Tunnel of Luv

We left Boca Grande this morning and motored down to an anchorage between Cabbage Key and Useppa Island.  Last year, I had caught lots of snook over in a little pond that is accessed through the tunnel of luv.  Even though the tide was a little above 0, it was still too shallow, and I had to get out and walk and pull CleoPAMtra through. 

The tunnel is finally starting to grow back after Charlie.  And judging from the tracks on the beach, the wild pig relocation project was not a total success.

The cold weather has destroyed the snook population.  Snook are extremely sensitive to cool water, and if they can't find a warm spot, it's the end.  Yesterday, we had seen snooks at the end of the canals in Boca Grande, but the snook in this small pond where we went today couldn't find a warm spot and couldn't escape the cold.  The water was more clear than usual (which probably made it even colder) and we could see the bottom in most areas.  There were hundreds of dead snook.  There were at least 25 snook over 30" long, and many many more smaller ones. 

The only non-snook of any size we saw was a grouper--most likely the one I caught in here last year.

It's no wonder I caught so may fish in here last year.  They were thick.

Later in the day, I tried Argay's secret spot near Useppa.  I could see four nice snook laying belly-up on the bottom. 

This was a really depressing day.

T & P