Fall is in the air and the fish are responding!
Capt. Rob Modys
September 26, 2012
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The fishing took a big jump in the right direction this past week. The weather cooled just enough to let the water temperatures drop a bit and that really helped step things up a notch in Pine Island Sound, Estero Bay and the Gulf. Fall is definitely in the air and we are moving toward some great October catching!
The most notable change over the past few days is the abundance of very small bait on the grass flats. There's tons of it schooled up and the jacks and ladyfish are going after them, big time! Find them and you'll find some very nice size trout underneath along with a few sharks, bluefish, mackerel and even some pompano. Shrimp under a popping cork was the go-to but artificial Gulp and D.O.A. Shrimp were also working.
The redfish bite is right on track for this time of year. The numbers and size is picking up and they are all along the mangrove islands and edges. Both live shrimp and cut bait, fished on the bottom, has been the best bet and try to look for them as close to the top of the tide as possible.
Snook are also biting well in the back country. They have started to move from the beaches to the passes and mid-bay haunts. Live bait works best if you're good with a cast net, but they will also go after just about any soft plastic artificial that resembles a bait fish.
The Gulf water is cooling down, so the mackerel bite is heating up just a mile or so off the beaches. They are everywhere. Just look for the diving birds and you'll find the fish. There have also been some reports that the bonita (little tuny) are starting to move in. Might want to make sure you've got a rod and reel combo that will handle them when they show. They can sure run off a bunch of line.
The return of the Fall tarpon is starting to happen along the beaches. They are starting their southward migration toward the Florida Keys. Keep a sharp eye out while fishing off of Captiva, Sanibel or Fort Myers Beach and be ready to toss something their way if they suddenly show.
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