10,000 Islands to Charlotte Harbor fishing report

Capt. Scott Hughes
April 25, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

I've been splitting my time between the 10,000 Islands and Charlotte Harbor for the past month. The tarpon migration is about a month behind schedule this year and I'm having to go into the 10,000 islands to get on the good concentrations of migratory tarpon schools. The area is very wind dependent and if the wind is wrong the fishing can be tough. I am also seeing a lot of triple tail and permit when the weather is nice. I've been catching permit from 25-40 pounds and triple tail from 3-15 pounds. Most of the tarpon are 80-150 pounds.

When the winds are not right for the 10,000 Islands, I've been comming back to Charlotte Harbor and fishing for snook, redfish and speckled trout. The fishing is heating up for snook which is a pleasant suprise considering that we had a epic snook kill this past winter. Fishing for redfish is good with schools on the outside bars and scatters singles along the islands. I haven't been targeting speckled trout much but when I do its been great. 20 inch trout are common and fish in the 23-26 inch range are caught daily. From what I've seen there aren't enough tarpon the Charlotte Harbor area yet to target on a daily basis. That why I focusing on the waters south for my tarpon charters.

Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:

Tarpon are in the area and will get better as it get closer to June. From what I'm seeing it will be a little while before the mass of fish will show up in Charlotte Harbor.

Snook fishing better than i expected so it should get better from here on out. The redfish fishing will be ok for a while but it will drop off some as the water gets hotter. The same for the speckled trout. There are sill plenty of mackerel and sharks around.

Target Species:

Tarpon, Permit, Triple tail, Snook and Redfish

More Fishing Reports:

I specialize in light tackle saltwater, and fly fishing from the backcountry of the 10,000 Islands to flats of Pine Island Sound and the bay system of Charlotte Harbor. I have pick-up locations out of Ft Myers, Marco Island, Pine Island, Punta Gorda and Boca Grande. I like to target big fish. During warm months, tarpon, sharks, snook, redfish, cobia, king mackerel and big jacks are the main species sought after. Most of the winter months are devoted to redfish, trout, snook and grouper. Whether

Contact Info:

Blackwater Charters
12571 Burnt Store Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Phone: 941-575-2389
Alt. Phone: 941-628-4247
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