Southwest Florida Fishing Report

Fishing Reports

The fishing heated up big time in the early part of last week for the opening of snook season but another cold front showed up and slowed things down again.  The forecast is for sunny skies and warmer days so that should bring the water temperatures and the action back in a hurry.  It sure would be nice if the cold weather would stay up north where it belongs!

Capt. Sean Davis of Fish Warrior Charters had a busy week with snook.  He reported that the bite was excellent up until the return of the cold weather.  The snook were hitting big threadfin herrings free lined around mangrove islands in Estero Bay.  Capt. Sean also reported some nice sized redfish mixed in with the snook.  Large trout were also caught using the bigger baits.

Capt. Rob Modys of SoulMate Charters reported excellent action on snook early in the week.  Using live piltchers his parties caught 31 over a 2 day period.  Trout are still biting very well and running mostly in the slot with a few over 20 inches.  Redfish have been far and few between and most have been under slot.  They just need a bit warmer water temps and higher tides.  Once that starts happening the red bite should be strong.   Capt. Rob said that the sheepshead are everywhere and biting well on small jigs tipped with shrimp.  For action, ladyfish and large jacks can be found near most of the oyster bars in north end of Estero Bay.

Capt. Ward Kowayk said that working with a mixture of artificial plugs and live bait resulted in numerous snook that measured to the top of the slot and beyond.  Red fishing was tough but some were caught at the top of the tides around the mangrove islands of Estero Bay.  Capt. Ward also reported a good trout bite using shrimp and white baits fished slowly in deeper areas.

Capt. Pete Migliazzo of Saltwater Angler Charters said that before the big winds came on the heels of the cold front, off shore action was very good.  Spanish mackerel and kingfish are starting to show up along with little tunies and cobia.  Bottom fishing for snapper with cut bait and live bait produced a lot of fish as well as 2 keeper gag grouper, released because of the 2 month closure.  Capt. Pete said that he and other off shore captains are anxious for the re-opening of grouper.

Capt. Brad Brown of Moonlite Charters reported a consistent snook bite using live white bait.  That meant running offshore looking for bait but once found, it worked!  Working the moving water around mangrove islands produced the most bites from both snook and redfish.  Capt. Brad said that he found some huge jacks in Hell Peckney Bay as well as some laid up redfish sunning themselves in the shallows.

Capt. Mike Denegre of Good Time Charters reported an excellent week of fishing the back waters of Estero Bay.  He said beautiful weather coupled with great tides produced lots of action around mangrove islands and in the passes.  In Big Carlos Pass, Capt. Mike said that his anglers caught lots of bonnet head sharks along with bluefish, spanish mackerel and pompano.  The back bay produced some nice trout with most in the slot and a few over 20 inches.  Capt. Mike recommends using a brightly colored jig with live shrimp fished in the deeper cuts.  Sheepshead are still biting well on shrimp, crabs or sand fleas fished very slowly on the bottom near oyster bars and docks.

Capt. Phil Pica said that the week started off strong and should bounce back after the latest cold front.  He reported lots of snapper and sheepshead on the nearshore reefs including a day where his party limited out on mangrove snapper to 5 pounds.  Toward the end of the week Capt. Phil found 2 big schools of permit.  Fishing with Joe Denunzzio and his sons and grandsons, the group caught a dozen over 25 pounds with the largest going 38 pounds!