The rainy afternoon weather has returned and that means early starts are a must.  The mornings are also cooler and more comfortable.  The day will heat up quickly once the sun makes an appearance, so take along plenty of water, a wide brimmed hat for shade and use your sunblock.

Capt. Rob Modys, SoulMate Charters

The redfish bite has returned to Estero Bay.  The inbound tides have been best with the top of the outbound a close second.  Live shrimp on jigs have been working well but cut baits are a better idea when fishing the top of the tides.  The reds tend to move well back into the mangrove roots, so you’ll need something to entice them to come within casting range.  Cut fresh ladyfish are best.  Put chunks on a 1/0 or 2/0 circle hook, cast it close to the mangrove edge and be patient.  Sea trout are on the flats in about 2 to 3 feet of water.  Live shrimp under a cork is the go-to.  The nearshore waters of the Gulf have been action city!  Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks are on top with a nice mix of mangrove snapper, trout, pompano, grouper and grunts on the bottom.  Free lining and bottom fishing with cut threadfin herrings has worked in all cases.

Capt Jon Fetter of Catching The Cure Charters

Said the fishing and the temperatures are  up.  The Estero Bay redfish bite has been very good with quality numbers and good size.  They are starting to school up on the grass flats near oyster bars and mangrove islands.  Anglers should look for them tailing in the shallows on low tides then move to the oyster bars and mangroves on higher water.  White bait or pinfish on 2/0 circle hooks under a float works best.  You can also throw cut ladyfish but make sure you really work an area before moving on.  It takes some time for the scent to get to them.   Sea trout are biting in 2 to 5 feet of water on the grass flats.  Shrimp under a popping cork seems to be the ticket.  The nearshore reef action continues to be extremely good for trout, spanish mackerel and the occasional gag grouper.  Shrimp tipped jig heads or white bucktail jigs work great for the trout and macs.  Cut bait will get the grouper and a few sharks.

Capt. Alex Dolinski of Spot On Charters

Said that the summer bite is on with nice size snook, redfish and sea trout on the grass flats, around oyster bars and mangrove edges.  Live pinfish or white baits have been the best bet for free lining in the current along the bars and the mangrove points.  During the midday heat, cut baits produced upper and over slot redfish under the mangrove overhangs and in the deeper holes. The sea trout are plentiful on just about any grass flat in Estero Bay provided you are working a moving tide.  Drifting the passes has also produced a nice mixed bag of fish on the outgoing tides.

Capt. Neil Eisner of Fishing The Flats Charters

Reported another outstanding week for catching redfish in Estero Bay.  The incoming tides produced best in the deeper cuts in the back bay creeks and rivers.  Free lining white bait on circle hooks got most of the action.  There were also plenty of snook in the midsize range along with large jacks. Popping corks and circle hook combos worked over the deeper holes got the strikes.

Capt. Brad Brown of Moonlite Charters

Said the best fishing over the past week was on the nearshore reefs and rock piles in the Gulf.  A nice variety of pompano, flounder, grouper and spanish mackerel can be found on any given day with the occasional spotted sea trout as a highlight.  Live shrimp, live shiners and cut threadfin herrings are a good bait mix.  For pure action, goliath grouper and sharks can bring the excitement but you better tackle up with the big stuff!  Capt. Brad said that getting out early and off the water before the afternoon storms is best.  He said, “They who fish and run away (think lightning), live to fish another day.”

Capt. Tyler Whidden of Capt. Ty’s Charters

Said that fishing has been good this past week in Estero Bay.  Getting out early and having a variety of bait is key. Redfish have been chasing bait on the flats during the early morning hours.  Throwing top water plugs or  free lining pinfish around the bait schools is a good way to get a bite.  Reds have also been eating near the oyster bars and mangrove edges on the higher stages of the tides.  Pinfish or cut bait under a cork have been the go-to.  Snook have been in the passes on the outgoing tides.  Drifting a pinfish or pilchard on the bottom has produced the most fish.  The docks have also been a good place to search for snook and the occasional redfish.