Fort Myers to Boca Grande inshore fishing report December 2010

Capt. Scott Hughes
December 20, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Even though the charters are slower than normal this year I have been fishing several days a week on my own so that I can stay on top of the fishing. We are already experiencing a colder than normal winter and the water temps are already in the 50's. That's colder than some years where the water never dips below 60 degrees. The cold water has pushed a lot of the fish off the flats and into the creeks and canals. Redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead , flounder and pompano are still biting in these areas. I've been using live shrimp most of the time but artificial lures are doing well during the middle of the day when the water temps peak for the day.

I'm not a fan of fishing in canals, so i usually look for depressions on the flats and feeder creeks where the water is slightly warmer. The problem is that if you fishing near any canals at all, most of the fish in the area are going to go in them since a canal is a artificial water warmer. I've found that the redfish are handling the cold water the best and are still holding on the shallow grass flats the best. Speckled trout are more scattered than they were a month ago but if you hit a school of them you can catch them on every cast. Sheepshead are holding in the passes and in the potholes on the flats. However, they are biting best in the passes. I'm catching a number of flounder each day while targeting the redfish. Most are under the slot but I've been getting a few keepers each day.

Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:

The redfish and speckled trout have adjusted to the colder water temps and fishing for them will continue to be good for them between the cold fronts. Fish before the fronts and you'll do well. Don't expect to catch much the day after a cold front.

Target Species:

redfish, specked trout, flounder

More Fishing Reports:

I specialize in light tackle saltwater, and fly fishing from the backcountry of the 10,000 Islands to flats of Pine Island Sound and the bay system of Charlotte Harbor. I have pick-up locations out of Ft Myers, Marco Island, Pine Island, Punta Gorda and Boca Grande. I like to target big fish. During warm months, tarpon, sharks, snook, redfish, cobia, king mackerel and big jacks are the main species sought after. Most of the winter months are devoted to redfish, trout, snook and grouper. Whether

Contact Info:

Blackwater Charters
12571 Burnt Store Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Phone: 941-575-2389
Alt. Phone: 941-628-4247
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