Temperatures continue to be warm and cold fronts are few and far between. Water temperatures have risen to 70 degrees and snook, redfish, and trout are extremely active and abundant.

Northern Pine Island Sound has had a couple lackluster years of snook fishing due to the freeze, that took place two years ago, but this February is showing signs of a spring full of excellent snook fishing. There are already large numbers of snook showing up on the flats and anglers aboard my boat have enjoyed many great snook fishing charters over the last couple weeks.
Redfish are everywhere, plain and simple. They are being caught on live shiners, shrimp, Berkley Gulp, and Sebile Stick Shads. The hot color for Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads is Watermelon Neon and the ticket for the Gulp Shrimp is Lime tiger. The more erratic the action of the lure, the better the results.

Trout fishing continues to be strong. The deeper flats, troughs, and sloughs are full of 14-18" fish and the shallower flats and potholes are producing the big breeder trout in the 20-27" range. Shrimp on a cork has been the most productive method for catching them.

If you want to pull on something big, let's go shark fishing. There are large 6-10 foot sharks all around the bay right now. We fish for them inshore, fishing the edges of flats in deeper sloughs where the sharks navigate through our flats searching for their next meal. My Penn Torque 40's have been getting a lot of use over the last couple weeks catching these monsters.

Also, if you are planning a Tarpon fishing charter in May-July, now is the time to get your dates in. I still have plenty of dates available but they are going quick so call or email to reserve yours soon before it is too late.

I hope this report finds everyone doing well and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Tight Lines,
Capt. Dave Hoke

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