weather recently. Anglers have been able to get out during short weather windows but have done very well considering! A few wahoo reported last week from roughly 85 mi. Big African Pompano were reported in about 200′ of water as well. Red grouper have now been limited to the 20 fathom range but have still been showing very well within that depth. This is the time of year when the nearshore wreck fishing starts to get goooood!!! Big abmerjacks and mangrove snappers. Permit should start showing well here very soon and the cobia have been scattered. There have still been some tripletail reports flowing in, again mostly during the calmer days. Pompano in the passes and scattered on the flats along with sheepshead on most structure have been non stop. Inshore flats fishing is really starting to heat up with a ton of trout this past week and several decent snook reported in the past couple days. Small redfish have been scattered throughout the bay also. Get out and GO FISHING!!

Tight Lines!

Wintertime fishing is in full swing! Some inconsistent weather has made it difficult to get offshore but there have been a few weather windows making it possible. Anglers getting out to the 130-140′ range of water are seeing some very nice red grouper and yellowtail snapper as well as some large mangrove snapper. If theyve been able to get out a bit further to the 180′-200′ range they are seeing massive African pompano and blackfin tuna as well. Amberjacks are still lurking the nearshore wrecks along with a few smaller cobia. The tripletail have been supersized this season! Some of these coming from 40-50′ of water. Calm days are producing some big ones up to 34″. Pompano have swarmed the passes these past couple weeks with a few nice permit mixed in. Live shrimp are working best. Sheepshead are still extremely prominent in the bay and on most structure..ie. rocks, oyster beds and dock pilings but you may see some on the flats as well. The trout bite also remains strong on the flats with primarily soft plastics. We have seen many smaller reds these past few days on the flats primarily in north Saraota bay. Night fishing has been fantastic lately with anglers catching some jack crevalle and snook in the lights. Tarpon season will be upon us before we know it, now is the time to start getting prepared! We’ve got everything you need to catch the king. Stay tuned for info on upcoming seminars this spring!!

Tight Lines!!

Well, it has been a minute!! First off.. a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Fishing has been phenomenal this past month in between the windy/weather days. Offshore action right now is looking great with wahoo out past 50mi. Amberjacks on the nearshore ledges along with a fantastic hogfish showing. We have XL mangrove snappers reported from as far north as Anna Maria Island all the way down to Ft Myers. There are plenty of cobia still around in scattered depths at the moment. The tripletail reports have been flowing in directly following that blow this past week and Ive been seeing some larger models showing in the 24-26″ range. Pompano bite is super hot this week with some smaller permit mixed in as well. Most of those pompano reports are coming from the passes and beach with a few scattered in the bay. Lots of redfish still around in the bay!! Shallow soft plastics have been the ticket for reds preferably in a pearl or a golden bream or red/watermelon glitter color on an 1/8-1/4oz jighead. This is a great time of year for wading. Certain spots are still holding some very nice trout also. Sheepshead for the taking!!! Check any and all dock pilings, oyster beds and structure. Sheepshead have been loaded up in the bay. Several mentions of big schools of jack crevalle pushing up into Phillippi Creek this week…most of the big snook have already made there way into the back though.

~MARK YOU CALENDARS~

****FREE SEMINAR W/ CAPT GEOFF PAGE!!**** 

THURSDAY JANUARY, 18TH @ 5:30PM!!!

WINTERTIME WADE FISHING!

No reservation needed.