Happy Mother’s day and God bless them. Boca Grande tarpon are abundant but the winds and rough waters can make them challenging. Snook fishing has been very good and some larger fish are here now. Redfish and trout are available if you want fun fishing and dinner. We’ll be looking for a few pompano and Spanish this week inshore and permit and barracuda near shore.  I anticipate even better catching this week with stronger tide flows around the New Moon.

Tarpon are ranging from Boca Grande and south up past Venice on the north end.  We have thousands of tarpon in our area but right now most are concentrated in or next to Boca Grande Pass they are overdue to do more roaming the adjoining areas but recent weather and winds have messed up normal patterns. Things are due to settle in this week. Waters have warmed into the eighties and winds can’t blow forever? Crabs are due to start running soon and this will light up the action also. Fish have been biting when winds allowed us access. I expect tarpon action to turn on this week and last into July.

Snook are ready to play; its catch and release fishing but we have impressive fish. We had numerous snook over thirty inches and several well over thirty-five inches; these are ten to almost twenty pounds snook! True trophy snook and strong enough to blow bass fishermen away! We fish live minnows and ten to twenty pound Quantum Spinning gear. Snook jump and run and we had smiling anglers last week it will be even better now. Fish are from Charlotte harbor and Boca Grande Beaches up to Venice Inlet. Many strikes are at the surface where you can see your fish eat and take off. The hard part is to reel and not jerk your minnow out of her mouth. We also get some trout and redfish plus jacks and more while snook fishing.

Permit, sharks, barracuda, and more are available if you choose. The near shore reefs are active and offer good fishing if winds allow. We’re fishing mostly natural baits and gear strong enough for the job but max for screaming drags and fun.

It’s great to be able to enjoy our beautiful area and its awesome fishing action. Let’s go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard <www.captvan.com>

Captain Van’s fishing report for 5-2-12

Fishing is fine from Boca Grande to Venice Florida.

I believe I am now ok on my computer challenges and think I can get this back to a weekly or more report. Thank you for your patience and I’ll try to make this worth your while1

Fishing is good and even better already on most species. Tarpon are already here and cooperating most of the time. Permit have showed up on the reefs. Snook are much better than the state realizes; we have snook. Redfish are around but just ok, mainly because of excessive tournament pressures! Trout are great and some nice fish. Pompano are still around we had four in an hour last week, plus a few Spanish and fun fish. Trips have been fun and exciting.

May and June are tarpon time around Boca Grande and we saw thousands of silver kings in the Boca Grande pass last Friday. We looked around and ended up going to the pass and it was loaded with schools of hungry tarpon. We got bites on pinfish but it’s hard to remember to bow to the king and lost em, lots of excitement and action. Sunday we found fish on the Beaches and caught a nice one before we got discovered. Then we had to work around and the wind picked up to push fish offshore. Fishing will improve dramatically with the Full Moon this weekend.

Permit are available if it’s not too windy. They are from about ten to twenty plus pounds. We use light twenty pound spinning gear and let em run. You just hang on until they slow down. You can keep a couple for dinner and catch all we want plus barracuda and more.

Snook are catch and release but ready to play. We are seeing nice schools of quality fish and plenty of smaller ones. We had several thirty inch plus snook last week and a forty last week. This is light spinning gear and liver minnows for baits in open waters where they can run.

Redfish are around and we get some most trips but they are pressured. I’ve enjoyed much better action by accident than looking for em. Luck and good baits are our best bet here!most fish we get are slot fish and a few too big for fun.

Trout are a blessing and saving grace. We can usually get a mess or more and have fun with snook and reds too. We had two fish up to twenty-six inches recently and several others almost as big. Minnows are my choice presentation but lures work if you like.

Pompano have blessed us every time we tried them recently. They can be challenging but the best eating around. My choice is Doc’s Goofy Jigs with a fresh shrimp sweetener. Colors vary I try white and pink, chartreuse, or yellow. Size depends upon the current flow. Try ¼ for slow flow and ½ for faster currents and deeper waters. Remember to cast upstream and bounce the bottom for best results. Presentations need to be as natural as possible always! Short hops not yard long leaps. Move if the bite stops, pompano don’t sit still for long.

Again this is prime time for many species like tarpon, snook, permit etc…  Don’t miss the opportunity to share time with friends and family creating new memories on your fishing adventures with Captain Van. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard <www.captvan.com>

We enjoyed catching snook, redfish, trout and pompano last week. etc…  Several days our rides between stops were rudely interrupted by numerous dolphin jumping so close they splashed us. On top of that I can hardly transverse a manatee zone without encountering several endangered sea cows grazing away. It’s hard to get to the fish for all the distractions!

Seriously, fish are here and cooperating most days; the unusual weather has them confused sometimes too. Snook have been more enthusiastic than redfish last week but we are getting some reds for dinner. Trout are moving around and keeping us moving but here and hungry when we get on em. Pompano are not for everyone they can be easy or tricky and some folks get em and others don’t. They are worth the effort if have the touch.

Family trips have been fantastic. Fish usually cooperate but those dolphin and manatees fill in any holes keeping them entertained. Kids get to experience the water and its wonders creating lifetime memories. Be sure the cameras are ready; their expressions are priceless!

Inside fishing should continue to improve as we move into stable weather patterns with less wind. Baitfish are a key ingredient here and they have not blessed us inside Lemon bay but are down in Charlotte Harbor. Larger snook are due to move out of the creeks as the moon waxes this week.  Trout should also improve for the next couple of months. Redfish are hit and miss but we caught a few perfect twenty-five inch slot fish and had more bites.

Near shore was tough because of high winds last week. We had excellent Spanish mackerel action with some big barracuda caught and kings seen cruising our chum lines a week ago Friday. Baitfish are not acting normal outside either but we are seeing schools of minnows sometimes.  Everything is over due to turn on and light up our lines and make the drags scream. It won’t be long before we see tarpon outside too. It’s time to line up your dates to tarpon tango before you miss the boat.

Summer will be here soon and you don’t want to miss the Spring bite. If you’re too busy to go fishin’ you’re just too busy! Let’s go fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard. <www.captvan.com>

Venice weather is great and fishing is fine.We are enjoying blue skies and crystal clear waters from Boca Grande up thru Englewood and North to Venice. I am fishing south one day and north the next following the fish along their migrations. Bait fish are not easy but available most days; I did struggle last Friday morning but found some in the afternoon? Backwards but glad to get em. Our fishing has been very good most trips and challenging on a couple. Fish are not acting normal yet; my guess is the unusually warm weather is confusing fish too? I’m just glad it’s warm; we have bait and many species of fish with visitors anxious fish. Dolphins and manatees are every where for additional entertainment!

Spanish and king mackerel are appearing most trips. Numbers are not consistent but we always find some action around the near shore artificial reefs. We use minnows and a chum bag to attract and hold feeding fish near by. It’s exciting to see feeding fish chase baits right by the boat in the clear water. You never know what you’ll see also; cobia, jacks, mackerel, tunny, sharks, barracuda, and more! 

Several times we even caught a fine mess of flounder by bottom fishing with minnows and cut baits on light spinning gear. Baitfishes frequently swarm our chum bag and draw the big ones right in to us. Try not to jerk your hook away before they close their mouths!

If snook and redfish are your thing we have enjoyed some great snook action and a few redfish with lots of trout mixed in. now that we have minnows and warmer waters the fish are on the move. This is an awesome time to experience or Gulf Coats fabulous Spring fishing. We have had some winds but days start of calm and a breeze from the East until later in the afternoon when it shifts to the westerly seas breeze. The breeze keeps it from getting hot and my T-Top provides shade if you want it. The technique here is to fish lively minnows with or without a small cork. I use a Bleeding Bait Circle hook to attract the fish with a Target Bead strategically placed about a quarter inch past the barb to prevent double hooking the minnow. My Daiichi hooks are the sharpest made and work great plus protect fish we want to release unharmed! Snook are closed but everything else we fish is open. 

Tarpon are due soon if weather patterns hold and they should. A few are already showing up around Boca Grande Pass and south. I expect good action early with great odds locally by mid April!

I am going to need to adjust my rates very soon to compensate for crazy fuel costs; so don’t wait to book your trips. Sometimes it works out last minute so always contact me to see but reservations are best. Thank you. Let’s Go Fishin’ now! Captain Van Hubbard.  <www.captvan.com>

 We have enjoyed mostly good weather but have endured some windy periods. I have been busy back and forth to St. Pete because of an ill family member; it makes us appreciate our health and good fortunes! Thank you for all your good wishes.

Fishing in between has been mostly good. Snook are trying to get turned on but cooler days have set em back every time they get excited. Waters this time are warmer and warming up fast. I expect snook and baitfish to improve after this Full Moon.  Redfish are here and bite one day but not the next? Keeps me guessing some days? Trout are hungry and some days small but abundant. Many days we are enjoying good action with trout up to twenty-five inches. Minnows are usually producing the best fish but we had a twenty-three inch speck on shrimp today. Pompano are here one day and hiding the next but should be more dependable if weather cooperates. Spanish and king mackerel are due and I have had reports of good catches but did not find them Friday ahead of this windy front? Minnows and blue runners are here!

Tarpon are still a ways south but we could have fish next month if things continue ahead of normal. Some tarpon have been seen in Boca Grande Pass already!

Spring Break is here so reservations are recommended if you want a trip with Captain Van. While I do have some dates open; many are booked for the next few weeks it’s especially busy.

Please look at the information and photos if you have time for additional info.

Life is short, Let’s Go Fishin’ soon! Captain Van Hubbard <www.captvan.com>

 I’m sorry it’s been longer than usual between fishing reports but I’ve been busy fishing instead or writing. The Spring migration has not reached Boca Grande yet but I expect to see baitfish schools this week if our weather stays as predicted. The large schools of food are followed by the feeding mackerel, sharks, and it won’t be long before tarpon are here. Inside action is already improving every week. We are doing well on trout and pompano now with sheepshead and whiting if you want to pursue em. Redfish and snook are available but minnows have been around but are not dependable so far.

Most recent trips have been for the trout and pompano action. We have had some outstanding catches. Tuesday’s trip was an anniversary gift from wife Betty and Joe and his friends got off to an early start. We fished Lemon Bay awhile but only found smaller trout and got teased by a few pompano so we headed south to Charlotte Harbor. We had all day and wanted to see what we were missing down there. it was challenging to get bigger fish but plenty of smaller ones at first. The Joe got two very larger pompano of four and five pounds! We also got a few nice trout and a big bluefish so our goal of fresh fish dinner for everyone was accomplished. We had a ball and everyone was happy with the day.

Wednesday I had two brothers and their sons. I plan on more here when they forward the photos but we caught a fine mess of six pompano for dinner and lots of trout plus a few ladyfish for fun. I must point out that these guys were great; they were all excited but so much fun to share a day fishing with.

Our fishing future is very bright. Baitfish schools have teased us in the near shore Gulf every time the conditions were right. I know we will have hot migratory action before the next Full Moon in les than two weeks. Expect all the fish to turn on and most other anglers will not be ready. This means we have fish with fewer others to share catching with. We will enjoy some great kingfish and mackerel fishing from Boca Grande to Venice in March! Snook, redfish and trout action will be cooking any day! We already are enjoying some hot pompano bites and it will just get better for the next couple of months for all these fish. Tarpon are not far off if it stays this warm. I’m sorry but it’s time to get the boat ready and Let’s Go Fishin’, now! Thank you for your interest, it’s time to get your reservation or miss the boat! Captain Van Hubbard <www.captvan.com>

Our Venice weather has continued to amaze us and catching has been good.

 Victor wanted to take his wonderful wife Liz fishing for her birthday. Liz wanted to learn about fishing and while Victor obviously loved his wife she said he didn’t have the patience to teach her about fishing. Victor claimed he had worked to hard taking care of teaching their kids and he wanted to bird watch. Advertising does work but referrals are even better and my eye doctor, Dr. Helen had assured them I would take good care of em. It is always a pleasure to share time with happy people; especially when they have shared over thirty years together. Anyway we got off from Stump Pass Marina at eight AM. The day was beautiful and fish cooperated.

Our first stop was the try for some trout and reds along a deeper grassy edge in Lemon Bay. The trout were hungry but not big enough to come home with us for dinner.  I tried both live shrimp and white bait. Yes, I know it’s February but when minnows are available and easy I like to have some. As I chummed with the minnows to attract fish I was surprised by a very large fish popping a minnow in casting range. It had to be a medium sized tarpon but it was so big I did not cast at it! The dolphins came to visit and ran our trout off. We tried the other side of the area and observed a flock of white pelicans feeding during the very low tide. Birds and fish eat the same critters so we cast near them and got two bites right away. Liz got a trout and a bluefish grabbed the other rod but got off. We didn’t get any more bites and moved on.

We saw a bunch of sheepshead but most were too small and we continued to look around. A dozen redfish interrupted us and even cooperated. I chummed with a few minnows and we could actually watch some nice reds tease us right by the boat. Our water has been crystal clear allowing some sight fishing.  In the next half hour Liz landed seven redfish up to twenty-five+ inches. They had their limits of reds so we tried a long shot.

Liz mentioned she really wanted to catch a snook so why not give it a try. Water temps were up to about seventy-three degrees and we had live minnows. I anchored up by an oyster bar we had caught a couple last week.  After a few minutes and some more minnows for chum I saw a pop. We cast and she had her first Grand Slam of trout, redfish and this snook; plus a very large smile! She managed to catch seven snook before lunch time. I guess she ended up with seven Grand Slams? What a day and it was great to share the experience and memories for all of us. Guiding may not be as profitable as in past, healthier economies but it still provides riches to enjoy! I want to thank Victor for sharing his lovely wife’s company with me! He got to see; eagles, osprey, and many other birds plus see huge smiles all day long.

We are still catching a few nice pompano, sheepshead, as well as the trout, reds and snook. Winds have picked up and cooler days are forecast for the weekend. I have some projects to catch up on so I am glad to see some winds so I don’t feel I’m missing the awesome experiences on our warm waters. White bait should stick around if it doesn’t get too cold. Cooler water could actually help catching by bunching fish up better. Some tarpon have been reported from Boca Grande south recently. I’m going to say we will enjoy good action early this year IF it stays warm! Spanish and king mackerel could show up in about two weeks. Some cobia are already off shore on the deeper wreaks and will drop closer as it warms up and more minnows draw em in. The stone crabbers are seeing a few tripletail but not many. If you are planning a Spring Break or Easter trip reservations are recommended.  Let’s Go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard <www.captvan.com>

I was presently surprised to find minnows abundant on both Wednesday and Thursday’s trips. Finding whitebait and threadfins in January is most unusual, go figure? We did manage to catch some bigger trout, up to twenty-four inches, and nice reds plus several snook on Thursday with the minnows. Shrimp under rattle corks has been the ticket most days. The trick seams to be to make noise with the corks with short, sharp jerks every minute or so. The bubbles and noise seems to really help call fish in;  if it’s not slick calm. Very calm days are more challenging so take it easy. I am using the electric motor frequently to move along shorelines and edges quietly. We pick up a few fish and move downwind a little every twenty minutes or so.

The few delicious pompano we did get were just mixed in while we were trout fishing deeper edges. Sheepshead are not thick yet but improving and should get much better if things cool off. They can be tricky to catch but eat great. We did get a windy front with some rain this AM which will bring temps back to normal; like lows in the fifties and highs into the mid and upper seventies.

Water temps ranged from low sixties early in the week to over seventy degrees in protected waters yesterday. My guess is this is why some snook bit once in a while.

I did see a few very small mackerel and little tunny striking in the minnows early mornings in the near shore Gulf, but the winds picked up so we did not get to try them outside last week. If the weather does not run those minnows south we could enjoy some unusual but wonderful action next month. We didn’t get any flounder last week because we were not jigging any. The corks kept our presentations above the grass in front of trout but away from flat bottom fish.

If warmer weather continues expect to see migratory action early this spring and summer. Please set up your snook, kingfish, and tarpon trips as soon as you can to insure your preferred dates. Life is great from Boca Grande to my south, up thru Englewood and north to Venice right now; and I’m smiling right here in the middle! Stump Pass and Lemon Bay waters have been clear and fishy so far this year.

Thank you and Let’s Go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard  <www.captvan.com>

Our days have mostly been warm and sunny with temperatures frequently up almost to eighty degrees. The Gulf has been stirred up for a few days sometimes but settles fast; I fish mostly inside now anyway. Boat traffic is up with many folks cruising south to Boca Grande or north to Venice for lunch or dinner excursions, so we lots of different rigs daily. With the colder weather up north we have plenty of migratory birds that add entertainment to our outings.

We have caught a good variety recently including; snook, redfish, trout, pompano, ladyfish, sheepshead, catfish, etc… While the bite is not red hot like summertime action we have managed several double headers of snook, trout, and ladyfish this week.  Our best action has been on warmer afternoons recently but that is because of cooler morning last week. Live shrimp have been the bait for most catches. We did get some pompano on jigs with shrimp treats.  The rattle corks are the ticket right now, just remember to make noise with the corks and keep our feet quiet.  Fish have been in unusual places recently and they keep moving around, it’s challenging everyday but fun.

With the winter staying so mild so far my guess is we should have an early spring. So please don’t wait too long to set up your March thru June fishing dates. Folks are starting to realize dates around Easter, Spring Break, and such go fast. It has been good to see snook while looking around and on our lines recently. We can not eat them anytime soon but we sure enjoy playing with em, they put a big smile on Alex’s face on Monday afternoon.

The dolphin, eagles, and other birds offer some memorable moments on most trips. The manatees are hiding back in the deeper protected waters right now but all the other critters are adding frequent smiles to our excursions. White pelicans are very abundant right now for example. We saw huge column of what I believe was sparrows on Monday down by Cape Haze near Englewood.

Tarpon and snook fishing, plus the big Spring migration of mackerel, sharks etc… will be here before you ready so get prepared now. Thank you for your support. Captain Van Hubbard <www.captvan.com>