Alright folks this is the first fishing report of the winter. It has been odd but good. Of course I've been seeing a few more close to keeper size gag grouper inshore of late, we've been catching some in the 16 to 24 inch range and even caught one in my canal with soft plastic jig. The reds have been running a little small but plentiful, and have had some days of plentiful keeper size. To the south it seems the trout are running a little short but plentiful. The red tide seems to have come and gone but there was one day around the causeway where the irritants in the air were very noticeable, so we went up further in the sound and got away from it. Luckily it didn't seem to affect much up there but I have noticed alot of dead mullet, pinfish, and small snapper. However the mullet could be from the roe fisherman grading their catch and throwing the smaller male fish over. For any commercial guy that wants to dispute that I can give example name place date and time. My clients asked me what the guy was doing and why was he catching those fish, and throwing them back. Alot of them didn't make it and the tide pushed them right past us.  Additionally this month I've seen an increase in flounder and whiting and some days have produced nice size flounder for this area with the larger ones being over 20 inches and caught in the pot holes. The whiting have been good size and caught around the passes on live shrimp while drifting the passes. All in all a decent month with great weather. Tonight though its supposed to get down to 29 deg f. here in St James City. What the heck? I'm sure that will bring some bigger gags and reds closer to shore, and should improve my take while trolling. Now lets get out there and fish. 

Tight lines and Happy New Year! 
Capt Chris

Ok folks season is upon us, the weather is cooling down and the trout have started biting, but don't forget they're out of season for this month and next, and gag grouper is open until the 16th of Nov. I've been doing well on nearshore gags and red grouper, trout, and some decent size reds. Mostly on artificial shrimp, old school metal flake grub and curly tail jigs bodys with my preference of lead head and white head jig heads. Been finding some redfish up on the grass flats on high  tide even and up around the trees. Especially on the days with nice tides. I actually was targeting the area around the trees but kept running through small schools while on the trolling motor and a hundred yards off the trees or more. 

Latest up dates are Pine Island Outfitters is about to expand services we have complimentary lodging for two and even open up our own artificial lure. Also I have a book due to come out in Dec so keep your eyes open.

Tight lines
Capt Chris

This has been a great month. Moderate to warm weather, plenty of sun, and a wide variety of fish. Started the month off right on one the first calm days and took my daughter Sarah and her friend Felicia offshore to target some grouper. We trolled for a while with no real success and then I found some rough bottom and then dropped anchor and chummed with live scaled sardines. We promptly began hooking up on almost legal Red Grouper and then the legal Gags quickly followed. We caught three in the 22 to 26 range and then we hooked up on a nice 34 inch Gag which was Felicia's first Gag and on her first offshore trip. Of course then I had to hold true to my promise to take them back to the beach on Cayo Costa once they caught their limit. Wasn't able to make it back out after that as time, and customer preference kept me inshore, but as usual here in Southwest Florida the inshore fishing is never a disappointment. Even if you get skunked every now and then you're still out fishing in one of the most beautiful places in the world. However I haven't been skunked once this month. Each trip out provided action on nice trout and quite a few very remarkable trout were caught out around the bars where the bigger fish seemed to be hanging as the bars in Pine Island Sound this month were loaded with scaled sardines and pins. Even got to watch a trio of five to six foot sandbar sharks chase bait in two foot of water. They actually looked a little like dolphin working as a team, but didn't really have the coordinated effor that you can sometimes see dolphins use to catch their dinner. Plenty of Redfish were caught this month as well. Sometimes undersize and then as the month progressed we began finding keepers and overslot fish. The snook didn't disappoint as well. Caught quite a few snook inshore using topwater plugs in the evenings mostly and one fish was a whopping 42 inch bucket mouth. Most however were in the 24 to 30 inch range. The snook will soon be back to their pre 09/10 winter numbers before long if what I'm seeing is any indication. I've been seeing a large number six to ten inch fish in the creeks and holes in Matlacha Pass and I'm looking forward to harvesting on come September. Been a while since my fryer has seen one.

Last but not least the Tarpon have shown up with a vengeance. Seems we were headed to an early Tarpon bite and actually did around the causeway but then a week early on of cool weather and winds seeming pushed the fish back out, but believe me they are here now. Jumped fish Easter Sun evening and fought one, but as we were out for trout we didn't quite have the gear to deal with 100# plus fish. We did keep one fish on for five jumps until the reel drag seized and there it went. All in all a great month and I'm looking forward to the action heating up even more now that May is on our doorstep. If you'd like to try your hand give me a call and let's make it happen. Until the next report may you have fair winds and following seas.

Capt Chris

This winter certainly hasn't been as bad as last, but we've certainly had our share of cold to cool weather. From the looks of things on the weather channel site I don't think its quite over yet. However we've been catching a good number of nice trout a few keeper flounder and a sprinkling of sheepshead around the oyster bars. Additionally some days the rat reds have gobbled just about every shrimp or DOA that we've thrown at them. The low tides have been a help as one typically only need find a deep hole and sooner or later you'll have a trout or some other piscatorial critter sucking down your bait. Don't forget though that when the water is cold and clear its a good idea to down size your leader and use a good flourocarbon. I prefer the stren tinted line, either in coral mist for clear water or the tannin when the water is colored so. I've been having good success using the 20# leader. Additionally fish your baits close to the bottom and move them minute hand slow making sure to keep a little tension on the line and be ready to set the hook as the bite from even a big fish this time of year might feel light. It does take patience to turn down that lure retrieve speed.

The offshore bite each time I've been out over the last couple of months has been very productive. We've limited out on Gags each time and caught a nice stringer of nice mangrove snapper, grunts, a few lanes, and a hogfish or two. Frankly based on my own experience when I've been offshore last year and this year, I'm not sure where the state and national marine fisheries gets their science from on their idea of a threatened Gag population. Me personally I'm joining the FRA and I recommend any of you that value our wonderful resource to do the same.

In addition  to the normal winter bites, I've also been catching a few snook here and there. None too big, but one that was a nice slot fish came in and shook things up a bit after we had that nice week of sunshine and 70+ temperatures during the day. The water temp actually rebounded and was at 70 deg.

I'll be out there getting after it on Thurs and will give a good heads up on how we did. Keep your line tight and your fanny dry, and by all means take the kids fishing.

Capt Chris

Hello! So far this month has seen a strong inshore grouper bit, lots mackerel in and around the passes and gads of ladyfish in the same area. Ladyfish I might add are a great way to introduce novices and youngsters to saltwater fishing, Macks too for that matter. They put a nice show, and if they're biting it can be non stop action. Just the thing to get the kids hooked too.
Predominantly been catching gags in the near shore ledges n the keeper to 28-30. Not huge but fun and good eating. The weather hasn't been exactly cooperative month but the nice days have been beautiful and we have seen some flat days that were conducive to an  offshore run in small craft. Remember call me about the holiday gift certificate specials. Good fishing and God bless.