Fishing is good right now and until the sunrise temperatures are in the 80’s, it should continue. We have about three weeks before the humidity, am storms, and the no-see-ums get bad. We will talk more about how, when, and why to fish that scenario in a month or so. Today we talk about what’s going on now, and what to go after. Everything you want to go after is happening these days, so plan on what you want based on the weather and have fun.
The snook fishing is full speed now. There are fish on our beaches, chasing bait. This time of the year the snook are fattening up getting ready for their spawn. Full moons mean a lot of fish will be getting giddy a few days before full moons, for a few months, so be ready. Redfish have been moving around, and the lack of small redfish is still a concern. In the area I fish personally, very few redfish have been caught under 20-inches over the last two years. Most redfish caught will be upper or over slot, so rig properly for that. Trout fishing continues to be strong, but with the rains coming lower salinity will probably change that.
The nearshore guides are hammering the tarpon and permit. The tarpon fishing is the main event for another few months. There are schools of fish from Tampa South now. Side scan, using your own eyes, or looking for packs of tower boats will give away the locations of tarpon schools. Permits are on every structure that sticks up more than a few feet this entire week. If it’s somewhat calm, and it is not cloudy, you will probably see them moving around on the surface. You will need crabs for both tarpon and permit the next month or two, so bring cash to your local bait shop and be sure to call ahead for them.
Offshore were easy pickings for the red grouper guys. The limits seemed to be caught quickly and often all week. Their coolers also came back with mangrove snappers, a few lanes, as well as muttons. Those that did get out past 150-feet continued to catch tunas, but no sailfish or wahoo this week.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com, Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764
Yep, it is good
