First cold front

Here we go! This is the first true cold front that has made its’ way through Southwest Florida. The winds are going to be very strong until Sunday. This will signal every fish that was not already clued in, that things are changing. The beaches will certainly be mucked up with west winds and the next week or so will be needed to clean the water up. All those beach snook will most likely be much closer to the passes moving forward or making their way toward their Winter haunts.
Starting off with the offshore guys this week that are federally permitted. Red snapper fishing has been very good. Those that found a few areas where the red snapper were not thick had opportunities at gag grouper as well as porgies. Most of the red snapper continue to be found out past 150 feet and those lucky enough to find hard bottom with none, could catch gags up to 35 pounds and jolt head porgies up too 10 pounds.
The inshore bite has been all about redfish. Redfish that are under the 22-inch mark are finally showing up here and there. It is crazy, but these size fish have been all but nonexistent for two years. Most of the redfish have all been in the upper slot to over slot size i.e., 25-35-inches. Snook continued to be caught all week, but that will most likely change this new week based on what the bait on the beaches decides to do after this front. Trout fishing in 2-3 feet of water continues to be good especially on the middle of incoming tides. Pompano, bluefish, ladyfish, and small sharks will be the regular bi-catch for a while.
The nearshore bite has been all about mangrove snappers up to 3 pounds. Most of these snappers are hanging out around rock piles and public reefs. A simple chum bag with 2 boxes off chum will allow most anglers to limit out quickly. Cobia continue to show up more and more, but no surge of kingfish, bonita, or good triple tail just yet.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764