Captain Terry says “ Tarpon season is in full swing”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon season is in full swing with big Threadfin’s at the causeways, on other structures and just off the beaches. Boats are anchored up and down Pine Island Sound around Marker’s 4 and 18 on the southern end. Passes and areas off the main channels around Pineland, Cayo Costa and Jug Creek on the northern end. Baits of choice are mullet, Pin Fish, Lady Fish, Catfish and Threadfins; under corks/balloons and on the bottom. I will be in the mix starting next Monday for Tarpon charters.

Other species have remained active as well, including Snook, Redfish, Seatrout, Pompano and Spanish Mackerel. Keep an eye out for Cobia and Triple Tail for those working the beaches, Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. Pictured here is one of my favorite yearly family charters featuring; Chris Dugan and sons, Tom (15 yrs.) and Jack (12 yrs.) of Norfolk, Va.. These junior anglers caught a number of fish that day. Looking forward to doing it again next year.

Jack-Dugan's-Seatrout

Huge Redfish are in the area and few better than the 31″ catch pictured here with Mr. Chris Kemp of the Atlanta area. Chris is a yearly regular of mine and a fantastic fisherman. This fish was caught under a cork with a cut Pin Fish off the point of a small island at the top of an incoming tide with southerly winds.

Chris-Kemps-Redfish

Fishing should only get better with the improving tides and the large amounts of baits around. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, wishing you ‘tight lines’. Charter information may be obtained at my website; www.fishfacecharters.com, by email at; fishfacecharters@yahoo.com or by calling me direct at 239-357-6829.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “ Be on the lookout for Tarpon, Cobia, King Mackerel…”

Wyatt-Day's-Pompano(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)The first part of last week proved to be very challenging finding and catching fish, with the exception of small Sheepshead and Mangrove Snappers. Nonetheless, three to four days after the cool front, the bite came back on, with reports of more fish being caught. The species included large Redfish, Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, King Mackerel, Cobia, Shark and Seatrout. Pictured here is one on my  best junior anglers of 2014, Wyatt Day (11yrs young), holding his 16 inch Pompano he caught on a shrimp (under a cork) on the flats in Pine Island Sound. Wyatt caught lots of other fish. He is a Junior Rodeo Champion from Cheyenne, Wyoming, with three Belt Buckles to his credit. Other pictures are with his mother and father, Lorie and David Day and a picture of a nice Spanish Mackerel that Lorie caught. It was a beautiful day on the water. Uncle Marshall, from Boca Raton, Florida was on board to witness their angling abilities.

Lorie-Day's-Spanish-MackerelWyatt,-Lorie-&-David-Day
The fishing should continue to produce decent numbers as the water is very warm for this time of year as tide levels become higher and stronger. Be on the lookout for Tarpon, Cobia, King Mackerel offshore as well as in Pine Island Sound, as I have seen them all.

This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing you tight lines! Stay tuned for more reports on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Charter and other information may be obtained by calling 239-357-6829 or email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com

 

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Captain Terry says “ Tarpon (along with sharks) are continuing to move into the area…”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing has been fantastic for most of my clients during the better part of March. Seatrout, Snook, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead and Redfish have all been active from the Sanibel Causeway to Jug Creek just off of Bokeelia, Pine Island. While the flats have produced more numbers of Seatrout, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, the shallows with ‘pot-holes’ in the ‘back-country’ locations have produced Redfish, Snook and larger Seatrouts. Pictured here is Jeff Konzak of Estes Park, Colorado holding a 25″, 6 pound Seatrout caught on a shrimp in Pine Island Sound. This fish required a lot of patience to swallow the bait before ‘setting the hook’. Also pictured here is a Redfish caught by Mr. Steve Weber of Cape Coral, Florida. Several of my clients have had good success with Redfish as well.

Steve-Weber's-RedfishJeff-Konvak'-Seatrout

In regards to other species: Tarpon (along with sharks) are continuing to move into the area with consistent average water temperatures around 70 degrees. Mangrove Snappers, Sheepshead, Ladyfish and Triple Tails are active and will be receptive live baits. Keep an ‘eye-out’ for Cobia. Fishing should get even better as more ‘Glass’ Minnows, Pilchards, Threadfin and other bait fishes move up from the south and ‘springtime’ temperatures continue to rise.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you ‘tight-lines’. More information on ‘catches’, the techniques and charter information, may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or at my websites; www.fishfacecharters.com or www.captainterryfisher.com.  I am also easily reached via email at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Looking forward to providing you with next week’s fishing report. Until then, be careful and be cautious of ‘foul’ weather!

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“Catfish are active along with the Spanish Mackerels, which are signs of Tarpon returning to our areas.” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week fishing continued to be good. Spanish Mackerel are everywhere, large Seatrout catches daily, Pompano catches every other day or so with an occasional Redfish when I have targeted them. Sheepshead are still active. Pictured here is Roger Chen of Ft. Myers, Florida with a nice Sheepshead caught on a piece of shrimp on light tackle around and in some piles on the flats. His friend, Mary Blackmon of Naples, Florida, displays a nice Seatrout she caught on shrimp, under a ‘cajun’ popping rig. A variety of fish were caught on the charter making for a great ‘trip’.

Nancy's-SeatroutRoger-Chin's-Sheepshead

The day before I had the pleasure of taking Mr. and Mrs. Rick Jenkins of Cape Coral, Florida. Sheila Jenkins proudly displays a nice Seatrout she caught. Their  sons, Josh and Jake were aboard and everyone caught fish. I am looking forward to taking them  out again soon.

Sheila-Jenkins-Seatrout

Fishing should continue to be good as the water temperatures rise. Catfish are active along with the Spanish Mackerels, which are signs of Tarpon returning to our areas. Tides are getting higher and stronger allowing access to more ‘back country’ locations. I plan on doing some Tarpon/Shark combo trips mid to late March as the migration begins in full swing, following Pilchards and Threadfins up from the ‘Keys’ and Mexico. Nauturally, these will become the baits of choice for Tarpon and Snook for the seasoned anglers.

In closing, I will be holding seminars from time to time at the Bonita Springs Boat Show during the days of March 6, 7, 8 and 9. Vicki and I will have a booth as always, so be sure and stop by and check the schedule! Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. More articles and charter information may be obtained on line at www.fishfacecharters.com or www.captainterryfisher.com. Email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com or feel free to contact me via cell phone at 239-357-6829 for immediate response.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Capt. Terry’s Weekly Fishing Report

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)  Tarpon are still around but not in the numbers of a couple of weeks ago. A few are still in Boca Grande Pass and the best opportunity to catch them is on the outgoing tide. There are some small schools of them just off of the beaches of N. Captiva, Cayo Costa as well as in Pine Island Sound. Pictured here is a large Tarpon ‘in-fight’, caught by a client on light tackle (10lb braided line with a 30lb Flurocarbon leader under a cork, using a live Pinfish).

fishjumping

Larger Redfish are becoming more plentiful (or easier to locate) in the waters of Punta Rassa, Matlacha Pass as well as isolated areas of the back country. Back country anglers should find better success setting up on an incoming tide, before the water has a chance to infiltrate the Mangrove roots allowing the fish to move into isolated ponds and the ‘back holes’ of water preventing effective presentations. The same goes for the Snook. These big, ferocious fighting fish will take cover on the high summer tides, making it virtually impossible to get a presentation in close enough to draw a strike. Likewise, wait until the tide turns and hope to get them on their way out, but the heat can be brutal.

Fishing should be fairly good the remainder of the week considering the high tides for good water movement providing better oxygen while just off of a new moon. Grouper season is open and they are active so long as the weather and winds allow for a day ‘off-shore’. Sharks are everywhere for those hoping to hook up and adolescent or a big one with appropriate gear. The biggest challenge to catching fish this week and the rest of the summer, will be to find the bait. The fish we ‘hunt’, follows the ‘bait’: ‘NO BAIT; NO FISH! It is that simple. If one can find where the bait is surviving the heat, coupled with all of the fresh rain water; THAT’S A WINNER’!

Additional information regarding, articles and charters may be found on my website; www.fishfacecharters.com or email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. I am easily reached at phone number 239-357-6829 for any questions.

 

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports Uncategorized

Capt. Terry Fisher’s 4th of July Fishing Report and Forecast

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor)  Fishing has been mixed over the last few days due in part to the receding moon phase, time of tides and hot weather/water. Shrimps are small, requiring that one use either cut bait or throw cast nets for Pinfish and Threadfins. Even those can be hard to locate during the summer months. I have been forced to start some mornings on artificial baits until I see bait schools with sufficient sizes of fish to justify a ‘cast’.

The Tarpon are still around and my clients have had their share of hookups using Pinfish and Threadfins in Pine Island Sound. These fish are big and hungry (100 to 150lbs) and will hit on ‘light’ tackle on the flats. The beaches of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa and their respective passes are all holding small schools of Tarpon as well as big Snook. The Sharks are thick and hungry as well.

Inshore fishing has been spotty for the reasons mentioned above. However, with the ‘New’ moon on the horizon, the weekend of the 4th of July and after, should produce some good fishing. I suggest that one considers throwing nets or using baits other than live shrimp, as they are too small to be effective. Otherwise, consider loading the hooks with 2 or 3 shrimps. There are plenty of Redfish around. The ‘challenge’ is finding them, but once they are located and feeding, most are slot size and will eat for about 1 hour before moving on or taking a break in the hot weather.

MY WEEKLY FORCAST IS THAT FISHING WILL STEADILY IMPROVE AS THE NEW MOON PHASE APPROACHES AND PASSES (3 days before and 3 days after).

RedWhiteandBlue

As a veteran; HAPPY 4TH OF JULY AND THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED! If you have any questions or want to book a charter; I am easily reached at 239-357-6829 or via email at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more information. Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish face Charters of Cape Coral, Ft. Myers and Pine Island, wishing you a ‘FISH OF A LIFETIME’.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

“Fishing was fantastic on the front side of the ‘SUPER MOON’”, says Capt. Terry

Fishing was fantastic on the front side of the ‘SUPER MOON’ and should be on the back side; especially the last 3 days after the passing. So get out there NOW as the Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Seatrout, Cobia and the offshore fish are eating! I have been catching all of the above species and more on charters as well as on my ‘off-time’ while looking for new ‘haunts’.

VickiTarpon2

I am posting 4 pictures with this article. One of my lovely 1st Mate (Vicki), who took matters into her own hands while transporting the boat through the canals of Cape Coral to meet up with me for a charter. She enticed and landed this nice, juvenile Tarpon on a Rapala ‘crank’ bait.

DSCN1265DSCN1271 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Pictures of the Chase family from the Chicago area, Wade and Collette with Fin (5 yrs old) and Ella (9 yrs old). Ella is holding a nice Redfish that she caught. Both junior anglers caught their own Redfish by using circle hooks under corks with live shrimp.

Garys Redfish1

Also, a picture of my brother Gary Fisher, vacationing from Hannibal, Missouri, is holding one of about twenty Redfish caught on a high tide last Sunday (the day after the ‘Super Moon’).

The rain and higher tides are offering up some of the best fishing I have experienced all year. Now is the time to go. Remember, normally the better times to fish is 3 days before a full or new moon and 3 days after.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you a ‘fishing experience of a lifetime’. If I may be of assistance, please contact me at 239-357-6829 or email fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Additional charter information and past articles may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com.

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

#1 Trash Fish, Florida Money Fish, Silver King Fish, Game Fish or Wuss Fish?

Tarpon yes let’s talk about Florida #1 Trash fish, oppsy I meant to say Florida #1 money fish, dang scratch that, I really meant to say Florida Silver King, the #1 game fish.

Ok I guess I should explain, Tarpon is not edible, nor does it make a good mount, so  what do you call a fish that you can not eat, or even mount? Trash fish? Even a sail-cat is less of a trash fish, sail-cat are really pretty tasty. So that explains my dig on the trash fish part, money fish is the most correct name as I believe Tarpon account for about 300 million a year in Florida. Game fish Silver king is only when it is on your line.. Then the 150 pounds of bright silver shinning muscle jumping and ripping line off of your reel, at that time it is the Silver king. One of the most beautiful fish there is.

IMG_5377

Now that I over explained myself I will get to the point, If you try to remember that Tarpon are just a fish while trying to hook one, you will have much better success, Live bait, dead bait, they are just wanting a meal.  If you want to play with Tarpon don’t over think it.

Last week, the storms had pushed most of them out into the gulf. Yes, they are afraid of lightening. Let’s add wuss fish to their name list. So right now during the day, best bet is out deep. But here is the weird part, tarpon are a wuss when it comes to lightening, but they are not afraid of the dark. Darkness seem to empower them. During our cat-fish, sting ray & shark tournament which is an over night tournament, lots of Tarpon were hooked. They are all through the inter coastal, around the bridges in the deep holes of the Harbor.

Last Saturday night while trying to catch sting-rays and Sharks in the middle of the Harbor several teams had to put up with these Tarpon hitting their lines and trying to get rid of them was a problem at the Pirate Harbor hole I think they had seven tarpon in their way of catching Sting rays.

A lot of Tarpon were hooked near Placida after midnight while trying to catch Cat-fish, yes dead bait, live bait did not matter. The tarpon were in the way of real fishing all night. So if you want to play with these nuisance fish try after dark, pick a bridge a hole.

Hey if a wuss like a Tarpon can be out playing in the dark, why aren’t you, what are you afraid of ??
A long winded way of saying the tarpon fishing at night is great right now. But just this sentence would have been boring 🙂

Writing with a smirk, another man’s treasure….

Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Matt Galbraith 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 fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for articles and complete charter information.

DSCN1204    DSCN1215

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Fishin’ Frank wonders whether the magic will remain?

storm

Well the TV says that we are in for a week of thunderstorms each day, not all day but possible storms each day, which leaves us 1 of 2 possibilities.

1- The first is that a front moves across the Harbor and the fish move and quit feeding, or we get a couple inches of rain, and it lower the salt level of the Harbor, which would move many of the fish back into the gulf. Not good at all as we have been in the magic zone, every thing from Black fin tuna, Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Shark, Cobia, Tarpon, Snook, red fish, & more all biting. What can I say but WOW what a week.

2- The second possible out come, is that these afternoon rains and cloud cover will hold the water temperature steady, providing we get less than an inch of rain so the salt level remain constant in the Harbor, and if the clouds keep the water from heating up, this magic week could turn into a magic month. & HOW cool would that be!!

So here hoping for door number 2 and the magic remains

Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Matt Galbraith Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports