(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) This week offers us great fishing with a ‘full’ moon and higher tide levels which will allow access for many anglers to the remote areas. The stronger currents will provide more oxygen to the water and will improve the bite as well.
The Redfish bite has been strong and plentiful! I suggest getting to the mangroves and working the incoming before the tides ‘max’ out for your best chances. Redfish are not as easy to find once they leave the mangroves and oyster beds. The baits of choice have been large handpicked shrimps, cut pinfish and crabs. As the summer temperatures ‘heat up’ I’ve noticed the big bull Redfish are coming in from the gulf sooner than expected.
Captain Terry had a ‘special treat’ a few weeks ago and was able to fish the freshwater lakes and ponds with three of his grandchildren that are pictured here. Landon (8) is pictured with his large Catfish, Addison (7) is pictured with her Bluegill and Avery (4) is pictured with her Crappie!
This is First Mate Vicki and Captain Terry Fisher of FISH FACE CHARTER’S wishing everyone safe boating and tighter lines! Charter information may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-‐357-‐6829 or emailing me at [email protected]. Check out my website: www.fishfacecharters.com for more information and articles.
Last September my 1st Mate Vicki and I took off on a ‘whirl-wind’ of a vacation to explore, compare and write about our experiences and adventures fishing and boating the waters of Italy. We started in Venice where other than the ‘shoe leather’ express, the only way to get around is by boat. To my knowledge, Venice is the only place on earth where unique modes of water transportation play out in day to day living for residents, workers and visitors alike. Everyone and everything; (residents/tourists/workers and clothing/wines/foods) to mention a hand-full, are brought to the market, businesses, pensions, hotels, homes, apartments and cathedrals by a vessel of some sort and Vicki and I were no exception.
The Adriatic Sea plays ‘host’ to yachts, cruisers, fishing and pleasure boats. Unfortunately, the huge cruise ships have been allowed to frequent Venice over the past few years and they have ‘flooded’ the islands piazzas, gallerias, sites, shops, caffes and eateries with countless tourists, taking some toll on the serenity of the place. The Riva de Biasio (The Grand Canal), Venice’s main thoroughfare is busy with all kinds of boats; taxis, police, garbage, ambulances, construction cranes all sharing the canal in relative peace, somewhat reminding me of a busy weekend at the ‘Miserable’ mile on the Caloosahatche River.
Venetian (Italian) merchants, business owners, workers, (including gondoliers) and tourists alike, basically will utilize any of the following types of water transports to and from Venice and while on the island:
1) Water Taxis (expensive, high speed boats);
2) Vaporettos (moderately priced private/public system water buses);
3) Traghettos (basic Gondolas used for crossing canals);
4) Gondolas (expensive, ‘up-fitted’ Gondolas used for romantic or private intimate water tours).
The Water Taxis and Vaporettos also service the ‘outer’ islands, of eastern Italy, such as Murano, Burano and Torcello; not dissimilar to Island Girl Charters from Pineland Marina servicing N. Captiva, the Tropic Star out of Bokelia to Cayo Costa, the Banana Tour Boat out of Tarpon Point, Lady Chatwick of Captiva providing a service to merchants, workers and tourists. The Adriatic Sea islands of Venice, Murano, Burano and Torcello (to name only a few), remind me somewhat of the islands and flats around here.
There is only one main ‘Farmer’s’ Market on the island of Venice. It supplies all of the ‘outer’ islands as well. It is an extensive meat, poultry, vegetable and seafood market offering a delightful assortment of foods from many areas of Italy and beyond. Unlike our area land and sea markets, this is the ‘only’ shop around, with crustaceans and fishes from the Adriatic Sea as well as from fresh waters and lakes of the Dolomites and Italian Alps.
‘Tuscany’ (Central Italy), was our second stop. We ‘enjoyed’ touring the wine country in a vintage Fiat 500 prior to hiring a fly-fishing guide, Gianlucca Orselli, of Florence, Italy. Gianlucca is one of four terrific guides of a Fly Fishing Shop located in Florence. He grew up fishing the Arno River (which runs through the middle of Florence). He suggested that we fish the Lima River, close to the towns of Lucca and Pisa. He agreed to pick us up early one morning at a location close to our pension. Along the way we saw the old castle walls surrounding Lucca as well as other historical sites, making the ride worthwhile. Once in the mountains, the views were as picturesque as those of Northeastern Georgia. The river and its feeder creek views were comparable to places we’ve fished in Colorado and other western states as well. There is not nearly as much demand for fly-fishing guide services in Italy as there are here in the United States, but after spending the day with the guide and experiencing the time on the river, I believe that there are lots of growth possibility.
On the way up the mountain we made a brief stop for a breakfast Panini at a quaint roadside ‘caffe’ before moving on. We were getting excited by now and could not wait to get to the stream. About a half hour (1/2hr) later the guide stopped at a ‘post office’ like building, beside a bridge to purchase licenses for Vicki and I. Shortly thereafter, we put on waders and began the uncomfortable trek down the banks of the Lima River. There were two (2) other rivers that I had considered to fish, but this river was within an hour and half of Florence (where we were staying). It offered more moderate runs and required less stamina, allowing Vicki the opportunity to fish with more ease and take in the beauty of the scenery that surrounded us. This river has the reputation whereby most all beginning and intermediate ‘Italian’ anglers learn the basics of fly-fishing.
Our guide was friendly, very personable, brought us lunch and wine as we relocated to another area upstream. We worked hard to catching ‘Rainbows’ and ‘Browns’. Vicki is pictured in a beautiful ‘mountain’ river setting, as am I, with guide Gianlucca. The fishing was not as productive as we had hoped, but we would not consider trading the experience of being together on the ‘Italian riva’, in such a beautiful and exotic setting. We returned late that evening with memories of a lifetime, hoping to do it again someday.
Our third stop, the ‘Italian Riviera’, is where Vicki and I left part of our hearts in exchange for a ‘place in time’. The Cinque Terre is part of an Italian National Forrest located in the northwestern part of Italy on the Liqurian Sea. The rugged coastline is treacherous, fascinating and incredibly beautiful. The water is beautiful and as deep as the steep mountain declines indicate. Five (Cinque) towns (villages) make up the area as known above. The beaches are not of pure sand like we know it here in SW Florida, but more like small pebbles, dark and earthy but it works. The towns are built on mountain ledges with steps up to each mountain side dwelling. Facilities for fishing and boating are ‘old world’, existing basically for local fishermen that make their livelihoods on the sea, together with some water taxis and small site-seeing boats. Only a limited number of recreational fishermen on private vessels were seen close to shore. Salted Sea Bass, fresh Anchovies, saltwater shellfish (mussels, and clams) along with fresh pesto, pasta, basil and pizza made up our diets. Naturally, wine became the drink of afternoons, evenings and nights.
We chose the quaint ‘town’ of Vernazza, Italy as a ‘base’ and stayed at the harbor for three (3) nights, rented a 20 ft. boat (only one of two offered along that stretch of coastline as the other was in use as a shuttle by the owners) for two (2) days to explore the waters along the coastline. Fishermen with small hooks on long ‘Sabinki’ like lines fished the waters of the five (5) villages of; Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia,Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.
There were reports of Yellow Fin Tuna swimming along the rocks as close as 300 yards from shore. Unfortunately all we could do was wish for adequate equipment and bait to troll (next time I will take my own ‘breakdown rods’ and reels). Facilities such as repair, gas, oil, dockage, and moorings are limited. The distances to ports of calls are much farther away, requiring more preparation and caution. Assistance from the Italian Coastguard, Marine Policia are scarce. In case of emergency; count on yourself!
‘Ports of call’ may vary as to who may enter by vessel, where to enter and where one may moor or ‘tie’ up and anchor (we simply imposed). Vessels must be anchored from both bow and stern due to currents, wind and limited space. There are no signs with instructions, just local knowledge. For example, we were warned by the owner of the boat we rented, that only ‘locals’ were allowed to enter the harbor at the ‘town’ of Manarola or face a big fine from the Policia! Pulling up to a gas pump or restaurant on the water is non-existent with few exceptions of a long boat ride to the ports of call of Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino to the west or La Spezia to the east and south in waters that may turn nasty with little notice. The safety and modern conveniences that we enjoy are no doubt the reason we get so many European tourists and property owners here in SW Florida.
We concluded our Italian ‘holiday’ with a moderate shopping spree at Santa Margherita Ligure followed with lunch at a harbor side restaurant in Portofino to experience ‘lifestyles’ of the ‘rich and famous’. We took pictures of fishermen prior to departing for France, via Monaco that evening, with memories we will cherish for a lifetime. We found that government regulations, types of tackle and equipment for fly-fishing and salt water fishing at these European destinations share a lot of commonality with us here in Florida. There are numerous exceptions however. Anyone interested in traveling the areas may feel free to contact me at www.fishfacecharters.com and I will be happy to share suggestions for boating, fishing, tackle, accommodations, eateries and sightseeing. This is Captain Terry Fisher and 1st Mate Vicki saying Bon Voyage as we head to Turkey, Greece (which just opened recreational fishing in the Aegean Sea to foreigners this year) and the southeastern seaboard of Italia this September to continue our fishing and boating adventures!
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbour) Fishing was ‘OK’ the last few days as we struggled through the 1/4 moon phase approaching a ‘new moon’. However all of next week should produce good opportunities as tides become higher during daylight hours providing strong currents, with good oxygenation. Tarpon are in good numbers just off of Captiva Beach just south of Redfish Pass. One may find them anywhere from the swim buoys to a few yards out. They are in Boca Grande Pass as well. The baits of choice are Threadfins, Crabs, Pinfish and Mullet. I suggest getting the baits down with a weight once the schools are spotted and moving toward the boat.
The Snook bite is excellent, especially when using live Pilchards. The problem is finding the Pilchards. Redfish seem to prefer large shrimp and cut baits such as, Pinfish or Ladyfish. Fish both species on the incoming or outgoing tides.
Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel will both be taken on grass and sand flats. I prefer to use a weighted jig head under a cork in 5 to 6 foot of water. It is hot in the afternoon and these fish are looking to ‘beat the heat’! Mangrove Snappers are around the mangroves, as their name suggest. Use a circle hook under a small cork loaded with a small shrimp. Regardless of the species, always try to fish on a moving tide as ‘slack’ tides normally do not produce as good.
Pictured here are two of my recent family charters featuring youthful, ‘junior’ anglers. Firstly, the Kudlac family; John, Lea, Natasha and Alexandra from Greenville, S. C. Natasha (12) is holding a small Jack Crevalle. Her sister Alexandra (8) is holding a big Spanish Mackerel she caught. Not to be outdone, Lea caught a beautiful Seatrout measuring over 20 inches.
The Boethel family; Carl, Christy, Colter and Owen of Belton, Texas. Colter (10), is holding one of many Seatrout he caught. His 8 year old brother, Owen is holding a 17 inch Seatrout he caught on a shrimp under a cork. Both boys had a good day of catching as did their mother, Christy who caught a 3 ft. shark! I am looking forward to taking both families out again next year!
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone tight lines! Charter information may be obtained on my website: www.fishfacecharters.com. Charters may be booked via email at [email protected] or by calling direct at 239-357-6829.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Summer is here and the fishing has been fair. This week brings forward a ‘full’ moon phase offering high tide levels and access to remote areas not accessible to many anglers during ‘mid-moon’ phases. Hopefully, the currents will provide more oxygen and improve the ‘bite’. Threadfin’s are fairly plentiful and are best for Snook and Tarpon. Unfortunately, ‘white’ bait fishes have been scarce.
Therefore, the baits of choice for Redfish, other than artificial presentations, will be big shrimps, cut Pinfish and crabs. Redfish are showing up more and more and with the early hot temperatures, I expect the big bull Redfish to come in from the gulf sooner than later this year. Seatrout have been hard to find with any size to them. Look for them to hold up in deeper holes during the hot days of the week and use small shrimps to insure lots of action from the species. Tarpon are still in the area, mostly off the beaches and in Boca Grande Pass. Crabs seem to be the most effective bait.
Offshore should be good so long as the weather permits. Be safe and try to get in early to mid-afternoon ahead of the storms. Inshore boaters and anglers should be cautious as well.
Over the last few months I have had great pleasure to take out several ‘Junior’ anglers. Pictured here from Lakeville, MN. is Aidan Andre (9) holding just one of many fish he caught while fishing Pine Island Sound. Great going Aidan!
Six (6) year old, Kinley Gillihan of Kansas City, Missouri is pictured with a nice Seatrout she caught. Kinley also caught a shark all by herself. She is a terrific future ‘lady’ angler!
The Jacobs Family from St. Charles, Missouri (once my home town area), accompanied me on a charter. Lee (11) is holding a Jack Crevalle he caught. His brother Austin (9), is pictured with a nice Seatrout. Both boys caught their share of fish and are destined to be ‘big time’ anglers! The family (Karen, Todd, Lee and Austin) are pictured together after a wonderful afternoon on the water. Thank you Karen and Todd. I enjoyed the time we had together!
Until the next ‘report’; this is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone tight lines and safe boating. Charter information may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or emailing me at fishfacecharters.com. More articles and information may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com
Fishing and boating should be fantastic over the next week or so. High tides, good weather forecasts excite most anyone looking to enjoy a day of cruising, beaching, shelling, swimming and of course, fishing! Fishing is as good as it gets right now; especially on the ‘new’ moon phase. I suggest fishing early in the mornings and getting in before the heat kicks up accompanied by the threat of afternoon storms.
Last spring, I had the pleasure to do several trips with my fishing companion and friend, Mr. Leland Longstreth, of Ft. Myers, Florida. Lee caught several nice Snook free-lining pilchards under the mangroves on incoming and outgoing tides. He is pictured with one caught on the last outing. On a separate occasion, his grandson Ben Batchelder, of Carmel, Indiana, accompanied his grandfather and me on charter while vacationing here. Ben is a polite, fantastic junior angler who has caught his share of fish over the years. Unfortunately, the big Snook eluded him this year. None the less, Ben is committed to catching his Snook of a ‘lifetime’, just like grandfather did a couple of years back. Ben is pictured holding a Snook caught around the mangroves of Sanibel Island. Ben is on the wrestling team at Carmel Clay Middle School and recently placed 3rd in the 115 pound division in Marion County (Indianapolis, Indiana). Nice going Ben! See you next year.
Another junior angler that I have the yearly pleasure to fish with is 12 year old Connor Budach, of Owatonna, MN. Connor was accompanied by his mom and dad (Lee Anne and Mike Budach). Connor is pictured with a nice Spanish Mackerel. It is one of many fish he caught that day. Connor continues to improve his angling abilities and has requested a shark/Tarpon trip for next year! I am looking forward to taking him. I must warn the sharks and Tarpon that Connor is ready for them!
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone good, safe boating and tighter lines! Charter information and reservations may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-357-6829 or by emailing me at [email protected]. More articles, tips and information is on my website; www.fishfacecharters.com
Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor – Fishing has been good even though we have been in between the full and new moon phases. This has been attributed mostly to good tides, good wind directions (southeast, southwest and westerly), warm weather bringing migrations of Tarpon, King Fish, Cobia, and Spanish Mackerel close to our shores. Other species such as Snook, Redfish, Seatrout and super size Jack Crevalle are providing plenty of action in virtually every area that one would expect them to be.
The balance of the month and the first week of May should produce lots of action on live, cut and artificial presentations. Snook season is open through April 30 and they are very active on live pilchards. Redfish are eating big shrimps. Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Lady Fish and jack Crevalle are plentiful, aggressive but are not particular about what they eat. Tarpon are everywhere, so don’t be surprised if one takes your light tackle presentation. Moving water is the key to catching any of these species. Fish the incoming and outgoing tides.
My favorite ‘Cowboy’, Wyatt Day (12) of Cheyenne, Wyoming spent the better part of a day with me catching his share of fish. He is pictured here with just one of his many fish he caught during his annual visit to Sanibel. I have the opportunity to fish with Wyatt at least once a year and it is a real joy for me. Wyatt participates in the Rodeo circuit during his time in Wyoming. He wins his ‘junior’ division just about every time he competes and has the trophies to back it. Wyatt is fast becoming a ‘top’ junior angler as well. He is very knowledgeable and good at catching a variety of species when the opportunity presents itself.
This is a great time for recreational boaters and beginning anglers to get out the fishing gear. The ‘bite is on’! Anyone wanting assistance on how to navigate, where to fish and how to fish, should not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to offer advice and suggestions to make your boating and fishing desires/experiences fun and productive.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone ‘tight lines’! Contact me at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected] with questions or for charter bookings. Check out www.fishfacecharters.com for additional articles and fishing tips.
Fishin Update – 4/16/15
Sea Trout have been pretty steady at Laishley Pier between sun up until around 9 and 10 o’clock in the morning. Here, the trout are hitting live shrimp under a poppin cork. Try to get about 4 feet from your hook to the cork. Casting might be harder with that much line under the poppin cork, but just let the tide drift it away from the pier. Then pop your cork and wait 20 seconds or so, and then pop your cork again.
Sea Trout have also been steady at Placidia pier, usually about an hour after low tide. Use free line shrimp off the first half of the pier. This is a short cast out, and once you cast, give your line some slack, then when it gets tight give it a little more slack. Fishing here is better when you are closer to the shore than farther out on the pier.
Fishing Update – 4/18/15
This week has been and continues to be good fishin. Catching Red Grouper, Trigger Fish, and Mangrove Snappers out in the gulf around 60-80 feet of water. Many of the Snapper are 3 pounds or more.
Also, Mike sent us this fishing report:
‘Hey Frank. Fished Thursday at the Placida trestle on the incoming tide. Caught several undersized sheepshead and mangrove snappers; also a couple of stingrays. We did manage several fair sized whiting on shrimp. The sharks were biting very well, blacktips and bonnet, all in the 3-4 ft. range. I caught my blacktip on a pinfish. Love your website and the store. – Mike H’
Fishing Update – 4/20/15
We are seeing a bunch of Sea Trout from PC beach up towards the cut-off. To catch, use shrimp or white bait under a poppin cork. This is a nice size school of fish, and most are in the 20 inch size range.
Triple Tail are still out in the near gulf and a few have been spotted in the Harbor. To find them, look for crab trap floats or really anything that’s floating. You may even find Triple Tail hanging around at some of the markers. In order to find Triple Tail, cruise along as slow as you can go with your boat while it’s still on plane. If you see one, it will look like a dirty rag just under the surface, with its face, hiding under the object. It’s almost like a little kid thinking ‘if I can’t see you, then you can’t see me’. Do not stop the boat for at least 100 yards once you spot a Triple Tail, then make a turn and come back quietly. Then cast at them free line with a small shrimp or white bait.
(February 09, 2015)
Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbour. Fishing during the past week was real good for Sheepshead in areas around the Mangroves as well as in Redfish and N. Captiva Passes along the docks. Larger Seatrouts and a few Spanish Mackerel are being caught, but not yet in big numbers or larger sizes. Some groupers are being caught in deep holes in Pine Island Sound and the back country areas when fishing for other species. Small Redfish are holding creek mouths and deeper pockets of water along current cuts. Black Drum are active around the bridges and dock areas of the passes.
Pictured here is Mr. Dan Wellacher, Haley Roth and Sarah Waldman all from Auburn, Ohio showing off some of their catch for the day. Their friend, Mr. Jack Carson of Bainbridge, Ohio took the prize with his large Sheepshead caught on a piece of shrimp in about 3ft. of water. The group was a blast to be with and I look forward to doing it again with them.
This week’s cold front and windy days will undoubtedly cause the bite to slow down on several species. However, the afternoon tide levels should allow anglers to fish when the sun heats things up. The direction and strengths of the winds will determine locations where one will chose to fish.
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing every angler ‘tight’ lines! Charter information may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-357-6829 or emailing me at [email protected]. More articles, reports and rates may be found on my website: www.fishfacecharters.com.
Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Happy New Year to all Lee County boaters, fishermen and fisher ladies! Being my first report of the year, I want to report that fishing has remained good. Coming into the full moon over the last week attributed to the bite. The new cold front has just arrived today, but it will be short lived, with temperatures forecasts to heat back up by Friday and Saturday giving everyone a chance to get back on the water and enjoy the only warm weather in the lower 48 states, right here in SW Florida.
The little fish baits are still here, but I admit, they are getting smaller and are harder to find. They are around the bridge pilings. I get mine around the A and C spans of the Sanibel Causeway early in the mornings. Otherwise, use Pinfish or shrimps. Pictured here is Brian Nagy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania holding a 31 inch Snook he caught on a pilchard, free lined on a circle hook on, along a mangrove line of a creek around Shell Point.
Jack Crevalle, Mangrove Snappers, Sheepshead and other species, including bigger Seatrout are starting to become more active as winter sets in. Spanish Mackerel are coming into Charlotte Harbor and will provide good action off of Jug Creek Shoal around Bokelia. Fish them with a cork, 4 ft. of 40lb monofilament leader with a weighted jig head with live shrimps for good results (one does NOT need a wire line to catch them). Simply keep the line tight and only one in ten will bite it off. They should hold in about 7 to 8 foot of water just off the line on the outside of the shoal.
I look for the Mackerel bite to really heat up just before, during and after the new moon this month and continue through the month of January. Seatrout and Sheepshead bites and sizes should continue to improve. Remember, Sheepshead are ‘suckers’ for Fiddler Crabs, but will take shrimps as well.
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone a Happy New Year and ‘tighter’ lines! Contact me at [email protected] or call me at 239-357-6829 for charter information or assistance on your vessel. Find more articles and fishing tips on the links on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com.
