Ft Myers to Sarasota Fishing Report

Capt. Scott Hughes
December 8, 2008
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Most of my fishing the past month or two has focused on flats fishing in Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. The fishing has been a bit different than last year. The water is much cooler and I've had to rely on a deep water pattern much earlier than I'm used to. I have found good speckled trout numbers in the deeper creeks from Matlacha pass to eastern Sanibel island. Pine Island Sound fishing has been marginal at best with some nice trout in the potholes but not enough numbers to keep my interest. I made a few fishing trips up to Sarasota Bay and the trout fishing was on fire. Once we found the fish it was constent action with hard jerk baits and soft plastics. The fish were all mid to over slot fish also. Redfish were caught in Sarasota as well with most of the fish averaging over 5 pounds with a few much bigger. Redfish in Charlotte Harbor have been tougher to find but they are eating when you got on them. Average size has been low to mid slot for the Charlotte Harbor reds. Snook and big jacks are roaming up the rivers and have been hitting well after the cold fronts. We've been fishing smaller crank baits for the jacks that are running 10-20 lbs. Snook from 5 to 25 pounds are sometime caught at the same time but the odds are increased if some live bait can be found. Three to five pound Bluefish and smaller jacks are in the lagoons that line Pine Island and they have been the trip savers lately when you have to get some drag burning.

Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:

The forecast for the next few months is much of the same until late february when the water temps should come up. Look for trout to be holding in the deeper runs of the flats from Matlacha Pass to Sarasota Bay. Pompano will be near the passes and redfish will be holding anywhere from the potholes of pine Island Sound to Sarasota. Jacks, Sheepshead and bluefish will keep rods in a pinch.

Target Species:

Snook, Redfish, Trout , Pompano

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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