The November 2023 Ft. Myers Boat Show had a great showing with a number of inquisitive folks asking a variety of questions at my exclusive seminar(s). The question that was mostly asked was,
‘WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO CATCH FISH’? Read more “2024 QUARTERLY FISHING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SW FLORIDA WATERS”
I thought July fishing was HOT! It was, but so is the first part of August. Fishing remains good for both inshore and offshore Read more “CAPTAIN TERRY’S AUGUST FISHING REPORT”
WOW IT IS HOT! I am not just speaking to the fishing but to the July summer heat. Nonetheless, the winds have been tame and the storms not a big issue this year so far. Read more “CAPTAIN TERRY SAYS JULY MAY BE HOT, BUT SO IS THE FISHING!”
Boating and fishing have been exceptionally good during the month of May. Winds have subsided since the early months allowing more and more boaters and anglers to enjoy our estuaries both inshore and offshore.
It is that time of year when I relish the opportunity to climb aboard Fish Face II with clients and once in a great while with my 1st Mate Vicki. In spite of the recent and existing Pandemic (Corona Virus) our Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello, City Council members and Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, had the savvy and foresight to leave open the city boat ramps for residents and visitors to enjoy boating and fishing activities so long as there is compliance with the ‘Social Distancing Guidelines’.
Read more “SPRINGTIME BOATING AND FISHING IN SW FLORIDA”
I am excited to report that fishing (catching) has really turned on this past week and with continued warm weather, there is no reason not to believe SPRING FISHING IS HERE! Fishing has been ‘spotty’ and very tough at times due to a fractional seasonal change. SW Florida water temperatures have been around 68 degrees (F) for most of the winter and affected migratory patterns.
(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.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
The back half of January proved to be less productive than most of us like. However, Snook, Seatrout, Jack Crevalle and Mangrove Snapper were very active inshore. Recently, the larger Sheepshead have begun to show up on around docks and mangroves. Pictured here is Rex Burlison of St. Louis, Missouri holding a nice Sheepshead he caught in a St. James City canal. Not to be outdone, brother Ron Burlison of St. Peters, Missouri landed a few Mangrove Snappers, small Snook as well as the Sheepshead he is holding. Rex, Ron and a friend are pictured together here holding one of the bigger Snook Rex landed that day. Nice job guys!
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Christmas and the New Year Holiday brought good weather and lots of opportunities to accommodate a number of charter requests from locals and visitors alike. Fishing was ‘spotty’ during the Christmas break but still produced a number of great trips with sufficient catches of Grouper, Seatrout, Mangrove Snapper and Spanish Mackerel to satisfy most.
Read more “Captain Terry’s SW Florida Christmas Time Fishing Report”