Again with only a short ride heading northwest from Whidden Creek, we headed towards Catfish Creek. Approximately halfway there, we saw a “tailing” redfish.

Since my skills in casting a fly were questionable that morning, my partner got the first shot at the red with several long casts. The fish was busy feeding on the bottom for what seemed like quite a while.

Even though the fish never really spooked and reappeared to let us make several more attempts to get a fly to him, we weren’t successful in hooking him. But the opportunity to sight-cast to a redfish was still a thrill.

Gasparilla Sound is also an ideal location for anglers who combine kayaking and wade-fishing. The firm sandy bottom is easy to walk on. Kayakers can launch from Eldred’s Marina.

Another option is off State Route 771 just before reaching Eldred’s. Public access is where the viaducts of the old rail line that carried phosphates out to Boca Grande have been turned into fishing piers.

SEATROUT UPDATE
A 2006 assessment by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicates that spotted seatrout are thriving, even exceeding the management numbers that biologists have set for the state.

The FWCC compares egg production in populations of seatrout pressured by anglers, versus those populations that have no fishing pressure at all. Data show that egg production currently falls above the proposed standards and that the management goal is being met.

However, the numbers of anglers targeting seatrout is rising statewide, so the FWCC will continue to carefully monitor fishing pressure on the trout and determine whether changes in management are warranted at this time. Another assessment is scheduled for 2009.

The state has two management regions for the recreational harvesting of spotted seatrout. Gasparilla Sound falls within the South Region, where the daily bag limit for seatrout is four per angler. The trout can be no shorter than 15 inches and no longer than 20 inches. One fish per day may exceed that 20-inch maximum.

In this region, all harvesting of seatrout is prohibited during November and December. This protects the species during cold spells, when they are bunched up and particularly susceptible to anglers.

SUMMING IT UP
Gasparilla Sound offers anglers a tranquil retreat, compared to the hustle and bustle of some nearby fishing destinations. On the other hand, the fishing can’t be described as tranquil by any means. The trout action will satisfy the hungriest of appetites. With fewer anglers to contend with, there’s simply more to go around.