10-04-2001, 03:19 PM
Welcome to Capt. Terry's FISHING REPORT: <br><br>Oct. 3rd, 2001<br><br>Business has dropped off since the Sept. 11th episode. The airlines and hotels are offering some great deals. Take advantage of it, come down and get some fishing in! <br><br>Redfish, are still schooled up in some very large numbers. When you find them things can get pretty exciting. Lots of doubles and even triple hookups. The water clarity has been a bit off, making sight casting difficult to say the least. I've been finding the Reds on the grass flats and against the mangoves. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. With the large schools, try to get out in front of them and let them come to you. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or white bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser. 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 in there usual places. Points of islands, holes on the grass flats and channels that have good current. Fishing them on the out going tide usually produces the best results. Brightly colored flies or plastics are working on some of the deeper holes and against the mangroves. Keep your eyes open and fish them on the tides that create a good current. Hungry Snook means Bait, though throwing a well placed fly will usually be rewarded with an aerial show. <br><br>Speckled Trout are scattered they can be found almost any where on or near the grass flats. Some very respectable Trout in the 20" to 25" range being caught with flies on the flats. Look for them in 3' to 5' of water. 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'm still seeing some here and there, but currently most of my trips are booking for redfish, trout and snook. I fish them when they show themselves, otherwise I'm out looking for something else to fish for. When the tarpon are here and conditions are 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 180lbs. 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 memories and remember fishing is fun, so have fun out there! Don't take it so serious that you can't have a good time. <br><br>Till the next update take care and keep those lines TIGHT! <br><br>CAPT. TERRY PITZ <br><br><br><br>