Cool weather continues but the fish are biting
Capt. Rob Modys
March 13, 2013
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The March weather still continues to come in like a lion. Cool temperatures with windy days makes fishing a challenge for anglers, but the fish seem to have settled into a positive pattern and are taking baits when offered. Hopefully March will go out like a lamb!
The cooler water temperatures have provided a much better sea trout and pompano bite over the past week. The trout are near the mangrove island points where wind and water are moving in the same direction. Live shrimp on lead head jigs bounced across the bottom worked best. If you aren't getting a lot of bites, try going with shrimp on a jig under a popping cork. The pompano have been mixed in with the trout and are going after the same bait offerings.
Redfish have still been a bit tough in the morning but the bite gets better in the afternoon around the top of the tide. Live shrimp on jigs tossed up under the mangrove overhangs has been the go-to. Let it sit for a bit before relocating the cast. If you do pick up a red, throw some small pieces of shrimp near the bushes. That will help lure any other fish that are close by.
The snook are back in hiding. The water temperatures fell to the low 60's and we still have a few more chilly mornings to deal with. A warm up is forecast for this weekend and that should get them on the move again. We aren't that far away from spawning provided the weather warms up a bit.
Fishing on the nearshore reefs has been good when we can get out there. There are still a lot of sheepshead, mangrove snapper and pompano to be caught. Live shrimp dropped to the bottom on a circle hook and split shot combo has been working the best.
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