Prior to the cold front that past by first of the week where temps dropped into the 40s Pine Island Sound was stating to show some decent action with Snook and Trout with the occasional Redfish. Bait fish was making a good showing but unlike the past few years it is not in the usual spots. Tarpon began showing in small numbers on the beaches and I have heard from other guides they have been catching a couple a week. I went in to the big Pass today and marked a handful of tarpon and there where several boats drifting live bait.
Bull and Turtle Bay have been fairly reliable with a mixed bag, but I struggled to put fish in the boat today. Several of the trout we caught did not even fight, indicating that the cold must have affected them more than I thought.
Upper Charlotte Harbor has a steady supply of bait in and around the two bridges. Snook fishing continues to be good in the rivers and canals, and I expect until we get a week or longer of warm days they will be in no hurry to leave.
I have been steady booking tarpon trips and have very limited availability for May. I stll have openings in June so if you are planning a tarpon trip this year you should be getting your plans together. I expect another phenomenal season