On the Water: It was a good week for a variety of fish
Overall, the week gave us pretty good weather and fishing conditions. Water temperatures dropped slightly but not a drastic change that halts the bite.
Offshore, anglers are putting a mix of tasty fish in the box including red grouper, red snapper, mangrove and lane snapper, plus good sized porgy and triggerfish. Fish were caught on live and cut baits on hard bottom or ledges in depths from 90 out to 170 feet.
Closer to shore and a far shorter boat ride, boats also hooked into a mixed variety fishing 3-8 miles into Gulf waters. Mangrove and lane snapper, grunts, porgy, sheepshead, triggerfish and hogfish were caught fishing shrimp or squid on bottom. Spanish mackerel, sharks and a few cobia were hooked over artificial reefs as well. Nearshore fishing doesn’t produce the size of fish as deeper water, but they taste just as good and are a blast on light tackle.
Casting or trolling small silver spoons worked for Spanish mackerel just outside the Gulf passes from Boca Grande south to the Sanibel Causeway. The best action came over the incoming tide as schools were feeding off bar drop-offs. Spanish mackerel are an underrated fish in my opinion. They are extremely fast, fight hard and very good on the table if iced down immediately and eaten fresh within a day or two.
Seatrout running in size from 13-18 inches were found in Matlacha Pass near oyster bars, and in the Sound between Captiva Rocks and Rocky Channel and Pelican Bay. Three-inch paddle tails and live shrimp under popping or rattling corks were baits of choice. Ladyfish, small sharks and a few pompano were caught as well.
Cut ladyfish soaked on bottom or suspended under a float worked for blacktip sharks around the Sanibel Causeway and Boca Grande Pass. Most are running 3-5 feet in length.
The Matlacha Drawbridge was good for a variety of species both day and night. Anglers hooked into snook, sheepshead, black drum, sea trout, snapper, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, goliath grouper, sharks and, of course, a bunch of catfish. Best baits included live and dead shrimp, crabs, spoons and paddle tails.
Before hitting the water make sure you are up on current fishing regulations as they change often. You can go to www.myfwc.com or better download the Fish Rules app. It updates every time you open it. It’s free, and has all local fish species, regulations, and pictures of each.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service; phone (239) 410-8576, email gcl2fish@live.com or you visit us on the Web at www.fishpineisland.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.