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It was like my plug disappeared down a storm drain. I had only twitched it twice where a junior tarpon had rolled. In the next few moments, the early morning silence was broken by the smack of the tarpons’ body hitting the water. Only moments before, I had been sitting in my boat at the dock, all alone, soaking in the symphony of the wilderness yawning at the new day. I was waiting for my client to show up. Like every morning, I was there early. I like to have everything ready so that I can sit and relax before my anglers arrive. I can’t sleep in anyway. I get too excited with each new day. It’s like another chance to get it right. That tarpon, about twenty-five pounds, kept rolling in front of me. The temptation was too much. I only disturbed the peace for about three jumps worth before the plug was fired back at the boat in protest. All this and I hadn't even left the dock yet. I didn’t mind there was plenty of time to get it right.
The early morning hours in the Marco and Ten Thousand Islands area are mystical. Most of the fish that inhabit our waters are nocturnal feeders. That means, that many times, as the sun is coming up, they are still on the prowl. That’s why it is a good idea to get on the water as early as possible. Anglers that know the area like the back of their hand will often be at their favorite spot before the sun comes up. This is especially true when you are fishing in the summer. The water temperature in the last few weeks has been about as high as it can get. I saw temperatures in shallow areas that were as high as ninety-five degrees. When it is hot like that at lower tides, try and fish the ditches that are deeper with moving water.
The water temperature did cool down a few degrees this week. That helped both the fish and the angler. And the afternoon summer rains have been coming just like clockwork. As a result, the fishing was good this week. Almost everyone that I talked to caught plenty of snook and redfish. There are still some fifty to hundred pound tarpon around. All of these fish can be caught on live bait as well as artificial lures and jigs. There is plenty of live bait around. Just let the diving birds show you where it is.
By the time that you read this, snook season will be in its second day. Snook season opens on September first. That means that the fishing pressure will increase. Please remember your boating manners while you are out there. The first rule of fishing is to have fun. If you are desperate for fish, they have plenty at the seafood market. You may keep two snook per person. They have to be twenty-four inches or larger. Only one of those two fish can be over thirty-four inches. There are some new size limits being discussed by the powers to be. There are several options being proposed by the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission. The MFC will be holding its final public hearing in the snook rules at nine a.m. Thursday, Sept.11. It will be held at the Holiday Inn Select at 1305 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers. You can get information from the MFC by calling 850-487-0554. The MFC has a web site at : www.dep.state.fi.us/mfc/ . If you have any suggestions, then this is the place that you want to be. Please try to keep only the snook that you plan to eat in the immediate future. If we practice good conservation on the water, we will continue to enjoy the rising snook population for generations to come.
We are approaching one of the best seasons of the year. The water temperature
will return to the low eighties. The bait will be swarming. And the fish will be on fire.
Be there!
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