Category: Fishing Reports

SW Florida Waters are Improving

By Captain Terry Fisher

I consider September a transitional month, especially after Labor Day Week when things normally slow down. Children and college students all returning back to school and non-vacation routines. Some good news for those living here or visiting in September is that water traffic and fishing pressure is less than most other months of the tourist season. I have noticed improvement in the water quality for most all areas ranging from Ft. Myers Beach to and including Charlotte Harbor. I applaud the temporary restrictions on the harvesting of Snook and Redfish until the FWC can assess any level of impact from Red Tide and Algae Bloom on fish populations. This does not mean that we cannot catch Snook or Redfish, we just need to release them unharmed. After all, most anglers enjoy the time on the water catching fish, as much as, if not more, than eating them.

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Labor Day Weekend Fishing Report

By Captain Terry Fisher

Fishing was tough going during most of August. Fortunately, however, I was able to find areas not affected by the red ride and algae blooms, or at least not as affected. Most of the areas that I fished during the month of August included the northern end of Matlacha Pass, Cape Haze (Charlotte Harbor) and mangrove islands along the western side of Pine Island and as far off the Inter-Coastal as possible. Early in the month, Snook and Redfish proved to be the more reliable targets. They were holding in their normal locations prior to red ride and negative impacts from the algae blooms.

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Mid-July Fishing Report

By Captain Terry Fisher

Regardless of the negative publicity about the ongoing saga of excessive water releases from Lake O and red tide reports, my charters have been very successful recently. The only fish that have been hard to locate over the past number of days are Seatrout.  I believe the heat and 90° water temps have moved the fish from their traditional haunts to deeper water. Nonetheless, I am finding them. Other species such as Spanish Mackerel and Redfish are very active.

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June 2018 Fishing Report

By Captain Terry Fisher

All good when it comes to catching fish during the summer months, along the Gulf Coast of SW Florida. Many fond memories have been made this year. Earlier in the season I had lots of success while fishing with one of my favorite family clients, Dr. Tom O’Connor for whom I write of frequently. This time Tom is pictured with another of his three sons, William O’Connor, holding a Sheepshead he landed during a short visit to Bokeelia, Florida.
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Great Fishing Trips and Memories

Over the years, 1^st Mate Vicki and I have several clients who have become friends. One client in particular is Dr. Tom O’ Connor, his three son’s, Dan, William, Andrew, daughter Maurine (Moe) and of course the grandchildren. I had the pleasure to take all of them fishing this year. They are perfect examples of the fun and bond that a close family can enjoy boating, dining and fishing the beautiful waters of SW Florida. Tom, his oldest son Dan O’ Connor, of Mequon, Wisconsin are pictured together holding a Redfish and Black Drum, caught on one of five ‘family’ outings last February. This ‘family’ loves to fish and good at it. Great going Tom and Dan! You guys always keep me on my ‘toes’ to try and better every fishing trip.

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Springtime Fishing with Captain Terry

It has been a while since I last wrote about fishing our beautiful waters due to my very busy schedule. After all, it is the month of February that kicks off the season with high demand for charters. Nonetheless, 1^st Mate Vicki and I worked the Bonita Boat Show the first week of March to hook up with clients and vendors. Once again and as always, the Boat Show was a huge success for many of us vendors, with lots of people in attendance. I especially enjoy the opportunity to do some of the fishing seminars at Fishin’ Franks’ Fishing Village. The boat shows give me an opportunity to exchange fishing reports and stories with other guides, as well as new and old clients alike. Read more “Springtime Fishing with Captain Terry”

February 2018 SW Florida Fishing Report

By Captain Terry Fisher

The first few days of February provided some of the better inshore fishing of the year. I have had most success with my inshore charters catching fish on the late morning to mid-afternoon incoming tides, as northern and easterly winds left lower water levels during the morning hours. This trend will continue from today (February 7) and throughout the weekend. Next week, things should revert to more favorable morning tide conditions. Some of the more recent charter memories and catches are highlighted below:

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Winter Fishing in SW Florida

By Captain Terry Fisher

January fishing had many challenges due to cold fronts, winds, lower tides and a Super Moon to end the month. The cold fronts discouraged anglers and boaters from leaving the warmth of their homes, rental houses, hotels and condos. High winds echoed watercraft advisories. North and easterly wind directions refused to allow water into some of the estuary locations by creating low water levels and the Super Moon triggered mass land exposures throughout Pine Island Sound.

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First Fishing Report of 2018

By Captain Terry Fisher

The first week of January was cold and windy, although the fishing was good for those willing to brave the cold and the winds. Naturally, I scheduled the charters for times and locations that would produce some results. The Cyclone Bomb (extreme cold and winds) that blew across the country had and is still having, a devastating effect on the inshore bites from Seatrouts, Spanish Mackerel and Pompano. However, it did bring in some nice Sheepshead and provided my anglers with some great action on light tackle. Small Snook, Black Drum and Mangrove Snapper were only somewhat active. Offshore fishing has been virtually non-existence basically due to high winds.

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Christmas Fishing Report

By Captain Terry Fisher

Great news for the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday anglers! The water has begun to clear around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River and San Carlos Bay. I have had good fishing success in those areas as well as throughout Pine Island Sound.

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