by Captain Terry Fisher
Once again the 2017 Ft. Myers Boat Show proved to be a fantastic display of marine products. I have worked the Boat Show for at least 5 years and every year it grows, featuring more vendors offering an array of marine and marine related products. It was really great seeing many of our friends and clients when they stopped by the Fish Face Charters/Coastal Angler Magazine booth to say hello, reserve a date on the water and pickup a copy of the November issue of the best and most informative boating and fishing publication for our area.
Fishing has been somewhat on and off since the show. However, with a lot of die-hard efforts, I have been able to produce some satisfactory catches of Sheepshead, Black Drum, Pompano, Seatrout, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper and Snook. These have all been inshore, as for the most part winds and rains curtailed offshore fishing activity.
Pictured here is my friend, Tom Miller’s grandchildren, Ally and Vinny of the Chicago area (Tom, resides in Illinois but has a home in Cape Coral as well). It was Thanksgiving morning when we did the charter. The ladies stayed home to get the prime rib feast ready for their early afternoon return (Tom told me he was tired of eating turkey). Vinny (11), is pictured with a grouper he caught while his sister Ally (12) holds a Redfish and nice Mangrove Snapper. These two junior anglers fish for bass back home and have been practicing their casting since we were all together last year. They do a great job of casting and catching! The early morning cold front made fishing difficult, but Vinny and Ally hung in there and caught fish. Good Job, Ali and Vinny! It is always a pleasure to hang out with Tom and his family, T.J. (Semper Fi) and Evan, all of Huntley, Illinois.
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Joe Simeone of the Plantation Community in Ft. Myers is also and friend and regular aboard Fish Face II. He is pictured with a nice Black Drum (eat your heart out Bob Johnson), while his grandsons, Sam (14) and Will Simeone (11), each hold one of many fish they caught on a half-day charter. Sam is pictured holding a bigger Black Drum than his grandfathers, while Will displays a nice size Seatrout. Not to be put to shame, the boys father Jeff Simeone, is pictured with a Redfish. Sam, Will and father Jeff are from the Atlanta area and this is the second time I have had the pleasure of fishing with the family, including mother Gretchen (pretty good angler in her own right). Sam is an avid angler and has his own following on Instagram at @i.fish.ponds. I have never had a more dedicated and committed junior angler than Sam. He would rather fish than breathe, I believe!
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Moreover, my neighbors Bob and Jan Anthony of Ohio (they own a home in Cape Coral as well) joined me pre-Ft. Myers Boat show and are pictured with a Sheepshead and Grouper. They had a great day on they’re first ever, salt water adventure aboard Fish Face II. They caught lots of fish and we all had a wonderful time.
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December is a transition month and should produce decent fishing both inshore and offshore. Species will change and the winds will dictate both venues to some extent. Wind directions from the north or east, will make inshore fishing more difficult, as there is little water. Strong winds from any direction may prevent offshore runs. A good cold front will put the fish down for a day or so, but will also trigger more migration of species, especially Sheepshead inshore.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Call me direct at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected] to book a charter. I am also available as Captain for Hire on your vessel (by the hour) to provide safety, navigation, fishing techniques and fishing locations that will insure you get the most out of your boat and boating experience. Check out my monthly fishing articles in Coastal Angler Magazine, available at Bass Pro Shop in Ft. Myers, Publix and most Marine and tackle shops in our area.