By Captain Van Hubbard Posted 8.10.2010

Here are some ideas to help your catching and current Englewood/Venice fishing info.

I was watching Mark Sosin on TV this morning and was yet again impressed with the wealth of knowledge he shares in his fishing shows.  His five decades of experience is obvious and it was an educational blessing to watch.  He understands because he has done it all, and offers more information in his shows than ninety percent of the other "expert hosts" combined.  They were catching so many big snook that he had to pace himself or get worn out.  You need to pay close attention to what he's doing and listen to his tips also.  He takes the time to help you learn what he is doing and why he does it.  Fishing is not that hard if you approach it properly rigged and technique ready. He's so patient sharing his knowledge and even teaches us to comprehend the need for feeling on the anglers part. 

I only have four decades of experience to draw from but have realized that one of the biggest challenges for most anglers is they lack the experience to be able to "feel" everything that is going on.  Play with the feel of your rod pulling line in and line off the reel with the kids at home.  Leave the clicker on and hear the line move. Don't laugh too hard but try closing your eyes and notice how keen you're since of feel becomes.  I wonder why we close our eyes when kissing; to be wholeheartedly aware of the experience.  Everything about catching involves feeling what you are doing. You want to feel the rod's power to pull in big fish. Feel it load up to cast. You gain control of the load and direction with your arm and wrist; not body English after it is launched.  Action and reflex action is everything controlling your rods performance.    

Most conservation minded anglers are using circle hooks; you want to hold your rod still and reel to hook up.  It difficult to teach "old dogs new tricks", but it will catch and save many more fish. My most consistent angler "Rod Holder" just sits there and hooks most bites.  It's fine to pull back after you feel the fish pull. But your point must make contact before you pull! Many of us are using braided lines with no stretch; just pull back and bend your rod; please do not jerk like the bass boys, it does not work here.  Also many of us are trained to react to mono's twenty percent stretch factor with rapid rod drop and actually give fish slack attempting to gain line. 

Control your rod movements; don't just wave it around erratically. When battling big fish remember it's like a tug of war game and only pull when your opponent is resting.  Start back slowly and increase pressure as the fish comes towards you. Jerking line off your reel does not catch your fish.  Big fish set the pace when you set the hook but you can quickly gain control with sensitive awareness and shorten the battle. Don't waste your energy.

Maintaining contact with your lure or live bait is the biggest secret to catching success.  You don't feel the bite on slack line! I find that with fly lines baits I want a slight bow in my high vis lines so I can actually see the line jump as a fish pops my baitfish. Too tight, it drags your bait, compensate for current and wind influences. Don't over work your presentation.  Shrimp for example do not naturally jump three feet forward; especially repeatedly.  Fish need to be tricked into eating your offering so duplicate the action as naturally as you can.  Last but not least
learn one thing or area at a time; don't make this mind boggling work. Maybe one of these tips can help your catching and enjoyment.

I fished a couple of days so far this week.  We have appearing and disappearing snook. Most are larger fish but they are challenging me with their unconventional movements. We did get a couple of trophy snook releases this week. We seem to have more snook around Englewood and Venice than most places from what I hear. Florida Fish and Wildlife have still not decided if snook season will open next month! Maybeit will just happen while they study it? I am still seeing a few tarpon locally but have not targeted them. I do believe enough are around if you want look for em.

Trout and redfish are still the main stay inside but the waters are hot so the fish are not as active now.  Stump Pass water temperature was ninety-two yesterday. Some snapper have started to drop in but not thick yet.  I have reports of some big Spanish and kings a few miles off shore if we need to feed a larger group and the winds are down.  Baitfish are abundant but many are still smaller. Big threadfins are in the near by Gulf waters.  Plenty of pinfish for the off shore crowds and this is my bait of choice for tarpon now too.   We have fish but get out early and beat the heat. Afternoons can be good if the storms don't catch you. Let's Go Fishin' soon. Captain Van Hubbard www.captvan.com