It was a good week to be in Southwest Florida. Great tidal movement combined with beautiful weather made anglers happy all week long. We did start getting the afternoon thunder storms and rain showers, so a good lightning app on your phone is a smart thing. Temperatures are starting to touch the high 70’s in the mornings and breaking the 90mark in the afternoons. Fishing was great for every type of option as the low winds allowed everyone to get out.
The inshore guides had great success all week. Snook are all over now, as the white bait is plentiful. Red fishing continues to be good on the oyster bars during the lower tides and along the mangrove shorelines on the higher ones. Trout continue to get bigger. Some trout have been caught up to 7-pounds. It is hard to imagine only two years ago we could not even find some trout over 10-inches. Bluefish, mackerel, pompano, and small sharks are most of the bycatch.
Nearshore will continue to be all about tarpon for some time to come. Fish are now throughout the entire area both nearshore and inshore. The tarpon are ranging from 40-140-pounds, and a lot of fish are being caught. After arms are soar from catching a few tarpons, permit fishing continues to stay strong. Permit schools are being found on all the local wreaks that have good relief. Small crabs either freelined on 2/o circle hooks or slightly weighted will get it done. Mackerel, jacks, snook and snappers will be the bycatch nearshore.
The offshore continues to be good for red groupers around 120 feet. The snapper bite during the day has been mainly 1-3-pound fish. The big mangrove snappers have been caught on the nighttime trips. Those that are fishing in the evening or early morning are finding fish up to 8-pounds. Lane snappers, mutton snappers, as well as a random hog fish have also been caught. If you’re really gung ho you can now get out into 160-feet plus and find wahoo, mahi, as well as tuna and sailfish all while trolling.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
Great time of the year
