Week of Wednesday, May 24, 2023 ■ Page 8
It was a hot week out on the water Hot days, calm seas and so-so fishing summed up the week for many anglers. With sunny days and no rain to cool the afternoon heat, water temperatures are on a steady rise. This often leads to inconsistent fishing until we get into our annual rain pattern. As expected, tarpon and anglers were in big numbers around Boca Grande Pass. The bite was often slow with reports of boats fishing the pass all day and only noting two or three boats hooking up during that time. Small live crabs were the bait of choice. Seatrout mixed with bluefish, jack crevalle, ladyfish and an occasional Spanish mackerel were found over grassy bottom and sand trough edges south of Rocky Capt. Bill Russell Channel, around red-light shoals and behind Cabbage Key in the Sound. Bluefish, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel reports came from the Gulf side of the Sanibel Causeway between the B and C spans. In Pine Island Sound, redfish were found on the higher water foraging under shoreline overhangs. Tail-cut pinfish, ladyfish steaks and chunked blue crab fooled fish up to 29 inches. Odds of hooking a shark are good in the areas mentioned and just about anywhere this month. They might be newborns barely a foot long to big boys pushing 10 feet. They all have a few things in common: they are opportunistic and always looking for their next easy meal and no matter the size, their teeth are razor sharp. With that said, they are a fun
Mothers Day treat The Ramer family (Jason, Jen, Cole and Lauren) wrestled this large permit to the boat as part of their Mothers Day family adventures. PHOTO PROVIDED
Pine Island Eagle
pineisland-eagle.com
On the Water
fish to target, just be careful. Schools of bonito were harassing bait schools a few miles west of the beaches, giving anglers a lot of fun and drag-screaming fights. Locating birds and surface action then a well-placed live pilchard or spoon with a fast retrieved is sure to get hammered. Bonito are one of the strongest and hardest fighting fish that swims. Most anglers agree the food quality is poor, but the fight is great. To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www.myfwc.com or download the Fish Rules app for
the latest rules and regulations. If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fishpine island.com; or via email at gcl2fish@ live.com. Have a safe week and good fishin’.
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.