It has been sometime since I had the opportunity to write a report for the offshore and inshore areas from Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor. During the last few weeks, fishing has been ‘spotty’ to ‘really good’, depending on location, wind direction, wind velocity and tide levels.
Offshore fishing should continue to produce so long as the weather cooperates in regards to wind and wind velocity. As always; reefs and areas closer to inshore are heavily fished and likely will be less productive. Longer runs offshore offer better harvest and should produce Cobia, Permit, Grouper, Porgy’s and a variety of ‘Snapper’ species. The bait presentations should include shrimp, Pinfish, Squirrelfish, mullet, crabs and squids.
This time of the year, Tarpon are both offshore and inshore. Baits of choice include Catfish fillet, Pinfish, Threadfin and crabs. Tarpon will be migrating along the beaches anywhere from 200 yards to 7 miles offshore. They will be in the passes, Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor as well.
Inshore fishing offer Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Cobia and Mangrove Snappers for the taking. Boats anchored along the ‘Inter-coastal’ and in the passes will be fishing for Tarpon. Boats in other locations (for all practical purposes) will be fishing for Seatrout, Snook, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel and Mangrove Snappers. The location of the boats will be ‘telltale’ of the species targeted.
Fishing should be really good on days and times of high tides with southerly wind directions. Plenty of bait fishes and shrimps to offer as presentations. Artificial presentations, when used properly will also yield plenty of catches.
The months of March and April have produced a lot of nice sized Seatrout. Pictured here is my favorite fishing family from Stillwater, Minnesota. Jeremy, Lori, DJ (11yrs. young), Robbie (9 yrs. Young) and little Emma (8 yrs. Young) Peterson. I enjoy the parent’s tenacity for catching fish. Over the years, I have watched their children grow in size and fishing experience. Mom and dad are avid anglers! I have enjoyed taking them out when they do their annual trip to Florida. During this year’s fishing trip, every member of the family showed improved skills and they each are pictured with a nice Seatrout. Great job guys and looking forward to next year. Thanks for the great memories!
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Speaking of Seatrout; two of my other favorite people, Lisa Lufin and Larry Olson of Naples, made my day when we shared an afternoon ‘site-seeing’ and fishing. Larry is holding another big Seatrout. He catches at least one every year and this year was no exception. Good job Larry. I enjoyed yours and Lisa’s company! See you next year.
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Snook season is open until April 30. Get out there and get one, as there are good numbers of them. They are in the passes, just off the beaches and around the mangroves on high tides. Redfish and snapper may be found around and in the Mangroves. Seatrout on the grass flats with an occasional Pompano and Spanish Mackerel hook up.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Call 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected] for Tarpon and other inshore species. May is Tarpon month and is the time to target them. Also, I am available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel (by the hour), to assist with navigation, fishing technique and locations that will insure you get the most out of boating and fishing our beautiful waters of SW Florida. Read my monthly fishing articles in Coastal Angler Magazine. Pick up your free copy at Bass Pro Shop of Ft. Myers, West Marine Stores, Most bait and tackle shops and Publix grocery stores, to name a few.