Good week with better to come. Full moon tides rule!
Capt. Rob Modys
April 22, 2016
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
Seems we have finally gotten into a beautiful weather pattern with warm sunny days and cool nights. The winds have let down quite a bit and the tarpon have shown up along our beaches. Our winter guest have headed home for the summer, so that leaves plenty of space on the water and along the beaches for fishing. It's time to get out there and wet a line!
Capt. Larry Hendricks of Tall Tails Charters said that off and on breezes dictated what could be done this past week. On a nice day he ran out to the local reefs and did well on mangrove snapper and released some dandy gag grouper. Inshore trips were heavy on the keeper seatrout and a few reds were caught as well. The reds got scarce late in the week as high pressure built, but they should fire up again now that the weather is stabilizing. Bait on the flats wasn't easy to come by, but if you stay in one place and chum like mad they will come. Threadfin herring are stacked on the bridges. You need a big heavy net to get them because the tide is really ripping now. On a side note Larry taught his 8 year old son how to throw a cast net and the lesson was successful. Caught his fist live bait. Start ‘em early!
Capt. Alex Dolinski of Spot On Charters fished with Jay of Raleigh NC and put him on his first catch and release redfish. Jay also caught a few jacks and some small seatrout.
Capt. Brad Brown of Moonlite Charters said that despite the breeze the weather was beautiful this past week and it was great to be on the water. Catching was good with quite a few keepers brought to the boat. Snook, redfish, seatrout, black drum, cobia and sheepshead were all in the mix. Baits of choice were live pilchards and shrimp.
Capt. Jon Fetter of Catching The Cure Charters said that the fishing in Estero Bay was a little tough, when it come to size, this past week. There has been plenty of action. The spotted seatrout bite remains good over the grass flats in 3 to 5 feet of water and near the passes. Shrimp under popping corks worked best. Anglers also picked up ladyfish that can be saved to use as cut bait later in the trip. The redfish love them and could be found along oyster bars. Shrimp tipped jig heads worked also. Live bait is starting to show up along the beaches but you have to work to find it. Once caught, put it on a 3/0 circle hook and go hunting for snook. They've been hanging around docks near the passes. The passes are also producing a nice mixed bag of trout, whiting, ladyfish, pompano and sharks. Drag a jig head shrimp combo along the bottom.
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