Southwest Florida Fishing Report - Bonita Springs to Captiva

Tarpon in Feb? You betcha. This is the good news. Maybe these Poons are some kind of early freaks but GiddyUp Fishing Charters have jumped two and landed two. All 4 fish hooked were like a nun in a whore house. But such is the lure of fishing in SW FL. One never knows when you will find a nun in a whore house, a priest at the playground, or a major league BULL SHARK starring you right in the face. It has been like the Twilight Zone. Strange stuff man. Really strange. Tarpon: Go figure. Water tempts have been between 65-69 (good number there) and Poons' have been found on the trout flats out in front of the "A" Frames. From the "A" Frames to the Sanibel Toll Plaza is like a Par 5. We ain't talkin' get winded here. Anyway, these Tarpon have been on the large size as well. 150LB-175LB. In other words, too big to date. Believe it or not, these fish have opted for Large Hand Picks. Like 10 count. Like the kind you take home to eat (and yes I do!) The long and short of the Tarpon experiences? I dunno what to think. "Resident" tarpon usually stay in the canals or up "The River" near the Power Plant/Warm Water. I'm lost to understand it thus far. Pompano have been in good numbers around the Tripod out in front of the "A" Frames Houses. Are you starting to perhaps detect where the good fishing has been lately? Snook: Monster snook have been taking big Hand Picks on the OUTGOING TIDE. Here is my "Throw you a bone of the Year" Ready? Try the first 2 docks at the entrance to Tarpon Bay. The home owners might own the docks but those fish are not their property. Anchor upwind from the dock and free line back. I would use Yo-Zuri Hybrid Invisible Line in 15-20LB test. These fish have seen enough bright yellow line. Trout: I'm looking for them today. My charter specified Trout fishing. Pick them up in one hour. Redfish action has been very good. Mangroves or oyster bars. Last 2 hours of the flood and first 1 hour of the ebb. Put out some stink. Take the wife or some really fresh chum. These fish are not picky. "GiddyUp"