South West Florida offers an array of fishing opportunities from the novice to the seasoned angler.  Sanibel Island and Fort Myers exhibits great fishing year round because of the fall and spring migrations of a few, warm water game fish; not to mention our year round residents. 

I get asked fairy often, "can I fish for tarpon in December"?  No, because they haven’t migrated north into our waters yet.  "Can we book a fishing charter in January to catch shark"?  We don’t target shark during the winter months because it’s not warm enough.  So, I've decided to put together this article of sorts so as to have a better understanding of when, why and how we catch certain species of game fish.

During the winter months of December through February, our focus is on Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Redfish and Trout.  Trout, being the main attraction during this time of year because they prefer cooler water temperatures; which leads to them more actively feeding.  This is a great time for family fishing.  The game fish are all usually slot sized and a lot of fun for the kids.

-Mangrove Snapper and Sheepshead are caught using a 1/4 or 1/2 oz. split shot with a #1 or #2 long shank hook.  Look to catch them near structure and deep holes around mangroves.

-When fishing for Redfish, I use a popping cork with white bait or shrimp.  Incoming, or outgoing tide on the flats - Or I free line the bait near the mangroves.

-I catch Trout using white bait or shrimp with a popping cork on the flats or reeling in a small weight across the bottom of deeper cuts with a shrimp attached.

During March and April, the water temperatures start to warm up and it begins an exciting time for fishing in Fort Myers.   These months are good to fish for Trout, Redfish and Mangrove snapper.  Shark and Snook are starting to feed more actively, tarpon are migrating and the Cobia migration to the north begins.  In the winter months it’s common for certain fish such as Snook to move away from surface feeding and shallow flats, towards fresher water like the river and connecting canals, which stays warmer.  March tends to be when these fish move out and start feeding on the bait that is laid up on the beaches and flats to regain lost body fat and prepare to spawn.  Cobia, are more common in the panhandle but we do get the migration run near shore, from north to south.  Tripletail, also become a target if fishing off the beaches.  These beauties are not rare but also not abundant anywhere.  So keep your eyes open for these fish.  They’re great table fare.

Cobia can be caught using a few different techniques:

-Bottom fishing with weights and live bait such as pinfish, blue runners and crabs.  Cobia, are attracted to sound and movement, so using artificial baits is also a great choice.  I prefer bright, noisy plugs which sink and/or dive.  You can also troll for Cobia from your boat using a heavy rod and reel with about a 4oz. weight and live bait.

-Cobia, are known for putting up a fight, which makes the hunt all the more exciting.  They take a little more skill and patience to land, but the prize is the fight. 

-Tripletail, tend to hang around channel markers, buoys, crab traps and bridges, the common factor being structure.  They are a slow moving fish, preferring to drift with the currents especially if their floating under debris or vegetation.

-For bait, nothing beats a juicy live shrimp. Tripletail just can’t seem to resist them.  A close second to the natural critter would be a D.O.A. root beer color shrimp fished under a cork.  Tripletail will also take a variety of chunked baits such as fresh cut pieces of pilchards or mullet and a small whole squid will also be too hard to turn down.

-My line of choice for both Cobia and Tripletail is 15-20 lb. mono and 18” – 24” long 30 lb. leader, using a 7ft medium action rod.

During May through July, fishing is what I consider to be the best time of year to catch that trophy. We target Trout and Redfish with the spotlight being on Snook, Tarpon and Shark. 

May begins the Spawning season for Snook.  They can be extremely temperamental during this time but the fishing can be phenomenal! The tarpon migrate north beginning in late spring just off the coast of Sanibel and Fort Myers beaches.  Boca Grande Pass and surrounding areas offer Tarpon the leisure to nourish in preparation for spawning because of the large number of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that drift in and out of the pass on the tides.  Shark fishing is great all through summer.  You can catch shark during the day or even better in the later afternoon through evening hours.

-I fish for Snook near the beaches, in the passes and under docks.  With the larger Snook I would use a live ladyfish with a heavier action rod, 30 pound power pro, 30-40 lb. leader and 6/0 circle hooks.  I like fishing for Snook with small live ladyfish and large white bait.  You can also fish the mangroves and flats using 20 lb. line, 30 lb. leader and 2-3/0 hooks.

-Tarpon can be caught about 3 miles off the beaches when free lining threadfins using 6 to 8 size hooks, 40 pound braid and 60 to 80 pound leader (depending on the clarity of the water and location). In the passes you can drift both threadfins and/or crabs. In Boca Grande Pass, free line crabs if you see them rolling.  In the afternoon, they head to the bottom to shade themselves from the sun.  Try using a weight that will keep the crab down.

- The best shark bait is a stingray if you have the patience to snag a few.  Just debarb them when you snag them before you drop them into the live well. Rig it and cut into the side of one of the fins and then cast it out.  You'll catch the large boys with this technique.  If you prefer the easier method of using cut bait, we tend to use ladyfish, mullet or jacks with the hooks rigged through the gills.  We drift a chum bag off the back of the boat.

-I use Canyon Reels and St Croix Rods.  Spool these reels with 60 to 80 lb. test braid or 40 to 80 lb. mono with 10 o/-18 o/ size hooks. Always use cable, not single strand wire. Sharks will kink and pop single strand in a matter of seconds.  If you can find coated cable it's even better because it dampens the electrical signal your wire will give off that the shark could pick up.

August and September, are the hottest months of the year here in Fort Myers.  We fish for Snook, Trout, Redfish and Shark with the spotlight being on the water temperature. 

By this time of summer, the heat has really warmed up the water which can make the fish and your live bait a little lethargic. Try fishing in deeper water where the temp is cooler.  Finding shade and deep water together, you’re generally going to be looking at a honey hole.  Morning and evening hours are the best time to fish during these months.

During October and November, we target Trout, Sheapshead and Mangrove Snapper with the spotlight being on Redfish.  The reason for this is because the fall is when Redfish begin to spawn in the mouth of inlets, such as the Caloosahatchee River.  This is the best time of year to catch the big red.  Also look for the fall migration of Cobia to the south starting late September and October.

Look for Redfish on the flats of cuts or inlets.  If you see a large school of mullet, you'll be on the Redfish.  Use white bait or pin fish with a popping cork on 20 lb. line, 20 lb. leader and 2-3/0 hooks.

Fishing in the Sanibel and Fort Myers area the past few weeks have been some what predictable for this time of year.  When fishing during the winter months here in SW Florida, we have to consider the fluctuating water temperatures from cold fronts and fish accordingly.  The 2 days after a cold front are always more of a challenge but we always seem to get the job done.  Temperatures have ranged from 70 to 86 degrees the past month with water temps being between 64 to 70.  March is when the action really starts to heat up!

I have still been catching bait which is great for this time of year but it's always before the sun rises.  I still bring shrimp out with me too, just to be safe.

When fishing for Redfish, I've been using a popping cork with white bait or shrimp . Incoming, low tide on the flats.  Not much over slot but good numbers. Regulations 1 per person within 18"-27".  Max 8 per vessel.

I've been catching Trout using white bait or shrimp with a popping cork on the flats or reeling in a small weight across the bottom of deeper cuts with a shrimp attached.  Regulations 4 per person within 15"-20".

Snook have been more active lately. The bigger Snook I've caught have mostly been in the creeks, river and canals. I've been using cut lady fish or white bait with 20 lb. line, 30-40 lb. leader and 3.0 circle hooks.  Catch and Release only.

Fishing has been better in the afternoons but keep the tide in mind too.  Most times it levels out around 1pm this time of year before it starts to go out again.  Good time to stop at the beach or grab some lunch.  

We prefer to check our tides using the Nestides app. http://www.nestides.com/ and/or the Tide Graph app. http://www.tidegraph.com/.  We also use the fish rules app. http://www.fishrulesapp.com/ if there's ever a question whether a fish is in season.

As of November 1st 2012, there will no longer be a closed season on spotted sea trout in Southwest Florida. After years of closures during the months of November and December, recent studies have shown that stocks are in great condition and anglers will benefit from no more closures.

The waters of Fort Myers and Sanibel offer some of the best trout fishing in the state. Few would disagree that spotted sea trout are the mainstay of Florida's recreational fishery.  You can catch Trout on the flats using a popping cork and live bait or a popping cork with artificial shrimp.  Not less than 15″ or more than 20″ (statewide) except one fish over 20″ per person.  4 per harvester per day S.W. Zone

Fishing in Sanibel and Fort Myers this past week has been awesome! I fished clients everyday and we had a blast catching Redfish, Snook and Trout.  We even jumped a resident tarpon but unfortunately we weren't rigged with Tarpon gear.

We fished for redfish in the deeper troughs, on the edge of the flats using popping corks and white bait.  We also fished the mangroves for reds with a 1/2 oz split shot and white bait.

Trout on the flats with white bait and a popping cork.

We were catching Snook under the trees using the same method as redfish and free lining the bait around tidal flows.

This fall season of fishing has not been a disappointment.  I love some good, fun fishing and now's the time with equally great weather!

Fishing in Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, late September through November is not only beautiful but an awesome time for catching Redfish.  The reason for this is because fall is when Redfish begin to spawn in the mouth of inlets, such as the river.

The past couple weeks have been full of Redfish action.  We've had a lingering low pressure system in the area, which has allowed for a more active feeding pattern. I've talked about low pressure and high pressure systems in the past but I'll explain the affects it has on fish again.

Rising pressure- the weather is great but the fishing is slower.

Steady pressure- means regular fishing

Low pressure- the weather is degrading but fishing is more active.

The weather has been very soggy and cloudy the past couple weeks but if you don't mind getting a little wet mostly from sprinkles your bound to catch fish.  Look for fish on the flats of cuts or inlets.  If you see a large school of mullet, you'll be on the Redfish.  Use white bait or pin fish with a popping cork.  Keep in mind that since fall is nearing, fishing will start to be affected by cold fronts.  Fish on the front side of the cold front for the most action.  Once the fronts come through the fishing will slow down for the next couple of days due to the rising pressure.

In 2010 A prolonged cold snap in Florida caused a devastating and widespread saltwater and freshwater fish kill. Reports from around the state described dead fish floating in the water by the thousands up and down the coasts. The cold temperatures were a natural weather event, yet the cold snap, which began at the start of the year, lingered for an abnormally long time. The cold water temperature and drastic changes in dissolved oxygen content in the water caused fish to go lifeless and eventually die.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation issued an executive order in January 2010 to close the harvest of Snook in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic waters until September 1st 2010.  Then continued to remain closed through the summer of 2011. This closure provided a precautionary measure aimed at protecting surviving snook during their spring and summer reproductive season as well as allowing additional time for FWC biologists to evaluate the degree of the damage caused by the prolonged cold weather.

At the June 2011 Commission Meeting, Commissioners received a staff report on the status of the snook population, which suggested that snook on Florida's Atlantic coast were less severely impacted by cold weather than Gulf coast snook. Based on this information, Commissioners reopened snook harvest season September 1, 2011, in Atlantic waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.

The Gulf Coast waters were to reopen as of September 1st 2012 but on June 29, 2012 with a 5 to 1 vote, commissioners rejected the recommendation of their staff that the Gulf snook harvest season re-open Sept. 1, following a 2 1/2-year closure.  The decision to extend the Gulf coast closure came after a couple dozen guides and anglers at the meeting spoke in favor.  

Local anglers still can catch snook during the closure, but those fish must be released.

One of the most extreme forms of fishing in the inshore waters of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island is shark fishing. This type of fishing can be challenging and unpredictable which is why it's become a popular charter for those thrill seekers out there.

Prime time for shark fishing is June through September when the water is the warmest.  Once the Sun starts to fade into the horizon, through the morning hours is the best time of day to catch this predator.

We will throw out a chum bag and then rig our poles with any fresh, bloody bait.  Sharks prefer fresh over anything that's been frozen.

The best shark bait is a stingray if you have the patience to snag a few.  Just debarb them when you snag them before you drop them into the live well. Rig it and cut into the side of one of the fins and then cast it out.  You'll catch the large boys with this technique.  If you prefer the easier method of using cut bait, we tend to use ladyfish, mullet or jacks with the hooks rigged through the gills.

Tackle of Choice : 

-Canyon Reels and St Croix Rods, size 6'-7'ft.

-Spool these reels with 60 to 80 lbs test braid or 40 to 80 lb mono. 

-First, always use cable, not single strand wire. Sharks will kink and pop single strand in a matter of seconds.  If you can find coated cable it's even better because it dampens the electrical signal your wire will give off that the shark could pick up.

-Get a fighting belt, even if it is not very expensive.

-10 o/-18 o/ size hooks.

Tropical storm Debby has been affecting SW Florida's weather, fishing (most importantly) and my Dish Network (2nd most importantly) since last Friday, June 22.  If she was going to put us out of commission for a week at least she could have been a little more interesting, exciting if you will.  She's been very boring and dreary and just wants to latch on.  Just like any women she cant make up her mind.  Rain, don't rain.  Blow, don't blow (no pun intended). Just mosey on Debby, we're ready for your departure. I'll have to make sure my wife doesn't read this report.  Love you honey!!!!

Right before a Tropical storm or hurricane, you should take advantage of the very low barometric pressure and go fishing.  This is going to be one of the best opportunities your going to have for really great fishing in big numbers. Assuming the edge of the storm hasn't reached your area (that is, higher surf and wind) and other conditions are good, take this opportunity.  You'll have a blast but be safe!

During the time before a major storm, high current pushes baitfish towards the shore, which means that many of the game fish will follow.  As the barometric pressure drops, indicating a storm or low-pressure condition, fish will feed. Storms and low-pressure areas (hurricanes are the ultimate low pressure) mean that the water will be stirred. Fish seem to realize that and tend to feed ahead of the storm because they will not be able to feed as well in the murky waters during the foul weather.

Theory is that after the storm its possible that the fish have not fed in a few days because of the rough seas and mucky water so they will be on the hunt.  As the tide before a storm pushes fish up into the rivers and bays, the same will happen when the water recedes bringing the fish back to the bays and estuaries to feed.  So the moral of the story is that the fishing is great right before and after a storm.  

The day before Tropical Storm Debby made her debut, we caught over 30 trout and Redfish on a 4 hour charter. I'm itching for this rain and wind to subside so I can get out there and fish after the storm.  I'm hoping for big numbers and easy bait!