Captain Terry Says “Work the tides and get to the back country.”

Jane-Henderson-SeatroutBob-Wunsch-SeatroutTodd-Schmidt's-SeatroutTodd-Schmidt's-wife-Seatrout(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.

Vince-Young's-SnookSnook, 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.

Fishing should continue to be good so long as one is working the tides and can get to the ‘back country’ locations. Unfortunetly, the next week will bring lower tides preventing some boaters access to these areas. Nonetheless, if the cold front(s) stay away the fish should remain fairly active. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for additional articles and charter information. I am also easily reached via cell phone at 239-357-6829 or email at [email protected]. Until next week: GOOD FISHING!

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“Canal and ‘up-river’ fishing should be good with the cooler weather” Says Captain Terry

Christoff Linder's SnookMaik's CrevalleFt. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Since my last report, we experienced some real shallow (‘skinny’) water in conjunction with a cold front and strong north/northeast winds. Fortunately, the fish remained active. Shown here is Maik Lindner of Frankfurt, Germany holding a nice size Crevalle Jack he caught in a Cape Coral canal on the way to the ‘flats’. His brother, Christoff is shown with his first Snook on an artificial presentation while trolling the canal. Both fish were caught the day before the last cold (cool) front. Once we were on the ‘flats’, both fishermen continued to enjoy angling Spanish Mackerel, Seatrout and other species.

Canal and ‘up-river’ fishing should be good with the cooler weather as Snook, Redfish and snapper populations relocate to ‘winter’ in warmer waters. The baits of choice for the canals will be artificial plugs such as, soft plastics, crank baits, twitch baits and top water presentations; otherwise expect to catch a lot of catfish.

On the ‘flats’, large Seatrouts and Spanish Mackerels will undoubtedly be the easier fish to locate and catch. Live shrimps will be the most effective baits. Look to find easy targets, such as Sheepshead and Mangrove Snappers around pilings, concrete and rock structures, using small ‘bait’ hooks, tipped with a piece of shrimp.

Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters hoping that my report will help you catch more fish. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and charter information. I am also easily reached at 239-357-6829 for any questions one may have.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Fishin’ Frank says “Living in Paradise”

Every once in a while I think about the bait shops in the north. Last night I was talking to my elder daughter, who happens to live in north Wisconsin. I am sitting on the back porch T-shirt (no sleeves of course) and shorts, 77.6 degrees when she happens to mention it is 2 degrees with a wind chill of 10 below zero. I could not hold back a chuckle, I hear from her during storm season about how can I live here. Well they had tornados and now blizzard+ conditions 10 to 20 degrees below zero the snow plows clearing the roads keep filling the drive way so they have to clear it at least twice a day. What you ask does this have to do with my thoughts, well here in Southwest Florida, we are a year round store, this year August was better business wise than January. I have a much larger pay roll the bills are higher than ever, and the store keeps growing, while on the other hand my counter parts from the north are down here in full swing. Each year we get a bunch of regulars who come down for a fish in holiday, bait shop owners from all over the northern states. It is great catching up with them hearing about what happened over the year.

Image 3I think it must be kind of great to be able to just close down and take off. No one would notice, as they are huddled up around the fire place. Ahhh Wait, what, the heck am I thinking! It is going to be 80 degrees out today, I should have a great day at the store. Rouse me, and click the magic shoes and there’s no place like home.
Yes I am happy right here. I would just rather live in paradise.

Speaking of great fishin, the Spanish have moved all the way up to Marker #2 and the 41 bridges. Better with a maverick than a spoon, or a Storm twichin shad.

Good luck,

Frank

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Fishin’ Frank says “Spanish Mackeral are thick off Alligator Creek to Cape Haze.”

Grouper in Captiva Pass, this one is just short of keeper size, for bait, Shrimp, Squid, Bait fish-Live or dead all seem to be working well.

SONY DSC

The Spanish Mackerel are thick by the Artificial reef off Alligator Creek all the way down to Cape haze. To catch yourself some, troll a Black & Silver or White lure, about 2 to 3 miles per hour. When you get a hit, stop and fish. Often you will see the Mackerel or Lady fish, maybe even Cat fish. Busting the surface of the water, they are feeding and this make them almost Guaranteed catch-able.

 john mackerel 4 x 6

Posted by Scott Q 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 [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for articles and complete charter information.

DSCN1204    DSCN1215

Posted by Scott Q 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 [email protected]. Check out my monthly and weekly saltwater sports articles at www.fishfacecharters.com. DSCN1178SFW

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry’s Weekly Fishing Report

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) The good spring weather together with stronger and higher tides should prove to be the biggest asset to any fishing trip. The location that one chooses to fish should depend on the height, strength and time of tide movements for best results; especially when they work together with the early morning hours. Most all species should be very active and receptive to a variety of live or cut baits, both ‘in’ and ‘off’ shore. They are all here and virtually all of my charters have been successful finding and catching the ‘target’ species when working during good tide movement, be it ‘flood’ or ‘ebb’. The only exception to this has been the lack of a lot of Tarpon action.

P1050233Nonetheless, reports of Tarpon catches around Mile Marker 4 (off of ‘C’ Span by Sanibel) and other areas up and down Pine Island Sound are becoming more common. A few Tarpon are being taken off of the ‘Outer’ Islands as well. If one belongs to an organization such as; Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club, access to catches, locations, techniques and baits are easily obtained on a daily basis. Mackerel, Catfish, Mullet, big Greenbacks and Pinfish should do the trick for those looking for these fighting game fish.

There are lots of Seatrout in the grass and ‘potholes’ from James City all the way to Cayo Costa. I am finding that some ‘schools’ are producing numbers of big trout over 20” on a regular basis, but one needs to move around to find them (I am having most of my success for bigger fish in the northern corridor of Pine Island Sound, above Redfish Pass).

In the ‘back country’, big Snook and Redfish are both up and down Pine Island Sound on both the east and west sides. Other species, such as Crevalle Jacks, Bar Jacks, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, may be found anywhere along the above corridor on the flats with the Seatrout.

The gulf is loaded with species such as; Kings, Snapper, Permit, Grouper and Cobia. Keep a lookout and a ‘rig’ loaded for Cobia. I keep a lead head with an 8”-12” eel ready to cast. The fish have been very active and I forecast more of the same over the next week with the added benefit of more Tarpon opportunity.

P1050235In closing, I want to acknowledge the casting and catching abilities of 15 year old Andy Batchelder of Carmel, Indiana (grandson of Lee Longstretch of Indianapolis). He is pictured here with two of the fish caught during his first ‘back country’ excursion using only artificial lures. I am looking forward to our next ‘outing’ together for more and bigger fish. Great going Andy! Practice your casting liked we discussed before next year and you may catch your ‘fish of a lifetime’!

If anyone has any questions or would like more information on your favorite type of fishing, feel free to contact me at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected]. Check out my websites and my article ‘links’ at www.fishfacecharters.com or www.captainterryfisher.com

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Fishin’ Frank’s Charlotte County Report

Cobia, Mackerel & Redfish galore. This is what has happened over the week while I have been under the weather. I try to update at least weekly. Not sure if I got sick or just ran out of get up and go, but either way the fishin has been smokin out in the Harbor and near gulf.
Cobia are doing the spawn thing and have been thick near Hog Island & marker 1. Schools of Cobia about a mile off the beaches. Jigs with a bass worm tip or Rat-L-Trap 3/4 once
seem to be the lures of choice.

cobia
Spanish are moving in, I have heard a lot this year about how thin the fish were and it occurred to me that maybe the barrier of Red tide across the passes this year had a lot to do with so few fish like Trout. Since the Red tide has backed off the fish are pouring into the harbor.
Maverick lures are the trolling lure of choice for Spanish, just hold the rod and keep the boat moving about 2 to 3 miles per hour,
Red fish are feeding back around the Mangroves, crabs or I should say the baby blue crabs and spider crabs are what they are feeding on. So when the tide is higher a 1.3 or better cast under the branches or shrimp or crabs if you can catch them. Hang onto the rod. When that red hits it is a hit.
Good luck, have fun and be safe
Frank

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Lee County Fishing Report with Captain Terry

The cold fronts with the winds have created some havoc for fishing but this is winter time and is to be expected. Just be sure and layer up to withstand the morning and evening temperatures. I have had quite a lot of success catching Spanish Mackerel and Pompano off of the lighthouse of Sanibel Island, Redfish and North Captiva Passes when the weather permits. These fish are easy to spot when the ‘feed is on’, as the birds of prey target the bait fish being pushed to the surface by the migratory game fish.

 

Just off the Intercoastal, big Specks are on the flats in about 3 ½ ft. to 6 ft. of water. Patience is the key to catching these nice fish once you have found their holding area (see photo of 23” ‘Speck’ caught by one of my clients). However, impatient fishermen or ‘fisher-ladies’ should try trolling the flats with shallow running lures to locate the fish before anchoring or drifting. Like trout, the Redfish are also holding in the deeper pot holes and are more active with the sun being out to warm the waters. Snook are receptive to white baits and artificial baits along the cuts of the islands together with some current. Flounder are on sand/hard bottoms in good sizes. There are some Sheepshead and Gray Snapper around bridge structures and docks all along Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass, but I think the best is still yet to come these next few weeks.

Off shore, the Triple Tail, Mackerel, Snappers, Groupers and kings are awaiting a presentation. The winds will dictate any chance of a nice fishing trip.

In closing, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you a Happy New Year! Be sure and contact me at [email protected] or via phone 239-357-6829 to schedule a successful fishing trip or to answer any questions that you may have. My website should provide most of the answers at www.fishfacecharters.com

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Lee County Fishing Report with Captain Terry

I ran a few charters last week and had a lot of success catching, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano and larger than normal Seatrout. The Spanish Mackerel and Pompano provided lots of action around Point Ybel, Punta Rassa, St. James City and all the way to Jug Creek Shoal on the northern end of Pine Island. They prefer bays, points of islands and passes that provide ‘rip’ and strong currents with lots of bait fish to eat.  I was using anything from live shrimp to ‘Silly Willies’ to catch these aggressive fish. Watch for the feeding birds and the surface action. The Seatrout have been larger than normal, with many caught in the 19 inch to 21 inch range. I have had most of the big trout success in 3ft.-5ft. depths around Wulfert Keys, Chino Island and other grass flats that are close to a sand bar protecting an adjacent estuary.

Offshore, there are Triple Tail, Cobia, Mackerel and Pompano along the beaches of the outer islands. Using the sun to my back, I have witnessed a lot of bird and feeding activities while cruising for these species. It has been an exciting week with the fish anticipating the coming cold front.  In this regard, I suggest that after the cold front passes and the winds subside (around Christmas Day), the fishing should be fairly good.

This is Captain Terry Fisher and 1st Mate Vicki wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! If you have any questions or want to get in on the ‘action’, contact me at 239-357-6829 or email to [email protected].

 

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports