Spring time

Well things are full speed these days both for the back bay guides as well as those fishing offshore. We did see some signs that Spring fishing is just around the corner. The departing of our white pelicans, thick schools of threadfin herring moving into our area, as well as white butterflies showing up are just a few signs. Seeing a few manatees moving around near passes also tells anglers that things are about to start getting good.
Our white butterflies usual signal the beginning of Spring and the arrival of our first schools of tarpon. This week did just that as some 100 pound plus fish were seen and caught as far North as the Caloosahatchee river and around the Sanibel causeway. Other reports of good tarpon fishing came from the 10,000 islands so expect them to start filling in soon. The redfish bite has been fantastic most days with most of the fish in the upper to over slot size. Ladyfish chunks, large shrimp, and pilchards have been the best bait options, however 3” paddle tails as well as gold & brown colored flies also did well. Snook are beginning to move back out into the bays as many 30 inch plus fish have been caught from Pine Island all the way down to Everglades national park.
The nearshore bite was good, minus a few days when the wind picked up. Permit being caught is another sign that Spring is here early as well as the good amount of cobia showing up randomly. The bigger sheepshead has begun moving out of the back bays and are now found on the wrecks and reefs in the nearshore waters. Just like weeks past, should you want to target them I’d recommend crabs, so you don’t get constantly harassed by the snappers.
The offshore bite was great for mangrove snappers up to 6 pounds this week. Surprisingly, a lot of big lane snappers 2-3 pounds also came into the fillet station. Red grouper as well as porgies were mostly what else that was caught. Sadly, for many anglers it seems like the porgies are now beginning to go back out deeper, so expect shortly if you want porgies to start in at least 125 feet.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers, Fl
239-313-1764