Captain Terry says “ Snook season is open. Early morning or late evenings are good times to target these nocturnal feeders.”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week’s southerly winds, good weather and high tides provided ‘prime-time’ for catching numerous species for off-shore and in-shore fishing alike. Reports of Spanish Mackerels, Triple Tails, Cobia, Snapper and Grouper catches were good. Inshore provided some of the best action of the summer as we came off the backside of a new moon.

One of my better and most experience Junior Anglers, Jack Robert of Blaine, Minnesota, is pictured with his first Redfish. Jack has a natural ability to catch almost any fish that takes his presentation. Watching this 9 year old handle a fish is quite impressive. Every year, Jack’s grandparents, Vicki and Charlie Lundgren of Minnesota, go all out to make sure Jack gets the opportunity to nurture his youthful skills, since he loves to fish. Jack has fished with me now for over two years and I was thrilled when he proved that he was ready to fish with the adults in the back country by landing the 23″ Redfish mentioned above. I have also included a picture of Jack and I together as he proudly displays another of the day’s fine catches, a 23″ Seatrout.

Jack's-RedfishJack'-Seatrout

A full moon is ‘on the horizon’ and subject to weather should bring with it strong tides and more opportunity. Snook season is open. Early morning or late evenings are good times to target these nocturnal feeders. However, during tide movements, they will prey on live or cut baits properly placed along or into the mangroves. Redfish, Seatrouts, Spanish Mackerels and Mangrove Snappers are all too eager to eat as well.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone great success and ‘tight lines’! Charter information may be obtained by emailing me at [email protected] or via the website www.fishfacecharters.com or call me at 239-357-6829.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“Fish will move with the tide, but when tides are low they will ‘hold up’ in deeper water.” says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Offshore; Spanish Mackerel are being reported in the passes and just off the beaches. The Kingfish migration has begun on the east coast and the west coast migration should follow suit. Groupers, Snappers, Cobia, Tripletail and other species are all being caught off shore off the wrecks and reefs from 20 to 80 ft. of water. The baits of choice (depending on the species) will range from artificial presentations (top water and weighted jigs) to live and cut baits, including but not limited to squid, squid wings, finger mullet, pinfish, squirrelfish and shrimps. Look on the website for reef coordinates in our area and use them or simply drift until you find a change in the bottom structure, then anchor down.

Terry's-Redfish-(weekly)

Inshore; focus has been on Redfish (‘Reds’), Seatrout or nice size Mangrove Snappers. Snook are plentiful, but the season will not open until a week from now (September 1st). The Redfish and big bull ‘Reds’ are here in good numbers off the flats, oyster beds and off of back country channels in the shallows with mangrove protection (I am pictured here with a nice Redfish caught along the mangroves with a cut pinfish on a weighted jig head). Cut Pinfish, Ladyfish and Shrimps are the order of the day for those anglers wishing to ‘cash in’ on the next few days during the back half of the new moon phase. However, I recommend fishing earlier this week!. The tides will be good enough around Punta Rassa all week, but will begin to weaken as Labor Day Weekend draws near, offering much less in the way of higher tides. The tides on the northern end of Pine Island Sound will tend to be even lower, restricting access to shallow areas for both boaters and the fish alike. Weather forecasts call for hot and humid. Fish will move with the tide, but when tides are low they will ‘hold up’ in deeper water. Move around until you find them.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone, ‘tight lines’! To book a charter and get in on some great Redfish or Snook action call me at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected]. Check out my website; www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and fishing tips.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “ I am forecasting great backcountry opportunities over the next week, especially in…”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week was fantastic fishing with the full moon and southern breezes providing plenty of current and water from the Gulf of Mexico. Pictured here is one of my favorite junior anglers, Wyatt Day (11yrs young) of Cheyenne, Wyoming together with his cousins, Cameron Marrs (13yrs) and Christian Marrs (only 7) each holding one of the many fish that they caught on a 6 hour charter early this week. Cameron, is shown with a nice Redfish he caught while in the backcountry. Wyatt had his share of Redfish and Snook action as well. The lads did well when changing over from fishing for Seatrout in an effort to look for the big, backcountry game fishes. These junior anglers are good fishermen and are looking forward to a shot at Redfish and Snook again next year!

Wyatt,-Cameron-&-ChristianCameron's-Redfish

Fishing was good all week from the Punta Rassa area to Charlotte Harbor for most species, especially, Redfish, Snook and Seatrouts. My1st Mate, Vicki is pictured here with a huge Super Snook that she masterfully handled out of the deep mangroves at the top of an incoming tide around Punta Rassa Bay. I am forecasting great backcountry opportunities over the next week, especially in the southern end of Pine Island Sound (‘Sound’), around the Punta Rassa Bay areas, as the tides will continue to be higher and the currents stronger over the northern half of the ‘Sound’.

V's-Super-Snook

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, wishing everyone ‘tight lines’! Information regarding charters may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or email [email protected]. Check out our website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and fishing tips.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“ 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

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

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