Well, our waters finally touched the 70 degree mark in some areas. As cold fronts move through here and there the fishing will slowly push toward our winter patterns. A big push of fish coming from the north has been noticeable. Inshore the back bays and flats are teaming with activity. The nearshore guys are having great trips as well as the offshore fishermen when weather permits.
Starting off in the shallow waters this week, anglers had lots of options. Snook especially in our passes have been easy picking. Fish for the snook with freelined white bait on 2/o circle hooks, and you will do fine. The back bays are finally filling up with the 14–20-inch redfish. These small redfish are coming in from the beaches and nearshore wrecks. The lowering temperature must have finally got these fish to come in. The sighting of these small redfish is a big relief for many anglers. For over two years now we have only caught upper and over slot sized reds. Seeing these smaller redfish means we will have future slot fish available. Trout fishing continues to be good. Trout can be caught in 2-4 feet of water over grassy areas consistently throughout the bays. The pompano are beginning to show up in the bays, but have not gotten thick yet.
The nearshore fishing has been good for mangrove snappers and gag grouper. Snappers up to 17-inches have been caught regularly on the nearshore rock piles and wrecks. A simple chum bag with a box or two of chum will get them going. Chunks of sardines, live pilchards, and even shrimp will get your limit. Having a big rod out with a large pinfish or grunt will give you a chance at a gag. Cobia are all over the place. Anglers out there catching snappers better be ready for the brown clown. Always have a pitch rod ready to go, as cobia are free swimming up to boats often. Almost every trip the guys ran this week, they came back with a cobia or two as bi-catch.
Offshore been a jolt head porgy slaying. Porgies have been thick from 120 feet out. Squid, sardines, and threadfin herring are all good baits should you be bottom fishing out 40 plus miles. The kingfish are showing up with this cooler water. Most of the kingfish have been caught trolling from 60-90 feet of water. A few Aj’s as well as some blackfin tuna are also being caught in the same depths.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
70 degrees
