Report: Report: Summer patterns are here. The normal afternoon rains we usually have ever summer are here now. The weather pattern in southwest Florida has been weird to say the least. But despite that fishing has been pretty good. We are now seeing normal summer patterns holding fish.

Saltwater: Snook are at the beaches and shore lines of the passes. We caught several large Snook this month using soft plastic minnow style baits like the Strike King Zulu and Glass Minnow. You can fish these weed-less or weight-less. The Trout fishing has slowed down. Our clients and guides have had the best luck finding them fishing the potholes out in the passes and bays using soft plastics on a 1/16th to a 1/8th ounce jig heads. Trout are responding well to these baits in mostly natural colors. Unless you have stained or murky water then go with brighter colors. The Electric Chicken color has worked well in these conditions. Start with the lightest weight jig head and then work up to a heavier one if needed - especially if you have lots of wind. The Redfish bite has taken off this month as we are seeing good numbers and bigger fish on the flats adjacent to deeper water. The Snook have been reacting great to top-water baits now as long as you are fishing moving water. Check out the 40 incher in the picture. The best catches falling to weightless and weed-less rigs. Of course feeding Snook a live pinfish under a float or weight-less on a circle hook has lead to favorable catches this month. Tarpon are here and biting! We are seeing many pods rolling in the canal systems and out in the channels and by the bridges. Our clients are having the time of their lives fighting these bruisers from the kayak. The Tarpon are daisy chaining along our beaches and in the passes. Best approach has been cut or live bait for these Silver Kings. But we favor soft plastics and have been able to do well with this approach and have saved time and money getting live bait.

Freshwater: If you must take a Largemouth Bass home for the table take only the 2 to 3 pound fish. Not only are they tastier and less gamey in flavor, but this practice will provide bigger and more trophy sized fish in your waters year after year. With the summer heat upon us the bigger bass are in shady cooler waters. We are finding them tight in structure and under many of the mats of vegetation that have grown this past month. Many bass anglers that love flipping and pitching are having a great time and bigger catches. We may have caught the biggest Tilapia on rod and reel for Florida and the US. See the attached picture. It was caught using a plastic worm. Kayak Charters had success for Largemouth Bass this month on crank baits and soft plastics.

With the sun being a major factor this time of the year we have a wonderful new product to tell you about. Wind River makes what we feel to be the best Sun Glove out there for the money. They are made of a solar blocking lycra/cotton knit and are rated SPF 30+ for a full day’s protection from harmful rays. The palm and inside fingers are covered with a synthetic suede for better gripping capabilities. They are made to allow more comfort as there are no seams between the fingers. More on Wind River’s Products in next month’s report. Check it out at www.windrivergear.com

Costa Del Mar a leader in the sunglass industry has come out with the new 580 series lens. Costa 580 lenses use patented technology to cut down on the yellow light, allowing the eye to see more red, blue and green. Simply put, they're the most advanced glare-beating polarized sun lenses on the planet, and they'll change the way you see, period. The Zane model has just won best eyewear at the ICAST show this year. The green and the copper lens allow us to see fish that we never would have seen before. We love them and swear by them. Check it out at www.costadelmar.com

We look forward to bringing you news, tackle techniques and reports for the Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Pine Island and Matlacha areas next month. Come book a trip with us as we now have great discounts and new classes and tours available.