As we approach the end of the year and three months removed from hurricane Ian, the backcountry water conditions towards the top of the harbor have shown improvements in clarity. If you can get out on a good tide, the fishing has been decent. Snook, redfish, jacks, and spotted sea trout are all a possibility. I’ve been throwing smaller flies as it’s that time of year that the scaled sardines or “whitebait” become scarce and our predator species are keying on small local baitfish, shrimp, and crab species. Since the storm, I haven’t been back to Pine Island Sound but plan to before too long and I’m looking forward to exploring all my favorite spots.