01-12-2001, 07:38 PM
Welcome to Capt. Terry's FISHING REPORT: <br><br>Jan. 12th, 2000<br><br>Redfish the last couple of weeks has been great or terrible. Finding them hasn't been the problem. It seems that on some of the days the Reds have a bad case of lock jaw. Like all good guides, I'll blame it on the cold fronts coming thru. I've been doing well on the low tides and catching them on the flats tailing. Flyfishing producing the best results. Also they can be found in the holes on or near the flats and against the mangroves. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or white bait or pole the flats and sight cast to them with a earth tone colored fly. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Fish them on a tide thats producing good current.Watch for those TAILS!!! <br><br>Snook are searching for warmer water. Look for them in the deeper holes. The water temperature in the low 60's, so watch for them to start showing up in the canals and under docks. Keep your eyes open and fish them on the tides that create a good current. Fish them on an out going tide will produce the best results. Hungry Snook means Bait, though throwing a well placed fly will usually be rewarded with an aerial show. Remember the season is closed, so now's the time to practice Catch and Release. Please!<br><br>Speckled Trout are abundant on or near the grass flats. I've been finding them in three to five foot of water. Some very respectable Trout in the 20" to 25" range being caught with flies in or near the holes on the flats. A great top water feeder makes for some sure fun. Again flies, artificials and bait will bag a few of these hard hitting fish. <br><br>Tarpon: I've put my tarpon rods up for the season. Yep, it's time to clean, lube and repair the tools that gave me so many great memories of those silver giants leaping away from those screaming reels. Nothing now but anticipation for the first tarpon to come back through the pass this coming spring. When they do you'll find me writing my Fishing Reports in the middle of the night, cause my days will be spent chasing, catching and dreaming of the Silver King. If you put your time in, I'm sure you can still find some in the canals and in the rivers. When found and conditions ideal, an experience of a lifetime awaits you. Flies, artificials and bait can hook these sought after critters, but getting them to the boat is a whole other story. These beautiful fish will range from 30lbs. to 160lbs. They will test your skill and your equipment when hooked with the fly rod or light tackle.<br><br>A day on the flats will always take you home with some stories and remember it's not about how many fish you catch, but how much FUN you had! <br><br>Till the next update take care and keep those lines TIGHT! <br><br>CAPT. TERRY PITZ <br>Web site: http://www.flyfishingswfl.com<br>mailto:...ateway.net <br>941-282-9243<br><br>