Ft. Myers - Offshore

Capt. Rick Featherstone
May 13, 2003
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Tarpon Fever and King Mackerel

Greetings,

I spent every day this week except one tarpon fishing. Ranging far and wide the schools are here but moving around. Lots of time looking, but when found they are eating so its worth the effort for sure. One day almost twenty miles off the beach we had the time of our lives jumping fish after fish on fly, bait and lures. Flat calm, clear water it was like fishing in a aquarium watching them. The very next day we caught and released two tarpon within a mile of the beach. Both came on black cockroach pattern's fished blind casting under diving birds. On bait, our best shots have come with pinfish lately. Light tackle, twenty pound rigs and cast right into the fish bring quick strikes.

My other day was spent out over a wreck working kingfish, little tunny, and cudas. Weather was sloppy with seas running three to four feet but the action was solid. We fought fish the whole time we were there. Again, both fly, lure, and bait worked well. We released several kings in the mid teen size, spanish mackerel to five pounds, a black tip shark about thirty, and one big thirty pound cuda that ate a spanish at boat side, but got hooked on our lure. He almost came in the boat he was so aggressive. I still see that image in my mind as it happened right next to me as I was reaching for the spanish!

Good Fishing,

Capt. Rick

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