10-30-2001, 06:48 AM
Fishing Report for Charlotte Harbor / Boca Grande <br>Weekending 10-28-01<br><br>I was out Wednesday and Thursday just before the massive front that rolled in on Friday. Fish were feeding heavily! We focused on areas bordering and within Gasparilla Preserve, Bull Bay & Turtle Bay. With the morning high tide we caught several Redfish and Snook in the back bays of the preserve. Fish were roaming the edges of the Mangrove Islands and Oysters bars. We caught several Snook in the low end of the slot, and several Redfish ranging from 16” Pups to a 32” Bull. On the falling and at low tide, we shifted our attention to the many sandy potholes in the area, as well as the edges of the flats bordering little cuts and channels. All of which, resulted in consistent action from Redfish, Snook and the occasional Trout.<br><br>The mouth of Catfish Creek also held a few Snook and several smaller Redfish. Most of our action came from throwing 1/8” Johnson Spoons for the Redfish and Berkley Power-Tubes and Plastic Jerk Baits for the Snook. Pay attention to schools of mullet as these fish are feeding on the smaller mullet and strays in their attempt to fatten up for the cooler months ahead. Wading birds are also a dead give away to concentrations of bait and or feeding fish.<br><br>Friday was spent on the waters of North Sarasota and Anna Maria Island. The winds and rough conditions made fishing very difficult. Bait seemed to be on every protected grass flat, however, Redfish of any size were difficult to find. <br><br>We fished the Tampa Pro Redfish Tour Event on Saturday held at Kenyon Bayside Marine, just on the east side of the Gandy Bridge. We attempted to make the long 88.1-mile run to Gasparilla. We were met with a very cold and windy day. We were fortunate enough to make it safely across Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay, only to realize the time it took to travel that distance, would not provide for enough time to complete the run to Gasparilla, fish, and make it back in time for weigh-ins. Instead we focused on sand and oyster bars bordering Sarasota Bay. Although we did not find any Redfish, we did find several Snook, including one that measured 43” at an estimated 26 – 28lbs. All were caught on a Pearl White Berkley Tube Bait. Working our way north, we found a few small Rat Reds working the shorelines and docks of Anna Maria Island and Tarpon Key. <br><br>Out of the 80 or so boats entered, only 14 teams weighed in fish and only 6 weighed in two fish.<br><br>The NNE Winds kept most of the water out of Tampa Bay. No water + cold and windy conditions made Red Fishing nearly impossible. There were however, reports of several “Rat” Reds and Snook, including some high slot Snook being caught in many areas of Tampa Bay. Sunday we spent “Fun Fishing The Anclote River in Tarpon Springs. Several Dozen Select Shrimp resulted in a few Mangos, small Reds, and a shrimp dinner for Captain Allan.<br><br>Although we are expecting to see temps in the low 80’s this week, the NE blow will continue through Friday, and will finally be dying down to more pleasant levels for the weekend. This week’s fishing may be better reserved for the weekend. I’ll be leaving on the 31st for Venice Louisiana, to compete in the final Redfish Tour Event of 2001 (Before the Championships), and will not be returning until the 4th. Wish us luck, and look for our LA report early next week!<br><br>Have a happy and safe Halloween. Tight Lines.<br> <br>Capt. Allan B. Beraquit <br>Coast II Coast Fishing Charters, Inc. <br>1-866-4-TARPON / www.fish-fla.com<br><br><br>Captain Allan B. Beraquit<br>Coast II Coast Fishing Charters, Inc.<br>www.fish-fla.com