Our Family Website - Boating & Fishing

Today almost didn't happen because I have not been feeling well. Also the fishing forcast was a "5" - the lowest this month. Nonetheless, the three of us left ground at 12:30pm heading toward Southern Pine Island Sound with a cut Spanish Mackerel and a bag of frozen small bait fish. On the way we chummed for a short time west of Picnic Island in search of live bait fish but nothing.

Onward to Pine Island Sound, we finally found ourselves in a familiar area we have been many times before. After quite some time I caught a small Spotted Sea Trout (10-11 inches). This little guy was very silky smooth feeling. Somewhat slimy but not gooy! Unfortunately this little guy swallowed the hook, and I worked hard to remove it, but he just didn't make it.

Meanwhile, Karla was fishing with cut Spanish Mackerel. She hooked up on something big. It turned out to be another huge Manta Ray.

Now for the highlight of the trip, Amber was fishing with a frozen shiner, and all of a sudden she had fish-on! This is a first for her as well as us as a family:

This nice SNUKIE was 24 inches and 4 lbs. Amber was overcome with excitement when she realized what she had caught - her first snook ever!

( You may recall I had once caught a snook but that didn't really count because I picked that up in a cast net by accident. )

Almost immediately after Karla hooked up on something, once again with cut SM. As it came into the shallows I clearly identified it as another snook! However, it took off leaving Karla's hook behind.

Then the bait started moving in. So I cast netted a few times and got a mix of pinfish, shiners, and sand brem all about 1" - 1.5".

We got stuck in mud a couple of times, once clogging the pee-tube, but I was able to clear it. Had to get out and pull the boat both times.

Right after sunset I caught a lady fish (12 inches or so). We were hoping for some sharks at dusk but no luck.

We later setup by Sanibel Harbor Resort docks until at least 10pm but got absolutely zero. Bottom was pretty rough (rocky or shelly).

We got a ton of catfish all day. But all day we were reminiscing the star of the trip - Amber with her snook!

We hit a snook light on the way back. At this particular snook light it seems I get one and only one chance each visit. This time I casted and immediately something bit but I was too hasty and was not able to hook it. So after about 15 minutes more of trying I gave up and we called it a night.

Total Number Of Fish Caught:	about 10 or so
1 Spotted Sea Trout, 1 Snook, 2 Manta Ray, 1 Ladyfish, a bunch of Catfish

Rodnreel.com's fishing forecast (1-10):	5
Distance Traveled:	30mi
Time On The Water:	13h
Water Temperature:	80F
Seas:	very rough in the evening
Wind:	very windy in the evening
Precipitation	none

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