Fort Myers Beach Nearshore Fishing Producing Grouper

Capt. Rob Modys
April 7, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

It is really amazing what warming water temperatures can do to turn the fishing on. Nice size white bait has returned to the beaches in good numbers and there are big thread fin herring near the bridges and passes. The let down in the persistent winds has allowed us to get out on the near shore reefs off of Fort Myers Beach and the bite has been off the chain. If you can't catch fish now you should take up golf. Large schools of spanish mackerel are moving through and are easy targets using curly tail jigs or free line live bait. There are bluefish, blue runners and ladyfish mixed in. On the bottom, near rock piles and wrecks, the grouper bite has been great. I'm getting some nice sized gags along with the occasional red grouper. While working the mackerel we've caught some nice cobia. Pompano are near the beaches and all are keeper size. Working a small yellow lead head jig tipped with shrimp near the bottom is the ticket to some delicious table fare. Even though snook fishing remains closed the bite has been great in Estero Bay. We're not really targeting them right now but it's hard to avoid them while looking for redfish. They are hungry and aggressive!

Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:

Looking for tarpon! They are starting to show in the Gulf and should be in the area in the next week or so. Can't wait to jump a few poons!

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