With windy conditions for the week of Easter, most of the fleet turned their attention to our inshore species of fish. Snook have been our preferred target species, due to the fact, that there are plenty of them around to catch. Redfish have been few and far between, although we tend to catch some while targeting snook on the higher side of the tide, while fishing shorelines. Most the redfish are smaller, between 18-24". Locally we are looking forward to the prevailing winds to move easterly, and getting back to a more common spring trend. When that happens, our beaches and passes will clear up, and we should see tarpon flooding into our estuaries daily.  It's a fun time to be fishing in South West Florida!

Fishing in March has been a challenge, due to cold fronts and water temperature dropping. We are looking forward to April, to see the water temperature rising and prevailing winds out of the east. With this trend, we expect fish to push out of the creeks, and flood the flats in the greater bay. The nearshore fishing should get better as well. With large reef species moving in from offshore, and pelagic fish pushing with the gulf temperature rising.  Cobia, kingfish, even blackfin tuna are expected to be in our nearshore waters within weeks. The bottom fishing will only get better, with more and more snapper moving in as the gulf temperature is climbing. April is a fantastic month to be fishing in South West Florida!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946
www.palmislandoutfitters.com
www.charlotteharborchronicles.com