Southwest Florida Fishing Report - Bonita Springs to Captiva

March winds are here in January. Big Trout in Pine Island Sound have been as difficult to find as women with real teeth on Pine Island. Redfish are doing there thing under the bushes. I like the sound of that so "GiddyUp!" Big Trout? You have to go deep and they are tough to find deep. The opening of Trout Season was like no fireworks on the 4th of July. Usually we are bagging monster trout especially with these great water temps. Such has not been the case. Our water is as clear as gin and I'm lost to offer you a logical explanation. Theory. We've had several major fish kills from Red Tide and the absence of trout is simply a function of Red Tide. Redfish: For the person who understands walking through a neighborhood and smelling steaks on the Bar-B and what it does to ya, throw-up under the Mangroves (I ain't talkin' hurling) with a big live shrimp. Don't move it! Let a live shrimp do "its" thing. Circle Hooks work so well per this fishing application. Just reel. Fish the last of the Incoming and the first of the Ebb. Spanish: El Espanol Macks are seemingly everywhere. Drag around some small Clark Spoons as tide is coming in around the bridges and "Ole!" you will hook-up with some muy grande amigos por favor whatever. If you get them muy frio as fast as possible, the ice will serve to preserve this great tasting fish. You read it right. Spanish taste good. Damn good. I just paid 3.50 for 2 small piece of Spanish on a bed of rice and it was delicious. Raw! You may call me a dumbass and I know you are. Much worse has been said about GiddyUp so it pains me NOT! Try cookin' those Spanish in Golden Dip Beer Batter Mix. Season with Everglades Seasoning. Fish Tacos? Muy Bien Amigos!!! Pompano: My dog, Lance Corporal Cooper greets me upon every occasion when I return with fish. His favorite, Pompano have become a mystery to me. After charters I go look specifically for them myself. Nada. Zip. Buenos Tacos!