Pat Horrigan

Big snook are moving around the creeks and channels now. They are near deep water but are in shallow water. Look for them along the mangrove lines close to deeper water. As soon as it starts to cool off they will move up into the creeks and deep channels for warmer water. They feel the changing season and the dinner bell has been rung. Be very quiet and use a stealth to get near their holding areas. Fly fishing the Tropic Bay Spoon Fly has been very productive but use what works for you. Look at what they are eating and match your fly from there. The Tropic Bay Spoon Fly spins like a spoon with the addition of a popping and chugging sound. It depends on how you work the fly as to what sound you get. This is great at low light or at night. As the sun gets higher they can see the spoon as well. Reds love it too and that's ok with me. The snook have been running 40" to 45" common with a few smaller ones here and there. The big girls get very aggressive towards this fly and really slam it. I have had the best fishing very early just before sunup and into the early morning. It's 9 AM and I am back at the guide house if that tells you anything. Soon the snook will be up in the creeks around deep holes. If you don't know where the holes are, now is the time to do your scout work and find them. I sat thru a low tide cycle just to really get the picture in my mind. It has paid off handsomely. Little deeps on a sonar don't really give you the full picture. At least not for me. I marked the holes on my GPS and then put an 'Approach Zone' around it. When I near the zone I stop and wait. I start working the zone around the hole first. If I can entice the snook to attack in the zone, I can move him out of the zone and away from the hole. This can pay big for you. The weather is changing and the snook know they have to put on the weight for winter. Be very, very quiet and move slow.

Fish Species: Snook
Bait Used: Tropic Bay Spoon Fly
Tackle Used: Sage Rod, Tibor Reel
Method Used: Fly Fishing
Water Depth: 2 Feet
Water Temperature: 85
Wind Direction: 0
Wind Speed: 0
visit TropicBay com
visit TropicBay com


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Pat Horrigan

About The Author: Captain Pat Horrigan

Company: Tropic Bay Guides

Area Reporting: Central west coast of Florida gulf- Nature Coast

Bio: IGFA Certified fly fishing guide fishing the waters from Homosassa south to Green Key. Fly fishing for tarpon, permit, snook, redfish, sea trout, pompano, jacks and shark. Fishing from a new Hewes Redfisher 18 flats boat powered by ETEC motor.

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Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Pat Horrigan