Davej Posted September 28, 2018 Report Share Posted September 28, 2018 Heading down to Boca Grande the weekend of October 6th. Can anyone give me a real, "On the Water" Red Tide Report for that area? I've read all the current reports and maps from the FWC, but I'd really like to hear it from people who are fishing that area. I plan on spending time inside, from Boca Grande south to Redfish Pass. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Davej Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownBear Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 A month old now, but friends down that way got into some great fishing way up in Charlotte Harbor. Dunno the locations, but the fishing pics were eye openers. Other friends at the time were posting pics of nasty fish kill down toward Redfish, so I dunno what's left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted September 30, 2018 Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 Davej, I've spend most of the last 6 months at my condo in Englewood (12 miles north of B.G.). The Red Tide is still present all along the SW Fl. coastline. Effects of the Red Tide can change in a matter of 3 or 4 days depending on ocean currents and wind direction. One day there are no dead fish floating and lots of Mullet, Ladyfish and minnows for bait. Three days later, can't find any bait and dead fish floating all over the place. Hate to be a party pooper, but you are just taking your chances when visiting S.W. Fl. right now. Red Tide conditions can change in a matter of 3 or 4 days. If you don't mind the ride, I've heard that fishing is still good around the El Jobein bridge (north end of Charlotte Harbor). Good luck, let us know how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Thanks for the info BrownBear and SCFD. Still planning on going, but will be running way inside to avoid the mess. Hopefully this east wind will push the funk off shore a little more. If all else fails, I'll be forced to make the run farther south. I'll post a report when I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsdoctor Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Hi Dave! If you have hyperactive airways, asthma, be sure to bring your inhalers .!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted October 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 No health issues yet, but thanks for the warning. If it gets too bad, I'll be forced to lay up at Cabbage Key, Barnacle Phil's or Gasparilla Marina.............Darn !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justdriftin Posted October 19, 2018 Report Share Posted October 19, 2018 On 10/2/2018 at 6:21 AM, Davej said: No health issues yet, but thanks for the warning. If it gets too bad, I'll be forced to lay up at Cabbage Key, Barnacle Phil's or Gasparilla Marina.............Darn !!!! How was the water when you were down? Looking to get down there soon, maybe this weekend. Was there bait around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted October 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2018 The water was really bad!!! You could barley see the bottom in 2 feet of water from Boca Grande south to Redfish Pass. Tried about a dozen bait spots in that area, and found none! I spoke with a few guides who were fishing with Pinfish, and they said that's all they could find. I did however rail the Redfish and Snook on the outgoing tide all three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, on artificial's. The Snook were so hungry they were inhaling the baits. The Reds were scattered, and all over slot. The were taking anything with gold in it with a lot of flash due to the murkiness of the water. Just to give you an idea of how bad the water was, there were no boats at the Boca Grande Sand Bar on any of the three weekend days, and on Saturday, there were only about 6 boats at Cabbage Key for lunch. My wife and I had the entire Innlets Hotel to ourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownBear Posted October 20, 2018 Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 On 10/19/2018 at 10:30 AM, Davej said: You could barley see the bottom in 2 feet of water from Boca Grande south to Redfish Pass. It was like that all winter in the southern part of the Sound. Had to travel almost to Port Charlotte to get out of it, and even around Burnt Store some days you couldn't see bottom in 4'. Down south we've taken to calling it Sugar Water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsh102 Posted October 23, 2018 Report Share Posted October 23, 2018 The water is horrible stay away ! The water is beautiful clear and full of life. Had a buddy come see me in 4’ of water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captcrunch Posted October 23, 2018 Report Share Posted October 23, 2018 Stayed on Boca Grande last week (October 16-19). On water 2 days. Ran south across Boca Grande channel gulf side along Cayo Costa to North Captiva. Lot of bait pods, brown pelicans, spotted snook cruising beach shallows. Photo taken on October 17, 2018- Cayo Costa Island. Bayside and interior water is dark but clear in shallow areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownBear Posted October 23, 2018 Report Share Posted October 23, 2018 Best kind of news. We'll be there in a week, staying through May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLY TIME Posted October 24, 2018 Report Share Posted October 24, 2018 I walked a good portion of the Beach, Boca Grande, 19th street area, water is clearing up and baitfish crusing by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drummer Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 This is great news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert3 Posted October 26, 2018 Report Share Posted October 26, 2018 I was out dubbing around and found gin clear water around ding darling too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsdoctor Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 Happy to report some nice bait pods and occasional snook on the Lover's key Beach area a week ago. Big contrast from a month ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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