We got through another storm that moved through Southwest Florida. This one called Sally luckily for us was just a three-day rain event. The lakes, creeks, and ditches that eventually lead to the back bays and the gulf, have risen over two feet in some areas. Many of these tributaries have gone from a slow-moving trickle, to something you can tube down. With that said all kinds of critters, baitfish, and other forage are washing out with the predators taking full advantage.
Starting off with back country fishing as its particularly good this week. Snook fishing has been fantastic especially around the creek mouths and rivers. In some areas especially on the outgoing tides the water is almost fresh. Cichlids, mullet, and pinfish lead the way on the live bait side as there’s extraordinarily little whitebait available with the drastic salinity change. Redfish are being seen everywhere from tight on the mangrove shorelines all the way out to the open flats. Your best bet to finding redfish is to find the mullet first, there hanging out together so pay attention. Trout fishing continues to get better but slowed down a bit after three straight days of rain fall.
The nearshore bite has been exceptionally good for mangrove snappers between one and three pounds. Shrimp, dead threadfins, and chunked ballyhoo have worked best in 25-45 feet of water. Cobia continue to pop up for many anglers so always have a spare rod ready to throw at one when he shows up. Those that can find some nice big threadfin herring for bait can also put a few of those our as live baits on the bottom and probably catch an over slot snook in these same areas.
There were a few chances pre-storm for boats to go out deep. Few boats got out past 110 feet that I spoke with, but all did well. Snapper fishing in 75 feet of water along live bottom and ledges worked best for mangrove snapper in the 2-5-pound range. Ironically, many mutton snappers were also caught in this same depth as well as lanes, so I am guessing the water has cooled off a bit out that far. Red groupers, gag groupers, and red snapper continue to be caught in that 100 foot plus range and should continue this pattern till our first true cold fronts arrive.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
Stormy times
