Trout, Sheepshead, Redfish... Estero Bay Is Producing Fish
Capt. Rob Modys
January 24, 2011
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
The cold fronts keep on coming but the weather is a whole lot better here in southwest Florida than it is in the middle to northeast U.S. The water temperatures dropped over the weekend to the low 60's but that didn't change things much in Estero Bay. Trout, sheepshead and redfish have been cooperating along with good size ladyfish and jacks. You can't eat the ladies and jacks but they sure are fun to catch!
Spent the last several days using live shrimp under popping corks and working pot holes and cuts on the low tides. When the water comes up and warms up, later in the day, we've been moving to the back of the Bay to fish the mangrove. It's hard to find a slot redfish right now but there sure are a bunch of "rats" around.
The keeper to undersize ratio changed on the trout. We're getting about 1 keeper to 5 releases. Seems the smaller fish are hungrier right now. Live shrimp has been the ticket but Gulp Shrimp and Redfish Magic artificials are doing well after the sun warms the water a bit.
Sheepshead has been the dinner ticket. The big ones (3 to 4 pounds) have made their winter move to the mangrove cuts and oyster bars. They'll readily take small offerings of shrimp on 1/8 oz. jigs or on small hooks with a split shot weight to keep it on the bottom. Set the hook just as soon as you feel the bite. They are great bait stealers and your hesitation is in their favor.
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
The outlook for the coming week is very positive. A nice warm up is in store for anglers and that should improve an already decent bite. See you on the water!
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