Bonita, Mackerel, Snook and Reds In the Gulf and Estero Bay
Capt. Rob Modys
October 11, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
As we roll into Fall here in southwest Florida the fishing just gets better and better. The days are getting shorter and cooler and the fish are on the feed. Live bait is everywhere. Along the beaches we've been netting threads, white bait, mojara, shad and small mullet. On the grass in the backcountry a little chum will get you more pinfish than you'll know what to do with!
In the near Gulf waters spanish mackerel are schooled up and are hitting baits from sunup until sundown. They are running by size, so if you get into a school of small ones just move on to the next area. Once the big ones have been found you can catch them until you're worn out. Little tuny (bonita) are coming in close to shore with the cool down of water temperatures. They are running in schools of about 40 or 50 fish and they average 10 pounds. There's nothing quite like hooking up on a tuny so you better have your drag set properly and plenty of line on the spool! The gag grouper are starting to show up on the shallower rock piles and reefs just a few miles offshore and there are still plenty of mangrove snapper in the same area. If you pull off the rocks just a bit, you'll find some good sized flounder on the sand.
Snook has been the "word" in the backcountry. Most of my trips have been fishing for redfish but it's hard to avoid the linesiders. They are hungry and it's not unusual to hookup with 20 or more on a trip. The reds are there too and the best fishing has been near the top of the high tide in and around the bushes. We've been using cut ladyfish as the bait of choice. The trout are back in a big way and we are seeing the best fish, both numbers and size, in the shallow waters near passes and in the middle of grass flats. Find the diving birds and you'll find the trout.
This pattern should continue until late November so get out there and enjoy some of the best fishing Florida has to offer.
More Fishing Reports:
