“ Rains are swelling creeks and rivers so be sure and get into the backcountry locations two hours ahead of high tide…” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week I had the pleasure to meet new clients as well as take some repeat clients to catch Snook, Redfish, Seatrout and Mangrove Snappers. The tides were good allowing me to get into the backcountry on the incoming tides. Pictured here is Mr. Ben Shepard of Toledo, Ohio proudly displaying his 33″ Snook caught on a weighted jig head using a cut Pinfish on the bottom, close to some Mangroves. I could tell that Ben has done a lot of fishing as he ‘angled’ her like a pro. Ben was spending a week with his immediate family on Sanibel. Several of them joined Ben that day and agreed to take some time early in the charter to get him on the Snook (since it was his ‘birthday’), prior to everyone fishing the flats for Seatrout. Ben got his Snook of a lifetime! Nice going Benjamin.

Ben-and-Family-with-Snook

Previous clients and friends (Mr. Dan Blackman and family from Abingdon, MD.) joined me on a separate charter to do a repeat performance from last year; to catch some Redfish. Dan’s lovely wife Tracie, proudly displays her first Redfish, as son Tim and his lady friend Jordan Levush, caught theirs as well. Snook, Seatrout and Mangrove Snappers rounded out the day for all of them. Looking forward to doing it again next year. Dan is retired Army and now works for the Dept. of Defense. Thank you Dan for your service to this country! Always a pleasure to see you guys.

Tacie's-RedfishTim's-Redfish

Weather permitting and with the full moon phase just days away, fishing should be fantastic. Rains are swelling creeks and rivers so be sure and get into the backcountry locations two hours ahead of high tide or it will be too late to get the fish before they find refuge in the Mangroves. During low tides, look for Seatrout holding in deeper holes and fish a cork above the grasses. White baits are all around for those with nets. Otherwise, live shrimps, pinfish and artificial baits will produce. The bite offshore has been good for Snappers, Grouper and other species on grunts, Pinfish, shrimps and cut baits like squid.

Jordan's-Redfish

This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone ‘tight lines’! Charter information may obtained by calling me @239-357-6829 or email [email protected]

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“ The flats produced good Seatrout action early in the mornings and late in the evenings.” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week produced some super big fish including the 29″ Redfish caught by Mr. Jose Romanelli of Cape Coral, Florida on his birthday charter with his family (father, mother, sister and girlfriend). Jose is just turned 20 and is a junior at Edison University in Ft. Myers and is studying law as well as majoring in Marine Ecology. He is a friend of marine life and I consider him a good client and contact for future reports on studies concerning the health of our valuable estuary. Jose also caught a nice 23″ Snook. All members of his family caught Redfish as well as lots of Seatrout and other species before the day ended. Happy Birthday Jose!

Jose's--Big-Redfish

The new moon phase contributed to good tides and wind directions added additional bonuses by shoving water into areas holding the big Redfish and Snook species. I am pictured holding a 33″ Snook caught on an incoming tide in the backcountry. The flats produced good Seatrout action early in the mornings and late in the evenings. Both outgoing and incoming tides produced good bites in the deeper holes over the Turtle Grass flats.

Terry's-33-Snook

This week should continue to be good on both incoming and outgoing tides on the back side of the new moon phase. Baits such as Pilchards, Threadfins, Pinfish and Shrimp are plentiful and should produce lots of bites. Artificial presentations will generate catches as well. Soft baits such as; Berkley Gulp and other brands should be in one’s arsenal and utilized when the opportunity arises, as sometimes they will prompt a strike when live baits do not.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Charter information may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected]

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Florida Lobster Mini Season

With Florida Lobster Mini Season just over one week away, it’s time to get out on the water and scout out these tasty Florida creatures. Yesterday, I ventured out on my first prospective dive of the season departing the Hillsboro Inlet on the east coast of Florida in Pompano Beach. The wind was light, visibility was great, but I experienced an unusual and strong south current that brought some confusion to the dive. There have been many scattered reports for the season, and I decided to start off with a deep dive on the third reef in 100′ of water near the Commercial Pier in Ft. Lauderdale. Throughout the dive, I came across about a half dozen Hogfish in the 12-14 inch range. I was fortunate to land my spear shaft in one of these hogfish, and the fish got off my spear and swam into a hole in 93 feet of water. As I swam up to the hole, not only did I see the injured fish, but I found lobster! It is common when diving to find grouper and hogfish seeking shelter in a hole with lobster. Throughout the dive, I came across 4 lobster which were small and well hidden. Of these four, two of the bugs would have met the legal size requirements if season were open.

hills inlet

It is important to remember that the Carapace of the lobster needs to be at least 3 inches and needs to be measured in the water. My favorite technique to catching the lobster is to use a “tickle stick”, a 2 foot metal prong, and a small net. Throughout the state of Florida with the exception of Monroe county, divers can harvest 12 lobster a day during the 2 day mini season which is double the regular season limit of 6 per person. However, Monroe county only allows 6 lobster per person to be harvested during the mini season. Remember to get your Florida Fishing License with a lobster stamp and get out on the water and enjoy the great Florida tradition of lobster mini season on July 30th and 31st.

losbter measure

-Kyle Good

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “Offshore reports good Red Grouper, Cobia, Gray and Yellow Tail Snapper bites.”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) In my last report, I felt that coming into the ‘Full Moon’ Phase would produce some good fishing if the winds allowed access to ‘less pressured’ areas for both Snook, Redfish, Seatrouts, Pompano and other species, and it did. Pictured here is junior angler, Tom Moslander III., of Granite City, Il. proudly displaying a nice Redfish he caught on a jig with a shrimp (under a cork); while hIs grandfather, Tom Moslander caught this large Jack Crevalle on the flats, just off of Sanibel in Pine Island Sound.

Tom-Moslander-Jr.-RedfidhTom-Moslander's-Jack-Crevalle-2

A few days later, Mr. Mike Swift of Ft. Myers was given an ‘anniversary’ charter by his lovely wife, Rebecca. Mike landed this 29 ” Snook in the back country behind ‘Burnt Store Bar’. Mike also had lots of success when he landed a couple of nice Redfish in the Pineland backcountry earlier in the day.

Mike-Swift's-Snook

Inshore fishing should continue to be good all this week as the ‘Full Moon’ just begins to phase out. Tides will be good and if southerly winds ‘blow’, lots of opportunity awaits anxious anglers to access more remote areas. The Seatrout bite seems to have picked up a bit and hopefully will continue. Pompano, are being caught off of the sand shoals in about 5 to 6 ft. of water on shrimp under corks. Look for ‘murky’ greenish colored water.

Offshore reports good Red Grouper, Cobia, Gray and Yellow Tail Snapper bites. Tarpon still around with the better bite off of the lighthouse around Sanibel Island.
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing you ‘tight lines’! Charter information and other fishing articles/tips/ reports may be obtained on my website; www.fishfacecharters.com. Feel free to call me at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected] to book a charter.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“ Fish areas with good water movement…” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon are still in the area; off of the beaches, in the ‘passes’, in San Carlos Bay, Pine Island Sound and especially Charlotte Harbor. Their whereabouts depend on whether the tides are incoming or outgoing. Baits of choice are small Blue Crab, ‘Pass’ Crabs, Mullet and other bait fishes. However, the bite becomes slow after they get a look at a lot of presentations from the numerous boats; as they are surrounded like ‘wagon trains’ surrounding a campfire. My suggestion is to get out early and get on them before that happens.

Back-country fishing is good as tides are strong and high, offering daily access to less pressured areas for those adventurous enough to seek out Redfish, Snook, Seatrout and the numerous other species that occupy these locations. I recommend fishing early morning and get in before the weather becomes too hot, bringing strong storms and lightning to the area.

Offshore bottom fishing continues to be good as well. Live baits such as Squirrel fish, Pin fish, Crabs and Shrimp will all do the job.

Pictured here is six (6) year old Andy Lam of Cheyenne, Wyoming holding the biggest fish of the day on his family charter, showing his grandfather, Lloyd Wilder (‘Pop’) how it is done. Way to go Andy! Not to be outdone, Andy’s mother Carey is shown with her first Jack Crevalle. We all had a great time that day and I am looking forward to taking Andy out again on his next visit, as he is a fantastic junior angler, ahead of his years.

Andy-Lam's-and-'Pop'-with-SeatroutsCarey-Lam's-Jack-Crevalle

Next week should be productive since we are just coming off of the new moon. Fish areas with good water movement on the top half of either the incoming or outgoing tides for best results.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for charter rates and additional fishing tips. Feel free to call me at 239-357-6829 for immediate assistance or email me at [email protected]. Until next week; tight lines and happy boating!

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “ Tarpon and Shark are still here in big numbers…”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon and Shark are still here in big numbers off the beaches and in the passes of the outer islands from Sanibel to Cayo Costa. Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor are both holding these fish in big numbers. They move in on the incoming tides and start moving out with the outgoing tides. Mornings have been the most exciting to watch and experience the big schools of Tarpon as they put on a show when breaking the surface. Unfortunately, with the half-moon phase of last week the ‘bite’ has been off with only a handful hooked up each day and few landed.

Ingo's-5-ft.-Black-Tip-Shark

The baits of choice are threadfins (when one can find them) squirrel fish, blue crabs and pass crabs. The good news is that the charters have all proved exciting with hungry sharks taking baits when all else fails. Pictured here is a 5 ft. Black Tip Shark caught and landed by Mr. Ingo Merbach of Hof, Bavaria, Germany. It was caught while dead bait fishing a mullet off the bottom in Charlotte Harbor. While no Tarpon was landed, he and his family enjoyed a beautiful day with lots of excitement in quest of their first Tarpon. I include a picture of his family members; wife Verena, daughter Annalena, son Maximilian and friend Joey, from Matlacha, Florida. I am looking forward to taking them out again on their next visit to the area.

ingo's-Family-and-friend-Joey

Hopefully, the Tarpon run will continue through the new moon phase. Other species (both off shore and inshore) such as groupers, snappers, Redfish and Seatrouts have continued to provide good action and I expect that will continue with the higher summer tides and stronger currents.

Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone ‘tight-lines’ and safe fishing. Charter information may be obtained by calling me directly at 239-357-6829 or emailing me at [email protected]. More articles and fishing tips may be found on my website; www.fishfacecharters.com.

Posted by Scott Q Fishing Reports

“Great summer back-country fishing!” says Captain Terry

Full moon, southerly winds and high summer tides make for great fishing. Tarpon, Redfish, Snook and Seatrout are abound. Tarpon are here in big numbers! Big Snook are active both in the backcountry and off of the beaches. Tournament size Redfish are around the ‘hard to get to’ spoil and natural islands with structure and mangroves.

Southerly winds and higher summer tides give fishermen and fisher ladies alike more opportunity to target their favorite species and ‘catch a fish of a lifetime’, by allowing boater access to shallower areas that get a lot of less fishing pressure. Both live and artificial baits will work in quest of a big fish. Early morning hours are probably one’s best bet for the artificial presentations.

Working the structures around spoil and natural islands on the incoming tides will afford better opportunities to generate strikes before the water level allows the game fish to swim back into the cover. Getting them out of the cover will require ‘pitching’ some live white baits or chum along the fringes to draw the fish out to your presentation (normally cut or live baits).

The bite usually drops off at slack tide and patience is required until sufficient water movement on a receding tide rejuvenates fish activity and starts them following the current flow to different locations for oxygen, temperature, protection and feeding. A variety of backcountry species will be found milling around the flats at this time.

162The canals throughout Lee County are holding lots of Snook, Jack Crevalle and juvenile Tarpon. My 1st Mate Vicki, is shown with one recently caught on crank bait while trolling in a canal.

More tips and information from Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters may be obtained by calling 239-357-6829 or emailing your requests to [email protected]. Until next week, good fishing and tight lines!

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “ During the half moon phase, the fishing should continue to be good…”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing was really good during the new moon phase; especially with the winds from south to southwest shoving ample water into the shallower backcountry locations. Pictured here is one of my better junior anglers, Ty Sandquist (10 yrs) of Holyoke, Colorado, proudly displaying one of several nice Redfish he caught while on a charter with his grandfather, John Sanquist of Imperial, Nebraska. They both share a picture of Tyler’s second catch of the day. Grandfather is pictured with his prize catch of a 24 inch Redfish for dinner. These fish were all caught on the windward side of an island at the top of an incoming tide.

Ty-and-John-Sanquists-Redfishing John-Sandquist-Redfish

Tarpon and other species have been active as well. Other than for Tarpon, the most effective baits for me have been shrimps and Pinfish. Tarpon have preferred Threadfins. Both Tarpon and Threadfins are plentiful throughout Pine Island Sound, the passes and in the gulf off the outer islands and in Charlotte Harbor. Other species such as; Seatrout, Pompano, Mangrove Snappers, Ladyfish are all receptive to shrimps under a cork. Offshore species of Triple Tail, Cobia, Porgies, Snappers and Groupers are aggressive on jigs, shrimps, live Pinfish, Threadfins and cut bait presentations.

During the half moon phase, the fishing should continue to be good once the fish are found. Locating the fish will be the challenge together with having the ability to access areas of the backcountry locations (lower tides levels). Snook will continue to be caught in the passes and just off the beaches of the outer islands by free-lining shrimps, pinfish, white baits and Threadfins. Artificial presentations of soft plastics, top water, crank baits and twitch baits should work as well during tide movements. The key is to get out there and find the fish!

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you ‘tight lines’! More fishing tips, articles and charter information may be found on my website at <a href=”http://www.fishfacecharters.com” target=”_blank”>www.fishfacecharters.com</a>. Feel free to contact me by phone at 239-357-6829 with any questions or simply email me your requests at <a href=”mailto:[email protected]” target=”_blank”>[email protected]</a>.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“Fishing should improve over the next two weeks…” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon season is in full swing with tournaments from Ft. Myers Beach to Boca Grande Pass. Lee County Tarpon Hunters can be seen along the Inter-coastal water way and throughout Charlotte Harbor. Poor catching reports have run amok with the exception of last week in Charlotte Harbor as well as Boca Grande Pass. A couple of weeks ago I received nothing but dismal reports from members of the Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club fishing the areas south of Redfish Pass.

Based on better catch reports and numerous Tarpon sightings, I have been taking my Charter clients to the northern end of Pine Island sound and into the southwestern areas of Charlotte Harbor. I see a lot of Tarpon in the harbor and the fishing is fairly good. I look for it to get better with the new moon phase.

Terrys-Redfish3
Last week, Snook, Redfish and Seatrout catches proved to be less than that of the previous weeks, due mostly to the winds from the north and east. The winds of 15-20 knots kept the water levels low and prevented access to back country locations where I have been successful. Pictured here is a 31″ Redfish I caught on a charter around Foster Bayou on a high tide with strong southern winds providing sufficient water to get my 21 foot Cobia bay boat deep into a proven back country location.

Fishing should improve over the next two weeks as the new moon phase comes in, especially if the winds blow from the south. Moreover, Pilchards are showing up and that will help a great deal to entice bigger quarry out of the mangroves when the high tide peaks and the fish are deep into the growth, hampering an effective presentation.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone tight lines! Charter information may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Feel free to contact me direct at 239-357-6829 for immediate assistance or email me at [email protected]

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “ Tarpon season is in full swing”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon season is in full swing with big Threadfin’s at the causeways, on other structures and just off the beaches. Boats are anchored up and down Pine Island Sound around Marker’s 4 and 18 on the southern end. Passes and areas off the main channels around Pineland, Cayo Costa and Jug Creek on the northern end. Baits of choice are mullet, Pin Fish, Lady Fish, Catfish and Threadfins; under corks/balloons and on the bottom. I will be in the mix starting next Monday for Tarpon charters.

Other species have remained active as well, including Snook, Redfish, Seatrout, Pompano and Spanish Mackerel. Keep an eye out for Cobia and Triple Tail for those working the beaches, Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. Pictured here is one of my favorite yearly family charters featuring; Chris Dugan and sons, Tom (15 yrs.) and Jack (12 yrs.) of Norfolk, Va.. These junior anglers caught a number of fish that day. Looking forward to doing it again next year.

Jack-Dugan's-Seatrout

Huge Redfish are in the area and few better than the 31″ catch pictured here with Mr. Chris Kemp of the Atlanta area. Chris is a yearly regular of mine and a fantastic fisherman. This fish was caught under a cork with a cut Pin Fish off the point of a small island at the top of an incoming tide with southerly winds.

Chris-Kemps-Redfish

Fishing should only get better with the improving tides and the large amounts of baits around. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, wishing you ‘tight lines’. Charter information may be obtained at my website; www.fishfacecharters.com, by email at; [email protected] or by calling me direct at 239-357-6829.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports