Yep, it is still windy! With wind blowing most of the week up to 25 mph, the water is still dirty. Dirty water makes fishing more challenging. Add tougher conditions to slow tides, and it makes for a long week. The offshore guys only got out twice but did manage to go out 40 miles. The nearshore anglers had about the same number of days to fish as well. All of us in the back bays had to hide from the wind on the days when it got close to twenty.
Inshore was difficult with the muddy water. Trout were caught although working the popping corks for a few hours just to get your limit is not good fishing. There were a few days before the last blow when the water started to clean up some. On those days trout were caught in short order with the corks, top water lures, as well as on dark colored flies. Redfish fishing continues to be a cut bait thing. Mullet and ladyfish have worked best, cut them up in silver dollar pieces and toss them on a mangrove shorelines. When using cut baits, you will also have a chance at a nice snook. Pompano was a thing for 1 day this week, but they do not like the dirty water so give it another week.
Nearshore is now, and for many months going to be a tarpon and permit marathon. The tarpon are now being caught from inside the Caloosahatchee river, the Pine Island sound areas, as well as off all the beaches, and obviously Boca Grande. Should you want to have the best bet at them, pick the stronger tidal days and start early before the armada of boats gets out there. Permit is the typical fall back after a few hours of tarpon fishing, as they like the sunup higher.
Offshore was doable twice. Those that did go caught red groupers easily when they got out to 110 feet. Snapper took up the rest of their cooler space. Most of the snappers are mangroves, but a few yellowtails also made it to the cleaning station. A few tunas were seen skipping from time to time, but nothing made it back to shore.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
I’ll pay to have less wind!
