Summer fishing report Forty Myers and Boca Grande
Capt. Scott Hughes
August 9, 2009
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
I'm sorry that I haven't been able to keep up on my fishing reports this summer. But, after spending all day on the water in 95 degree heat, getting on the computer has been a high priority.
Tarpon: For the past three months I spent most of my time tarpon fishing. We had a great start to June with quite a few fish landed on most trips and I had another 4 tarpon over 200 pounds landed. By the middle of June the weather was starting to hamper the tarpon fishing. We had 17 days of west winds and that pretty much killed the last two weeks of June. July started about the same a June ended but by the 4th the wind switched out of the east and the fishing picked up in Boca Grande Pass and along the beaches. Some smaller tarpon also started showing up in Charlotte Harbor and the rivers that feed it. So far, August is more of the same. Boca Grande Pass and the beaches still have some quality tarpon and Charlotte Harbor is holding lots of smaller tarpon along with studs in the 150 pound range. I've been using live ladyfish or trolling large lures for the large "blackwater" tarpon. Out in the Passes I've been using live pinfish or thread herring.
Snook: Snook fishing has been great when I've been able to get out for them. Most of the fish are in the 3-5 pound range but most of the time I've been able to manage a few in the 28-32 inch range even though they are only catch and release until September 1st.
Redfish: Redfishing has been tough all season. There are redfish around but its not been good enough for me to charters on.
Snapper: Snapper have been everywhere. They are inshore, offshore and nearshore. They are thick in the passes and around the mangroves and on the artificial reefs. They have been hitting live sardines and shrimp.
Good Luck,
Capt. Scott Hughes
Blackwater Charters
941-575-2389 home
941-628-4247 cell
www.blackwatercharters.com
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
Forecast: I'll be targeting tarpon until the end of September. After that they will probably be gone so if you want to get in a trip you better act quickly. Snook season will be September 1st and the fishing should be excellent. Look for the fish to be moving out of the passes in into the bay.
Target Species:
Tarpon, Snook, Snapper
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