Captain Greg Hood https://www.tarpoons.com/ 239 822 5698

Normally I write a fishing report. This time I would like to share with you a story about my boat…
I had a 18’ Sterling made by American Marine Sports in Groveland Fl. My charter business grew and I needed a larger vessel. I really liked my Sterling so I upgraded to a 22’ Sterling. I bought the new vessel in November of 2008. What a great decision. Since that time I’ve run 174 trips with clients. I have 315 hours on the engine. I also spend time on the water with my family or scouting for fish.

Today I was cleaning the boat after a trip and it dawned on me what great shape the boat is still in. I can tell you that I’m still very happy with my decision of buying this boat. No cracks or chips. The paint is holding up just fine. All the electronics work great. In short there are no problems with this boat and I’m just as happy as the day I bought it!

I took some pictures today for you to see for yourself.

Most people who like to fish know how cold the weather was here in the 1st part of Jan. around Sanibel Island. The cold water is finally starting to reach normal temperatures for this time of year.

I’m catching trout and redfish again. Fishing afternoon high tides and working soft plastics slow across a marble bottom is the best.

Long grass flats that have the sun beating down on them and then the warm water dropping off the flat into deeper water is where you will find the fish. Incoming tides are usually the best.

White or Pearl 5” soft plastics work perfect.

Light line and leader make for long casts.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters

Charter Fishing around Sanibel and Captiva Island this next week will be another challenge.

The coldest weather for me ever, is on my door step.
21 degrees with the wind chill. We did manage to catch some nice fish this last week. The bite was slow with cold water temperatures.

Spotted Seatrout are in season now. Anglers can keep 4 in this area, and one of the trout can measure over 20” all the rest must fit the slot 15 to 20.

Many of my clients say the flesh is to soft and when they cooked the trout they didn’t care for it. Let me explain the proper way of handling this species. First of all when you decide to keep a trout, it should be placed in a bath of saltwater and ice. This keeps your fish firm, and it will remain this way at the filet table also. The saltwater is important because if you just throw it on the ice, it gets bruised and flops around too much. The saltwater and ice together keeps the meat in great shape.

Next I find there is two ways to prepare this trout for dinner.
The 1st is an egg wash and deep frying. My favorite!
The second is baking the fish in aluminum foil with vegetables, garlic butter, and lemon.

I will be focused on spotted seatrout, pompano, and grouper with the coldest days in the forecast. I will also be sleeping in. The best time to fish will be in the afternoons in my opinion.

Sanibel Island Fishing.

Wind and fog with cooler temperatures has made Sanibel fishing a challenge. I like a challenge.

I like the change in seasons. This time of year is always a nice change from the hot temperatures we endure in the summer and fall.

Many of my days now are focused on the tides and wind direction to set up long drifts. Water levels are lower and I find Snook, Redfish, and Trout, staged near sand pockets and oyster bars.

Bait starts to be scarce, and I like artificials anyway. I think finger mullet is on the menu for most every type of fish at this time, so I like to use something that resembles a finger mullet.

Most of my trips at this time of year are clients coming from somewhere cold. They want to get away from ice and snow. I don’t blame them.
One thing I do remind people is that this is winter time for us too.
So maybe the fishing isn’t the greatest on one given day, but it’s still fun to get out here and try to stick some nice fish.

Catching a mess of trout can still be a lot of fun, heck catching a mess of ladyfish can still be a lot of fun. I just like setting the hook on something!
Especially if it jumps, shakes its head and pulls back.

This weeks catch is usually attached. If not go to www.tarpoons.com
There are 2 photo slide shows on the home page. The 2nd is most recent.