We're still catching redfish and trout. No snook or tarpon yet.
Capt. Scott Hughes
March 17, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The weather has sucked so far this month. Its been cold and windy and feels more like January rather than mid March. The fishing hasn't been as bad as the weather. We're catching winter species like redfish, speckled trout and sheepshead but the usual players like snook, mackerel and tarpon are absent.
Redfish: Fishing for redfish has been pretty good most of the time even when the weather has been bad. I've been doing the best when the winds are out of the south or west. The west winds pushes up the water on the flats and the south winds warm up the water on the flats. Northwest winds have been difficult fishing lately. I've been able to get on some decent speckled trout bite on a northwest but that about it.
Speckled trout: The fishing for specks has been good with good numbers of keepers moving out toward the passes. I'm also catching a handful of very large "gator" trout while targeting redfish.
Sheepshead: Sheepshead fishing is still going strong out in the passes and there are scatered groups of fish on the flats. I haven't targeted sheepshead in a week or so but I'm catching some big ones each day.
Snook: I haven't caught a snook yet this month. I saw about a half dozen yesterday. That the first ones that i've seen alive on the flats this year.
Tarpon: No migratory tarpon have shown up yet. In fact we are even seeing any bait migrations yet. If we start to get some bait, I'll be able to target some resident tarpon that stay here all year.
Mackerel: There are no mackerel here yet as far as I know. There were some spanish mackerel off Marco Island a month ago but they have moved out due to drop in the water temps down there.
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
When the bait schools show up and the weather warms up will be able to target more of the normal spring species. Right now I still using shrimp and artificial lures. The same as i do all winter. I ready to due something different.
Target Species:
Redfish, Speckled Trout
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