“ Some of the year’s best Redfish action will be in October! ” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) My 1st Mate (Vicki) and I recently returned from a trip to Italy to experience some fly fishing on the Lima River close to Lucca, Italy. We had a wonderful time with one of the guides based out of Florence, but are happy to be back in beautiful SW Florida in time for some Redfish and Snook action.

It did not take long for me to get back on the water. Pictured here is Mr. Brady Johnson of Johnston, Iowa holding a Redfish he caught on an incoming tide in the back country of Punta Rassa. His lady friend, Ms. Jordyn Kapsch, caught a variety of species, including Seatrout, Crevalle Jacks, Snook and the Redfish she is holding.

Brady-Johnson's-RedfishBrady's-Girlfriend,-Jordyn

The Snook bite was good all week. One of my regular clients, Mr. Frank Miller of Roebling, N.J., showed off his angling ability when he hooked and landed the 28 inch Snook pictured here.

Frank-Miller-Snook

Fishing should continue to be good, especially if the winds blow from the south and south west. Otherwise; one needs to fish the higher of the two incoming tides to have enough water to provide access to more locations. Some of the year’s best Redfish action will be in October! Artificial presentations as well as live and cut baits should work. Fish moving water for best results.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone tight lines! Check out my website; www.fishfacecharters.com for more fishing reports, articles and information. I am easily reached by phone at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected] for charter bookings.

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

Captain Terry says “Fish as close to the mangroves as possible”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Overall, this week has provided good fishing results, acknowledging however, that there have been a couple of days when finding fish south of Redfish Pass has been a challenge, mostly because of the extensive water releases from Lake Okeechobee coupled with additional water from the afternoon storms.

I believe that great fishing opportunities exist for the next week or so for the following reasons;

  1. We are ‘on’ and soon ‘off’ of a new moon.
  2. Snook season is open (offering more opportunity to target another species for both sport and harvesting).
  3. Season change is bringing in the big ‘Bull’ Redfish to feed before returning to the ‘Gulf’ for the winter months.
  4. The bait fish (including shrimps) are bigger and more abundant.

 

When fishing the ‘back country’, I suggest the cooler, early morning hours when water levels are at their lowest and the fish cannot hide in the mangroves. Fish as close to the mangroves as possible and one should be rewarded as the water is deeper than normal and holds fish.

I have spent much time fishing new areas (from Punta Rassa to Bokelia) in an effort to locate and track the target fish (Snook/Redfish). I am convinced ( based on recent catches) that the northern half of Pine Island Sound and  Matlacha Pass will produce the better opportunities over the next couple of weeks.

Those with the desire and ability to fish the northern  and eastern side of Charlotte Harbor (including the ‘Burnt Store Bar’ areas) might find more success with Redfish over the next couple of weeks until the weather brings more of the

Johns Redfish

m southward and into Punta Rassa Bay. Moreover, the water clarity is better.

In regards to the northern most areas mentioned above, I had the opportunity to fish with a friend of mine, Mr. John Medsker of Cape Coral, a superior angler with lots of local knowledge. We enjoyed ‘sight-fishing’ for Snook and Redfish. The morning started early, catching bait. We fished the incoming tide for Snook with some success. Several species were caught before the day was over, including the two Redfish (each pictured here with John), both measuring over 32 inches.  Our presentations included both live and artificial.

Offshore fishing should remain very good as long as weather permits going out. Tripletail should be showing up in bigger numbers with grouper moving in closer and into the passes.

Johns Redfish2

In closing, there are good days of fishing in the forecast. Feel free to contact me at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected] . Visit my website; fishfacecharters.com for additional articles and charter information.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Lee County Fishing Report with Captain Terry

Prior to Hurricane Sandy skirting southern Florida and the east coast, we were enjoying excellent fishing, especially for Redfish (‘Reds’). The flats around Punta Rassa was producing slot size ‘Reds’ on a regular basis for those with the patience to await their arrival on the incoming tides. However, due to the recent weather (winds), myself and other Charter Captain’s have not been able to enjoy getting out to find out if the fishing has continued at the same high level prior to the strong winds and ‘Small Craft Advisory’s’.

Nonetheless, we should enjoy some relief soon and I suggest for ‘Off-shore’; to go after the Kings and AJs with large Pinfish, Threadfins and cut baits around wrecks and artificial reefs in about 70 ft. of water. ‘In-shore’; Seatrout for the taking on the flats loaded with Turtle grasses from 3-5 foot deep with both artificial and live baits all around Punta Rassa and Pine Island Sound. Matlacha Pass (on both the east and west sides) should hold and produce both good Snook and ‘Reds’ on both artificial and live baits on the moving tides (work the creek mouths). Much of the back-bay area(s) hold enough water for a hull and trolling motor, but not much more.  I suggest fishing the incoming tides and come out with the outgoing tides. In these areas, it is best to use stealth when fishing the lagoons of Matlacha Pass.

Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher wishing you; GOOD FISHING and as always, if you have questions or want to book a charter, I am easily reached at 2139-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. Be sure and check out my website which includes weekly and monthly fishing and boating articles.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports