A Mixed Bag Around Matlacha Before the Afternoon Heat

We didn't catch anything huge on this trip, but this was one of those fun mornings where we caught a little bit of everything.

We started around mangrove islands near Matlacha and immediately found small snook feeding on pilchards.

The first hour probably produced 10 or 12 snook. Most were on the smaller side, but on light tackle they kept everybody entertained.

When the tide came up, we moved into a couple of pockets where I've been seeing redfish.

We managed two reds, both nice fish, but never found the school I was hoping for.

There were mullet everywhere, and normally I'd expect to find more reds mixed with them. They simply weren't there for us that morning.

We finished around docks and deeper mangrove edges and caught mangrove snapper, jack crevalle and another snook.

So was it an incredible trip? No.

Was it a good morning of Southwest Florida fishing? Absolutely.

Everybody caught fish, we had several different species and there was almost always something happening.

What's Working

• Small live pilchards
• Mangrove edges with current
• Docks later in the morning
• Light tackle

Captain's Take: There's plenty of life around Matlacha right now. You may have to bounce around to put together a full trip, but there's usually something willing to eat.