Fort Myers to Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor fishing
Capt. Scott Hughes
October 6, 2009
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fall is my favorite time of year to fish for a number of reasons. First of all, the water is much less crowded than the spring or summer. Secondly, all species are in season and all species are usually biting. During the late summer and early fall the inshore fish in Southwest Florida start feeding heavely on baitfish so they they can put on weight for the winter. We also get the migtations of pelegic fish that are migrating south for the winter. When conditions are right the fishing is out of control with bent rods and drags screaming all day.
Tarpon: Tarpon are not usually a main target for fall fishing but when we have a very warm fall like we have had so far this year the fishing can be just as good as spring and summer. I have hooked at least one tarpon on almost every charter for the months of September and so far this October. I have been finding them migrating with batifish schools just off the beaches from Engelwood to Sanibel. There are also a few tarpon roaming the depths of Charlotte Harbor. Look for bird activity and very large splashes or look for them slow rolling if the water is calm.
Snook: Snook fishing has been ok but not as good as i would have expected. They are pretty scattered out from the beaches all the way up to the rivers. Live sardines has produced the most for me lately.
Redfish: Redfish are schooling on the bars and flats from Sanibel to Punta Gorda. Most of these redfish are over the slot and must be released. The key is to locate the school and not of spook it by making noise. If you can do that they will eat almost anything that you put in front of them.
Trout: Trout are moving back onto the flats and we have catching them around the bait schools with suspending twitch baits. Live bait and soft plactics will work also.
Snapper: Snapper are startin to move offshore but there are still plenty on the grass flats and in the passes.
Grouper: I don't target grouper offshore but when they are inshore I will target them. The inshore wrecks and rocks are holding nice sized gag grouper and some keepers are being caught.
false albacore: Bonita or false albacore tuna are migrating down the coast and are providing for some excellent catch and release fishing with light tackle and flies.
king mackerel: are running in Boca Grande pass and offshore.
spanish mackerel and bluefish: They are everywhere and are almost a being a pain because they cut off my lures while we're trying for other species.
Sharks: Sharks are eating all of the above including the tarpon and each other.
Fort Myers Fishing Forecast:
The fishing should be excellent for the rest of the fall. We have excellent water quality this year due to more rainfall and the fishing will probably remain the same until we startin seeing some major cold fronts.
Target Species:
tarpon, snook, redfish, bonita, trout, sharks, kings, snapper
