Fishing Fort Myers Florida
Fishing Fort Myers, Florida doesn’t get any better. People come from all over the country to fish are great waters. Not only the country but from all over the world. This area offer an abundance of nature and wildlife. The bird life along with all the dolphins and manatees is spectacular. In the winter it is common to see bald eagles and bunches of white pelicans. The surroundings on our fishing grounds alone are breath taking. Mullet flying through the air while you are trying to make a cast to a cruising snook is pretty cool. We have a unique setting and a great fishery here in Fort Myers, Florida.
Best Time?
People always ask what is the best time of year to fish? Great question with many answers. Obviously the fall is awesome for redfish. This is the time of year they school up on the flats in abundance. Snook is great in the fall as well, while they fatten up for winter. Winter can be a lot of fun, fishing the beautiful creeks and protected mangrove areas. You will catch snook, red fish, trout, black drum and sheep head. Spring is wonderful for big trout and snook that are heading for the beach. Of course the tarpon are hear which is the highlight of spring. Summer is hot and so is the beach fishing. Snook and trout will be out there along with a few tarpon. I guess the best time to fish is the present.
The slam?
Fishing for the slam in Fort Myers, Florida is a fun challenge. Our charters go for two different types. The most common is the Pine Island slam. This consist of a snook, red fish and sea trout all by the same angler. The second one is the gland slam which is a snook, red fish, seatrout and tarpon. Both are an achievement but the grand slam is awesome.
Captain
Clarence
Sanibel fishing charter
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedPeople often ask, why book a sanibel fishing charter? This is a vague question for sure. The best answer that I can come up with it’s fun. Catching fish and being out on the water is fun. This is a great place to enjoy comradery with your friends and family. People who book a sanibel fishing charter can be broken up into different groups. Some want to have fun, others are looking for the big catch. Then you have your meat hunters. I enjoy all these trips, unfortunately the ones who want to have fun will be satisfied the most.
Meat hunters (Sanibel fishing charter)
Certain times a year the meat hunters are easier to take care of. The spring is usually good for trout and snapper along with some redfish. With the snook and redfish closed and the lack of trout they may have a disappointing spring. The fall has always been best for redfish and pretty good for everything else you want to eat inshore. A backcountry sanibel fishing charter is not like fill the box offshore stuff. However when it’s on you can take care of the freezer a bit. The best meat fishing to me is catch enough for a meal and release the rest.
Trophy fisherman (Sanibel fishing charter)
This to me is the most fun and adrenaline filled sanibel fishing charter. Understand when the bar is set high the odds are as well. If you plan this trip at the right time of year for a particular species then the odds go up significantly. Spring is your best bet for tarpon and permit. Fall is the time to catch an oversize red. Snook is really good in the spring but also through summer and the fall. Winter would be the toughest for an inshore trophy but still possible. I love a challenge but also appreciate people out to have a good time. Catching fish is one thing but catching certain fish on call is another.
Captain
Clarence
Fishing charters Sanibel Island
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedFishing charters on sanibel island can vary from season to season and year to year. Many folks come to this area the same time of year every year. If it is around the christmas holiday or any time in the winter it can be warm and calm or cool and breezy. One year you caching snook and the next it’s sheep head. When the captain has boots and a winter jacket on those snook that you caught may not be happening. You never know with winter, it all depends on the weather and the water temperature. Mild winters can be dreamy with a consistent bite of snook and redfish. I would add seatrout but not sure if we are going to be catching many of those for a bit.
Fishing charters sanibel island
So far this winter we have had pretty chilly water temperatures. Catching a few snook but nothing like it was in November. Great to see an abundance of small redfish in the area. They seem to bounce back nicely so far. There is a reason we are seeing so many redfish this winter. Is it the lack of sea trout or the absence of snook in certain areas? Great topic for discussion around the campfire. I hope this winters fishing charters around sanibel island are fun for everyone.
Shrimp fishing in the winter may not be the most glamorous but it can be fun. Everything eats a shrimp. You never know what you may catch. Sure most of the time it’s a sheephead or snapper, but you may end up with a redfish, snook, black drum or jack. Fishing charters, sanibel island are all about fun and catching some fish. We all hope to get the big one and that’s the fun of trying. Try some winter time fishing while vacationing on sanibel island.
Captain
Clarence
Fishing for relativity
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedFishing for relativity
People really enjoy sanibel island fishing. The setting, weather, water and fishing all make it a great spot. I have been fishing the sanibel area for quite a while now and fully agree. Like most things in life it’s all relative. One day your clients catching all oversize reds but wants a keeper snook. The next you can’t buy a bite but when it turns on a small trout will suffice. From on e day to the next it’s typically different. When you find some consistency it sure makes life a bit easier. Now your coming up with a plan is case the bite dries up. It’s nice to have a good back up plan or two when sanibel island fishing.
Predictability?
Not sure what that word means in the fishing world. Always expect the unpredictable and adapt to it. When the bites on, you can’t get enough. On the slow days praying doesn’t seem to work very well. A good hard strike will surely liven the crowd a bit. Sanibel Island fishing is all relative like most things in life. Take the good with the bad and make the most of it. Hopefully one of the backup plans will save the day. Be leary of that first hot spot though.
Setting the bar high.
I’ve always believed that catching a fish on the first cast is bad luck. Bring all the bananas you want, just make sure you miss that fish on the first cast. The same goes for lighting it up early. The bar gets set high then you can’t jump over it any more. Disappointment sets in and the crowd get’s harder to please. I love it when the last spot is the best and everyone has a joyful ride to the dock. Sanibel Island fishing for relativity is a tricky fish. Most of the time it all works out and sometimes it’s just fishing.
Captain
Clarence
Fish like a kid
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedSanibel Fishing
The best fishing is sanibel fishing. My parents used to bring us to Sanibel, Florida when we were kids. The first thing I did was rent a bike and a fishing pole. Always gone early in the morning to fish and back for dinner. Sanibel fishing was heaven to me. My favorite fishing hole now has a house on it. All day I would fish catching sheep head, redfish, snook, snapper and whatever else would eat a shrimp. One time even an alligator that was swimming in the canal ate my shrimp. Those were the days that eventually landed me back to my favorite fishing hole.
Sanibel Island
Really a great spot for so many reasons. The best reason was to fish. The beaches, back bays, canals and bridges or wherever else you could wet a line was great. Snook were such a blast to catch, definitely a favorite. Growing up striper fishing, they were the stripe of the south. Florida is such a great place for fishing. Sanibel fishing was the creme of the crop for me. Finally I decided to move here for good. This way I could sleep and fish. Instead of just fishing.
Sanibel Guide?
I had been on a few charters in this area. Not sure exactly what I was going to do for work. I got a job and fished as much as possible. Could I make a career out of fishing? What lacked in knowledge surely was made up with determination and hard work. As usually I would learn the hard way. Trying to start a business and keep another job was getting in the way of my fishing. Eventually your hoby takes a back seat to your career. Would I do it any differently? Well of course, I wouldn’t have worked so hard. Sanibel fishing will always be fishing and I’ll always love it.
Captain
Clarence
Sanibel fishing guides
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedSanibel fishing guides
Sanibel fishing guides have been around a long time. Before the bridge and a lot of main roads were here. People have always flocked here for the great fishing opportunities. Even before they used engines fishing guides were rowing to make a living. It’s pretty cool to be apart of that. Wondering what it must have been like. In the beginning it must have been awful good. With more pressure and no regulations things change pretty quickly. Maintaining balance is the key to keeping everything just right. This is a hard thing to do. Besides things out of or control like red tide, cold water and I almost said fresh water.
Our office
Fresh water outflow is not in our control. With that being said it’s controllable with some help. Sanibel fishing guides of this era probably won’t see much of it. Hopefully for future generations they figure it out. We have a wonderful office and a great playground. It is starting to rebuild it’s self now and we can all help in some way. Fishing has been unsuspectedly good. Fishing guides as a whole are happy to see the closures that have been put in place. Catch and release is a wonderful thing.
Looking ahead
This fall has been an eye open for this sanibel fishing guide. Seeing how bad the fishery was hurt but still how strong it is. Snook fishing was really good in certain areas. The trout will have to re-build there stocks in all our local waters. They were hit hard but will bounce back the fastest. Red fish seems ok with quite a few smaller fish around now. This is a good sign that they had some kind of a spawn. The future is bright from where I am casting. As a guide I look forward to watching this area grow and hopefully we learned something along the way.
Captain
Clarence
Fishing Fort Myers Florida
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedFishing Fort Myers Florida
Fishing Fort Myers, Florida doesn’t get any better. People come from all over the country to fish are great waters. Not only the country but from all over the world. This area offer an abundance of nature and wildlife. The bird life along with all the dolphins and manatees is spectacular. In the winter it is common to see bald eagles and bunches of white pelicans. The surroundings on our fishing grounds alone are breath taking. Mullet flying through the air while you are trying to make a cast to a cruising snook is pretty cool. We have a unique setting and a great fishery here in Fort Myers, Florida.
Best Time?
People always ask what is the best time of year to fish? Great question with many answers. Obviously the fall is awesome for redfish. This is the time of year they school up on the flats in abundance. Snook is great in the fall as well, while they fatten up for winter. Winter can be a lot of fun, fishing the beautiful creeks and protected mangrove areas. You will catch snook, red fish, trout, black drum and sheep head. Spring is wonderful for big trout and snook that are heading for the beach. Of course the tarpon are hear which is the highlight of spring. Summer is hot and so is the beach fishing. Snook and trout will be out there along with a few tarpon. I guess the best time to fish is the present.
The slam?
Fishing for the slam in Fort Myers, Florida is a fun challenge. Our charters go for two different types. The most common is the Pine Island slam. This consist of a snook, red fish and sea trout all by the same angler. The second one is the gland slam which is a snook, red fish, seatrout and tarpon. Both are an achievement but the grand slam is awesome.
Captain
Clarence
Deep sea fishing fort myers
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedDeep sea fishing fort myers are lots of fun on the right day. We specialize in back country fishing for sure. When the forecast is right deep sea fishing fort myers is a blast. In a 24 foot boat our range is not the best. Certain times of year you don’t have to run that far. In the winter the gag grouper come in on the ledges. Migratory fish like king fish, cobia, bonita and permit are fun in the spring and fall. Big mangrove snapper and tasty lane snapper are fun to catch and eat. If you want to wear yourself out pull on an amberjack or goliath grouper.
Chum
When i’m looking to fish structure chum is in the equation. The first thing after getting anchored up is put the chum out. Not only will this bring up the snapper. It will draw in other fish and bait that is in the area. putting a block out is a good choice. You can also mix your own in a bucket and use that. Keep the chum flowing constantly as well. Live bait is great to have while deep sea fishing. If you have a lot, chum some in your area. Don’t be surprised if some bonita, king fish or amberjack move in. Sending live bait to the bottom is effective as well. You never know what you’ll catch out there.
Deep sea fishing fort myers, live bottom
Fishing live bottom is lots of fun as well. Trolling motors with the spot lock feature really help when deep sea fishing. I like to drift over live bottom then hit the spot lock on a good area. If you find a good patch snapper, grouper and a variety of species are likely. Free lining a live bait out the rocket launcher is a good idea. There is something usually lurking out there. Find the right day to enjoy some deep sea fishing in fort myers.
Charter Fishing Fort Myers
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedCharter fishing fort myers is a different lifestyle. We like to were flip flops and get to much sun. Most have racoon eyes year round and not enough sun block. For some it’s a part time retirement gig. But for the guy who is making a living at it, wow serious business now. Things like the economy and real estate actually play a factor, along with hurricanes and red tide. Water quality for us in the fort myers area is always a factor.
Charter Fishing Fort Myers
Fishing charters could not be run for over two months. Local businesses were hit hard by the red tide. Most of whom are over it by now. If your a charter fisherman in the area it’s been a bit different. What we rely on is fishing. A lot of the fish are not swimming any more and will take time to re cover. While some of our client’s are not fishing with us until they feel it’s worth there while. Catch and release fishing has been strong this fall. Snook fishing has been great with fish of all sizes. Every inshore species need a break until there stocks are up. Pressure in this area is never going to decrease.
Charter fishing in fort myers will take a long term hit of some percentage. Will it ever get back to the way it was or better. Time will tell how it will hold up. Without any major water issues, red tide or cold periods, we need at least 2 years to re stock our fish populations. This is opinion and hope that things all go well. I believe it’s worth a hit on our industry to get our fishery back. Winter and spring will give us a hint of where are local stocks are going to be at.
Captain
Clarence
Fishing Sanibel Island
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence Reedme of year fishing Sanibel island has it’s up’s and down’s. With cold front coming on a weekly basis now you have to be ready for change. Therefore some of the best fishing is done in bad weather. The reason for this is as the front approaches typically the water is still warm. The wind is blowing out of the north as the temperature drops we feel it. However it takes a few cold days to cool down the water. So the water may still be in the 70’s but the wind and air are cold. A few days later as the air starts to warm the water will remain cold. A few warm afternoons will bounce it back. By this time we usually have another front on our doorsteps. This is typical for most of the winter.
Bait has been tough to get and will continue for awhile. The chilly water temps make the shrimp a bait of choice. Some different ways to fish shrimp is on a jig, free lined or on a hook with a split shot. It all depends on the species, water depth and temperature. One thing about fishing with shrimp, everything eats them. So when the weather starts to warm and the water is chilly it pays to dunk a shrimp.
The great thing about fishing sanibel island is you can do it all year without drilling a hole in the ice. The fishing can get tougher but there’s always something to catch. Catching big snook on live bait after fronts is not uncommon. The fish only know how cold the water is. The winter is a time to try it all. Find out what they are in the mood for. Typically when the water is cooler they aren’t going to want to work hard to feed. Keep trying till they stop biting.
Captain
Clarence
Fort myers fishing guides
/in fort myers Florida fishing /by Clarence ReedFort myers fishing guides and living the dream. Loving to fish and being a guide are much different. This will change over time as well. Flip the switch sometime and hire a guide. One thing I understand is the fish don’t jump in the boat. Guides are hired to do all the work so the client can enjoy his day.. Showing up and getting in the boat is all the work should you have to do. Hopefully reeling in some fish as well. Almost all of a guides work is done before you see him. There is a bit after he leaves you as well. In the middle he should entertain and catch lots of fish.
Wind, tide, baitfish, the bite and weather can all reek havoc on fort myers fishing guides. Some days are perfect and some not so much. When the bait is easy and the fish are hungry it’s fantastic. Unfortunately that is not always the case. Fortunately you get to meet some new friends. You have a great office and a horrible boss. Motivation has to be a factor for fort myers fishing guides. If you are a bait fisherman you must be on the water early. This task is not always easy or fun. Most importantly when the live well is full and everyone is aboard you are living the dream.
This is what they tell me anyway. The good out ways the bad. Preparation is one key to success. There is tons of competition among fort myers fishing guides. Ups and downs like any other business. Every trip brings a new experience and a passion for the job. That’s pretty good in my book. Keep plunging away and working hard at it. As a result you mat be living the dream.
Captain
Clarence