Boca Grande to Captiva island --->

[flyfishsalt]

Fished the backcountry during a very high tide over the weekend. We found large groups of Snook and Reds on the flats. The average size of the both were around 4-7 lbs. with an occasional larger Redfish in the group. There were also some huge trout 4-5 lbs. willing to take topwater poppers along the edge of the grass in deeper holes. I found new structure and changes in the bottom everywhere I went. This was the first time I have been on the water in Southwest Fl. since Hurricane Charlie and things have really changed. I think there is going to be great fishing in new areas and it will be fun finding new holes that were not there before...

We also managed to hook large Jacks on the fly rod on the way in. There are schools of them everywhere crashing bait on the surface. Out in the pass and along the beach there are schools of macerel feeding on the surface...

[Lineas Tenso]

Where would you suggest to wade fish this area in February? I have a week to fly fish around Englewood.

[flyfishsalt]

BUT,

you should think about structure at that time of year. Most of the Snook and Reds are up in the backcountry and up rivers. If you can find access to a brackish area that holds these fish in the winter months you will have success. Snook fishing will be better after dark, and my success with reds is in shallow water on the incoming tides in the winter.

shoot me an email when you are down and I will let you know how the fishing is at the time...