With water cooling down Spanish mackerel are prowling the waters inshore and off the beaches. This one was hooked in six foot of water in Charlotte Harbor near Bokeelia fishing with Captain Bill Russell. PHOTO PROVIDED

Early to mid-week weather was unsettled as hurricane Rafael churned over Cuba and into gulf waters before heading west and away from us. Most fishing reports came late week and into the weekend with improved conditions.

Beach anglers wading the surf on Captiva and Cayo Costa islands hooked into multiple species including snook, sea trout, whiting, mackerel, jack crevalle, and ladyfish. Baits included live shrimp, small red and white bucktail jigs, Berkley Gulp shrimp, and white Clouser flies.

Fishing the morning falling tides, boats in Matlacha Pass, around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, and Pine Island Sound, south of Pineland hooked into snook, redfish, sea trout, jack crevalle, and sharks. A steady bite came for many while working shorelines and oyster bars with wind and/or tide pushing water. Baits included live and cut pinfish, shrimp, cut ladyfish, suspended twitch baits, and spoons in gold or silver.

Sea trout up to twenty-two inches were caught drifting over four-to-six-foot grass flats in the Sound south of Cabbage Key and between Demere Key and Chino Island. Baits included spoons, baby spooks, small pinfish, and shrimp under popping corks, and Z-man shad tails.

It’s hard to believe into the second week of November we are still tracking tropical storms and hurricanes. But here we are. 2024 is a year with plenty of surprises. Despite the many setbacks the year has delivered, fishing has remained good. We just need cooperative weather.

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576, online at www.fishpineisland.com or via at email gcl2fish @live.com. 

Have a safe week and good fishin’

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.