Warmer weather kicks the bite up a notch for reds and trout
Capt. Rob Modys
April 4, 2014
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
March came in like a lion and went out like one too. It seems the lamb has finally shown up in early April. We'll take it! Sunny and warm weather should be the norm for the foreseeable future and that will give anglers a chance to head out in the Gulf and look for arriving tarpon and perhaps do a little shark and reef fishing. The crowds of winter and spring break will also start to thin, so it's time for the locals to come out of hiding and enjoy the beach.
The early part of the week started off a bit rough with high winds and cool temperatures which made for some tough fishing in Estero Bay. As the week progressed things got a lot better with lighter winds and bright sunny days. The turnaround happened on Tuesday with a solid inshore bite of seatrout, ladyfish, big jacks and a few slot and overslot redfish. Most were caught using popping corks rigged with live shrimp.
There are still some sheepshead to be caught. They are up under the mangrove overhangs and bite best on the early part of the inbound tide. Small offerings of live shrimp on small hooks is the way to trick these great bait stealers.
The nearshore reefs really lit up about midweek. Close to the rocks we found a lot of sheepshead with quite a few keepers while using shrimp. Mixed in were mangrove snapper and small gag grouper. Just off the rocks, in the sand, we caught founder, seatrout and a few big snook. Cut threadfin herrings were the bait of choice. Watch for the birds while you're in the Gulf. They are starting to work over the bait schools and there you'll find spanish mackerel, bluefish and you might even score on a cobia or tarpon.
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