Ft. Myers - Offshore

Capt. Rick Featherstone
November 27, 2000
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Happy Thanksgiving

Greetings;

Windy conditions gave me trouble this week. With more cancellations than trips over the Thanksgiving holiday, I would have had a easier time reporting on what a great time I had with my wife home from school and the family all together for a change rather than fishing.

Spanish mackerel are still here. The schools are not condensed into the typical large groups but rather smaller pods roving the artificial reef and hard bottom areas. I have hopes that the king mackerel came down with this first serious cold front of the year. But that is yet to be determined due to rain and thunderstorms offshore over the weekend.

Snapper fishing remains strong over the ledges and heavy structures. Chumming and light leaders are producing some of the best snappers of the year to date. With the heavy seas low visibility has developed. Dead baits and cut baits are out producing live baits right now. Grouper action is good but a long ride is necessary. The area that was hit with the red tide is recovering but slowly, at least in my spots. Pleagic's and snappers seem to have been less affected. Big Jewfish are on every structure and big ledge now. Great fighters, if you have the stamina to reel in a small car!

Decent action on large bull redfish has been a great help to our fishing. Working and area from three to seven miles out all along our coast schools of these giants are roving around. I like jigs and lures, but they love a good sized live pinfish.

Take care and watch for heavy fog. This is the time of year it can get soupy around here.

Sincerely,

Capt. Rick Featherstone

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