FISHING REPORT
Florida Central West Coast
________________________________________________
BRADENTON - OFFSHORE & INSHORE
(January to April, 2002)
OFFSHORE The beginning of the year 2002 seemed to be about as usual, pretty decent Grouper catches everywhere, but February slowed considerably on the grouper scene, mainly because of the migration to deeper waters to spawn. The Snapper bite however, was very good, and the Amberjack really put the meat on the table. We have had excellent Amberjack catches, mostly limiting out early in the day on long trips.
In March we were ready for the Kingfish, but we had two days in mid-February the water warmed, we were catching kings, and everything was going great, and then, here came a cold front and ruined it all. We had two days of good kings and then they went back out. Our water didn't warm to it's usual 68 degree offshore temp until April, and then it was a little slow producing kings. Most were snakes (small kings), and you couldn't depend on them being in any certain place for more than a day. However, Cobia has been on the beach for several weeks in good numbers. Many are small, but there are some nice sized ones too, you just have to look for them.
Now, we are finally getting our water to more normal production. We are still doing very well on our long trips, and our short trips are picking up with more Kings than before. The size is also rising. We are seeing some now in the 40 pound bracket. We believe you should be back to normal fishing now. Just starting to see a shark or two offshore, and we are getting ready this week end for the Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, and maybe even a Dolphin or two. You'll see how it works out on Thumbnails #6.
We have seen a Tarpon or two jump lately, but they won't be ready to charter for a week or two yet.
Bent rods and screaming reels, see ya on the water.
Captain RW
Design & Graphics by, BLUE WATER CONSULTANTS, Bradenton, Florida
Copyright 1996, 2002 by RW And Associates. All rights Reserved.