Water is heating up and so is the fishing!
Capt. Rob Modys
April 21, 2013
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
There has been a substantial drop in boat traffic over the past week. Our high season is over and a lot of folks are headed back up north. That, combined with warmer weather, has taken a good deal of the pressure off of the fish.
Sea trout are biting in the backcountry on live shrimp under corks and the average catch is much larger than a month ago. Most are in the slot. The water is warm enough now to go with topwater artificial lures in the mornings and late afternoons. Rapala Skitterwalks, Heddon Zara Spooks and Top Dogs in natural colors are working best.
The redfish are also there, but only seem to want to get caught at the highest point of the tides. We've switched from bait under corks, to putting our offerings right on the bottom on a jig head or circle hook. Have patience. It may take a little while for them to pick up the first bait.
It's time for snook. They are migrating out of the backcountry, headed for the spawn along our beaches. Snook is still closed for harvest, so release them quickly after bringing them to the boat or shoreline. Best beach baits are artificials. Try Mirrolure 17MR's and 19MR's.
The nearshore waters are giving up a lot of spanish mackerel, sea trout, snapper and a mix of jacks and blue runners. We started shark fishing this past week and they are back. Using cut baits, my anglers have landed blacktip, hammerheads, bulls and silkies in about 14 feet of water. Anchor up in the Gulf, cut up some ladyfish, jacks or live threadfin herring for chum and then set your shark rigs out with a chunk of fresh jack. It can take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes for the first toothy creature to show up, but after that they'll come one after another.
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