It has been another hot one this week, with a few more rainstorms than last. We did need the rain, even though it delayed a few early mornings runs here and there. We did have some unusual Northwest wind this week that seemed to confuse a few fish in the back waters, but not the offshore ones. Nearshore was a bit slower than it has been as just like the back bays we had some slow tides early.
We will start with the offshore fishery this week as most of the trips went out far. We are coming into the last week of red snapper being open and most of the good fish brought in have been in 160 feet plus. There have been some cool catches of wahoo, black fin tuna, as well as sailfish while red snapper fishing. Those making these long runs are leaving flat lines out with live baits to entice these cool bycatches.
The back-bay fishing had its moments all week and should be better this week following. Whenever we have early morning slacking tides around 8-11 am it can make things a bit tougher as the heat of the day starts up shortly after. With that said we did manage juvenile tarpon early in the mornings as well as snook during the first few hours of the outgoings. Big snook were found staged up in the local passes and should continue this way for another week. Once things warmed up it got tough. Those fishing late in the evening after the thunderstorms did well from about an hour before sunset on.
The nearshore fisherman continues to find schools of tarpon in what we call pods. These pods of tarpon can have a few fish up to maybe 20. These pods of tarpon have been roaming the beaches in as shallow as twelve feet. The popular baits this week have been threadfin herring caught on sabikis to keep them livelier, and of course crabs. Permit fishing has been ok, but they seem to be congregating in the deeper water from those I have spoken with.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764