It’s time to go to Matanzas inlet to get the big reds. I’ve been getting reports of big reds in the 15 to 40 lb range and lots of them. This is usually the time of year when the reds begin to migrate offshore and also follow the mullet down the coast. Ken Stone said he was at the inlet on Sunday and it was one after the other with the bull reds. One disturbing thing I heard was that there were a lot of oversize fish kept that day. People don’t seem to understand that the big fish are the ones that reproduce. No reproduction no new fish. Slot sizes and bag limits are in effect for a reason. When it comes to big fish, I always say take a picture it lasts a lot longer than a fish on the plate.
Last Friday Richard Delacy from Port Charlotte fished with me. The fishing was slow, mangos, jacks, ladyfish, a trout and a small snook. Then it happened. Richard hooked up with a fish that just started pulling line off the reel. All we saw was a huge tail that was swirling and splashing. When he finally got the fish near the boat it turned out to be a very large snook, 15 to 20 lb range. The fish had wrapped the line around itself and on it’s last surge popped the 10 lb test mono line like it was nothing. We both wanted to cry. If anyone out there catches a big snook with a hook and leader in it’s mouth it was the one that got away. I guess the fish didn’t realize all we wanted was a picture and he could have gone back. For a long time I’ve been putting off going to braided line but losing that fish has convinced me to give it a shot.
Sunday Doug Bunnell and Lynn and Robbie Beal of Midland Texas fished with me and again found the fishing to be slow in the ICW. Sounds like we should have been at the inlet but who knew. Robbie who has never really fished much was a quick learner once given a few casting instructions. She put a whoppin on her husband Lynn and Doug. She caught the most fish and the biggest. She had a flounder and a couple of black drum with the largest being 20”. When she caught the drum it pulled hard and she said help me – help me but the guys told her she was on her own. Well she landed the fish without help from anyone.
Roy’s Bait House reports Julie Enzweiler had a 30” red. Jessie Maxie fished the surf for whiting and pompano to 3 lbs. Bill Walker fished the surf with live mullet and caught and released 7 reds that were over 27”. Tom Steinmetz fished live mullet at the rte 100 bridge for an 8.12 lb trout.


Photo: Robbie Beal of Midland Texas shows off a 20” black drum she caught while live lining a shrimp.