On the Water: It was a hot week of fishing local waters
Warm calm days, with few thunderstorms following the full moon gave anglers good days on the water.
Those looking to run offshore in Gulf waters had a perfect week for it. At times it was so calm with not a hint of breeze it was downright hot offshore. Anglers putting in the work were rewarded with red grouper and a mix of snapper fishing depths from 80-160 feet. It was often a race to get a fish to the boat without sharks getting an easy meal.
Nighttime fishing the full moon worked for snapper, including yellowtail and mangrove, while anchoring with a chum block up current of reefs and structure in depths around 90 feet.
Mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel, plus a few big catch-and-release snook came from artificial reefs off Sanibel and Captiva in depths from 30-50 feet.
Large snook were hungry around the Gulf passes with several spawning females over 40 inches caught and released. Best bite was early and late in the days with a variety of live baits including pinfish, pigfish, ladyfish and silver mullet. Snook were also hooked off island points and around docks across Pine Island Sound.
Redfish reports are on the rise with fish up to 28 inches hooked in Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. It appears they are beginning to school as a few boats reported catching 10 or more from the same spot. Watch for schools pushing water as they move down bar edges and shorelines over the next couple months.
Tarpon hook-ups came from the Caloosahatchee River near the Cape Coral Bridge, In the lower Sound near the powerlines and northern Charlotte Harbor. Best baits included big pinfish, ladyfish and mullet.
Mangrove snapper continue as the best thing going for a tasty dinner. They were caught from the Matlacha Drawbridge to the Gulf passes and everywhere in between. Baits included shrimp, pilchards,and herring, live and cut. Light leader and a small hook are the key to bagging you’re limit.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at: www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish. If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location. In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service — call or text 239-410-8576; website at www.fishpine island.com; or 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 over 20 years.