December 2007
bait or a shrimp or a bellystrip pulled along the bottom. Try the FishBites or Gulp flat baits cut into strips hooked on the back of a bucktail.
Quite a few guys are catching grouper on Boca Grande right off the end of the island. Catching a keeper grouper standing on the beach is pretty good.
There has been a lot of mackerel and still some ki ng mackerel around too. The variety of fish right now is good. Boni ta are mixed in and so are bl uefi sh.
S nook fishing is pretty good. It’s closed now, but in Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and up at El Jobean at the trestle, snook fishing has been pretty good. Mostly at night, but some nice fish are starting to come in the daytime.
Monday was the first day I heard anyone say they caught some cobia. A guy from Michigan run-
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Water LIFE
MAGAZINE
Decemberʼs Target Species Species Decemberʼs Target
Page 31
KIDS CUP April 19
POMPANO are in the Gulf passes and along the surf
REDFISH and a slew of rat reds are in the Harbor
ning the crab pots said he caught two in the first hour. Usually this is the time for them to move through the area. Cobia in the 40 to 50 inch range were here already, but now with the warm weather it’s slowed up.
S heepshead haven’t seen too much activity yet. It could be the warm weather and warm water and low tides. The Christmas tides are going to be hellacious this year.
Some guys catching bass and crappi e in Rotonda and there are some bl ue gi l l around. It could be a good fishing through the new year.
n Dec. 1-Jan. 31: Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. Islamorada. A series of competitions. (305) 852-2102,
n Dec 8: Li g hted Bo at Parade, starts at Edgewater Lake in Port Charlotte. Beeney – left off Edgewater Dr – would be a good street to view from. Then the parade crosses the Peace River, dips into the Punta Gorda canals, then passes in front of Fishermen’s Village (that’s the best spot in Punta Gorda for view-
SPANISH MACKEREL still in the Harbor and offshore
Santaʼs Snook?
If Santa went snook fshinʼ last month this could have been his picture, instead a bearded Bruce shows off a nice 31-inch 9-pound linesider. Snook season closes December 1 and re-opens March 1 in our SW Florida area.
Calendar
ing) and finishes up at Laishley Park Marina. n Dec 8: Red Spo t To urnament $200/ 3
angler team, Harpoon Harrys, Punta Gorda, a Flatsmasters, Classic Tournaments event.
n Dec 12: Shallow Water Boat Operation Class at: Noah's Marine, 4064 N. Access Road, Englewood, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Free
n January 10th- Andrew Medina, Cast Net Seminar, Port Charlotte West Marine. Free and the public is welcome. Call for time 625-2700
THE ALL NEW 2008 F-450 KING RANCH SUPER DUTY
FLOUNDER are right at the edge of the near shore reefs
of
Events
n Jan 17-20 Charlotte County Boat Show,
Fairgrounds (954) 570-7785 n Feb 14-18: Mi ami Boat S how. West Marine accepting reservations for the annual bus trip to Miami on February 15th. 625-2700 n April 19: Water LIFE Magazine Ki ds Cup To urnament Applications online Jan 1 at www.kidscuptournament.com, Punta Gorda. Limited to 120 jr anglers age 10 through 16. $100 entry fee. (941) 766-8180
Fishing
RIGHT NOW: weather permitting
Excellent!