The wonderful thing about living in SW Florida is that it is only a half day trip by land or water to the upper or middle Keys. All the species that we target and catch here are there as well. Read more “‘MOBY DICK’ RETURNS TO MARATHON IN JULY”
The Bonita Springs Boat Show was a huge success thanks to the efforts of John and Kyle Good. The quality of the vendors and displays made every day of the show enjoyable with great crowds in attendance. Read more “Springtime fishing with Captain Terry of Fish Face Charters”
The first weekend of March (3,4,5 and 6th) will mark the annual Bonita Springs, Florida Boat Show. It will offer opportunities of a lifetime for many who visit the SW MARINE INDUSTRIES BOAT AND FISHING SHOW at the Grey Hound Facility in Bonita Springs. Read more “GO FISHING AND BOATING IN SW FLORIDA”
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Last week provided great weather with light winds. Tides were good and bait available. The full moon phase should continue to provide great opportunity to catch fish throughout the remainder of the week.
Read more “Captain Terry says “last week provided great weather with light winds””
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)
Full Moon Rising! It appears that the next number of days will provide great fishing accompanied by good weather and good tides. Last week the tropical storm prevented fishing, but as of last Saturday (September 3rd) everything seemed to be returning to normal, including the fish bite. Captain Davey Dunlap and I fished the Redfish Flats Invitational (Ronald McDonald Sponsorship) out of Cape Harbour in Cape Coral. We finished in the money with two Redfish weighing in at approximately 10lbs. 9 oz.
As boaters in Southwest Florida, one of the great activities the lifestyle affords us is enjoying a day on the water followed by a waterfront meal. And when it comes to the menu of options available in this part of the world, it is as appetizing as you’ll find—especially when you consider the opportunities to enjoy locally-caught seafood. This is something visitors from around the country come here craving, which should enhance your appreciation for your own backyard…along with your appetite. Popular and unique seafood choices are everywhere along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Here are some of our favorites:
The domestic species caught off the coast of Florida is white and lean with a mild sweet flavor. Red Grouper meat is firm with a heavy flake and remains moist after cooking. It is one of the most popular choices in this region.
Raw, cooked or smoked, oysters are another local favorite. Texture is a big part of their appeal. They are firm and slippery at the same time—or should be. The farther south you go and the warmer the water gets, the softer the oyster becomes. In contrast, an oyster from very cold water can be described as crisp or even crunchy. We enjoy and prefer the former here in Florida.
Discovered in SW Florida just before 1950, this sweet, tasty variety indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico are considered by shrimp connoisseurs to be some of the sweetest in the United States. In fact, shrimp fishermen have considered it “pink gold” since the early 1950s. And, as anyone who has heard Bubba’s lengthy monologue—in the motion picture Forrest Gump—there is no limit to the ways you can enjoy what he calls the “fruit of the sea.”
Red snapper is a firm-textured fish with moist, white flesh that is delicate and mild. It can be served broiled, baked, steamed, poached, fried or grilled. Red snapper responds well to most cooking methods. Baked whole red snapper stuffed with fresh herbs and seasoning is just one excellent recipe. Red snapper is excellent for grilling, and spring is the perfect time to fire up the barbecue. Lemon, butter and fresh chili peppers are great ways to season red snapper.
This seasonal favorite is available fresh October 15 through May 15 in Florida. A sustainable and renewable food source, the claws are harvested from the crabs one at a time—leaving the crab with one intact upon releasing them. The claws then grow back within a year in adult crabs. They can be served hot with drawn butter or chilled—usually with a cold mustard sauce.
One of the most underrated fish in the state, mullet have been a well-kept secret for as long as anyone can remember. This versatile, tasty fish can be prepared a multitude of ways and is, generally, a pleasant surprise to first-time tasters with its pleasant flavor and texture.
Many waterfront restaurants will cook your fresh caught fish for you. Local anglers know this well, as it is not uncommon for boats to tie up to a local seafood eatery, hand over their catch which is then cleaned and cooked to order—for a fee, of course. But we defy you to find a way to have seafood any fresher. So there you have it…a quick guide to enjoying life in a seafood lover’s paradise. This site has a map of many of the most popular waterfront dining spots for you to reference. Explore and enjoy!
Finally got to get out Fishin with my dad.
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As I have said before, there are lots of Redfish out in the Harbor. We spent 3 hours fishing the east side, about 3/4 of a mile north of Pirate Harbor, and caught 6 Reds, 3 Snappers, a huge Bonnet Shark, and 3 Snook. Oh and a couple of Catfish and a Needlefish. They were small, but not a bad way to spend a few hours. We caught everything, except the Snook, on live shrimp either using a sinker or under a Poppin Cork. The Snook was caught on a Storm Twitch.
The Fishing is quite good right now and the weather is perfect. The water is very dark. The strange thing, and yes there is always something – a Pompano jumped out of the water, 15 feet in front of me just to tease me. I could almost hear that Pompano blowing raspberries at me.
–Frank & Frank Fishin
10/05/15
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing has been good on high incoming tides for most species such as Seatrout, Mangrove Snappers, Redfish and Snook. The outgoing will also produce (especially for Snook). Snook are easier to catch on the outgoing tide because their locations are much more predictable. Work the current cuts around the creek mouths and spoil islands for them. Redfish on the other hand, are not as easy to find once they leave the mangroves and oyster beds. Small Sharks are everywhere on the flats. Cut pinfish (bleeding) should produce some fun action. They will also take shrimp while catching Seatrouts, Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel suspended under a cork.
Picture here is a group of young baseball players from Tennessee, with their fathers. They took some time between tournament games in Ft. Myers to fish. Eric and Ben Chumley are together in a picture holding one of two sharks caught by Ben, while father Eric proudly ‘displays’ a big Seatrout. Their friends, Jason Martin and his son Ty Martin are pictured with a small ‘Black Tip’ shark of their own. Not to be out done, Jason’s other son, Eli Martin caught a shark as well.
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Lots of fun memories were made that day, as was on another father and son outing, featuring Mr. Dave Placher and his son Luke from Blue Ridge, Georgia holding a small ‘Black Tip’ shark. Luke also displays his large ‘yellow mouth’ (Seatrout) caught on a shrimp. Lots of fish were caught that afternoon, the day before they headed home from a nice visit with mom and grandmother in Cape Coral. Good job Luke!
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In closing the new moon is on the horizon with good tides providing access to a lot of areas. Pilchards, Threadfins are around for the netting. Crabs and decent shrimps still available for live baiters. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone ‘tight lines’. Charter information on my vessel or yours may be obtained by calling me direct at 239-357-6829 or emailing [email protected]. More articles, fishing tips, reports and charter services available may be found on my website: www.fishfacecharters.com
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week continued to produce catches of numerous species including, Spanish Mackerel, Seatrouts, Mangrove Snappers, Snook, Redfish, Sheepshead and a few Flounder. On one hand; I am still disappointed with the size of Seatrout and low numbers of Spanish Mackerel on the flats, but feel confident they are coming. On the other hand; I am pleased that we have had a very mild winter thus far and the full moon cycle this week should only enhance the fishing. THE SHEEPSHEAD BITE SHOULD BE HOT THIS WEEK!
Pictured here is Mr. Larry Davis of Quincy, Illinois holding a nice Sheepshead caught in Redfish Pass on a small piece of Shrimp. Not to be ‘out-fished’, his friend Tom Haire of Buckeye Lake, Ohio shows a bigger one shortly after Larry got his. Their friend, Leroy Schuelke of Minnesota also caught his share of fish.
All three anglers are pictured behind the console returning to port after a great day on the water.
Also, I had the opportunity to take out three ladies from Canada, whom had never fished the waters of SW Florida. Leslie O’Reilly of Burlington Ontario shows off her first Seatrout. She caught several more trout and a huge Lady Fish. Her life-long friends, Kelly Jordan of Burlington, Ontario and Tracey Mihalus (Kelly’s sister) of Ottawa, both caught their first back-country Seatrout as well. These ladies made my day. The fun we shared is expressed with the picture of all three of them together.
In closing, I want to point out that lately the tide ‘predictions’ appear to be a little ‘off’. In other words, there is moving water where tide chart predictions say there are none. Conversley, there is no tide movement when and where there is suppose to be; so I recommend to consider going out an hour or so earlier and gauge it for yourselves based on the currents carrying your baits or look at the currents on the channel markers, then one will know for sure where to fish and when the bite should be better.
This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone ‘tight-lines’! Call 239-357-6829 for immediate assistance regarding charters or email [email protected] Check out my website www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and charters information.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week’s fishing continued to produce some decent back-country fishing for all of my clients. Some bait fish remained in the area allowing me to throw the cast net for baits to feed the Snook and Redfish. Pictured here is Mr. Blaine Duncan of Saskatoon, SK. (Canada) holding his first Redfish catch here in SW Florida.
The Seatrout bite is good, but I am still looking for some bigger ones which become more plentiful on the flats during the winter months. Mr. David Whitaker of Tennessee is pictured holding a nice Seatrout caught under a cork with live shrimp while here at a corporate sponsored ‘outing’ with the Vantacore group, based in Philadelphia.
The Spanish Mackerel and Pompano bites are picking up. Mr. Barry Fink of Pittsburgh, PA is pictured holding his first Spanish Mackerel. His friend Jason Jumonville, of Baton Rouge, LA., is holding a large Pompano that he had the pleasure to fight and land on light tackle. Both Barry and Jason were with the Vantacore group as well.
Sheepshead, Flounder and Mangrove Snappers will round out the balance of the back-country species. Recent, cooler water temps will attract the bigger Sheepshead and small pieces of shrimps or fiddler crabs will be the key to catching these fighting, tasty morsels, sometimes referred to as ‘poor man(s) lobster’.
Offshore, the King Mackerel bite is on as well as good bottom fishing for grouper and Snappers. Grouper should begin coming into the back- country pot holes, since the water temperature is rapidly dropping due to the early cold fronts this year.
Warmer forecasts for the coming week should provide lots of opportunity to get on the water and fish. Fishing should remain good for the species mentioned above. Until the next report this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone ‘tight lines’! Charter information may be obtained on line at www.fishfacecharters.com or by calling or emailing me directly at 239-357-6829 or [email protected]. Those wanting boating and/or fishing instructions, feel free to inquire as to ‘special’ hourly rates on your vessel. This will help you to have more relaxed and confidence when boating or fishing.