Snook season opened September 1^st and with it came in a fresh wave of anglers visiting the area. Both Win-Car Hardware and The Oyster House Restaurant are back open in support. The opening of snook season coincides with the Labor Day Holiday giving lots of anglers the chance to be on the water and in Everglades City and Chokoloskee Island. For many, it is an annual family event anticipated all year.

The snook fishing had been very good before the season opened with many anglers reporting catches of six or more snook per day. Unfortunately, on the opening day the wind was blowing steady and hard putting a damper on many catches. Fret not however; the snook are still here and biting well. Top water baits in the early morning and soft baits under the trees in the mid-morning have been performing well. A live well full of frisky little “volunteers” can always help out your day.

Speckled trout are also plentiful but most are small. On a recent trip last week with a father and his two sons; Adam, 12, and Bobby, 10, we had a great time with popping corks on a nearby grass flat. According to Bobby, the official scorekeeper of the trip, the tally was Bobby - 26, Adam - 22 and Dad - 19. Adam, of course, had a different count!! However the prize was split up, Dad and sons had a very memorable day on the water together and a good fish fry that evening.

The redfish catches have been very good with some of the nicest fish taken off the oyster bars. The water has been a bit turbid in many areas so those patiently fishing natural baits on the bottom have had the better catches. Redfish rely on their sense of smell, so the scent put out by natural baits can draw them to your baits … if you are patient enough.

Tarpon fishing has been great all summer, but around the last new moon we experienced some best tarpon fishing of the season. Casting top water plugs to rolling fish in the passes, we jumped some of the largest fish of the year. We were after the big fish, so a little diligence was in order for a big bite. However, few things are more exciting than catching big tarpon on plugs. Put one of these dinosaurs in the air and you will know exactly what I mean ... the explosion on the surface, the scream of the line, the aerobatics of a 100+ plus shiner at the end of your line. I love this show!!!

Some of the best fishing this month is in the small back water creeks. Time it right and you will be rewarded with some good action on snook and tarpon-ettes. These areas are perhaps some of the best saltwater fly fishing opportunities that you will find anywhere. Last week, two of my regular fly fishing anglers put 11 fish in the air in just one creek. It was a blast!!!

Remember the water is still very warm and the fish, especially the big ones, will fight to the point of exhaustion. There are lots of sharks around and your released fish really do need to be properly revived to give them a fighting chance. Release them exhausted and they will surely be shark fodder!.