Sometimes plan B is better!

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Went fishin on Monday, got a 60 pound (estimated weight) Bull Shark, some Spanish, a nice Jack and not a lot else, but we had a good time. The rain surrounded us & kept pushing us farther up river, but none the less a good day. We made it to the dock as it started to rain. The first fish my grand nephew ever caught was a bull shark… not bad. I was lucky today, with all the rain & storms. I was heading towards a spot, then saw fish. The hardest thing when going fishing is to change your plan. It works for me when I have plan A, which is I am going to fish at a certain place, but now I watch for plan B, look there’s fish right here stop! I say this, but have passed by schools of fish before thinking I it was better further away. Hey I paid for the motor, and the fishin is always better on the other side of the Harbor. Glad I used plan B today. We caught fish and stayed dry.

– Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Lee County Fishing Report with Captain Terry

Winter time on the waters in SW Florida may be ‘the right place, the right time’ for anglers to realize their dream of a ‘trophy’ fish. ‘Winter- fishing’ is only more difficult because we must deal with the elements such as wind, cooler temperatures. Additionally, the lower tides discourage or prevent many from navigating through ‘skinny’ waters to get to the ‘holding’ and ‘feeding’ areas of the fish. The fish are still out there, one ‘simply’ has to locate them and then ‘slow down’ the presentation, be it artificial, live or cut baits.

Winter time on SW Florida waters does not reduce the opportunities for ‘flats’ or ‘back country’ anglers. I will argue that there is more opportunity when considering the migratory patterns of Pompano, Spanish, King, Ceros Mackerels, Cobia and Grouper and other species as they relocate into shallower domains (I caught a couple of nice groupers off the backside of Chino Island a few weeks ago in about 12 ft. of water). These fish would not normally be found there during the warmer months. It is true however, that the huge Redfish have moved ‘off-shore’ (up to about 20 miles or so) but there are still plenty up to about 34 inches when you find them.

Additionally, species such as big Seatrout, Flounder and Sheepshead are more accessible and provide more opportunity this time of year. The Crevalle Jacks always provide a lot of excitement and like Snook are always found in the canals. I am including a picture of a nice Crevalle Jack caught by my friend’s son, Matt Volski of Cape Coral while home from college on Christmas break. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of the 26 inch Snook caught by his friend on the same outing who was on leave from the Navy and currently stationed at Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. As a ‘Jar Head’, I thank him for his service to our country.

Recently on a beautiful ‘winter’ day, my 1st Mate Vicki and I took to the Sanibel Lighthouse and a little offshore to spin cast and fly fish for Spanish Mackerel. The birds showed us the way, just as they will all up and down Pine Island Sound. We could not get them released fast enough to satisfy our ‘hunger’. During the ‘chaos’, Vicki (using a spin-cast) mentioned seeing and feeling a big ‘King Mackerel’ slap her ‘jig’ with terrific force. Unfortunately a few minutes later when my guard was down, one ‘slammed’ my ‘Clauser’ fly with unexpected force. My fingers burned when trying to slow the run. I dropped my hand to slow the spool, but without gloves the burning friction forced me to try and stop the reel only to have the handle bruise my hand. I lost that battle, as I was not thinking of such a ‘giant’ taking such a small presentation (I should have known better).

The coming week could provide some opportunities mentioned above. If the wind forecasts are accurate, there should be plenty of opportunity to get out there and give it a go. If you have any questions or want to book a charter, give me a call at 239-357-6829 or email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you a great time on the water. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for additional information.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Charlotte County Fishing Report with Frank

Well, lots of hoo-ha about Red tide here on the West coast, so I just want to cover a couple of points about that.  Please no Catch & release fishing in areas with Red Tide.  If you go into an area with light or trace amounts of Red tide, look for small bait size fish struggling at or near the surface,  This means that even though the larger fish like Snook, Red fish and Trout, are not dying from it, they are having a hard time breathing.   Red tide “Pollen” paralyzes the gills of fish.  So hooking and fighting a fish exhausts them to a point it is hard to recover, lots of dead loss.  The whole point behind C&R is for the fish to live.

On the other hand, it is OK to catch the fish for dinner.  But once you have enough for the table, leave. Red tide will not harm the meat, it is not a poison.

Fishing is fantastic from 15 miles out.  Tuna, Mahi, Snappers, Groupers, Bonita, Kings, Spanish, It is happening now. Trolling or bottom fishing,

Up in Charlotte Harbor we do not get Red tide.  So the fishing here is good, Spanish, Jacks, Red Snook, all doing good right now, Even good reports of Flounder, up here by the 41 bridges.

Last point Red tide is not fixed. It may be bad almost choking you, then all of a sudden it is gone.  Or everything is great, then it drifts in.  Watch for the dates on the Red tide reports.  Things can change fast.

Last of all do not let a fear of the great boogie man “Red tide” scare you from going out to enjoy yourself.  As I said it might be there or it might not.  If it is, just go a little ways one way or the other chances are it will be all good.

Have fun out there be safe, but not scared.

“Fishin” Frank.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports