Fort Myers to Boca Grande fishing report for September 2010
Capt. Scott Hughes
September 15, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
I had a significant slow down in charters the second half of August so I took the time to get some repairs done and get away from the serious fishing and do a little exploring. I took my 21ft Shallow Sport flats boat out of the barn and cleaned her up and went out on the flats of Pine Island and Charlotte Harbor to look around and do a little fishing. The sea grassses are looking great this year and the bay is really responding well to the all the fresh water pouring out of Charlotte Harbor. I found some quality redfish in Pine Island Sound but not the numbers that I'd like. I assume that they are schooled up somewhere. It would take some more time to locate and pattern the schools. Charlotte Harbor redfishing was a little better. The redfish were big and I found a couple of schools but not the numbers that I'm used to finding during the fall run. I guess that they are running a little late just like the tarpon and snook did last spring. I did find huge amounts of smaller trout around the bait schools in Charlotte Harbor. Most of the trout were just under the slot but were extremely fat and healthy. It looks like its going to be great trout season this winter as most of these fish will be slot by January 1st when the season opens for 2011.
After labor day, the charters starting picking back up and i got back to hunting bigger game. The tarpon are still running strong for those who put in the time and stay on the migration. There are some good groups of fish working the beaches from Ft Myers Beach to Captiva and also fish outside Boca Grande. Scattered tarpon are also in the bay and can be found following bait pods. The tarpon on the beaches are running slightly smaller than the fish in the bay but tarpon up to 150 lbs can be found in both areas.
Sharks are making a good showing lately. Large bulls, spinners and blacktips are following the same bait that the tarpon are eating.
Spanish mackerel are working the minnow pods along with speckled trout. The mackerel are good sized and proivide a nice bycatch while targeting the trout.
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
As fall draws nearer, the overall fishing will get much better. There will still be decent tarpon action for at least another month but the redfish, mackerel, false albacore tuna, kingfish, speckled trout, bluefish and sharks are on their way and it's about to get good.
Target Species:
tarpon, redfish, speckled tout, mackerel, sharks
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