“Even in tannin waters, fish must still eat!” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week I wrote that the best opportunity to catch fish in our tannin waters (inshore and back country) is in the early morning hours or late evening hours, regardless of the tide flow. Naturally the times mentioned above, coupled with moving water will most always prove the best scenario. At this time, with all the rain and large amounts of water releases from Lake Okeechobee, I still believe the ‘outgoing’ tides will provide anglers with the most success. The excessive amount of water is giving the fish extra protection and more hiding places deep into the mangroves and into some shoreline structures not normally accessible by boat or wading. Other than water holding in deep pockets in ‘back country’ locations, the ‘outgoing’ tides force fish to move out and off of many structures to relocate on or just off of the flats until the tide turns. This strategy has proven effective on my most recent charters.Danielle's Pompano

Last week, I had the pleasure of fishing with Ms. Danielle O’Banion, ladies basketball coach at Kent State in Ohio (Go GOLDEN FLASHES!). Danielle was taking a last minute vacation prior getting back to school to help prepare her team for the upcoming season and chose southwest Florida as her destination. We departed around 7:30 A.M. in time to fish during the majority of the outgoing tide. Our first stop was in Pine Island Sound (‘Sound’), on the flats, beside a creek mouth in about 5 feet of water. We used live shrimp under a cork and caught numerous fish including; Seatrout, Mangrove Snapper, a Redfish and Pompano.

The second stop around Galt Island proved non-productive, as the outgoing tide had all but subsided. We decided to relocate to a spot on the east side of Sanibel where the bottom half of the outgoing tide was still moving the fish out of the mangroves toward the flats to hold in about 3 feet or more of water. Since Danielle is a seasoned angler, I decided to change angling strategies by giving her an opportunity to cast artificial lures and scented soft baits toward the mangroves. Danielle proved herself as the best lady angler I have had the pleasure to fish with (other than my 1st Mate Vicki; of course).

Danielle's RedfishThe 26” Redfish pictured here was caught on a Gulp Penny color shrimp on light tackle and is only one of many fish and species we caught that morning. We finished the charter chasing some resident Tarpon on slack tide in the back waters. We had a brief encounter with one, but were not able to get a good ‘hook-set’, which may have ‘topped off’ the charter with a ‘SUPER SLAM’ (SEATROUT, POMPANO, REDFISH, SNOOK AND TARPON), all within about 6 hours.

EVEN IN TANNIN WATERS, FISH MUST STILL EAT! THE ‘KEY’ TO A PRODUCTIVE CATCH IS TO BE WHERE THE FISH ARE MOVING AND HOLDING!

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you the best. Charter inquires or additional fishing articles may be obtained at my website www.fishfacecharters.com. Feel free to email me at fishfacecharter@yahoo.co with any questions or call me at 239-357-6829.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“More good news… big huge giant Redfish” says Fishin’ Frank

7/29/13 

New from Charlotte Harbor fishing trip yesterday.

Hobbs Point, inside the bar – snook on top water lure at first light Pirate Harbor, east side keys – small mangrove snappers on live shrimp, with a split shot Pirate Harbor canals – snook trolling rapala XR8, silver belly, black/green body Myakka cutoff Hog Island side – 2 keeper red fish on cut frozen lady fish during rising tide in 1′ of water.

 

7/27/13

Good news… even with all the rain, red tide is not showing up. A concern every summer, but this is the current up date. Present Status; Southwest coast: Karenia Brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was detected in background concentrations in one sample collected alongshore of Pinellas County and in one sample collected inshore of Sarasota County. Other samples collected in southwest Florida this week did not contain K. brevis.

0045 bridge red Bryan

More good news… big huge giant red fish still at the 41 bridges, live shrimp or dead. Fish the bottom, don’t know whats up, just know they are there. Keeper sizes as well as the over size ones. I would not expect to catch a lot just when you do they should be BIG. That is cool enough.

Fishin’ Frank

 

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Fishin’ Frank says “Redfish have moved up by Hog Island”

The Steal-a-Deal Sale was a huge success! Thanks to you all, we will be
completely re-stocked with reels in the next couple weeks. I am attending 3
buying shows, Penn, Shimano, & Quantum in the next 2 weeks and the selection
& prices will be better than ever.

Thank you all, from Myself Fishin Frank, the boss lady “T”, & the Pirate
crew here at Fishin Franks.
0040 Michelle
Even better than all that the Redfish have moved up by Hog Island. Cast the
mangroves laying in the water. Shrimp, Cut bait, there are plenty of keepers
there. Pictured is Michelle with her redfish.

0041 mallry Avet
Mallory was the first person through the door the day of our Sale. After the
burglary, Mal saw the pictures of this reel, laying in the field where the
thief had stashed them. All she could think of was that poor reel with no
home & no one to love it. Just abandoned there cold and help-less & alone.
So she vowed to give this Avet a good home, to hug it and clean it. So it
will never be lonely again. Don’t worry little Avet no one will ever take
you away in the middle of the night again, you are safe now.

This has been a good week!

Thank you all.

Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Capt. Terry Fisher’s 4th of July Fishing Report and Forecast

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)  Fishing has been mixed over the last few days due in part to the receding moon phase, time of tides and hot weather/water. Shrimps are small, requiring that one use either cut bait or throw cast nets for Pinfish and Threadfins. Even those can be hard to locate during the summer months. I have been forced to start some mornings on artificial baits until I see bait schools with sufficient sizes of fish to justify a ‘cast’.

The Tarpon are still around and my clients have had their share of hookups using Pinfish and Threadfins in Pine Island Sound. These fish are big and hungry (100 to 150lbs) and will hit on ‘light’ tackle on the flats. The beaches of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa and their respective passes are all holding small schools of Tarpon as well as big Snook. The Sharks are thick and hungry as well.

Inshore fishing has been spotty for the reasons mentioned above. However, with the ‘New’ moon on the horizon, the weekend of the 4th of July and after, should produce some good fishing. I suggest that one considers throwing nets or using baits other than live shrimp, as they are too small to be effective. Otherwise, consider loading the hooks with 2 or 3 shrimps. There are plenty of Redfish around. The ‘challenge’ is finding them, but once they are located and feeding, most are slot size and will eat for about 1 hour before moving on or taking a break in the hot weather.

MY WEEKLY FORCAST IS THAT FISHING WILL STEADILY IMPROVE AS THE NEW MOON PHASE APPROACHES AND PASSES (3 days before and 3 days after).

RedWhiteandBlue

As a veteran; HAPPY 4TH OF JULY AND THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED! If you have any questions or want to book a charter; I am easily reached at 239-357-6829 or via email at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more information. Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish face Charters of Cape Coral, Ft. Myers and Pine Island, wishing you a ‘FISH OF A LIFETIME’.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“Fishing was fantastic on the front side of the ‘SUPER MOON’”, says Capt. Terry

Fishing was fantastic on the front side of the ‘SUPER MOON’ and should be on the back side; especially the last 3 days after the passing. So get out there NOW as the Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Seatrout, Cobia and the offshore fish are eating! I have been catching all of the above species and more on charters as well as on my ‘off-time’ while looking for new ‘haunts’.

VickiTarpon2

I am posting 4 pictures with this article. One of my lovely 1st Mate (Vicki), who took matters into her own hands while transporting the boat through the canals of Cape Coral to meet up with me for a charter. She enticed and landed this nice, juvenile Tarpon on a Rapala ‘crank’ bait.

DSCN1265DSCN1271 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Pictures of the Chase family from the Chicago area, Wade and Collette with Fin (5 yrs old) and Ella (9 yrs old). Ella is holding a nice Redfish that she caught. Both junior anglers caught their own Redfish by using circle hooks under corks with live shrimp.

Garys Redfish1

Also, a picture of my brother Gary Fisher, vacationing from Hannibal, Missouri, is holding one of about twenty Redfish caught on a high tide last Sunday (the day after the ‘Super Moon’).

The rain and higher tides are offering up some of the best fishing I have experienced all year. Now is the time to go. Remember, normally the better times to fish is 3 days before a full or new moon and 3 days after.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you a ‘fishing experience of a lifetime’. If I may be of assistance, please contact me at 239-357-6829 or email fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Additional charter information and past articles may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Capt. Terry says Redfish and big Snook are now more active

(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.

DSCN1242  Mr and Mrs.

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 fishfacecharter@yahoo.com or call me direct at 239-357-6829. My website www.fishfacecharters.com will provide you with additional articles and fishing updates.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Capt. Terry says Boca Grande Pass isn’t for the “faint of heart”

(FT. MYERS BEACH TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR) Fishing remains good for a number of species. Tarpon are in good numbers off Ft. Myers Beach as well as in Pine Island Sound. I have not had much success off of Sanibel or Captiva, but Boca Grande Pass has been loaded with fish. Tarpon seem to prefer big Threadfins, dollar size Blue Crab and Pass Crabs. Mackerel has performed well and jigging has found success in the pass at Boca Grande. However, fishing Boca Grande Pass is not for the ‘faint of heart’ and if one has never experienced it with a professional guide and/or does not know or understand the ‘rules and procedures’ (etiquette); I would not do it until after you have hired someone to take you and ‘teach you the ropes’

DSCN1189Triple Tail may still be found off of the channel markers and some of the remaining crab buoys. I am pictured here with a large one I caught on the way out to bottom fish with my 1st Mate, Vicki last Sunday. She is pictured holding this nice grouper for a ‘photo-op’ caught midday in about 30ft. of water on a live Pinfish before going to Boca Grande Pass to fish Tarpon on an outgoing tide that evening.

Redfish have been fairly active on the outgoing tides off of shoal and creek cuts about anywhere you can stage your presentations. Snook are off of the beaches, in the passes, and all around the mangrove cuts on moving water. They like Pilchards, Threadfins and shrimp as well as artificial baits. ‘By-catches’ include; Spanish Mackerel, Seatrout, Pompano, Flounder and shark. The 3 foot Shovelhead Shark (pictured here) was taken on the flats on a live, Blue Crab (under a cork), by Mr. Richard Reed of Hannibal, Missouri using light tackle while vacationing with his family; Tammy, Rhet and Tara Reed in Cape Coral.

Summer time is now and the fishing should continue to provide wonderful opportunities. Stay alert as to weather conditions, fish the tides (moving water) and you too should have good success catching fish.

In closing, if you have any questions feel free to contact me at 239-357-6829 or email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for articles and complete charter information.

DSCN1204    DSCN1215

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Capt. Terry’s charter produced a number of small sharks for lots of ‘reel’ excitement!

DSCN1173SFW (Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) The last couple of weeks have been really good for all of the ‘back country’ species (Redfish, Snook, Seatrout, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Shark, Mangroves Snappers). The Tarpon have been a little scarce this year (compared to last year) off of the outer side of Sanibel with reports of more activity and catches outside of Cayo Costa. Reports of large numbers of Tarpon are now in Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor, to which I am heading this week to practice for some Memorial Day Weekend charters.

DSCN1188SFW

Nonetheless, while on a ‘Combo/Shark’ charter, I had the opportunity to check out the crab buoys and spotted the nice Tripletail (pictured here).  Another ‘Combo Shark/Tarpon Charter’ produced a number of small sharks for lots of ‘reel’ excitement. Mr. David Nycz II from Detroit, Michigan, is pictured holding his first small Sand Shark on light tackle.  David’s fiancée, Lisa caught her own 4 ft. shark on very light tackle, showing off her angling abilities as well. Between David and Lisa, 9 sharks were caught and released, including a 6 foot Hammerhead.

My ‘First Mate’ (Vicki) and I had a wonderful day of both shark/Tarpon and ‘back-country’ fishing with these dedicated anglers (pictured together). Tarpon fishing should be good in numerous areas of the Caloosahatche River, Pine Island Sound, the passes and especially; Charlotte Harbor. All other species, both ‘in and offshore’, should be no exception and I suggest one works the incoming or outgoing tides for best results, as ‘slack tide’ is usually less productive.

If you have any questions or want help with make your fishing trips more productive, contact me at 239-357-6829 or email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Check out my monthly and weekly saltwater sports articles at www.fishfacecharters.com. DSCN1178SFW

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Fishin’ Frank wonders whether the magic will remain?

storm

Well the TV says that we are in for a week of thunderstorms each day, not all day but possible storms each day, which leaves us 1 of 2 possibilities.

1- The first is that a front moves across the Harbor and the fish move and quit feeding, or we get a couple inches of rain, and it lower the salt level of the Harbor, which would move many of the fish back into the gulf. Not good at all as we have been in the magic zone, every thing from Black fin tuna, Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Shark, Cobia, Tarpon, Snook, red fish, & more all biting. What can I say but WOW what a week.

2- The second possible out come, is that these afternoon rains and cloud cover will hold the water temperature steady, providing we get less than an inch of rain so the salt level remain constant in the Harbor, and if the clouds keep the water from heating up, this magic week could turn into a magic month. & HOW cool would that be!!

So here hoping for door number 2 and the magic remains

Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports