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the little circle thing — if nothing changes, we ain't done it yet
Place-by-place Fishin' Report Here it is SCROLL down
This report is updated most
(but not all) weeks on Saturday.
Don't
see this week's report? REFRESH
your browser.
the little circle thing — if nothing changes, we ain't done it yet
Peace River Harbor Heights & upriver along with Shell Creek "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — A few bass in the river above Horse Creek.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — A few baby bull sharks around the Harbour Heights boat ramp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — A couple small bull sharks, some Mayan cichlids, and a few very small mangrove snapper.
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Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — The bridge has been producing some black drum and a few redfish.
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US 41 bridges - ..... Live Oak Point park "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Slow, but there are small mangrove snapper and a couple keeper redfish reported, plus some dinky snook.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Some peanut snook. Small mangrove snapper. Juvie tarpon in the evening.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Some rat redfish, small mangrove snapper, baby bull sharks and small snook. Overall, it's slow even at night.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Slow here. Small mangrove snapper, a few small snook, some big black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Some little tiny snapper, some small snook, a few big black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Some small bull sharks and even smaller mangrove snapper. A few juvenile tarpon are around in the early mornings. Some slot redfish have been caught on shrimp.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — A few small bull sharks, some very small mangrove snapper, a handful of black drum.
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Laishley Seawall (pier currently closed due to hurricane damage) "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Bayshore Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — One baby bull shark reported, and a couple tarpon seen rolling.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — One angler reported no catches.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Minimal reports. A couple small snook and mangrove snapper. Tarpon rolling near the boat ramp at sunrise.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — A couple peanut snook and small mangrove snapper, plus a few ladyfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Slow. Small mangrove snapper, a couple snook, short redfish and trout reported, but it took two days to catch them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few small snook, a few small snapper, and lots of catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A few small snook, small mangrove snapper, and some big black drum.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Small bull sharks, a few small trout, some small mangrove snapper, and black drum moving thru.
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Port Charlotte canals salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Lots of little peanut snook. A couple black drum. Lots of Mayan cichlids and sand bream.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Quiet this week due to rain. There are some small mangrove snapper and some sand bream biting. Small snook and jacks are also popping up. Baby tarpon are in here but hard to catch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — A few black drum on cut blue crabs, or you can try a soft plastic fished low and slow. Peanut snook. A few jacks. Lots of juvenile tarpon around, and a couple have been hooked on topwater baits. Lots of Mayan cichlids, especially up toward the spillways.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Slower than last week. Juvenile tarpon mostly seen; a few hooked. Jacks, black drum and small snook are also around, but basically you're gonna work to find fish. We suggest trolling on the way out, since you're going slow anyway.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A bunch of small/medium snook and juvenile tarpon moved in after the flood, but it's slowed down a lot now. Perhaps the black drum will come back.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Some bigger black drum are still around. A few spadefish and lots of sand bream reported this week. Juvenile tarpon are scattered all over; try a 3-inch shad tail. Snook are around but not in great numbers and not feeding aggressively.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Lots of black drum. Some juvie tarpon, but they might be in this canal today and that canal tomorrow. Small live shrimp have been working for the tarpon, or try any small artificial. Sand bream and Mayan cichlids are around the docks and bridges.
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El Jobean Pier (pier currently closed due to fire damage) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 06/01/2024 — The pier is closed due to fire damage. Probably won't be open for a long time.
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Myakka River area (the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Juvie tarpon at the bridge early.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Baby tarpon early at the bridge.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Juvenile tarpon and a few adults around the bridge early. Baby bull sharks also around the bridge.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Juvenile tarpon up to about 60 pounds around the bridges in the mornings. Bull sharks (mostly 3-footers but a few bigger) and short cobia have been in the river mouth out to the 14-foot hole.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Juvenile tarpon early at the bridge. Redfish and peanut snook in the Myakka Cutoff. Marker 8 has had a few Spanish mackerel, caught on trolled spoons.
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South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — One guy trolling reported hooking a bass and a snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Redfish, and lots of them from the halfway point south. The creek mouths and bushes have produced reds on pinfish, shrimp and cut ladyfish. Most are in the slot. Give the baits a few minutes to work. Some small snook mixed in.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Slow on the upper end, but lots of redfish in the creek mouths and under the trees from the halfway point south. Shrimp, cutbait and scented soft plastics are all catching fish. Just a few snook are in there with them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Lots of small tarpon between the mangrove and the sandbar. Redfish under the bushes as far north as Trout Creek, but no snook reported. A few pompano were skipped out in front of Muddy Cove, but not caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Slow. The outer edge of the bar in 10 to 14 feet has had sporadic tarpon. Nothing under the bushes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few redfish and snook on the southernmost 2 miles of the wall.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — It's been OK. Redfish are decent under bushes and around creek mouths from the midway point south. Little tarpon are inside the bar and big ones are outside hitting ladyfish or DOA Bait Busters.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — The upper end is quiet, but farther south we're seeing a lot of redfish in the middle to upper slot, plus a few over. Try moving water under the bushes. Live and frozen shrimp are working, or you can try cut ladyfish or blue crabs. A few smaller snook have also been around.
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Cape Haze Bar "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A few trout and Spanish mackerel, and a lot of bonnethead sharks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Turtle Bay & Bull Bay "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Lots of redfish, both under the bushes and around the oyster bars. A few are overslot, especially if you run into a school. Small snook are around but moving around a lot. A few lemon sharks have been in the area.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Lots of redfish reported, mostly under the bushes but also a few schools scattered. Peanut snook also, mostly under the bushes. Small trout, like 10 to 12 inches, on the grass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — A lot of redfish, with singles and doubles under the bushes. There have been some schooling fish in the bays, but they're over-slot. Shrimp, cut ladyfish and soft plastics are good. Snook are in here, but there are more out front between Cape Haze and Devilfish Key. A few dinky trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Some better redfish here, including a school reported in Turtle Bay. There are also reds and snook under the bushes, plus a handful of baby mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Some very small trout. Decent snook and redfish under the bushes eating live or frozen shrimp and sometimes cut fish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Lots of redfish in here, again under the trees. A few dink trout and smaller snook. Ladyfish scattered. A few tarpon seen but not hooked.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Redfish and smaller snook are abundant. Smaller trout are scattered around. Some sharks have been spotted cruising around. A few tarpon have been moving around the cuts between Bull and Turtle.
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Cape Haze Reef & Danger Reef "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Some jacks and small Spanish mackerel in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A couple Spanish mackerel. A few smaller sharks around the area and a couple bigger lemon sharks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Some Spanish mackerel, a handful of sharks, and one undersize cobia.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Lots of redfish, and more snook (still mostly small). Redfish may be schooling or may not. Some smaller trout and ladyfish on the deeper grass.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Getting fishy here. From Cayo Pelau to Placida, we're seeing both snook and redfish under the bushes plus some schooling reds around. Small trout on the grassflats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — An occasional Spanish mackerel, small trout and some ladyfish in 4 to 8 feet of water. Juvie tarpon on the flats. Redfish under the bushes. A moving redfish school has been seen between Sandfly and the clam leases (marked with PVC poles).
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Redfish and snook under the bushes. Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and small trout on the deeper flats. Tarpon have been reported passing thru.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Lots of small trout, a few smaller sharks, and snook and redfish along the mangroves. Shade and moving water will be key for catching snook and reds.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Trout, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish in 5 to 8 feet of water. Lots of redfish and sporadic small snook along the bushes. Probably some smaller sharks too.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and small trout in 5 to 10 feet of water. Quite a few redfish and snook around the bushes, and the snook are a bit bigger than farther up the Harbor (mid 20 inch range). A fair number of small to midsize sharks.
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Placida
"Fishin History"
Placida Pier
—
Placida
Trestle
—
Coral Creek Pier
—
Gasparilla Pass
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — The pier and trestle have produced a few pompano and mangrove snapper, plus a couple overslot redfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — The pier has had small mangrove snapper, little snook at night, and a few overslot redfish. Occasional tarpon are rolling in the pass, but numbers are overall low.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — At the pier we're seeing small mangrove snapper, a few bonnethead and lemon sharks, and a few snook and redfish at night. The pass has had a few tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Very small mangrove snapper and small snook at the pier, plus a few overslot redfish. Several lemon sharks have been in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A few Spanish mackerel, a couple bonnethead sharks, some very small mangrove snapper, a few adult tarpon along the trestle or under the bridges.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Some bigger snook at night along with some oversize redfish. A mixed bag of sharks and tarpon of all sizes randomly showing up. Some Spanish mackerel during daylight hours. Trout and mangrove snapper are around, but all small.
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Stump Pass — Lemon Bay Park — Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — A couple redfish schools around, plus singles and doubles under the docks. Some snook under the docks too, including some very good fish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — A few redfish under the docks, plus a school reported. Some are slot fish, but a lot are just rats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — A lot of snook around Stump Pass and Ski Alley. Redfish are showing up around the flats and mangroves.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Some redfish and a few tiny trout. Docks on the mainland are holding little pompano.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Englewood Anger Pier
(next to Tom
Adams bridge) "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Spanish mackerel, a few small sharks of unidentified species, one short snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Some snook at night and some Spanish mackerel during the day.
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Gulf of Mexico bottom
fishin' & trolling
Reefs & Wrecks
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Gag reports have been slow, with the few reported short. Red snapper are OK out past 140 feet. Mangrove snapper are good at 60 feet, with some in shallower. Lane snapper and grunts have also been caught. Spanish mackerel are just outside the passes up to about 10 miles out, and you may find bonita especially if you get north of Venice.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Very slow due to heavy thunderstorm activity. One report of grunts and small lane snapper at the School Bus Reef, and one report of grunts and Spanish mackerel at the Power Pole Reef.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Only a few reports due to lousy weather. Yellowtail and mangrove snapper were reported at about 40 miles. A few schools of bonito are within a mile or three of shore, but there are bigger ones around 20 miles. Barracuda and small mangrove snapper are on the reefs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Very slow. Few people going due to heat and closed seasons. One report of good yellowtail snapper at 45 to 50 miles, also got a few lane and vermilion snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Not with all this crappy weather.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — There have been lane, mangrove and yellowtail snapper plus some grunts and porgies 15 miles out. Red grouper are closed, but there are red snapper available 40 to 60 miles out. A few schools of bonita (little tunny, false albacore) have been around at 15 to 20 miles out.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Red snapper in 150 to 160 feet. Red grouper are closed. Mangrove, yellowtail and lane snappers at 15 to 25 miles out. Wrecks have had barracuda. Some bonita schools blitzing at the surface in random spots.
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Venice Jetties and Venice Pier (south jetty currently closed due to hurricane damage)
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — A few Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. A handful of pompano. Whiting in the surf.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — The jetties have had snook of assorted sizes, mostly small. Juvie to subadult tarpon are around. Some pompano and a few jacks have been cruising through.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Snook at night, and even a few during the day, on jigs bounced along the bottom at the jetties. Tarpon and Spanish mackerel outside Venice Inlet. A few mackerel and sharks from the pier.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — A lot of snook at the jetties. Spanish mackerel are around the jetties too. Tarpon just off the beach. No reports from the pier.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Aaaaaand the south jetty is closed again, because Tropical Storm Debby wiped out almost all the repair work they just finished. Otherwise, there are still some Spanish mackerel, snook and pompano in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — The south jetty is finally open to fishing again. Some decent snook action at night around the jetties. A handful of Spanish mackerel and whiting at the jetties and pier.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Spanish mackerel all day. Oddball pompano showing up. Small snook during the day, bigger ones at night. The south jetty is still closed but they're supposed to be working on it really soon.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Some lemon sharks, small to medium trout, and lots of juvie tarpon 5 to 30 pounds. Try cut ladyfish or soft plastic shad tails.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — A couple school of redfish in the area, not as consistent as we'd like, moving between here and St James City. Lemon sharks, Spanish mackerel and some small trout also reported.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — A couple school of redfish in the area, not as consistent as we'd like.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A few snook and a few tarpon.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — A few Spanish mackerel and tarpon. Redfish and small trout around the rocks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Small jacks, lots of little snook, and a few pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Snook, some random redfish, a few Spanish mackerel on the incoming tide, and tarpon seen but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — A few tarpon and some small snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Spanish mackerel, a few snook and tarpon, a couple sharks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Some Spanish mackerel, lots of smaller snook along the shoreline, a couple sharks, and random tarpon.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Spanish mackerel. Tarpon are popping in and out. Mangrove snapper are still small at the moment, with larger ones expected soon.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Very dark water. Good numbers of snook. A few overslot redfish. Occasional jacks and pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Some snook. A couple sharks. A couple redfish. A couple pompano. Lots of whiting. A few tarpon seen but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Some Spanish mackerel and jacks out by the buoys. Small tarpon and small mangrove snapper in the pass itself.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few tarpon and sharks are in and around the pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Some bigger tarpon still here. A few snook and redfish in the surf zone. Small mangrove snapper are around the pilings and in the channel.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Tarpon have been in and out, especially very early. Spanish mackerel in and out all day, along with a few blue runners. Bigger snook and reds, mostly at night, mostly around the rocks.
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Walkin' the Gulf beaches,
from Sanibel
to Venice. Surf fishing anywhere along the Gulf shoreline.
17th
street,
Stump
Pass Park "Fishin'
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Good reports from Venice to Boca — whiting, snook, jacks, blue runners, oversize redfish, the occasional pompano.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Quite a few whiting. Pompano are scattered all around. Big ladyfish. Lots of snook; mostly smaller ones being caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Lots of whiting, quite a few small snook, a few pompano (or a lot, by some reports). A few sharks and Spanish mackerel, plus the occasional redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Pretty good. Snook, whiting, Spanish mackerel, and random trout and pompano have all been reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Snook are all over. Some Spanish mackerel and whiting, especially near the passes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Whiting, snook, jacks and small pompano might be just about anywhere on any beach, but the better bite is closer to the passes.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — There have been some whiting and pompano, plus snook of assorted sizes and random over-slot redfish (both better after dark). Sharks have been mostly small but a few bigger bulls have been caught.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Juvenile tarpon scattered around the whole area. Redfish are under the bushes, especially where they have access to deeper moving water.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports, except lots of green hair algae.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Redfish and sub-adult tarpon have been reported in here. Look for tarpon in the deeper pockets of the Indian Fields.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Pine Island Sound
"Fishin History"
Rat and Cat keys,
Mondongo & Patricio
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Snook scattered all over, mostly smaller. Slot redfish are under the mangroves; some larger ones are schooling. Decent trout reported here as well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — A school of redfish has been seen around Captiva Rocks and the fish shacks, and there are singles around the mangrove islands. Lots of little trout. Scattered snook. Some lemon sharks reported also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Redfish are under the bushes all over the sound.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — A few redfish under the bushes, along with a few small snook. Trout around the deeper flats and bars.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few tarpon and some small sharks, plus a lot of small trout. Just a few snook and no redfish in the reports, but there are surely fish here around the trees.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Redfish are under the bushes, mixed with some snook. Trout, Spanish mackerel and some smaller sharks are on the deeper grassflats.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Jug Creek Shoal & Bokeelia "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A few Spanish mackerel and some very small trout.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Some Spanish mackerel and a few small trout.
------------------------------------
Burnt Store & Two Pines "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Redfish schooling south of the marina. Lots of smaller reds along the mangroves. Some juvenile tarpon scattered throughout the area (check the creeks).
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Redfish schooling sporadically (maybe today, maybe not tomorrow). A handful of snook and some small trout on and outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — A school of redfish has been here, moving back and forth. Look for them early or late. Also a few small snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Schooling redfish off and on over the past two weeks. Some keeper reds and small snook under the mangroves. Random tarpon rolling out past the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Some redfish and small snook under the trees, and a few bigger tarpon outside the bar eating ladyfish or DOA Bait Busters.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — A lot of redfish and some snook. A few sharks, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel outside the bar. Tarpon have been in and out.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — A lot of little snook and a few slot-size redfish. Tarpon, sharks and ladyfish are outside the bar. Crystal ball says the tarpon fishing here should get better over the next couple weeks.
------------------------------------
East Side "keys" "Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Redfish and small snook around Pirate Harbor; otherwise pretty quiet.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — From Burnt Store to north of Pirate Harbor, random redfish schooling. Smaller trout on the flats. Small snook and juvie tarpon in the Pirate Harbor canals.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — A lot of juvie tarpon in and around Pirate Harbor. They have been hitting soft plastic shadtails and baitfish flies.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Slower than last week, but still a few redfish around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few redfish and a lot of juvenile tarpon from outside the bar to the canals.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Redfish around the mangroves. Juvenile tarpon in the Pirate Harbor canals eating live whitebait.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — The Winegourd Creek area has been producing redfish from about 24 to 32 inches. Oxygen levels are low, so be sure to resuscitate your fish. A few little snook around also.
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Alligator Creek "Fishin
History"
Poachers
Cut
&
The
Skating
Rink
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Juvenile tarpon in Alligator Creek, and also scattered along the flats up to Whorehouse Point.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Small mangrove snapper, and some bigger Mayan cichlids. Some jacks moving thru the canal.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — A couple black drum and a couple very short mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — An occasional black drum and some very very small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Black drum, a few small snook, some very small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Some black drum. A few bull sharks, including one about 4 feet. Itty-bitty baby mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — A few black drum. A few smaller jacks. Some teensy-weensy mangrove snapper.
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P.G.I. canals & Punta Gorda "Fishin History
Elizabeth Park — Barge Canal — P.G. Nature Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Small snook and juvie tarpon all over the area. Black drum are thinly scattered throughout the canals.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — A few black drum and some small snook. Juvenile tarpon are showing but hard to hook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Black drum. Lots of little tarpon seen and a couple hooked. Fair numbers of small snook also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Pretty slow. A few small snook and black drum. Lots of little tarpon seen.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few snook and juvenile tarpon, plus some very small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Black drum all through the canals. An OK amount of snook. Lots of little mangrove snapper. Some small spadefish around the dock pilings.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Lots of black drum reports in the canals. A few snook caught on the troll around docks and bridges. A scattering of baby tarpon that might eat shrimp or small lures, or might not. Some itsy-bitsy mangrove snapper.
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Gilchrist Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — No reports.
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Alligator Creek Reef
AKA Concrete
Reef, 1 Mile Reef,
Charlotte Harbor Reef, 41 Bridge Reef
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — The spadefish have been back. Tarpon are here but not consistently.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Some tarpon around at first light.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — A few tarpon early, and there were lots of spadefish before the storm went by.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Some small mangrove snapper. Lots of spadefish, a few Spanish mackerel and some small sharks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — A few anglers have fished it and said it's terrible. Tarpon are there and gone first thing in the morning. Spadefish have been in and out.
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Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Tarpon have returned and are eating DOA Bait Busters or ladyfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Tarpon were in there, but they've vanished the last couple days.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Tarpon, tarpon, sailcats, tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Tarpon and catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Adult tarpon are in and out. There are a few sharks (mostly in the Pirate Harbor Hole) and lots of catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Tarpon are bouncing from one spot to another, but this is a favorite. Smaller sharks are also around.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Tarpon have been in and out, moving with the bait. The Pirate Harbor hole (south) has had a few sharks.
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Baitfish
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Devilfish is the spot. Jug Creek is also OK. The flats are hot enough to kill your bait in past the bar. Lots of pinfish around the ICW grassflats.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Devilfish and Jug Creek have some bait, but if you bring it north expect it to die. Pinfish are thick on the flats around the ICW.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Whitebait around Devilfish, Bokeelia and Jug Creek. Be careful moving it around; hot water and fresh water both kill whitebait. Aerate your well, run a recirc pump, and don't overload it with bait. Pinfish are on the grassflats in the same general area. Threadfins have been around Burnt Store and Matlacha, but it's sporadic.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Schools of thread herring scattered off the beaches out to a few miles. Whitebait at Jug Creek, Devilfish and Three Sisters; there's a fair amount but it's not great.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Widely scattered.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Bokeelia and Devilfish have decent whitebait. Lots of threadies from Pirate Harbor south.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Some whitebait at Pirate Harbor and Two Pines, plus Jug Creek and Devilfish Key. Threadies are scattered from the 20-foot holes to Bokeelia, with some Atlantic bumper (locally called butterfish) mixed in.
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Freshwater canals, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — Bass on shiners, tilapia and Mayan cichlids on worms.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Some bass, mostly on shiners, especially in the Cocoplum Waterway. Lots of bluegill, tilapia and Mayan cichlids around the bridges, mostly on red wigglers or chunks of nightcrawlers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — Any canal with moving water should have bluegill, tilapia, Mayan cichlids and a few bass. Fish live shiners or nightcrawlers for bass and red wigglers for everything else.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — Bass have slowed down. But the bluegills are taking worms or Beetle Spins, and a lot of those fish are hand-size or bigger.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Lots of bluegill have been at the spillways and culverts with moving water, along with good numbers of bass to about 4 pounds. Some crappie are in the North Port culverts too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Lots of bass, mostly on shiners. Look for moving water near culverts or spillways. Bluegills and redears have been hitting on worms, with some bonus tilapia too.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Any canals with moving water (spillways, culverts, etc) will have bass and bluegills. Live shiners will get the bass, or you can try a lipped plug or plastic frog. Some big tilapia have been caught from the Cocoplum on worms and bread.
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Tarpon reports 
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/07/2024 — The 20-foot holes have been holding fish. If not there, slide a little toward the west wall and search in a little shallower (to about 12 feet). Ladyfish and large soft plastic swimbaits are good. There are some fish in Boca Grande Pass and a half-mile to several miles off the beaches north to Venice; fish in the Gulf will eat threadfins or big pinfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/31/2024 — Slow this week. You might have a shot around the 20-foot holes, but those fish pulled a disappearing act a couple days ago. A few are in the passes and off the beaches from Boca Grande to Venice.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/24/2024 — The best opportunities are in the Harbor: From Whorehouse Point to the mouth of the Myakka River, in the 20-foot holes, in 10 to 15 feet of water off the west wall. There's a reasonable chance of tarpon in the passes or a couple miles of the beaches as well. Fish ladyfish inside the Harbor or a DOA Bait Buster anywhere there might be a tarpon to eat it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/17/2024 — The best opportunities have been in the Harbor, off Whorehouse Point and in the 20-foot holes. There are also fish around and offshore of the Venice jetties. Bayshore Live Oak Park, the mouth of the Myakka River and gravel bottom areas near Burnt Store are likely to hold some fish. If you happen to be around Captiva Pass or off the beach between Gasparilla Pass and Manasota Key, there may be a few around. Live threadies and live or dead ladyfish are good, or try a DOA Bait Buster.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/10/2024 — Tarpon have not changed much, but there have been so few reports that it's hard to say.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/03/2024 — Tarpon are in the 20-foot holes early, taking ladyfish or DOA Bait Busters and maybe thread herring. If you're not seeing fish, try looking just outside the bars on either side of the Harbor. They're not rolling much, so you might need a side-scanner to find them. There are also fish 200 yards to 2 miles off the beach from Gasparilla Pass up to Venice, and just south of Sanibel. There are still a few in Boca Grande Pass, but just a few compared to what we had a couple months ago.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/20/2024 — Your best shot at fish is off the beaches, from a couple hundred yards to 5 miles out. There are also some fish in the 20-foot holes, in Boca Grande Pass and in Gasparilla Pass. If that doesn't pan out, try the ICW from Englewood down to Captiva. They're mostly done with crabs — live threadies or DOA Bait Busters are doing much better.
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In memory of Capt Angel Torres, 1975-2010
Angel remains here with us,
He was my friend, I miss him
Fishin Frank-----
It would be hard to picture life without fishing.
People who do not fish do
not understand the
therapeutic value of fishing, losing yourself to
the motion of the waves and
just relaxing.
The best things about fishing is where you do it,
and that you do not carry a score card.
Since 1984 when I first walked through the door
here at Fishin Franks,
I found the people / customers to be the best part of this job,
and all these decades later that is still true.
You all are the best part of the day.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives so many years
Fishin Frank
