The redfish bite was good over the morning high water with fish taking live pilchards and pinfish both under bobbers or free lined off of mangrove points in northern Matlacha Pass. Despite some very high water most of the fish were several feet off the mangroves over sand bottom.
Over the deeper grass flats in north Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor a mix of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, trout, ladyfish and small blacktip sharks were caught. This is great fishing for the kids and families as there is plenty of action. The mackerel and trout are running a little smaller than last month but if you work at it you can still catch quality fish.
Late afternoon shark fishing has been good off the eastern shore of Charlotte Harbor. Lemons and Bulls are roaming off the bars and are hunting for dinner the last few hours of daylight. The big lemon in the picture took a cut ladyfish and took an hour and a half for the brother/sister team of Jake, age 12 and Shelby, 14 to get boat side. After the catch all three were relieved, the shark swam away strong and both the kids were whipped but smiling. We are also jumping a few tarpon on the shark lines.
The days are getting shorter and with several rainy days last week the water has cooled down. Late August is when we start hunting for schools of large redfish and fishing will only get better as we progress towards the cooler days off all.
For charter information please contact us at:
Phone: 239-283-7960
Website: www.fishpineisland.com
E-mail: gcl2fish@live.com
"Catch the Action" with Captain Bill Russell
