(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Since my last report, fishing has been difficult due to low water levels, strong winds from the west, and little change in seasonal temperatures. Weather related, this has been an extremely mild winter, especially when compared to last January and February. None-the-less, time on the water boating and fishing has been exceptionally nice due to warm weather, warm water temperatures and moderate ‘cool’ fronts.
The beginning half of February has proven to be quite successful for Fishin’ Frank and his clients! This past weekend there have been multiple reports of Pompano along the coast and are best caught with sand fleas, pieces of peeled Shrimp under a popping cork or tiny trap and jigs. Fishin’ Frank recommends the jigs like a small buck-tail or a Crazy/Banana Jig Placing a small piece of Shrimp meat on the point of the hook will better your odds. If you are using the Crazy/silly jigs then Fishin’ Frank recommends the ones with the teaser attached although he has been selling more of the plain ones. Pink and white or Chartreuse and white are the best-selling colors. He has also found that the Pompano are within casting distance from the beach all along the coast line.
The Ft. Myers Boat Show proved to be another huge success with more vendors than ever. 1st Mate Vicki and I were honored when friends and clients stopped at our Fish Face Charter booth to chat and talk ‘fish’!
Read more “Captain Terry Says “Good weather is forecast for the next several days””
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Father’s Day weekend proved to be fantastic fishing. The moon was full and the tides were high providing good opportunity all week long. I had better results in areas north of the Sanibel power lines. The release of water from Lake O continues to muddy the water up around the mouth of the river and continues to have a negative impact on the fishing. Water north of the power lines is much cleaner and continues to produce Sea Trout, Redfish, Tarpon, Snook and other species. It seems that the further one goes north up the Inter-Coastal, the better the fishing is.
Taking people fishing and boating has to rank as one of the better jobs in the world (if one can call that a job). I enjoy the company of both residents and vacationers alike, whether as ‘Captain for Hire’ on their vessel or taking them out on mine. Anglers of all ages seem to enjoy the experience, regardless of wind speed or temperature, so long as they catch fish.
Most of my fishing expeditions this year have been north of the power lines linking Cape Coral to Pine Island and Sanibel. Due to the excessive releases from Lake Okeechobee, the waters remain tainted and are not as productive as the more northern sector of Pine Island Sound and northerly Matlacha Pass toward Charlotte Harbor.
Some of my more recent enjoyable moments with charter clients have been during the later part of March and early April. Pictured are a few of those clients and junior anglers that I had the pleasure to spend time with:
Junior anglers Michael Houser (12) of Westlake, Ohio with a Spanish Mackerel together with his cousin Preston Stallard (11) of Strongsville, Ohio showing off his Pompano. These boys caught lots of fish and have a lot of promising days ahead for Salt-water angling. Nice job guys!
Another outing produce some big Seatrout. Mr. Bill Flister, President of the Quarry Fishing Club of Bonita Springs landed his beautiful Seatrout after a long day of ribbing by his counter-parts. ‘It is never over till it’s over’, was his closing remark. Bill was the subject of playful ridicule by his buddies for not catching larger fish during the early part of the charter.
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Jeff and Gretchen Simeone of Plantation Estates of Ft. Myers are each pictured with Seatrouts representing many fish caught on a charter with their grandchildren, Sam Simeone (13) and Will Simeone (9) of Alpharetta, Georgia. Sam is holding a Seatrout, while Will is pictured with me holding his Bonnet Head Shark! I have strong expectations for both of these junior anglers. Good job, Sam and Will!
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Full moon on the horizon and I am gearing up for Snook, Redfish, Trout and Tarpon. Tides are on the rise, bait- fish are here and ‘spring fever’ is in the air. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Call me at 239-357-6829 for immediate response to charter request or email me at [email protected]. Check out the archives on Go Boating Florida as well as recent publications of Coastal Angler Magazines for more articles and fishing tips. My website is www.fishfacecharters.com.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Fishing is good in certain areas of Pine Island Sound northwest of the power lines of Cape Coral, Pine Island and Sanibel. The water in and around the mouth of the Caloosahatche River still has a ways to go to be acceptable due to the excessive water run-off from Lake Okeechobee. Because of this, most all of my charters fish the waters closer to Charlotte Harbor where the run-off has not had much effect.
The weather patterns have negatively impacted springtime fishing for game fish, such as Tarpon, Snook and Redfish. Seasonal migration and relocation patterns of these fish have been affected the lack of live Herring and Sardine baitfish. However, Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle and Pompano are around and have produced nice catches.
Pictured here is LRay Burns of Fostoria, Ohio holding a big Pompano. Nice job LRay! Other of his catches included Seatrout, Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel. LRay’s family, including his mother Marlene Burns is pictured with him. We all had a wonderful time and our prayers go out for LRay’s recovery.
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I recently had the pleasure of fishing with a retired Sea Captain, Mr. Jim Boyd of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jim is pictured with one of many nice Seatrout he caught. The charter was for his grandson, Ryan Jushka (10) of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Ryan had a great day with lots of fish caught, including the pictures of him holding his first Pompano and a big Seatrout. Most of Ryan’s fishing experience is up north on fresh water, but wants more saltwater experiences. Good job young man. I am looking forward to next year’s charter!
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Fishing should be better for the Tarpon, Snook and Redfish throughout the coming days, as the Herring and Sardines are beginning to show up in better numbers. I have spotted more Tarpon of late and with the baitfish here, more will be coming.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. I am easily reached by phone at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more reports and charter information. I am available as ‘Captain for Hire’ by the hour on your vessel for navigation, fishing locations and techniques, all designed for safe boating and ways to catch fish on every trip!
Check out my regional and local articles in Coastal Angler Magazine as well.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
‘In-shore’ fishing in March has been good for a number of different species, but more specifically for Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish and occasionally a Pompano on the flats. Live shrimp have provided lots of bites and harvest when fished under a cork on a weighted jig head in about 3 to 6 foot of water, over grass beds. March was the transition month to spring, with rising and stabilizing water temperatures.
March proved to be the month for large Seatrout. Pictured here are Bill and Sally Catinella, of Traverse City, Michigan with some of their nice catches. Bill and I share the same birthday date(s) and our ventures have become a yearly ritual, celebrating the occasion, in search for a ‘fish of a lifetime’! I am looking forward to doing it again next year and I have already marked my calendar.
Look for Tarpon, Snook and Redfish to ‘join the party’ starting early April. The water temperatures are dictating the migration arrivals of offshore and inshore species; including big schools of Tarpon, Kingfish, Cobia, hungry Snook and Redfish to gorge on bait fish leading the migrations.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone safe boating and tight lines! Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for fishing charter and ‘Captain for Hire’ (by the hour) information. I provide navigation, fishing locations and techniques at your convenience and on your vessel. Contact me direct at 239-357-6829 for immediate assistance or email me at [email protected].
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing was fantastic for the whole month of December 2015. The warm weather allowed the ‘bait’ fish to remain on the shallow shoals, flats and around ‘piles’ of the bridges, making them easy targets for cast netting. All species were active; especially Snook on Pilchards while fishing the outgoing tide. Pictured here is Lili Bunch (one of my better junior anglers), from Leawood, Kansas, holding one of many Snook she caught just before the New Year. Her father John, caught his large Snook while ‘free-lining’ Pilchards under the docks in Cape Coral. I had the privilege of fishing with them both during the week of Thanksgiving, with similar success, around North Captiva and Pineland areas.
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Not to be outdone, other of my young anglers had lots of action on live baits (under corks) in areas with turtle grass. Mile Marker 13 south of St. James City will usually provide action, so long as the winds cooperate. The fishery there is a big area. Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, small shark and Lady Fish should provide plenty of action for those looking for a fun time. Depths from 3 to 6 feet are best. Pictured here is the Mark Warren family of Glencoe, Illinois enjoying family time over the Christmas holidays. Caroline (10) is pictured beside dad with her Spanish Mackerel, while brother Jack proudly displays one of many Seatrout he caught throughout the day. Nice going guys!
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I am looking forward to continued good fishing after the current cold front moves through bringing the bigger Sheepshead in from the gulf.
In closing, meet ‘Moby’, a Labrador Retriever (11 weeks young). He will join 1st Mate Vicki as Fish Face Charters 2nd Mate. He is excited about the challenges that lay ahead to being a good and productive companion.
Charter information may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-357-6829. I am also available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel by the hour to assist with navigational needs, fishing locations and techniques. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. I may also be reached via email at [email protected]. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Inshore fishing has been really good for Spanish Mackerel, Seatrout, Permit, Pompano, Jack Crevelle, Ladyfish and Snook. The Tarpon have started to arrive with water temperatures at 74 degrees. I have hooked up a couple of Tarpon while fishing the flats for Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel. The warmer waters are generating lots of action with ‘feeding’ frenzies erupting a couple of times a day at numerous locations in Pine Island Sound. Pictured here are my 1st Mate’s (Vicki’s) friends; Mr. R. D. Jones of Marion, Indiana holding a large Spanish Mackerel he caught on the northern end of Pine Island a few weeks ago. Accompanying him was Mr. Tad Hunter of Ossian, Indiana holding one about the same size. Both men caught their share of fish before the charter ended. Since then the Mackerel sizes have improved somewhat. Mackerels are being located throughout the deeper ‘pockets’ of water up and down Pine Island Sound.
Numerous clients have taken the opportunity to capitalize on the Snook bite and the Snook ‘season’. Pictured here is Mr. Steve Holladay of Waleska, Georgia holding his 29″ Snook caught around Punta Rassa while ‘free-lining’ a Threadfin. His friend, Mr. Russ Probyn of White Georgia caught ‘his’ Snook (pictured) using the same method. Nice job gentlemen! The Snook bite should be good the balance of the year and there are some big ones out there!
I also had the opportunity to take out my best ‘Junior’ angler; Jack Rober’t (9 yrs.) of Blaine, Minnesota. He is pictured with a Pompano he caught on the flats. He was accompanied by his friend, Ethin Kluker (10 yrs.) of Centerville, Minnesota, pictured with Jack. Both boys (all grown up now) was allowed to go on their own with me and my 1st Mate Vicki. We had a great time with them. Nice going boys!
Fishing should be great all week with warm weather and the full moon on the horizon. Every species should be active on both the outgoing and incoming tides. Until next report, this is Captain Terry Fisher and 1st Mate Vicki wishing everyone ‘tighter’ lines and HAPPY EASTER! Charter information may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-357-6829 or emailing [email protected]. Check out my website, www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and complete charter information.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) The holidays are here and are in full swing on the water. Lots of residents/visitors and boats enjoying area activities as Santa prepares to come with love for everyone. Last week has been good fishing. The approaching cool front from the Northwest has provided southerly winds over the last couple of days allowing access to Redfish in the back country areas around Punta Rassa, Matlacha Pass and the Pine Island Sound locations, south of the power lines off Sanibel and Pine Islands. My friend and client, Mr. Joe Garbus of Gator Printing in Cape Coral, is holding one of his many Redfish. His brother Jeffrey of Detroit had a good Redfish day as well.
The Snook bite is fantastic but is best on the outgoing tides with pilchards. The smaller Snook will bite on the incoming. The Garbus ‘boys’ caught a good number of them.
Seatrout sizes are still small but the bite is good. Spanish Mackerel and Pompano are here and taking shrimps under a cork all throughout the area. Watch for diving birds. Pictured here is a client/friend of mine, Ms. Shelly Briscoe of Wylie, Texas showing her last fish of the day; a POMPANO! Great Job Shelly. Shelly also had a good day catching a number of Seatrouts.
The better fishing for the balance of December will probably be from Christmas Eve through the weekend, especially if the southerly winds continue to support higher and stronger tides. Otherwise, work the creeks and tidal cuts around the islands for best opportunities, especially for Snook.
This is Captain Terry Fisher and 1st Mate Vicki, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and ‘tight lines’! Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and charter information. I may be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone 239-357-6829 for immediate assistance.