Another great week of weather gave anglers perfect days to be on the water. It is supposed to be Fall, but with highs in the low 90’s we really have not seen much change. Fishing has been great as there continues to be massive amounts of bait. Bait can be found in our rivers, bays, on the beaches, as well as all the way out to 50 feet.
The by fishing was again outstanding for redfish, snook, and trout. Trout have rebounded nicely since our 2018 red tide issues. Most of the trout are found in 2-3 feet of water over the grassy bottoms and can be easily caught with a simple popping cork and artificial shrimp rig. Redfish continue to be found in schools from Pine Island sound all the way down to Naples. Anywhere that you see mullet, there is probably redfish close by. Snook are still on our beaches as well as on the nearshore wrecks and reefs. This pattern will not change until we get our first real cold front.
Nearshore anglers are catching a lot of tarpon. Fish have been off Cayo Costa down to Blind pass in good numbers. These fish are feeding on massive schools of threadfin herring. Anglers can easily sabiki threadfin as they are fishing for the tarpon, making for some easy days. Snook fishing on the wrecks continues to be a thing. Those anglers that are looking for permit on the wrecks can also catch big snook on the bottom as bi-catch. Tripletail fishing will soon be another option as the stone crab traps are now out giving those fish structure to hang on.
Offshore trips are moving back out deep as red snapper opens back up. Most fisherman that target red snapper will get out past 130 feet and should have no problem catching them. No kingfish have been seen yet, but that will certainly change most likely when our first real cold front makes its’ way through Southwest Florida.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
It is awesome
