Much cooler water, post cold front, but fish are biting
Capt. Rob Modys
January 9, 2014
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The recent cold weather knocked the water temperatures down quite a bit. That's going to force anglers to look for species like pompano, seatrout and sheepshead if dinner is on the docket. However, it will also spike the bite for ladyfish and jacks. They may not be edible, but they are a ton of fun to catch.
It's time to think about smaller bait offerings and slower presentations. Live shrimp on small jigs or on circle hooks, with very little weight will work best.
The seatrout have been showing up in good numbers on the open flats of Estero Bay in about 3 to 4 feet of water. We've been drifting the flats using popping cork rigs with live shrimp, artificial Gulp shrimp and D.O.A. shrimp. Once found, I anchor up and work the area thoroughly.
Redfish are still biting despite the cooler water, but most have been under slot. There sure are a lot of them, though. It's not unusual to pick up 10 or so per trip.
Sheepshead are up under the bushes and near oyster bar cuts and drop offs. Small hooks tipped with shrimp have been getting it done. The bigger ones have arrived, thanks to the cooler water, and should continue to bite until early spring.
We're catching a good number of pompano on the open flats and in shallows of the passes. Look for "skipping" fish as you approach the area. It's been a toss up between jigs tipped with shrimp on the bottom or jigs suspended under a cork. Try both!
The nearshore reefs were a bit slow over the past few days. It's been choppy out there, thanks to the wind. Once things settle down and the tides improve with the coming of the full moon, the bite ought to improve. Look for spanish mackerel, sheepshead, gag grouper, mangrove snapper and a mix of other fish.
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