It has been a chamber of commerce week in Southwest Florida. The lower humidity and winds made even fishing in the middle of the day comfortable. We had less rain than in weeks past helping inshore waters clean up nicely. We also had good tidal days that initiated good fishing both inshore and off. Things are starting to change in both the patterns of fish movement as well as species beginning to make their way down from the North.
Back Bay fishing was good especially toward weeks end. Redfish and snook took up a lot of anglers’ time. Snook are still being found regularly along the beaches as there are a great deal of baitfish moving down them. Those fishing in the bays are finding both redfish and snook schooled up in many different areas. In the back bays these schools of fish have been closely following the mullet, so definitely pay attention to that. Trout fishing continues to be good over the grass flats in 2-3 feet of water.
The nearshore bite for tarpon is very good. There are lots of schooled up tarpon on the west side of Cayo Costa all the way down to blind pass. Those using threadfin herring or pass crabs have done best when fishing for tarpon. Reports came in that the permit bite slowed down as the water coming out from the Caloosahatchee River moved into the wrecks they were hanging on. A few cobia have popped up on these wrecks, so having a bait ready to throw immediately is a smart move while you approach these sites.
Offshore fishing continues to be mainly a mangrove snapper and gag grouper thing. Most trips caught good fish from 75 feet out. Anglers used mainly shrimp for the mangrove snappers that were all in the 1–4-pound range. The gag groupers were caught on pinfish, squid, and cigar minnows. No kingfish came into the docks this week, but many captains think that will start up soon.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
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