Ft. Myers - Offshore

Capt. Rick Featherstone
April 1, 2005
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

The Arrival!

Greetings,

Things are really heating up in South West Florida. Water temperatures have risen from a cool sixty-eight to an almost balmy seventy-five in two weeks. We have seen a dramatic change in action as well and it’s going to get much better. Thankfully, what seemed like a never ending cold streak is over! Best of all we spotted our first tarpon of the spring this week.

Near shore in the passes where there is good sand bottom pompano have been biting very well on shrimp tipped jigs. On the close artificial reefs Sheepshead to ten pounds are still around in good numbers for family fun. Pick up a hundred shrimp and have a blast close to home. I did a trip with a young man named Mitch and his family from Canada. Mitch was eight, and had just completed a year of chemo. Mitch caught a beautiful 34” nine pound snook on a near shore reef to make his day and mine. There has been a solid cobia run in the area. Pinfish make great bait, as do blue crabs.

From ten to twenty miles out you will find the live bottom has lots of action going on. Many red and gag grouper but most are undersized, but LOTS of fun on light tackle. One hundred fish days are common. If you find the heavier breaks or wrecks, there are some beautiful gags also. Live baits are best, but trolling will be more effective in getting them up. Permit are in the area, we have caught several to twenty-five pounds. It’s not consistent, but be ready and when you find them have fun. Cobia and Kings are here. Take advantage and troll between spots with a spoon and you will hook up. When bottom fishing keeps that live bait out both will come to play.

Take care and watch the weather.

Bow em’ UP!

Capt. Rick

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