Redfish Bite Is Still Top Notch In Estero Bay
Capt. Rob Modys
December 2, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The fishing over the past week has been top notch with great action both offshore, in the Gulf and inshore in Estero Bay, but there's a cold front on the way and that should stir things up a bit. A forecast drop in temperatures should bring water temperatures back to more December like levels and that should be the bell ringer for sheepshead and sea trout in the backcountry.
Everything is eating shrimp right now so that's been my bait of choice. We've also had some great "artificial" days using Berkley Gulp shrimp, D.O.A. Shrimp and Rapala Skitter Walks. My anglers have caught snapper, grouper, sheepshead, trout, redfish, flounder and snook using a very basic shrimp and jig combination.
The backcountry of Estero Bay is just packed with small (rat) reds. You have to catch 15 of them before you get one in the slot, but they sure are a lot of fun. The sheepshead bite is improving and so is the size. We've been working oyster bars and mangrove islands with small offerings of shrimp. The trout bite is picking up on the grass flats with lots of big fish being caught. That's probably because the season is closed until January 1st. You can catch them, you just can't keep them.
Spanish mackerel are still schooled up in the Gulf. We've been finding them under large flocks of gulls and terns and there are usually a bunch of bluefish, jacks and ladyfish mixed in. The rock piles and reefs are holding a nice mixed bag right now with grouper and snapper leading the way. We're also finding plenty of sheepshead and flounder there as well.
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
Winter weather has finally arrived in southwest Florida. That should drop water temperatures to seasonal norms and that should increase the sea trout, sheepshead and pompano bite over the next week or so.
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