Lee County Fishing Report with Captain Terry

I ran a few charters last week and had a lot of success catching, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano and larger than normal Seatrout. The Spanish Mackerel and Pompano provided lots of action around Point Ybel, Punta Rassa, St. James City and all the way to Jug Creek Shoal on the northern end of Pine Island. They prefer bays, points of islands and passes that provide ‘rip’ and strong currents with lots of bait fish to eat.  I was using anything from live shrimp to ‘Silly Willies’ to catch these aggressive fish. Watch for the feeding birds and the surface action. The Seatrout have been larger than normal, with many caught in the 19 inch to 21 inch range. I have had most of the big trout success in 3ft.-5ft. depths around Wulfert Keys, Chino Island and other grass flats that are close to a sand bar protecting an adjacent estuary.

Offshore, there are Triple Tail, Cobia, Mackerel and Pompano along the beaches of the outer islands. Using the sun to my back, I have witnessed a lot of bird and feeding activities while cruising for these species. It has been an exciting week with the fish anticipating the coming cold front.  In this regard, I suggest that after the cold front passes and the winds subside (around Christmas Day), the fishing should be fairly good.

This is Captain Terry Fisher and 1st Mate Vicki wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! If you have any questions or want to get in on the ‘action’, contact me at 239-357-6829 or email to [email protected].

 

Lee County Fishing Report with Captain Terry

Fishing has been good for most species at certain times of the day. The bite has been predicated mostly on the water temperature especially, after the sun has had a chance to warm up some of the locations. Most of the mornings I go out, it proves to be slow until the warmth sets in on the flats and shallow areas. I have had the opportunity to see lots of feeding frenzies from Jug Creek Shoal, just off of Bokelia all the way down to St. James City and the Causeways of Sanibel. These feeding frenzies are including ladyfish, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Crevalle Jacks and Sea trout. Lots of game and fun!

Last week, I took the opportunity to check out the activity just off beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands. There is Tripletail on the buoys and Pompano off the beaches and in the passes. The Spanish Mackerel are showing up everywhere, both offshore as well as in Pine Island Sound.  The water temperature is good for these migratory fishes. Although to date, I have not had much success with the Sheepshead as I would like, but I suspect as the water cools the bigger ones will be on their way.

We are catching some small Redfish around the Spoil Islands and nice size Snook on moving tides along the creek cuts with mangroves and deadwood for bank structure. There are plenty of Grouper in Pine Island Sound holding in structure (fallen trees along the banks with deep holes of 6ft-12ft). Flounder’s are being caught in the surf off the beaches and on the harder bottom and around the channels, passes, mangroves and Spoil Islands. I understand there will be Cobia as long as the water temperature holds. The baits of choice for most species are shrimp and cut bait fish. Naturally, artificials are working as well. Watch for the birds and top water feeding frenzies as the sun warms up the water and get your presentation to them and have some fun!

Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com or contact me via email at [email protected]. I am easily reached via phone at 239-357-6829 if you have any questions on where and how to catch the fine game fish.

Charlotte County Fishing Report with Frank

Trout stories are being told about Tippy Canoe Bay, Muddy Bay, Cape Haze, and the east side bar, so I think I am going to say the Trout have moved in.

Pompano and Triple tail, are mystery guests here in the harbor, with a few reports coming in steady, but the exact where about remain a mystery.

Small jigs, banana type white or pink, is the color everyone is talking, but a guy told me he caught his pompano on a pink jig.  Had the picture of the fish and the jig in the pompano’s mouth was green chartreuse.  I am beginning  to think some fisherman might lie a little!

Charlotte County Fishing Report with Frank

The heat is on here in Charlotte Harbor.  It is all about getting out early if you can. Red fish are thick throughout the Mayaka cut off and the Mayaka River. Question is, can you cast up under the trees? If you can get your bait 4 to 6 feet under the mangroves you will catch a lot of Red fish.

Spanish Mackerel and Pompano are doing well along the beaches. Casting small silver spoons and or Git-cha’s will produce good results.

Tarpon are still hanging out in the holes of the Harbor.  DOA bait busters & swimming mullet are the key to a good day of Tarpon fishing, Just keep casting.

Snook fishing in the canals and the Peace River is very good right now, big monster Snook Rapala X-rap 10 series or The 15 bombers darker colors.  Pitch right along the shore.

Get out there and enjoy yourself.

Fishin’ Frank