Ft Myers to Boca Grande fishing report for Spring 2013
Capt. Scott Hughes
April 23, 2013
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
This spring has been cooler and windier than I like but you have to do the best you can with what you get. I spent most of March targeting redfish and have been mostly targeting tarpon since Easter.
Tarpon started moving into the area in fishable numbers near the end of March but I wasn't able to hook any until April 2nd. The cold water temperatures and lots of wind have made the tarpon fishing difficult. I've already had some really good days but I've had my struggles, especially when the wind has been out of the south. South winds make Pine island Sound muddy and the beaches and Charlotte Harbor very choppy. On the other hand, those same winds make flats fishing for redfish and snook excellent so the guys targeting snook have had a lot of good fishing.
Snook fishing has been very good for the guys that have been targeting them with live bait. Both sides of Charlotte Harbor and Pine island Sound has produced good snook fishing. From what I'm seeing, there are a lot of upper to over slot snook on the flats. That will be good for the spawn later in the summer.
Redfish fishing has been good all winter and still is good now. all the usual flats are holding schools of slot sized redfish. Live bait, dead biat and lures will take them if your stealthy and don't many any noise. Please be courteous and move to another area if a boat is poling or staked out on a flat. There is a lot of water out there. It's always nice to find a new area and you cant do that fishing where there is already a boat or two.
Cobia have getting in on the mix. I've been doing quite a bit of sight fishing for cobia along the beaches and bars. Most this has been on the windy days when I haven't been able to get out to where I like to look for the tarpon.
Sharks are everywhere. Catching hasn't been a problem. Bulls, blacktips, spinner, hammerheads, you name it. Its all here if you like sharks.
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
I don't see much changing with the fishing. When the weather improves we have some really good days. Windy will take its toll on the tarpon production but will help the snook and redfish guys. Cobia and sharks will be a staple though out the next few months.
Good Luck!
Capt. Scott Hughes
Blackwater Charters
941-628-4247
www.blackwatercharters.com
www.ftmyersfishingcharters.com
Target Species:
Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Cobia, Sharks
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