Wednesday, I fished in Estero Bay, wherever we could find deep enough water. It was chilly and very windy, and the bay was shallow, but we fished an incoming tide, and caught two cravalle jacks and four keeper sheepshead to 17 1/2 inches, using live shrimp.
Yet another cold front came through, with windy conditions Thursday, calming some by Friday, when I ventured offshore. The water temperature was 65 degrees when we headed out on a chilly, 47 degree morning. We went out to where the water was slightly warmer—about 68 degrees. The bite was very slow, and we changed locations a few times, trying to find some fish. But, even in 50 feet of water, we were catching pinfish, small snappers and small red groupers. We also hooked one jolthead porgie. I don’t know what to make of the slow fishing this week, except that the cold water temperature must be a factor.
I fished Estero Bay Saturday, in the channel toward Wiggins Pass. We caught two keeper sheepshead, and released lots of smaller ones, along with ladyfish. We also got a 16 inch trout, on live shrimp.
The photo shown is of angler Tony Pastore, with a 23 inch gag grouper, caught on live shrimp, on an offshore trip last month.
