Fishing Charlotte Harbor Area (Bokeelia, Christmas: hotels, sticker, lowest)

[Messing About]

Gonna give it a go tomorrow. In a red fishing sort of mood.

[wpc691]

Beautiful day on the harbor today. Took the daughters out and scored on trout and a flounder. Didn't know what to do with one flounder, so I made it into an Ecuadorian style ceviche with some poached shrimp left over from Christmas - absolutely killer. If you never do anything else, go to your favorite channel edge, get a flounder, put it on ice, take it home, make ceviche.

[Restrain]

We have moved down here, live next door to an avid fisherman. But at this point, I know zip about fishing down here, and he fishes for shark, giant grouper, etc. so the difference in experience is so wide that I can't use his experience. S going to take a 'how to fish in so Florida ' class next month.

Then we are headed out to wage war on the poor unsuspecting fishes.

[Messing About]

Launched from Placida Park ramp at 830 AM just as the fog was lifting. Worked the east side of the Gasparilla Sound in 5-6 feet, catching a dozen undersized sea trout and one barely legal keeper that was fat enough to at least keep in the live well to see if he could be beat. He couldn't. Was rigged with a DOA deadly combo and live medium sized shrimp.

Trolled south along the 5' to 1' drop line, trolling the Storm Twitch Stick at 4 knots, 100' behind the boat. I'm not sure but the screaming drag may have awakened me as I was drifting off to sleep. Landed a really healthy, 22' Ladyfish. Redfish bait!

I headed straight for Bull Bay, coming in from the north side, or backside, via Sandfly Key. It always thrills me to run 20-25 knots in 1-2 feet of water at low tide. It scares me too but once I make it across the flat, I break into a big grin. If it sounds like I'm bragging...I'm not. In fair disclosure, I ran soft aground trying take the same route home. I really thought I was tracking my bread crumbs closely but obviously not. No harm, no foul.

Worked the cut bait and the shrimp in 2-3' on the rising tide in Bull Bay but to no avail. I saw some movement that looked promising but had no hookups.

The best part of this day, besides the weather and the fact that I was fishing...occurred when I was working the trout. I looked in the distance and notice another boat, with 3 anglers silhouetted against the sky, with shimmering water in the foreground. Photo opp. I laid down across my bow to get the shot right. As they drifted by I called out an offer to text it to them and they accepted. I'd love for someone to take a shot like this of me on my boat.

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by Messing About

Launched from Placida Park ramp at 830 AM just as the fog was lifting. Worked the east side of the Gasparilla Sound in 5-6 feet, catching a dozen undersized sea trout and one barely legal keeper that was fat enough to at least keep in the live well to see if he could be beat. He couldn't. Was rigged with a DOA deadly combo and live medium sized shrimp.

Trolled south along the 5' to 1' drop line, trolling the Storm Twitch Stick at 4 knots, 100' behind the boat. I'm not sure but the screaming drag may have awakened me as I was drifting off to sleep. Landed a really healthy, 22' Ladyfish. Redfish bait!

I headed straight for Bull Bay, coming in from the north side, or backside, via Sandfly Key. It always thrills me to run 20-25 knots in 1-2 feet of water at low tide. It scares me too but once I make it across the flat, I break into a big grin. If it sounds like I'm bragging...I'm not. In fair disclosure, I ran soft aground trying take the same route home. I really thought I was tracking my bread crumbs closely but obviously not. No harm, no foul.

Worked the cut bait and the shrimp in 2-3' on the rising tide in Bull Bay but to no avail. I saw some movement that looked promising but had no hookups.

The best part of this day, besides the weather and the fact that I was fishing...occurred when I was working the trout. I looked in the distance and notice another boat, with 3 anglers silhouetted against the sky, with shimmering water in the foreground. Photo opp. I laid down across my bow to get the shot right. As they drifted by I called out an offer to text it to them and they accepted. I'd love for someone to take a shot like this of me on my boat.

Chamber of Commerce shot.

[Messing About]

Successfully changed out the hydraulic pump for my Bennett trim tabs today. Pretty simple job. Looking forward to getting back on an even plane and flying over the flats. Anyone going out over New Year? I want to. Here's my old and new pumps.

[wpc691]

Floated around Jug Creek Shoal this afternoon. Pompano, ladyfish, and a beautiful big Cero Mackerel - smoked fish spread for New Year's Eve!

[MartyGras]

I was thinking of going out on New Years Day and launching at Placida.

But I have never launched there and don't want to make the drive out there and find out there is no place to park the truck and trailer after launching.

MA I know you launch there sometimes, do you think I will have any problems?

Gary

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by Messing About

Successfully changed out the hydraulic pump for my Bennett trim tabs today. Pretty simple job. Looking forward to getting back on an even plane and flying over the flats. Anyone going out over New Year? I want to. Here's my old and new pumps.

Wow. That's pretty used up.

[Messing About]

Originally Posted by MartyGras

I was thinking of going out on New Years Day and launching at Placida.

But I have never launched there and don't want to make the drive out there and find out there is no place to park the truck and trailer after launching.

MA I know you launch there sometimes, do you think I will have any problems?

Gary

WPC, nice catching. We're you on the outside or inside of the shoals? I'm guessing out. No trout though, huh? It's been such a good trout spot in years past but doesn't seem like it this year.

Hey Gary,

As long as you get there by 9 AM I think you would be fine. There's an overflow lot next door and I've only been forced to park there once, in all the times I've gone. Pretty sure that was a weekend day. I've been out there the past 3 weekends and found plenty of parking available.