by Capt. Matt Mitchell
We had yet another week of dodging morning rains due to west winds. This weather pattern is so unpredictable that the only real forecast is to wake up, look, and keep your eye on the sky. Some days I managed to keep us dry, while other days did not work out as well. Hopefully, by midweek, we get back to our regular summer pattern of light easterly morning winds.
I’m so ready for us to get back to the normal summer weather pattern so I can start hunting tarpon. August and September are always some of my favorite months to chase these summer fish. Getting out on the beaches has just not been an option during this extended period of west winds. Anywhere up and down the beaches can hold these fish, though areas with lots of bait activity are always a good place to start looking. Tarpon love to sit in and around these big clouds of small fry bait. Once you locate these fish, it’s possible to return to them day after day, or until this bait moves on.
The grind of catching summertime shiners will continue until at least September. There are plenty of shiners throughout the sound, although they are either small or giant. Those perfect snook-size baits we all want are just not around. Chumming at first light, a few throws have all it’s taken to pack a well full of this fry bait. Most mornings it takes longer to clean the hung-up bait out of a 1/4-inch mesh net than it does to catch what you need for a morning trip. I continually pick the smaller stuff out of the live well and use it for live chum, then put anything that’s big enough to cast on the hook.
Despite this disturbed weather, the snook bite remained solid, although finding places out of often gusty winds took a little creativity. Once located, the snook bite was nonstop. With constantly changing wind directions, we always seemed to be on the move to stay with the fish. Shiners were the bait of choice. Most of the snook I’m catching are smaller males, though now and again we have been getting one over 30 inches. Light tackle has been the trick to cast these small baits, so when you do get a bigger snook, it’s game on.
The flats from Pineland to Demere Key are still clean and clear and are a good place to throw paddletails. These pretty flats are loaded with trout and ladyfish and make for easy fishing if you get behind the long bar. I like to drift in 3-4 feet of water and cast into the many sandholes. Catching fish on plastic is always fun and can be a nonstop activity. Saving these plentiful ladyfish and using them for cut bait is a good option if you don’t like to throw a cast net.
Being able to adjust the day’s plan on the fly has been the go-to these past few weeks, as places I planned to fish often had rain. If you kept your eye on the sky, it was often possible to dodge the showers and stay dry. Forecast weather radar just does not do well when we are in this weather pattern of morning coastal showers. Most days have not been a washout, and it’s still possible to bend a rod.
Capt. Matt Mitchell moved to Sanibel in 1980 and has lived in St. James City since 2000, when he started his fishing charter business. He spends over 300 days a year “living the dream” fishing. For questions and info: bookings@captmattmitchell.com
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