My positive report of July 4th – July 11th was predicated on high tide levels with strong currents due to a new moon phase. Unfortunately, the tide predictions were wrong and we experienced lower water levels, weaker currents and less fish activity. Nonetheless, Pilchards are arriving in bigger numbers and that is a good sign for those wanting live bait. They are small (hatchlings), but are growing and should provide good sizes by the end of the month, just in time for the full moon tides. I recommend a ¼ mess net.
This weekend and the first full week of July should offer anglers great opportunity to catch their fish of a lifetime. In ‘light’ of a new moon phase, the water levels will offer daytime access to most any area. I suggest getting out early before the sweltering heat, as the tides will favor the mornings until about July 6, when higher tides will peak in the afternoon and toward evening hours.
Father’s Day weekend proved to be fantastic fishing. The moon was full and the tides were high providing good opportunity all week long. I had better results in areas north of the Sanibel power lines. The release of water from Lake O continues to muddy the water up around the mouth of the river and continues to have a negative impact on the fishing. Water north of the power lines is much cleaner and continues to produce Sea Trout, Redfish, Tarpon, Snook and other species. It seems that the further one goes north up the Inter-Coastal, the better the fishing is.
Fishing off of the US-41 bridge has had some interesting fish lately. Redfish and black drum have mostly been caught off of the north end. Using dead/frozen shrimp for bait has worked very well.
I do not know exactly the reason(s) motivating ‘Man’s desire to fish. Is it merely the solace that one experiences? The mystique of what one might ‘catch’, or the fact our bodies are made up of 65% of water and we are naturally drawn to it? My 1st Mate, Vicki and I travel with great anticipation and excitement to different destinations to experience and observe people’s everywhere sitting at ponds, lakes, creeks, riverbanks, coastlines and on vessels to enjoy the most popular activity of all time; fishing.
Opportunity for some good fishing should be in order for the weekend and the days following. The weather reports are favorable and tides will be high and with strong current even though we are approaching a mid-moon cycle.
Fishing has been good whether one is ‘fishing the flats’, ‘working the canals’ or ‘fishing the back areas’ around creek mouths, oyster bars and mangroves.
Last week proved to be exceptional fishing for a number of species including Seatrout, Snook and Redfish. Warm waters, good tides and lots of bait provided the opportunity to target virtually any species that swim our waters.
Tarpon are here in better numbers both from Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor, including Boca Grande Pass. My ‘Tarpon’ season will begin this week. Subject to the winds, I will focus off the beaches of the outer islands of Sanibel, Captiva and N. Captiva. My baits of choice will be crab, Pinfish, Mullet and Herring. However, I prefer to mix things up a bit, depending on the bite. I almost always suggest fishing for Snook and Redfish in the back-country to round out a day’s charter in the event the Tarpon are not cooperating. As of now, the reports are very early, morning bites.
Pictured here is Mr. Mike Herr of Kansas City, Missouri holding a nice Snook that he caught on a Herring in a canal, just off the mouth of the Caloosahatchee. Mike is no stranger to fishing for game fish when visiting SW Florida. Nice going Mike.
Dr. Rolando Rodriguez of Winter Haven, Florida displays a nice Snook and a Redfish that he caught during a charter with me just last week. Both species were caught while free-lining Pilchards into mangroves during a high tide. Rolando belongs to a fishing club in the Tampa area and displayed exceptional casting talents, which are second to none. Nice job Rolando! Looking forward to doing it again.
Moreover, my good client and friend Martin Smith of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, was not to be ‘out-fished’, as evidenced here by his Redfish caught on a jig-head, loaded with a shrimp. It had been a long time since his last Redfish and he was looking forward to boating one. Martin and I will be fishing for Tarpon later this week!
Given some time, fishing should continue to be good after the cold front moves through the area and so long as the winds stay reasonable. Wind and water temperatures will dictate the bite. I am hoping for southerly, mild winds!
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone safe boating and good fishing! Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for charter information. Call me direct at 239-357-6829 or email [email protected]. I am available by the hour as a ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel as well. Look for more of my fishing tips in the Coastal Angler Magazine.
Taking people fishing and boating has to rank as one of the better jobs in the world (if one can call that a job). I enjoy the company of both residents and vacationers alike, whether as ‘Captain for Hire’ on their vessel or taking them out on mine. Anglers of all ages seem to enjoy the experience, regardless of wind speed or temperature, so long as they catch fish.
Most of my fishing expeditions this year have been north of the power lines linking Cape Coral to Pine Island and Sanibel. Due to the excessive releases from Lake Okeechobee, the waters remain tainted and are not as productive as the more northern sector of Pine Island Sound and northerly Matlacha Pass toward Charlotte Harbor.
Some of my more recent enjoyable moments with charter clients have been during the later part of March and early April. Pictured are a few of those clients and junior anglers that I had the pleasure to spend time with:
Junior anglers Michael Houser (12) of Westlake, Ohio with a Spanish Mackerel together with his cousin Preston Stallard (11) of Strongsville, Ohio showing off his Pompano. These boys caught lots of fish and have a lot of promising days ahead for Salt-water angling. Nice job guys!
Another outing produce some big Seatrout. Mr. Bill Flister, President of the Quarry Fishing Club of Bonita Springs landed his beautiful Seatrout after a long day of ribbing by his counter-parts. ‘It is never over till it’s over’, was his closing remark. Bill was the subject of playful ridicule by his buddies for not catching larger fish during the early part of the charter.
Jeff and Gretchen Simeone of Plantation Estates of Ft. Myers are each pictured with Seatrouts representing many fish caught on a charter with their grandchildren, Sam Simeone (13) and Will Simeone (9) of Alpharetta, Georgia. Sam is holding a Seatrout, while Will is pictured with me holding his Bonnet Head Shark! I have strong expectations for both of these junior anglers. Good job, Sam and Will!
Full moon on the horizon and I am gearing up for Snook, Redfish, Trout and Tarpon. Tides are on the rise, bait- fish are here and ‘spring fever’ is in the air. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Call me at 239-357-6829 for immediate response to charter request or email me at [email protected]. Check out the archives on Go Boating Florida as well as recent publications of Coastal Angler Magazines for more articles and fishing tips. My website is www.fishfacecharters.com.
Fishing is good in certain areas of Pine Island Sound northwest of the power lines of Cape Coral, Pine Island and Sanibel. The water in and around the mouth of the Caloosahatche River still has a ways to go to be acceptable due to the excessive water run-off from Lake Okeechobee. Because of this, most all of my charters fish the waters closer to Charlotte Harbor where the run-off has not had much effect.
The weather patterns have negatively impacted springtime fishing for game fish, such as Tarpon, Snook and Redfish. Seasonal migration and relocation patterns of these fish have been affected the lack of live Herring and Sardine baitfish. However, Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle and Pompano are around and have produced nice catches.
Pictured here is LRay Burns of Fostoria, Ohio holding a big Pompano. Nice job LRay! Other of his catches included Seatrout, Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel. LRay’s family, including his mother Marlene Burns is pictured with him. We all had a wonderful time and our prayers go out for LRay’s recovery.
I recently had the pleasure of fishing with a retired Sea Captain, Mr. Jim Boyd of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jim is pictured with one of many nice Seatrout he caught. The charter was for his grandson, Ryan Jushka (10) of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Ryan had a great day with lots of fish caught, including the pictures of him holding his first Pompano and a big Seatrout. Most of Ryan’s fishing experience is up north on fresh water, but wants more saltwater experiences. Good job young man. I am looking forward to next year’s charter!
Fishing should be better for the Tarpon, Snook and Redfish throughout the coming days, as the Herring and Sardines are beginning to show up in better numbers. I have spotted more Tarpon of late and with the baitfish here, more will be coming.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. I am easily reached by phone at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more reports and charter information. I am available as ‘Captain for Hire’ by the hour on your vessel for navigation, fishing locations and techniques, all designed for safe boating and ways to catch fish on every trip!
Check out my regional and local articles in Coastal Angler Magazine as well.
