The wind blew last week, subsided over the weekend and is blowing again although not as hard as last week. Forecast is 12-18 mph all week. The tides are ok this week with stronger tides next week as we get closer to the full moon on Thursday April 9.

Snook fishing has been good. I've found some 10-15lb snook not far from Gordon Pass and there are good numbers in the pass. This tells me some of the bigger snook are moving towards the pass in anticipation of the spring spawn.

I've been doing a combination of fly and spin trips. The bait is thick off the beach over the St. Aleutia. I've only had to throw the net once and get all the pilchards we need. They are the best bait and the snook and reds are responding.

I fished with Jason Sharp recently and we struggled somewhat in the backcountry, partly because of the high tide. The last part of the trip we fished Gordon Pass on the strong falling tide and caught numerous snook, jacks and we tried to catch the 100lb tarpon that were crashing mullet but no luck. We tried live bait and bomber long-A plugs which look like mullet. It was great to watch. The mullet were hugging the rocks and the tarpon would bust into the schools.

I fished Chip Hackley last Friday and we caught numerous snook and jacks on fly. We had good tides and the go to fly was the EP Hot Minnow is orange and chartreuse. They are good casters and we had a ball.

Saturday I fished with Bart Carlson and his 2 grandsons Dylan and Devon. We caught 21 snook, reds and jacks with the highlight being the 29” and 26” redfish caught by each boy.

Last Friday I fished with Kevin Lyden and his 6 yr old son Finnegan. We had a ball. Finn caught his first snook and then some and managed the bait well. He is the bait and snook master. Thank you Finnegan.
The fishing should continue to improve as the waters warm and the wind subsides as we move into April.

Give me a call if you’d like to fish. I have openings.

Tight lines
Capt. Mark ward
239-450-9230 c