Bite still good despite cooler weather
Capt. Rob Modys
January 22, 2014
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The up and down weather continues as we receive cold fronts from up north. It seems they are rolling in about every six days or so. The good news is the water temperatures are holding in the lower 60's and the fish seem to have gotten use to it. Best advice is to have something on board to check the water temps. Just a couple of plus degrees can make all the difference to finding fish.
It's been a real mixed bag over the past week in Estero Bay. The oyster bars near the north end have been working well for seatrout, black drum and some surprisingly big redfish. Live shrimp under corks worked the best for all of the above along with top water chuggers for the reds. When the wind blows we've been fishing tight to the edges and then moving out some when the wind lets up.
Sheepshead are feeding well and are located in potholes at low tide and up around mangrove points during the higher water. They are also on the nearshore reefs just off of Fort Myers Beach. Small offerings of live shrimp on jigs and circle hooks work in either case.
The back bay waters cloud up when the wind starts blowing, so look for areas with just slightly cleaner water. You'll find hungry seatrout, jacks and ladyfish.
The nearshore reefs and rock piles have been delivering a mixed bag of fish, when you can get out there. Bigger sheepshead have been the main target along with flounder, pompano, mangrove snapper and spanish mackerel.
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