Ft. Myers - Offshore

Capt. Rick Featherstone
March 9, 2004
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Permit us to King You!

Greetings,

Well fishing fans, spring has tapped us on the shoulder for sure. Crazy weather cycles and awesome fishing has been on tap for the Magic Hook as of late. Lots of bait has moved into the area as Gulf temperatures rise. March came in with winds howling and keeping us stuck home or in the backwater with a difficult bite. Font after front with no slack. Then as quickly as it came, we had a week of slick calm seas. We took full advantage of that for sure.

Backwater there is a steady bit of big jacks now. Lures, jigs and live baits are all working and a great time to catch. Ladyfish and trout are biting okay, and there has been some snook action as well. Snook are starting to migrate down from the deep creeks and into the bays.

Near shore the sheepshead and Spanish mackerel bite has been very good. Sheepies are spawning over heavy structure on local artificial reefs. Great action on sloppy days with fish running up to seven pounds. We used live shrimp on a head knocker rig. These fish are under rated as fighters and much more difficult to catch than given credit for. Spanish are moving around but here in force. One morning we landed forty five by ten, and fifty one the next by noon.

Further offshore from thirty to sixty five feet the only thing I fished for was permit. On those calm days with plenty of patience we were able to catch big trophy fish every day for a week. Smallest fish of the week was a twenty six pound, largest was just at forty pounds. Jigs, shrimp and crabs was our bait of choice. All sight fishing, casting to the fish and watching the show. Hundreds of refusals, but great fun when the take was made.

This past weekend my wife and I fished with team Gottem ON in the Naples SKA kingfish tournament. Wow, that was a ton of fun. We landed eight kings from twenty one pounds to twenty nine pounds eight ounces. We also caught some huge gags, and a goliath grouper. Slow trolling blue runners was our only method. Check our website for pictures.

Tight Lines and keep and eye to the weather,

Capt. Rick

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