By Captain Terry Fisher
I consider September a transitional month, especially after Labor Day Week when things normally slow down. Children and college students all returning back to school and non-vacation routines. Some good news for those living here or visiting in September is that water traffic and fishing pressure is less than most other months of the tourist season. I have noticed improvement in the water quality for most all areas ranging from Ft. Myers Beach to and including Charlotte Harbor. I applaud the temporary restrictions on the harvesting of Snook and Redfish until the FWC can assess any level of impact from Red Tide and Algae Bloom on fish populations. This does not mean that we cannot catch Snook or Redfish, we just need to release them unharmed. After all, most anglers enjoy the time on the water catching fish, as much as, if not more, than eating them.
As water quality has improved, so has the fishing. Recent charter clients had a blast on Fish Face II catching Pompano, Seatrout, Shark and Mangrove Snappers. Pictured is Ron Defreitas of Alva, Florida holding a Pompano he caught in Charlotte Harbor, just off of Bokeelia over the Labor Day Week. Not to be outdone, his wife Lucinda is pictured with her Pompano as well as a nice Mangrove Snapper. Their son, Victor, had his first experience catching a Snook while fishing a back country location of Pineland. Last but not least, my newest junior angler, Lilly Defreitas (10), caught the most fish that day and is holding a Seatrout. Nice going team Defreitas!
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This family had so much fun that Ron requested I accompany them as Captain for Hire on their new Pathfinder 26 the following Saturday. This allowed me to mark fishing locations on their Garmin Chart Plotter for future trips as a family. Ron is pictured with a Redfish, as is Lucinda. Junior angler, Lilly is holding the first fish of the trip, a nice Mangrove Snapper. Nice going dad, mom and Lilly! It was a great day on the water fishing the high tide for Snook and Redfish and deeper grass flats for other species such as, Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish and Seatrouts. We finished the day at a restaurant on N. Captiva. Hope to see you all again soon.
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The water conditions should continue to improve, offering that opportunity to catch a fish of a lifetime! This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone tighter lines. Contact me at [email protected] or call me direct at 239-357-6829 to schedule a charter. I am also available as Captain for Hire (by the hour) on your vessel for safety, navigation, fishing strategies/techniques and marking locations guaranteed to catch fish. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com as well as my monthly fishing articles in Coastal Angler Magazine.