SWFL has severely been impacted by hurricane Ian.  Currently search and rescue missions are underway.  Starting tomorrow 10/5/22 barrier island residence are allowed access to their homes between the hours of 7am-7pm.  If you need transportation to your home on any of the islands please call us at 239-851-9600.  Thank you!

As you know, Hurricane Ian has devastated SWFL's barrier Islands of Ft Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, St James City and Matlacha.  As of 10/3/22 search and rescue is still underway.  The community and volunteers from out of state have done an amazing job at coming together to clean up, bring supplies and help out with rebuilding. 

Currently we are receiving a lot of calls from residence of barrier Islands to shuttle them by boat to their homes.  That is not currently an option.  Search and rescue needs to be completed before private citizens can use boat ramps or access the islands.  Once FWC has allowed us access we will be taking families to their homes and businesses on barrier Islands.  Keep an eye on this page for more updates. 

Hurricanes and tropical storms aren't normal for Florida in November but there hasn't been much of anything that's normal for us in 2020.  Aside from Tropical storm Eta bringing us a weeks worth of rain and wind in early November, we've had a great month of solid fishing days.  Our targeted species have been Snook, Redfish and Trout with even Tarpon still lingering in the area.  This is one of the best times of year for productive, fun, family fishing and not a better time to do it than Thanksgiving week.  We still have some charters available because of a few last minute cancellations.  You can Check our availability HERE.

There's nothing I love more than lower humidity, football season and some of the best fishing of the year.  Usually September is our off season because families are getting back from their summer vacations and trying to settle into a new school year with the kids.  2020 is different.  I'm sure we can all agree covid has changed our lives and routines this year.  The positive side of Covid if there is one, is that families are getting outdoors and they're getting the chance to fish in what I consider one of the best times of year to fish inshore.  Not only that but this September has brought a few cool fronts which have lowered the humidity so it's not as hot which has made fishing much more enjoyable and the bite has been great.  

The redfish Spawn is every fall and we've been catching several on each trip.  There have also been smaller Tarpon still in the area which has made fishing even more exciting.  In addition to that we are consistently catching Snook and Trout.  If fishing's on your mind, now's the time to get out and do it.    

Being that we had the warmest January on record since 1880.  We've had plenty of fish to catch so far this February.  Fish really like these moderate temperatures.  Not too cold and not too hot.  We've also been starting to see a few Tarpon start showing up which means Tarpon and Shark season will be here sooner than normal.  Typically Tarpon season runs late April through July.  

Snook, Trout and Redfish are still catch and release until May 2020 because of the red tide from summer of 2018 but the good news is the fish population has really bounced back.  Especially the Trout.  

If you're interested in more than catch and release and you'd like to put some food on the table,  we've been catching a lot of sheepshead, snapper and mackeral.  

The bottom line is the fishing's been good and if you'd like to get out on the water to soak up the suns rays and breath in the salty air, now's the time to do it.  Spring breaks right around the corner and the calendars filling up quick. 

It's paradise and I'm just lucky to be living in it.  Our snow is sand.  It's messy but i'll take it any day over the cold, snowy weather that our northern friends have to face.  We didn't get sandy this week but I did come home smelling fishy from all the Cobia we caught on our charters.  I even got pulled over for a random safety check by an fwc officer during a trip which btw, is extremely annoying; Clients still kept fishing and caught the Cobia pictured bottom left.  Not an ideal situation but we made the best of it and they went home with dinner.  

March availability is getting slim.  Book your charter soon so your not "fishing" for a last minute trip!

Today was a beautiful day spent catching fish.  A lot of fish.  Redfish to be specific.  This is such a welcomed site considering the fish kill from the red tide that plagued our coast this past summer.  The past few days of fishing have been good to us.  Proof that our fishery is headed in the right direction.

Book your Spring break fishing charters soon.  Spots are filling up quick.

*Snook and Redfish are catch and release through May 2019. 

The past week of fishing in Fort Myers has been all about the sheepshead bite.  We've had a great week of weather and flat water which has allowed for us to get to some nearby wrecks.  Although the bites been good in general, the Sheepsheads have been the most productive.  I's safe to say there's been a lot of fish put on the dinner table.  Within the next few weeks some of the best fishing of the year will begin, just in time for our spring break visitors.  Book your charter soon.  Spots are filling up quick.

​One of the most extreme forms of fishing in the inshore waters of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island is shark fishing. This type of fishing can be challenging and unpredictable which is why it's become a popular charter for those thrill seekers out there.

Prime time for shark fishing is June through September when the water is the warmest.  Once the Sun starts to fade into the horizon, through the morning hours is the best time of day to catch this predator.

We will throw out a chum bag and then rig our poles with any fresh, bloody bait.  Sharks prefer fresh over anything that's been frozen.

The best shark bait is a stingray if you have the patience to snag a few.  Just debarb them when you snag them before you drop them into the live well. Rig it and cut into the side of one of the fins and then cast it out.  You'll catch the large boys with this technique.  If you prefer the easier method of using cut bait, we tend to use ladyfish, mullet or jacks with the hooks rigged through the gills.

Tackle of Choice : 

-Canyon Reels and St Croix Rods, size 6'-7'ft.

-Spool these reels with 60 to 80 lbs test braid or 40 to 80 lb mono. 

-First, always use cable, not single strand wire. Sharks will kink and pop single strand in a matter of seconds.  If you can find coated cable it's even better because it dampens the electrical signal your wire will give off that the shark could pick up.

-Get a fighting belt, even if it is not very expensive.

-10 o/-18 o/ size hooks.  
​fort myers beach fishing charters
Fort Myers fishing guides

Now that we are out of our peak tourist season, I have the opportunity to sit down and let you know a little bit about how the fishing's been.  

This has seemed to be one of the worst springs we've had for lack of rain, abundance of wind and forest fires.  The windy conditions and drought have contributed to a slower bite.  I believe that is past us now.  The forecast for the next couple of weeks shows great weather and calmer wind speeds.  We've also been blessed with that much needed rain we've been needing for months. With that being said, I've still had some great trips and caught quality fish while enjoying the company of great clients.  

These fish were all caught using live white bait or live shrimp.  I've been fishing with both to make sure I have what the fish are eating because every day's been different.  ​