by Capt. Matt Mitchell
Nearshore action now that our winds finally laid down was on fire this week. This fishery is a great option on the calmer days and gets you away from the busy boat traffic in the sound. Most public reef numbers are right on your chart plotter, making it a great way to get started. While our water temperatures are on the cooler side, all this nearshore structure loads up with fish.
Gulfside, we have so many options within just a few miles of the beach. These fish havens can be ledges, live bottom, rock piles, and many of the public reef/wreck numbers. Depending on where my charter departs from, when conditions are calm, I have been running out of Redfish Pass or around the lighthouse.
The best bite for me has been in the 30-40ft depth range and working slowly on the trolling motor while watching the sonar. Once I locate a good bottom and/or fish, I hit the spot lock button, and we drop baits to the bottom. When I get on a great bite, I save the mark on the plotter for next time. It’s amazing how just one little 1-2ft ledge can hold so many fish.
Sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and grunts are the main targets, though it’s not unusual to catch gag grouper, trigger fish, and other species. In smooth, slow-tide conditions, the least weight you can use to reach the bottom works best. This can be anything from a large pinch on a split shot up to 1/2oz sinker. A light wire 1/0 circle hook baited with shrimp makes catching these fish easy. Fish straight up and down, let the weight hit the bottom, then have one crack up and you’re in business.
When you feel the bite, slowly lift the rod. If the rod loads up, reel; if not, lower it and let the fish eat again. Sheepshead, usually a frustrating fish to catch, are a whole lot easier when fishing up and down on a light wire circle hook. As far as tackle, I’m taking my inshore spinning rods. A smaller baitcasting reel isn’t a bad idea, though, as it makes dropping the bait to the bottom a little easier and less likely to tangle.
During calm conditions, run out Gulfside and do something a little different.
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
Leave a Comment