It was an outstanding week for Southwest Florida fisherman, and it did not matter what you were after. The back bays and shallow water fishing continues to be stellar. Nearshore bite was fantastic for most of the week as weather was good. Last, but not least those that played on the low wind days this week, did very well out in the deep water.
We will start off with “Red October” this week as its been full speed for almost a month now. Redfish are packed up in both schools and groups throughout the area. Those fishing for redfish found them both on the incoming tides and outgoing tides giving up plenty of fish throughout the week. Pinfish, pilchards, cut baits like mullet, and an assortment of artificial baits caught fish all week. Snook fishing continues to be good around the oyster bars and high current areas for most of the week. Trout, bluefish, pompano, and an assortment of sharks have been the back-country bycatch
The offshore bite was very doable for most of the week. The anglers that got out far, i.e. 50 miles plus found sailfish, blackfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo when the water was moving well. When the water was not moving good, bottom fishing out in 150 plus feet produced groupers, snappers, aj’s, and even red snapper consistently. The waters from 80-120 feet are still giving plenty of mangrove snappers, red groupers, and even some kingfish coming down from up North already.
Nearshore fishing for permit, tarpon, and occasional cobia has continued to be a good plan. This cool off in weather this week will doubtfully change much as its more of a spoof. Typically, there needs to be a bit more powerful cold front to mess things up, which does not usually come through till late October / November. Should we get lucky down here as in years past, we may target tarpon, permit, etc… till late December. On a cool note for many anglers’ stone crab traps are going out for the first time this week signaling our first chance at tripletail in good numbers. Usually anglers will need to wait a month or so for these fresh trap lines to get mossed up and start holding these fish, but you never know.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
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