Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Happy New Year to all Lee County boaters, fishermen and fisher ladies! Being my first report of the year, I want to report that fishing has remained good. Coming into the full moon over the last week attributed to the bite. The new cold front has just arrived today, but it will be short lived, with temperatures forecasts to heat back up by Friday and Saturday giving everyone a chance to get back on the water and enjoy the only warm weather in the lower 48 states, right here in SW Florida.
The little fish baits are still here, but I admit, they are getting smaller and are harder to find. They are around the bridge pilings. I get mine around the A and C spans of the Sanibel Causeway early in the mornings. Otherwise, use Pinfish or shrimps. Pictured here is Brian Nagy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania holding a 31 inch Snook he caught on a pilchard, free lined on a circle hook on, along a mangrove line of a creek around Shell Point.
Jack Crevalle, Mangrove Snappers, Sheepshead and other species, including bigger Seatrout are starting to become more active as winter sets in. Spanish Mackerel are coming into Charlotte Harbor and will provide good action off of Jug Creek Shoal around Bokelia. Fish them with a cork, 4 ft. of 40lb monofilament leader with a weighted jig head with live shrimps for good results (one does NOT need a wire line to catch them). Simply keep the line tight and only one in ten will bite it off. They should hold in about 7 to 8 foot of water just off the line on the outside of the shoal.
I look for the Mackerel bite to really heat up just before, during and after the new moon this month and continue through the month of January. Seatrout and Sheepshead bites and sizes should continue to improve. Remember, Sheepshead are ‘suckers’ for Fiddler Crabs, but will take shrimps as well.
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone a Happy New Year and ‘tighter’ lines! Contact me at [email protected] or call me at 239-357-6829 for charter information or assistance on your vessel. Find more articles and fishing tips on the links on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com.