Warm weather, warm water means great fishing
Capt. Rob Modys
February 5, 2014
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
It was a very fishy week in Estero Bay and it was nice to get back in shorts, t-shirts and flip flops again and look for fish without having to worry about the next cold front. The daytime air temperatures are back in the 80's and the water temps have risen to the lower 70's.
The redfish bite picked up in the backcountry along the mangrove shorelines. The higher tide bite in the afternoon was best and live shrimp on jig heads, tossed up under the mangrove overhangs worked well. We were also using cut ladyfish and that seemed to get the interest of the bigger reds. Being patient and working an area fully paid off with a few over slot fish.
Sea trout were on the flats in about 3 to 4 feet of water. We used artificial baits to get the bigger ones and topwaters worked best. Try Chug-Bugs or Rapala Skitterwalks in dark colors.
During the early morning outbound tides the bite was a mixed bag of sheepshead, pompano, jacks and ladyfish. The oyster bar areas in the north bay produced a lot of fish using live shrimp on jigs and under corks.
The nearshore Gulf action picked up big time as the waters warmed. A good amount of baitfish are back on the beaches and threadfin herring are showing up in schools in about 14 feet of water. Close on their tails are lots of big spanish mackerel and bonito. Just look for the birds working over the bait and you'll find the fish. We've had a lot of of success throwing any artificial that's small and silver. Work it fast around the schools and it won't take long to get hooked up.
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