On the Water

Mothers Day treat

The Ramer family (Jason, Jen, Cole and Lauren) wrestled this large permit to the boat as part of their Mothers Day family adventures shoals and behind Cabbage

Key in the Sound Bluefish, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel reports came from the Gulf side of the Sanibel Causeway between the B and C spans

In Pine Island Sound, redfish were found on the higher water foraging under shoreline overhangs Tail-cut pinfish, ladyfish steaks and chunked blue crab fooled fish up to 29 inches.

Odds of hooking a shark are good in the areas mentioned and just about anywhere this month They might be newborns barely a foot long to big boys pushing 10 feet They all have a few things in common: t h e y a r e o p p o r t u n i s t i c a n d always looking for their next easy meal and no matter the size, their teeth are razor sharp With that said, they are a fun fish to target, just be careful Schools of bonito were harassing bait schools a few miles west of the beaches, giving anglers a lot of fun and drag-screaming fights Locating birds and surface action then a well-placed live pilchard or spoon with a fast retrieved is sure to get hammered Bonito are one of the strongest and hardest fighting fish that swims Most anglers agree the food quality is poor, but the fight is great

To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www myfwc com or download the Fish Rules app for the latest rules and regulations

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fishpine island.com; or via email at gcl2fish@ live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years