Wicked weather

What a week for Southwest Florida! We had hopefully some of the worst weather that we will see this year. Multiple tornados, along with sustained 30 mph plus winds really did a number on us earlier this week. Areas took a beating, but thankfully we only lost homes and other damage we can deal with. The fishing was doable for the last 4 days, although it was not that great.
The inshore bite was ok at best with water that went from yoo-hoo to yoo-hoo with Hershey syrup added to it. The trout bite although slow was still attainable when using popping corks worked aggressively. The more anglers popped the corks and were able to keep them in the generally same area, did better. When it came to the redfish and snook bite, cut baits still worked. The muddy water meant fish had no use for site this week in the back bays. The one scents that did work was smell. Cut ladyfish left alone along the mangrove shorelines was the only thing that worked for me the last 3 days. After this water begins to cleanup, it will be sheepshead time 24/7.
The nearshore trips that did run were able to find some decent sheepshead moving in. The sheepshead that were up to 4-pounds were caught mostly on shrimp either on jigs or 1/o circle hooks and spit shots. Permit before the storm were eating well, but no good reports over the last few days. The lack of kingfish will certain start changing soon. The kingfish were offshore for a small period and seemingly disappeared again. Tripletail, bonito, and some mackerels filled up the rest of the time.
Offshore was not doable this week until the last day or two. Even then if you were not an angler up for some sporty conditions it was not for you. The trips that did run went out to no more than 70 feet. Those boats came back in with mainly mangrove snappers, grunts, and a few yellowtails.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764