Fishing in Boca Grande , fl.

[Capt. Pete]

Boca Grande, Fl.
3 November, 2009
8:55 am
Air Temp. - 70 degrees F.
Wind - North @ 6 mph
Skies - overcast
Tide - incoming to 1.2 feet
Conditions are perfect for back country snook on top water flies such as the Gartside Gurgler or Crease Fly. Most will be found on the up-current side of mangrove points where the water has dug shallow holes. Action will slow at the top of the tide and resume near the bottom of the out going tide this evening.
Redfish are scattered throughout the back country due to last weeks very strong tides. Fish pot holes north of Bull Bay and on the west side of Pine Island Sound. Crab and shrimp patterns in tan and brown with a bit of weight will work well. Fish slowly for best results.
Seatrout are abundant is Whiddens Creek and adjacent pot holes and deep flats. Chartreuse Clouser Minnow patterns fished fast are best to draw bigger fish. If the bite slows down, try reducing speed keeping the fly closer to the bottom.
False Albacore have been consistant when seas allow me to go offshore about 1 to 2 miles. Fast moving small flies like the Estaz Marabou worked well, but most patterns will work if you get them in front of the fish. Spanish mackerel are present both offshore and in the passes. Reports of Pompano have surfaced among my angling buddies, but I have not caught any so far.
David Diaz, of Birmingham, Al. caught redfish to 6 lbs. and seatrout early this week. He also hooked and lost two small tarpon in the creeks behind Turtle Bay on a Gartside Gurgler tied by Dusty Sprague. Cindy McClure and her fishing pal Fran caught seatrout and ladyfish on Clousers on Thursday between Bull and Turtle bays. Steve Gibson and I caught false albacore to 8 lbs.and Spanish mackerel outside of Gasparilla Pass on Friday. We used a variety of baitfish patterns with equal success. Saturday was the fifth annual Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers tournament. Although extremely high tides and dirty water prevented us from catching snook or redfish, I did manage to win the seatrout division with the most number of inches in ten fish.
Conditions predicted for next week suggest we'll have excellent tides for tailing redfish. Snook will be productive very early and at sun down. I will continue to take advantage of the weather to fish for false albacore.
I hope this report helps you catch more fish. keep in touch,
Pete Greenan