Fishin’ Frank’s fishing report for January

Black Sea Bass have not been plentiful in Southwest Florida for several years but winter this year has brought this fish back to us! Right now if you are fishing from the beaches or off of a dock or old pier, you’re most likely to hook this rare fish by using a shrimp as bait. Sheep head are also picking up and the colder waters are bringing on a better bite at Placida or Tom Adams but be sure to get out there before we return to our usual warm weather.

Read more “Fishin’ Frank’s fishing report for January”

Captain Terry’s SW Florida Christmas Time Fishing Report

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)

Christmas and the New Year Holiday brought good weather and lots of opportunities to accommodate a number of charter requests from locals and visitors alike. Fishing was ‘spotty’ during the Christmas break but still produced a number of great trips with sufficient catches of Grouper, Seatrout, Mangrove Snapper and Spanish Mackerel to satisfy most.

Read more “Captain Terry’s SW Florida Christmas Time Fishing Report”

Captain Terry’s SW Florida Holiday Fishing Report

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)

This is the time of the year when many come from the frigid areas of the north to enjoy the holidays of Christmas and the New Year. The last few charters have delivered some nice catches for my young anglers. The catches were from the southern end of Pine Island Sound all the way north to Charlotte Harbor. Due to the lower winter tides, most of the game fish were caught south of the power lines in open water, around mangrove islands with oyster clusters and dead wood. The water is clearing up around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee since the Corps of Engineers have quit sending fresh water to us from Lake O. Seatrout, Redfish, Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Spanish Mackerel and small shark made up most of the ‘bounty’.

Read more “Captain Terry’s SW Florida Holiday Fishing Report”

Captain Larry McGuire’s Fishing Report: Cobia for Christmas!

Cobia for Christmas!

Howard Genesr from New Jersey left with a nice cobia he caught and assisted by Capt Larry McGuire holding up the monster. We were catching grouper and snapper in about 95 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island, when we saw a big cobia swim by the boat so Howard dropped a large grunt under the boat and he connected with the catch of his life. Fishing on Show Me The Fish Charters, cell 941-720-6475. Operating out of the beautiful Bradenton Beach Marina.

Read more “Captain Larry McGuire’s Fishing Report: Cobia for Christmas!”

Fishin’ Frank’s fishing report for December

In my 32 years of business, this is the second time we are currently experiencing red tide in the upper harbor. We are hoping the East and/or Northeast winds will blow the red tide back up out of the harbor. Fish kills have been up through Rocky Creek and almost all the way up to the US-41 bridges. The East winds should be able to get this mess out of here so folks at Burnt Store and Pirate Harbour can stop coughing. Coughing has not been reported in any of the places where dead fish have been seen North of the Alligator Creek Reef. The assault on the upper harbor may be over for a while but continue to think good thoughts for the fish on the South end of the East side.

Read more “Fishin’ Frank’s fishing report for December”

Fishin’ Frank’s Holiday Fishing Report

This holiday season, Redfish can be found in three prime locations. The first is around the southern half of the west wall south of the towers. Pirate Harbour a half mile to the north around the islands has also been a successful spot. Lastly, the sandbars at the mouth of Turtle Bay across to the Eagles cut rounds out the top three places to find Redfish this time of year.

Read more “Fishin’ Frank’s Holiday Fishing Report”

Captain Terry says “October finished strong for most inshore species”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)

October finished strong for most inshore species, including Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper and decent size Seatrout joining the ‘party’. Pictured here is Dave Anderson of Lake St. Louis, Missouri holding a nice Flounder he caught around Cabbage Key while ‘free-lining’ a shrimp under a cork along mangrove trees. I was ‘Captain for Hire’ on Dave’s new 24ft. Boston Whaler Bay Boat. Dave and his wife Barbara learned some fishing locations, strategies and techniques that yielded each of them a Redfish along with a number of other species, including Snook.

Read more “Captain Terry says “October finished strong for most inshore species””

Notice to Navigation: Canaveral & Okeechobee Waterway Lock Closures for Manatee Protection System Maintenance

Notice to Navigation

Notice is given that Canaveral, WP Franklin, Ortona, Moore Haven, Port Mayaca and St Lucie Locks will have scheduled 4 hour closures 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12-4 p.m. at locations and dates listed below to support annual maintenance to the Manatee Protection System.

Read more “Notice to Navigation: Canaveral & Okeechobee Waterway Lock Closures for Manatee Protection System Maintenance”