Englewood fishing varies with the winds and temperatures.

We got out several days recently as weather permitted. Our best catching has down in Charlotte Harbor this week. We found plenty of Spanish Mackerel around inside of Boca Grande Village. Most are between a pound and two pounds; perfect eating size. I hear rumors of big king mackerel but none confirmed yet! Snook and reds are still holed up till it warms up and the minnows drop ashore. Trout are ok but many are small. Waters are dark near the creeks and rivers because of our heavy rains. The passes are sandy during incoming tides from the waves along the beaches. It’s challenging to find clean conditions but thirty four years of professional experience usually enhances our luck. I moved from Boca Grande to Englewood in 1986, local knowledge helps.

We are starting to see a few manatees around the flats now. Osprey and eagles are everywhere. We observed some fighting yesterday. The white pelicans are starting to migrate north so our fish and bait are on the way. With a few schools of Spanish already here, catching will light up as soon as the waters warm up near seventy degrees. It was sixty six by the Gasparilla Inn Golf course yesterday afternoon; it’s close. We passed the Equinox Saturday afternoon, equal day and dark; fish know its past time to migrate.

Saturday, Dave bailed me out when other half of their trip got confused. We started out with an undersized trout first cast. Then we moved around until we found a school of Spanish Mackerel to finish out our trip. All the macks we wanted for two hours, with visible fish chasing each one we hooked. We enjoyed some macks for lunch at the Stump Pass Grille.

Monday the winds held back and we enjoyed great fishing. John Bielski and his sister Anna caught a mess of trout and dozen Spanish. We had lots of close trout and enough fat slot specks for their dinner. John assured me they would be back.

Tuesday’s trip was rushed because of an unexpected early trip home. Gary, Tom, and Sawyer climbed aboard from Stump Pass Marina at eight AM. It was cool and breezy; then the winds freshened up. We found some spots out of the wind to land some small trout and plump snapper. It was tough fishing around the cool winds but we did have fun and came in early to make the flight home. Gary had a short drive up to the Venice Airport then pick up his plane and fly home.

Business and fishing are improving with the warmer days. With a Full Moon a week from today we can expect good fishing for Easter vacationers! Don’t wait till the last minute; I do have some openings but my calendar is showing more scribbling now. Lock in your reservation, ASAP. Let’s Go Fishin’ soon.