The November 2023 Ft. Myers Boat Show had a great showing with a number of inquisitive folks asking a variety of questions at my exclusive seminar(s). The question that was mostly asked was,
‘WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO CATCH FISH’? Read more “2024 QUARTERLY FISHING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SW FLORIDA WATERS”
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
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
10/6/14
By: Fishin’ Frank
Reds are still doing well at the 41 bridges, cast at the high line wires. Tom Adams Pier in Englewood is a very good day time spot for Mackerel and Snapper from land. For the Mackerel, use a poppin’ cork and shrimp (like you would for seatrout), pop it hard let them know your bait is there.
If you are using lures, a 1./2 once or 3/4 once Spoon is your best bet, or a 4 inch paddle tail jig. At the inter-coastal, I would use the Silver pepper with the Chartruse tail the paddle tail. It creates a lot of noise going through the water and noise will bring on the Spanish mackerel. Have fun out there!
Fishin’ frank
(FT. MYERS BEACH TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR) Last week proved to be productive fishing in light of the cooler weather and good tides. Morning or midday seemed to make little difference so long as one had the right baits and was fishing tide movements. I attribute part of the success to reduced water ‘run-offs’ from Lake Okeechobee together with reduced amounts of rain. In the ‘back country’, Pilchards have been producing more strikes and harvest for both the preferred species of Snook and Redfish, while live and cut baits, such as Pinfish and grunts, worked well in the passes and offshore for Grouper and Snapper. Artificial baits have been productive for Crevalle Jacks, Spanish and King Mackerel.
This week should be good with the ‘full moon’ cycle providing good tide movement; but it is time to ‘get out there’ while the opportunities exists to get into the shallower areas as winter approaches bringing lower tide levels and slower water movement.
Recently, I had the opportunity to fish with the Kevin Pearson and his family from the Ft. Lauderdale area. Pictured here are his daughter and son; (Nicole) showing off a nice Seatrout caught just minutes before her brother (Kenny Pearson) landed his 25” Redfish on the flats of Punta Rassa. Nicole also caught a Redfish shortly afterwards in the vicinity of Galt Island. Nicole was the ‘winner’ of that outing and I am looking forward to the next trip with Kenny and his family.
In light of the nice weather, a number of clients have requested late afternoon and evening ‘Sunset’ cruises to enjoy ‘dolphin watching’, serenity and some ‘family time’ on our beautiful waters. Pictured here are James Ward with his lovely wife Amy enjoying the evening with Harold and Carol Moldenhauer (James mother and father-in-law) all from the Detroit, Michigan area. They spend time each season on North Captiva and are seasoned ‘regulars’ to our area. Very nice people and I hope that I have an opportunity to serve them again.
In closing, I expect good fishing all of this week during the ‘full moon’ cycle. Fish tide and current movements with the baits that I have mentioned above and one should find success. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more fishing forecasts, articles and charter information. I am easily reached by phone number 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected].
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Notwithstanding the inclement weather of Tropical Storm Andrea, the fishing has been fantastic for Snook, Redfish, Seatrout, Mackerel and other species, including Flounder. Since then, I have had beautiful days on the water with valued clients looking for Tarpon. Tarpon (large ones) are abundant in Charlotte Harbor. I had the opportunity to fish successfully in Boca Grande Pass as well as the southern end of Charlotte Harbor (just off the ‘Intercoastal’) around channel markers 67 and 69 in about 9 ft. of water. Tarpon are also south of the power lines that service SanibeI from the mainland. Naturally, they are in numerous areas of Pine Island Sound, but I have seen the biggest schools in the areas mentioned above. I recommend having big Threadfins or ‘Pass’ crabs for best results. Keep a line rigged and ready for Cobia, as they are all around the schools of Tarpon and Loggerhead Turtles. Be prepared to see huge Bull and Hammerheads ready to take your trophy.
The Redfish are more active now as are the big Snook. Keep a close watch for the thunderstorms and be safe. My ‘newlywed’ clients (pictured here), Nick and Jessica Caudell of Ohio, had a great day on the water catching lots of fish including the Redfish (pictured here). His wife Jessica, also experienced the fierce fight and power of a 42 inch Snook on very light tackle for about 10 minutes until the huge fish ‘broke’ the hook off the lure just before landing it. If you have any questions or would like additional information, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or call me direct at 239-357-6829. My website www.fishfacecharters.com will provide you with additional articles and fishing updates.
Everything is coming together nicely. The red tide is gone, the water temperature is up and the harbor is full of bait. Our summertime fish, tarpon, shark, cobia, mackerel are all starting to show up in the harbor in good numbers and it’s only going to get better. Now is the time to get out there and get catching. Not fishing, catching!
The 20 foot hole (the upper hole) in the harbor seems to be the hot spot. Good reports of tarpon, shark, cobia and spanish mackerel. There was even a king fish caught in the 20 foot hole! I’m also hearing reports of cobia on the markers and on both the east and west sandbars. Tarpon are also starting to show up at the 41 bridge at night.
And don’t forget the usual suspects either. Snook, redfish and trout are all doing extremely well and so are flounder. There is plenty of bait to be found at the markers, in the middle of the harbor, the skating rink and even in the mouth of the Myaka River.