Captain Terry says “ During the half moon phase, the fishing should continue to be good…”
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing was really good during the new moon phase; especially with the winds from south to southwest shoving ample water into the shallower backcountry locations. Pictured here is one of my better junior anglers, Ty Sandquist (10 yrs) of Holyoke, Colorado, proudly displaying one of several nice Redfish he caught while on a charter with his grandfather, John Sanquist of Imperial, Nebraska. They both share a picture of Tyler’s second catch of the day. Grandfather is pictured with his prize catch of a 24 inch Redfish for dinner. These fish were all caught on the windward side of an island at the top of an incoming tide.
Tarpon and other species have been active as well. Other than for Tarpon, the most effective baits for me have been shrimps and Pinfish. Tarpon have preferred Threadfins. Both Tarpon and Threadfins are plentiful throughout Pine Island Sound, the passes and in the gulf off the outer islands and in Charlotte Harbor. Other species such as; Seatrout, Pompano, Mangrove Snappers, Ladyfish are all receptive to shrimps under a cork. Offshore species of Triple Tail, Cobia, Porgies, Snappers and Groupers are aggressive on jigs, shrimps, live Pinfish, Threadfins and cut bait presentations.
During the half moon phase, the fishing should continue to be good once the fish are found. Locating the fish will be the challenge together with having the ability to access areas of the backcountry locations (lower tides levels). Snook will continue to be caught in the passes and just off the beaches of the outer islands by free-lining shrimps, pinfish, white baits and Threadfins. Artificial presentations of soft plastics, top water, crank baits and twitch baits should work as well during tide movements. The key is to get out there and find the fish!
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you ‘tight lines’! More fishing tips, articles and charter information may be found on my website at <a href=”http://www.fishfacecharters.com” target=”_blank”>www.fishfacecharters.com</a>. Feel free to contact me by phone at 239-357-6829 with any questions or simply email me your requests at <a href=”mailto:fishfacecharters@yahoo.com” target=”_blank”>fishfacecharters@yahoo.com</a>.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) My fishing article in the January Issue of the Lee County monthly publication; The Nautical Mile, was titled ‘Seatrout Fishing 101’. If you are having or was having trouble catching Seatrout, may I suggest that you go on line to that publication or my website and read the article. Since the cold fronts have passed the trout fishing has been fantastic utilizing those basic techniques and strategies discussed therein. Pictured here are some of the Seatrout that was caught by my charter clients within the last week. They were found in ‘pockets’ surrounded by ‘Turtle Grass’ at depths of 3′ to 5′ deep. Jayne Henderson and Bob Wunsch of Kewaskum, Wisconsin are proudly displaying their catches of of 22 and 23 inch Seatrout. Their friends, Todd Schmidt and his wife Jo Ann of West Bend, Wisconsin are holding their prize catches as well.
Snook, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead and other species have also been very active. Ten year old Vince Young of La Crosse, WI. (on the left) had a special birthday treat when he landed this nice 22 inch Snook in the canals of Cape Coral. His cousin, Jack Brooks of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (pictured with him) was along to witness the catch.
