Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor & Matlacha Pass

Capt. Glenn Grimes
April 7, 2005
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

The wind was howling as I cut over to Tarpon bay on San Carlos bay.After 3 throws of the net the well was teeming with greenbacks and threadfins.After what was a bumpy ride on the "A" frame flat going to Estero island.I picked up my clients and headed to estero bay due to high winds.After fishing some spots with some results we headed deeper into the bay into the backcountry.

I anchored up on this one hole and the bait barely hit the water before it disappeared in a big boil.My client set the hook and the fight was on.After a brief but hard fought battle I netted a 26" snook.We then caught some small snook and then Mike got a 22" redfish.Since he had caught a nice trout on one of the holes we had fished earlier he had his backcountry slam.We caught a few more small snook.Then I was trying to hook a snook for his 6 year old son when a big ol redfish hit the greenback and took off peeling the drag.I handed the rod to his son Conner and he did a remarkable job fighting this redfish only to have the hook come out right at the boat.

When the action slowed down at this spot we then moved to another spot.We caught another small snook and then a small tarpon of 15lbs took to the air.Mike fought it to the boat and lost it right at the boat.Almost had the grand slam for the day.

Now that the water temp's have come up the snook, reds,tarpon and lots of cobia are being caught.Seatrout fishing has remained steady as a rock.I have even managed to get limits of trout on the flyrod.These flyrod trout have been hitting seaducers and deceivers tied in either yellow and red or white and red.

Tarpon are beginning to show off the beaches and in the Pine Island Sound.These fish are about 60 to 80lbs on the average with some bigger fish in the mix.

I managed to catch some nice sharks earlier this week.They were blacktips which are excellent eating on the grill.Also have seen some nice bull and lemon sharks of around 200 to 300lbs.Well that will do it for this week.See ya on the water.

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Glenn Grimes
• Fort Myers Fishing Reports
• Southwest Florida (Cape Sable to Boca Grande) Reports
• Florida Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports