Conditions: We continue to have very good water clarity and quality due to the dry conditions throughout Charlotte Harbor. Water temps are in the low 70s. Average tides this week will provide for good flats fishing. The bite in Matlacha as well as Bull Bay and Turtle Bay has been good. Pine Island Sound's grass flats have been producing seatrout and redfish, concentrate on the deeper portions of the flats. The Keys along the East Wall of the Harbor are holding redfish of varying sizes and a few snook. If you're looking for trout in that area they'll be on the outside of the bar in deeper water.
The mid-day ebb tides will move the fish off the flats. Work the holes and edges until the water level increases.
02-13-17 Obsession Charters Fishing Report
Bait the fish are feeding on: Not a lot of whitebait around but the fish are feeding on what's available including glass minnows, sardines, pinfish, shrimp and crabs.
Target species right now: Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook, Ladyfish.
Fishing tactics: The mid-day ebb tides will move the fish off the flats. Work the holes and edges until the water level increases. The snook and redfish will return to the flats with the incoming tide.
My fly fishing tip of the week: During low tide conditions swap to a sinking intermediate line and weighted flies like my Grass Flats Special. Work the deep water along edges of channels and oyster beds.
My spin fishing tip of the week: Soft plastics like Bass Assassins and Zooms on jigheads work great along the channel edges and oyster beds during low tide.
7 day outlook: Light to moderate winds with a few showers early in the week. A weak cold front arriving towards the end of the week. Overall dry conditions continue so the water will be clear. Late morning average low tides will produce good moving water. Water temps should be in the 70s dropping a bit at week's end. For additional reports check out the Obsession Sportfishing Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/obsessionsportfishing
