(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week’s ‘full moon’ cycle produced some good fishing for most species. Notwithstanding that Snook season closed, many of my charter clients hooked and landed a number of them in our search for Redfish. Bait fish remained in the area and the Snook took advantage of several ‘free-line’ presentations. I am pictured with one of the Snook I caught on one of my ‘off’ days while in search of new locations. Needless to say, I found a good ‘spot’.
The Redfish ‘bite’ has been good on large shrimps and cut pinfish as well as soft artificial presentations for clients able to cast under the mangroves. Pictured here is Tom Moslander of Illinois and his daughter, Maria of Cape Coral. Both fish were caught in the ‘back country’ on a jig head loaded with large shrimp on an outgoing tide.
Fishing this week may slow a bit as the cool front arrives. My advice is to get out early in the week, work the tides with moving water (either incoming or outgoing). Cooler water should start producing bigger Seatrout on the ‘flats’ and bigger Sheepshead on structures.
Until next report, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone, ‘tight lines’. Charter information may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or email; [email protected]. Check out my website; www.fishfacecharters.com for more information, articles and fishing tips!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Several people are saying thanks for the Snook fishing over the last few nights. Just when you think you know the rules about fishing, something new comes along. Did you know that right after a front, the bite should shut off for a while? This last front was a good one. I would have thought the fishing would have been slow for at least 2 days, however it was slow for about 5 hours and then the darkness came and the Snook bite was back on.
The canals are full of Snook and they are biting! I caught four on the light Pink Rock port head with a Crème tail White or Chartruse, 20 pound floro leader.
I hope you enjoyed the day with your family! A little exercise is good after a big meal, so hopefully you were able to walk the piers with your rod and catch a few Snook. This will help your heart rate, and then you can say ‘Honey, I am doing this for my health’!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Fishin Frank
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week and prior to the cold front of Thanksgiving Day my charters produced a number of catches, including big Snook, Seatrout, Jack Crevalle and Redfish. The Snook and Jack Crevalle preferred the white baits over Pinfish and Shrimps, while the Redfish chose the opposite. With the water temperatures cooling, the opportunity to cast nets for white bait and greenies will begin to diminish. Hopefully, the cooler temperatures we are experiencing over the Thanksgiving weekend, will not push these bait fish farther south before the new year, but that is being very optimistic. The good news is that rising temperatures are forecasted and a full moon phase approaches. I plan on remaining steadfast in my approach over the next few days, so long as the bait fish remain.
Pictured here is one of my favorite ‘junior’ anglers, Nick Addy (12) of Clinton Township, Michigan, holding one of many Snook he caught. I recently had the pleasure of taking Nick, his father (Steve) and his grandfather (Jim), out to catch a number of large Snook, huge Jack Crevalles and Mangrove Snappers. Our method was free-lining the bait fishes on circle hooks and all three anglers boated their share of the bounty. Great job gentlemen. Iook forward to a repeat next season!
I am forecasting a good week of fishing due to warm temperatures and full moon cycle. Remember to work the tides on the top half of the incoming and outgoing for best results.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, hoping everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and ‘tight lines’! Charter information may be obtained at www.fishfacecharters.com or via email to [email protected]. My cell number is 239-357-6829 for those wanting immediate assistance.
What to do? For starters, hide from the wind and rain. If you do venture out, there is some good fishing that can happen where it isn’t windy.
If you have a small boat or kayak, the Allapatchee Shores Park ramp located in Punta Gorda, is a great place for most boats under 20 feet with a shallow draft (flats boats). In order to be effective here, an electric trolling motor is key. Just put in at the ramp, and start working down stream towards the trestle. More information on this location and directions to the trestle can be found by visiting the following links:
There are Snook, and small Tarpon, that can be found here. The DOA TerrorEyz are good to use here – the small ones for the Tarpon and the larger ones for the Snook. A few other good lures that can be used are the Rat-L-Traps and Spoons.
This is a great getaway place that has some very shallow spots, but is definitely fun to explore. It is a salt water fishing area, that being said I have caught a few Bass here, which come down over the dam above this on Taylor Rd., so be ready for almost anything. I hope you enjoy this spot!
If you are a live bait person, shrimp will work fine here. Fresh water shiners can also be used, and are great bait for the Snook here. With Florida being the way that it is, in order to use fresh water shiners you might want to have a fresh water license. Even though you are fishing in salt water, it is part of the international zones. Why you ask? I don’t know, I’m just the messenger, not the law maker or the enforcer. A way to use the shiners and be ok is to make sure that if you are asked if you are doing, make sure that you say snook fishing. Do not just say ‘fishing’! There are bass in the area which would require that you have both a salt and fresh water license, so just make sure to say snook fishing to be safe.
Good luck and if this confuses you, Welcome to Florida!
Fishin Frank
The weather is not what had been predicted, so chasing the Kings may not happen for a little while.
There are however a lot of Sheepshead in Alligator Creek and at El-Jo. Shrimp is the bait of choice right now for the Sheepshead. The larger shrimp should attract the larger fish. Many of the Sheepshead are close to the 20 inch mark. While fishing at El-Jo you should also be able to get your keeper Snook. Snook is better to catch on lures like the Storm 4 inch Shad. Also walking it is better than casting it.
On the flats it is again a shrimp bite right now, from Snook and Sheepshead to Trout. The Trout seem be be looking for the float rigs. If you are interested in using fake bait, a DOA deadly combo is the ticket.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Prior to, during and after the recent Ft. Myers Boat Show the fishing was and has been fantastic on both incoming and outgoing tides. The ‘white’ bait has been around the bridges and cast netters have been active catching all of the bait they need on one cast. These baits have provided premium Snook action on both incoming and outgoing tides. (especially outgoing). Pictured here is Mr. Doug Frasier of Minnesota holding one of many Snook’s he caught on ‘white’ bait. Over 20 Snook was landed during an outgoing tide on circle hooks. It was a first for Doug and he adjusted very well. Good job Doug!
Shrimps and Pinfish work for those seeking out Seatrout, Spanish Mackerels, Ladyfish and Redfish. Pictured with Redfish are Dr. Ulrich Jaeger and his brother-in-law, Jean-Marie Schmitz, both of Luxembourg. Both fish were caught on large live shrimp on a jig head on the bottom. These two anglers proved their ability time and time again landing over 15 Redfish and a number of small Seatrout. They had an awesome day!
Cold fronts are pushing down from the north and only time will tell how much longer we will be able to cast nets for the bait fishes. Additionally, if the weather deteriorates and the water temperatures get low too quick, the fish will begin to move to other spots. However, we should still have some good fishing throughout the next week or so on the back side of the recent front. My recommendation is to fish later in the day and give the flats and other areas time to warm up. The fishing will still be predicated on the tides and they will cooperate with later departures for the fishing grounds over the next week or so.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters thanking all ‘fishing family and friends’ that stopped by our both, in the convention center at the Ft. Myers Boat Show last week or attended one of my seminars. Vicki and I enjoyed seeing all of you again. Charter information may be obtain on line at www.fishfacecharters.com. Email me at [email protected] or call me at 239-357-6829 for immediate response.
Southwest Florida’s largest and most anticipated boat show returns for it’s 42nd annual exhibition of boats, equipment and seminars. The event will be held in the Harborside Event Center and the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin Thursday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 16. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“Few other shows in the country are able to offer both indoor and in-water viewing of boats and accessories.” says show manager, John Good. “This promises to be our largest in-water display in many years!”
The Harborside Event Center will be filled to capacity with boats and marine accessories. A new accessory display area has also been added along Hendry Street facing the marina. This leads to the “Welcome to the Water” Boating Lifestyle area in the City Pier Building on the river.
Fishing, Diving, Paddlesports, Boat Maintenance Tips and other boating how-to information will be on display inside and outside. Local fishing expert Fishin’ Frank will host a series of seminars covering techniques to catch many popular Gulf Coast species. Frank’s guides will be on hand throughout the show to offer advice on making the most of your fishing time on the water. The popular “Fishing Simulator” returns giving show visitors the chance to catch everything from bass to billfish.
Saturday and Sunday, one of Florida’s top divers, Jim “Chiefy” Mathie will hold seminars on spear fishing and catching lobster. Mathie is the author of two books, “Catching the Spear-it” and “Catching the Bug” that offer detailed information on improving your diving skills.
Boats however are still the show’s main draw. Every type of boat from kayaks and inflatables to yachts and everything in between. There will be more than 40 companies displaying boats, representing more than 90 boat lines, plus over 40 brokerage boats in-water.
Food and beverages will be available inside the event as well as several new downtown restaurants. Admission is $10.00 per person, per day and free for children under 16 with a paid adult admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information about the show, click here.
On a beautiful October Tuesday, fourteen Cape Coral Cruise Club boats headed north on the GICW, turned into Charlotte Harbor, then on to the Peace River to Fisherman’s Village Marina. The good member turnout was because this remains one of the Club’s favorite destinations. With mooring assistance from Harbor Master Jim’s helpful crew, boaters completed the always present post cruise boat chores, then relaxed the remainder of the afternoon. The Pre-happy hour time at the Boater’s Lounge produced some groans with the announcement of a trivia quiz on Florida. Prizes were awarded to both the winning and runner-up couples. Happy hour was followed with most everyone’s favorite, heavy hors D’oeuvres. This is the occasion when the first mates out do themselves. The first night is usually an early one, probably because of all the fresh air.
Wednesday started with a midmorning walk through the park along the river in Punta Gorda to the Rte. 41 bridge and back. Appetites having been built, most members took advantage of the fine restaurants at the Fisherman’s Village Shops for lunch. It was then time for a wet “T” shirt contest on the dock behind the boats. Each couple was given a tee shirt and one of the two had to put it on. Seems simple but the shirts had been water soaked, rolled tight, then frozen. Only body heat and muscle power were allowed. Again prizes were awarded to the top two finishers. Their unique means to thaw the shirts – the winners sat on them, used body heat! Dinner was a mini-Oktoberfest prepared by the cruise leaders and helpers with fare including brats, sour kraut, beer-cheese soup, and Black Forrest cake. A few of the night owls finished the day with a rowdy game of “99”.
A breakfast of biscuits with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage links, fresh fruit and adult beverages started the day on Thursday. The bulk of the day was a “do your own thing” event. Some rode marina courtesy bikes to town, some shopped in the Village, some enjoyed the pool, and some just sat around and told sea stories, a few of which may have been true… The main feature of the evening was the group dinner at the Captain’s Table. Good food and excellent service were enjoyed by the boaters who were joined by ten Club members who arrived by car.
Friday morning saw the flotilla depart the marina heading homeward. Neptune must not have been as pleased with us as he was on our trip to the marina. Winds of 15 to 20 out of the northeast made the seas a bit snotty on Charlotte Harbor, but all arrived safely at their destinations. As usual, another great, safe Cape Coral Cruise Club trip goes into the books.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on our Facebook page.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing has remained good during the month of October for most species. I had the opportunity to take a Martin Smith of Cape Coral out with his grandson’s ( Isaac and Ethan) from Churubusco, Indiana to do some ‘serious’ fishing and ‘catching’.. We left around noon to target some Seatrout on the flats (as the tides were better later in the day for Redfish and Snook). I was elated and surprised to find out that both Isaac and his 7 year old brother, Ethan were very experienced and proved it over and over again throughout the afternoon by catching Seatrout, Snook and Redfish in good numbers. Pictured here is Ethan, being helped by his father to hold a 23″ Redfish that he fought and landed late in the day. He also hooked and landed his first Snook. Not to be outdone, Isaac caught his first Redfish as well. Great job guys!
Snook, Permit, Seatrout, Redfish and Mangrove Snappers are very active and it should only get better as the full moon cycle approaches and the daytime higher tide levels provide opportunity to backcountry venues. Live, dead, cut baits will be one’s best bet and it appears that the weather patterns will be favorable as forecasted.
Finally, I am pictured with a couple of my favorite client friends, Jade Tilford and Elizabeth Goodin of Kevil, Kentucky who I have the pleasure of spending a day each year with to do shelling, site seeing, lunch and yes, a little fishing as well. See you next year ladies.
This is Captain Terry wishing everyone ‘tight lines’ and good boating. Charter information may be obtained by going to my website at www.fishfacecharters.com or email me at [email protected] or call me at 239-357-6829.
CALLING ALL BOATERS! WE NEED YOU to join us in cleaning Estero Bay!
MONOFILAMENT MADNESS
SATURDAY, November 1, 2014
8:00 AM – 1:00PM
FISH-TALE MARINA FORT MYERS BEACH
Please fill out and return attached registration form so we may plan accordingly for the BBQ! Registration Form
The KLCB Marine Cleanup is an annual event during which volunteers go out in boats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis and anything else that floats, to remove monofilament fishing line and other harmful debris from the mangrove areas of Lee County. The boaters begin working at safe light (dawn) and continue until around noon at which time they are treated to a Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue by Sam Galloway Ford. Because of the focus on fishing line, the project committee has affectionately dubbed the cleanup “Monofilament Madness”. It is hoped that through educational awareness, the people who are causing the problem will be reached and their behavior modified so that, among other reasons, wildlife will be spared agonizing deaths from entanglement in monofilament fishing line.
How Did It Start?
The project was conceived in 1993 in a small tackle shop in North Fort Myers (Lehr’s Economy Tackle) by two local fisherman (Larry Davis and Dave Westra), who discussed doing something about the deplorable problem of monofilament fishing line which had been discarded or left by careless fishermen especially in the mangrove areas. Davis and Westra were sure they could drum up volunteer support from local fishermen and boaters, but were in need of help in raising the funds necessary for such a project. The two came to KLCB seeking help with their cleanup idea and the Marine Cleanup project was born. KLCB is a private non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization capable of coordinating such projects through community sponsor support. Sam Galloway agreed to provide a catered lunch to all volunteers who would come out on Marine Cleanup Day to clean up the mess. Other corporate leaders followed.
How Is The Cleanup’s Success Measured?
The ultimate goal, of course, is to eliminate the monofilament and trash problem, and the success of attaining that goal would be measured by the lack of the problem. Until then, we measure the cleanup’s success by the growing awareness and willingness of hundreds of volunteers to dedicate a Sunday to the cause.
What Is Found?
Nothing could have prepared us for the first Marine Cleanup day (October 29, 1993) when volunteers began unloading mounds of trash and huge tangles of monofilament line onto the dock at Tarpon Point Marina. As boat after boat pulled up to the dock, it became clear that the citizens of Lee County were very serious about cleaning up their beautiful waterways.
Exactly what do the volunteers find?
Without a doubt, the #1 culprit is monofilament fishing line — miles of it. In fact, according to the Executive Director of KLCB, Rudy Busch, the previous “Monofilament Madness” cleanups have produced enough discarded fishing line to stretch from Fort Myers to Tallahassee.
