The fishing has been fantastic over the past month. This years October catches have been better than some previous seasons over the last several years. Only a few reports regarding Algae Blooms and Red Tide exists compared to a year ago. SW Florida waters are clean. The inshore and offshore waters of SW Florida are full of hungry fish again, with lots of different species for anglers to target.
Inshore: Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Ladyfish Mangrove Snapper, Seatrouts, Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Snook and Redfish are all here and biting. Baits are plentiful and available at most all bait shops. Crabbers have laid the pots for Blue and Stone Crab offering opportunities for anglers to target curious species such as Triple Tail and Cobia frolicking around them.
Offshore: migratory species including Permit, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel and Cobia are all abound around the reefs. The further one travels offshore, the better the odds of catching grouper and larger reef species for harvesting.
Compared to the past year or so there has been little fishing pressure over the last several months due to FWC harvest closures on Seatrout, Snook and Redfish. However, this does not mean you cannot catch them. They are gamers and provide a lot of ‘reel’ action. Other species such as Mangrove Snapper, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead and Jacks are available to harvest. In my opinion, FWC has made the right decision to allow the fish populations to rebound. The release of thousands of Snook, Seatrout and Redfish fingerlings are already apparent with larger, more mature fish returning to the area. Plenty of fish to target and catch to enjoy a great day on the water!
Pictured is Ryan Conner of New York with a really nice Mangrove Snapper caught while visiting for a long weekend at their home on Usseppa Island. Ryan has fished with me on a few occasions and is rapidly becoming a seasoned angler. Nice job Ryan! Paige (Ryan’s mother) joined us and caught her first Redfish. She appreciated and learned the power of them on light fishing tackle and did a great job landing the fish. Not to be outdone, father and husband Drew is pictured with his Redfish as well.
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Captain Wayne Hasson (my long time friend) is pictured with his son Davis, holding a 35” Redfish. Davis did a heck of a job landing this ‘beast’ without issue on light tackle with 10lb. braided line tipped with a 30lb. leader. This fish was caught in the same vicinity as the Conner family’s Redfish. Good going Davis!
Another client and friend, Captain Denny Pellegrino of Cape Coral, Florida is pictured with his grandson, Jeremy holding his monster Redfish. Jeremy learned a lot about angling with light tackle by the time he landed this ‘giant’. The grandfather and grandson team specialize in offshore fishing.
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This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters LLC wishing everyone tight ‘October’ lines. 1st Mate Vicki and I will be at the Ft. Myers Boat Show, November 21-24 at the ‘Fishing Village’ doing seminars on when, where and how to catch fish! Charter information may be obtained at www.fishfacecharters.com. To confirm a charter to catch your ‘fish of a lifetime’, call me direct at 239-357-6829 or email [email protected]. I am also available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel (by the hour) for safety, navigation, fishing locations and techniques that will insure your every trip is a success.
by Captain Terry Fisher