(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) October is when the big ‘bull’ Redfish migration is in full swing from the open Gulf waters to the flats of the bays and backwaters of Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass to eat, fatten up and spawn before returning back to deeper waters in the Gulf to ‘winter’. These fish are here in schools and are big. Catches of Redfish over 36” have been reported with schools of hundreds being spotted on the flats and in the shallows. Those who have the opportunity to fish during October should experience catching lots of Redfish before mid to late November. Pictured below is my 1st Mate Vicki, showing a Redfish she caught on live shrimp while we were exploring the waters, looking for locations to take charter clients.
Snook fishing should continue to be good. Mr. Claudio Foresta of Thunder Bay, Canada (pictured above) shows off just one of several Snook caught on artificial bait in a canal in Cape Coral. It was his first time fishing our waters and he is looking forward to the next trip.
Both inshore fishing and offshore has been good. Looking to cooler weather the grouper are being caught closer to the outer islands as well as in the passes. Tripletails are back and ‘hanging’ around buoys and channel markers. Bigger Seatrout are being taken along with nice size Flounder, Spanish Mackerel and small Tarpon.
Last week I had the opportunity to vacation with my grandchildren in St. Louis, Missouri. Shown here is Landon Ingram (7) with his fresh water Bluegill and his sister Addison (5), helping her little sister Avery (2), hold a Bluegill she caught all by herself. All three grandchildren caught several fish that rainy afternoon and have lots of stories to tell their friends. I worked harder on that fishing expedition (keeping their hooks baited and lines straight) than I normally do on a charter, but it was well worth it. If anyone has the opportunity: ‘take a kid fishing’! They love it.
Although I miss my grandchildren, I am happy to be home fishing the bountiful waters of SW Florida. Notwithstanding the high, tannin waters, fishing has been good and the tide predictions are strong and workable for all of next week. I am easily reached by phone at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected] with any questions or requests. Check out my website for fishing tips and charter information at www.fishfacecharters.com. This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing you ‘tight lines’!