Rain has been a big factor all week again! Every day we have had several inches fall throughout Southwest Florida, both inshore and offshore. There is a chance of a “cold front” coming through soon, but it will be nothing other than a day or two without rain. The bite has been good inshore when the tide is moving, as well as nearshore. Offshore has been a bit boring with lots of closures, but fish were caught.
Those that fished inshore this week did well targeting redfish, snook, trout, as well as the tarpon. There has been a lot of bait throughout the area and the fish are loving it. Pinfish, pilchards, as well as finger mullet have been taking top billing. Redfish are beginning to school up and are very active. If you can’t find bait, no worries. Redfish as well as snook are chasing topwater, as well as jerk baits. If you’re a good caster, you will probably out fish the bait guys this next month or two. Should you want tarpon, you have about 2 months left of the consistent bite. The large variety of tarpon will begin their push from the Northern part of Florida soon. Call your guide should you want to check this off your bucket list sooner than later.
Nearshore has continued to be a permit and tarpon thing. Mangrove snappers as well as black drum are being caught regularly now as well as occasional cobia. The big schools of black drum will become more prevalent over the next month. This is a great time of the year to be fishing as lots of fish are coming from the North and setting up shop here. Mackerel, bonita, kingfish, bluefish, tripletail, as well as other pelagics will be feasting on the large schools of bait until our first real cold front comes through, usually in December.
Offshore, without being able to keep several species, has become basically a snapper trip for most. Those that are willing to get out past 120 feet are finding mahi, tuna, as well as kingfish. Those fishing inside of that are steadily catching their limits of snappers easily. The snappers brought back have been a mix of yellowtail and mangrove snappers for the most part. On a side note, the sharks have been a big problem for many, taking a lot of the bigger fish that are unable to be brought in quickly.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
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