Summertime draws Southwest Florida boaters to venture onto our area’s waters and enjoy the sun’s warmth. However, amidst the enjoyment, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of heat exposure while boating. Read more “How to Beat the Boating Heat “
Although Southwest Florida is known for its miles of waterfront property and easy boating access, many of our area’s boaters load up and head for the water with trailers in tow. Read more “Avoid These Common Mistakes and Tow Like a Pro”
Indoor or outdoor. Wet or dry. Dry stack or trailer. If you’re not keeping your boat at home, you’ll face some important decisions about where and how to store your vessel. There are a variety of great boat storage options here in SWFL so what should you look for in a facility? That depends on what matters most to you.
Read more “Pro Tips: Storing Your Boat in SWFL”
Between the engines, helm displays, trolling motors, live wells, sound systems, lights, and other gadgets, marine batteries are the unsung heroes of boating. Your boat’s batteries serve two primary functions: starting engines and running accessories. Some batteries are built for one function while others can do both, so it’s important to know your marine battery basics. Read more “HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BATTERIES FOR YOUR BOAT”
Thanks to miles of mangrove coastlines and barrier islands, Southwest Florida is home to some of the best fishing in the world. Whether you love chasing deep-water grouper or snook in the shallows, our area really does have something for every angler. But with so much water, you need to know where to look.
Read more “SALTWATER FISHING ADVICE FROM A LOCAL GUIDE”
Over the last 10 days I have had the opportunity to fish from the mouth of the Caloosahatchee to Charlotte Harbor in search of Redfish, Trout and more recently Tarpon. I have found that the fishing has been better for all 3 of the species mentioned above north of the power lines, which service both Pine Island and Sanibel Island. Albeit, the tides have been higher ‘south’ of the power lines, but the productivity has been lacking.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Since my last report, fishing has been difficult due to low water levels, strong winds from the west, and little change in seasonal temperatures. Weather related, this has been an extremely mild winter, especially when compared to last January and February. None-the-less, time on the water boating and fishing has been exceptionally nice due to warm weather, warm water temperatures and moderate ‘cool’ fronts.
The beginning half of February has proven to be quite successful for Fishin’ Frank and his clients! This past weekend there have been multiple reports of Pompano along the coast and are best caught with sand fleas, pieces of peeled Shrimp under a popping cork or tiny trap and jigs. Fishin’ Frank recommends the jigs like a small buck-tail or a Crazy/Banana Jig Placing a small piece of Shrimp meat on the point of the hook will better your odds. If you are using the Crazy/silly jigs then Fishin’ Frank recommends the ones with the teaser attached although he has been selling more of the plain ones. Pink and white or Chartreuse and white are the best-selling colors. He has also found that the Pompano are within casting distance from the beach all along the coast line.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
The back half of January proved to be less productive than most of us like. However, Snook, Seatrout, Jack Crevalle and Mangrove Snapper were very active inshore. Recently, the larger Sheepshead have begun to show up on around docks and mangroves. Pictured here is Rex Burlison of St. Louis, Missouri holding a nice Sheepshead he caught in a St. James City canal. Not to be outdone, brother Ron Burlison of St. Peters, Missouri landed a few Mangrove Snappers, small Snook as well as the Sheepshead he is holding. Rex, Ron and a friend are pictured together here holding one of the bigger Snook Rex landed that day. Nice job guys!
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.