Fishing Report March 5th
The cold fronts keep on coming but the fish have settled into the pattern and are eating. The best fishing is happening during the late morning and early afternoon with the warming of the sun and on the rising tides. It looks like things are going to warm up this weekend and it couldn’t come sooner for most fisherman and outdoor enthusiast.
Capt. Rob Modys of SoulMate Charters reported a great trout bite in Estero Bay. Live shrimp is the ticket but don’t be afraid to try some artificials. Late in the week they were going after Gulp Shrimp and D.O.A. shrimp under popping corks and free lined on lead head jigs. There are some redfish around but most are small and only seem to want to eat on the highest tides. Sheepshead are spawning and are hungry! Small offerings of live shrimp on jigs heads and on small hooks works best. If it’s action you are looking for then go after the hoards of ladyfish in the bay areas. They seem to be everywhere and most are good sized. They have no food value but are really fun to catch on light tackle.
Capt. Brad Brown of Moonlite Charters reported a “spotty” redfish bite this past week.
Pardon the pun! Chumming with dead or live shrimp and patience are the keys to success. Once anchored up on your spot break up some shrimp into small pieces and drop them into the current. Both redfish and sheepshead will respond by moving into the area. Sheepshead and sea trout is the go-too plan if you want a nice fresh fish dinner. Try popping corks for the trout and small offerings on the bottom for the sheepies. A few small Snook are starting to show up around the creeks and river mouths.
Capt. Jon Fetter of Catching The Cure Charters was happy to report that the past week on Estero Bay was consistent. There were many trout and ladyfish caught and the ladyfish were so thick it made it really hard to catch anything else. When you could get your shrimp past them the trout were there to eat them up. Shrimp under a popping cork or along the bottom on a 1/4 ounce jig head seemed to work the best. His charters also managed some sheepshead around the oyster bars and along some of the residential docks.
Capt. Sean Davis of Fish Warrior Charters reported chilly water temperatures and said that spring time fishing is still a little ways off. His charters, however, are still catching good numbers of fish. Big trout are biting well on the incoming tides along the deep cuts surrounding oyster bars. Shrimp is the main bait but scented artificials work well too. Look for diving birds and you should find trout near by. Don’t be surprised if schools of ladyfish or jacks come storming through while trout fishing. This makes for some great action on light tackle. When the winds die down and you can safely get out there, the near shore reefs are holding good numbers of large sheepshead.
Capt. Sam Arcure of Team Arcure Fishing worked this past week near the canals on the back side of Fort Myers Beach. Several keeper sized sea trout were caught on the afternoon outgoing tide using live shrimp. Sheepshead are next to the mangrove islands that have the deepest, warmest water. Capt. Sam said it seems to work best if you concentrate on “suburban” fishing for the time being because the residential canals have good water flow and have the warmest water temperatures.