Fort Meyers Fishing

[teddysclaw]

Gonna hit Fort Meyers for 3 days this upcoming week. Was hoping for some advice regarding fishing in the Surf/beach/piers, inshore open boats, and offshore(blackfin tuna, wahoo) open boats.

I seem to be having a hard time finding any open boats, and I will only be going with one other friend, so we are having a difficult time justifying dropping the extra cash for an entire boat.

I'm reading online that for blackfin, it'd be much better to hit the east side of Florida though. Not sure what would equate to the longer ride+ cost, taking an offshore charter from ft meyers going deep into the Gulf of mexico, or driving 2.5 hours to the east side of florida and taking a blackfin tuna boat.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Castaway]

Look no further than capt joe miller from fish galore charters out of venice.

[tautog]

Offshore fishing is at least 40 off in Fort Myers and a lot tougher than the east coast because there are less structure and breaks.

[jiocg1181]

If you do find yourself fishing from the shore... Take the ride to Sanibel island and hit the pier by the light house... Sheepshead, ladyfish, speckled trout, jacks, and snook. Just pick up some shrimp and have a good time.

[Sharkyispy]

Tuna are pretty far out on the Gulf side, not to say they're not there but not as good as East Coast fishing. I fished near the bridge on San Carlos Blvd that goes over to the beach and had some luck with snook, sea trout (our weakfish) on shrimp. They're are a lot of boats right near the bridge but unfortunately I don't have a recommend for you. You may see pompano and other local fish off of the beach. Good luck!

[crabby]

the best offshore boat in fort meyers is capt kern he does split charters unfortunately i don't have his # call gateway marina they can find it for you…inshore try capt mike hickory bay charters 239-947-3851 30' pontoon boat real nice guy you never know what you are going to catch in the back waters… before i drive 2 1/2 hours to the other side i would drive 3 hours to key largo and fish with capt zane albury charters 305-522-9438 what ever you decide make sure you call ahead and make reservations… good luck warren

[Capt Sal]

Gonna hit Fort Meyers for 3 days this upcoming week. Was hoping for some advice regarding fishing in the Surf/beach/piers, inshore open boats, and offshore(blackfin tuna, wahoo) open boats.

I seem to be having a hard time finding any open boats, and I will only be going with one other friend, so we are having a difficult time justifying dropping the extra cash for an entire boat.

I'm reading online that for blackfin, it'd be much better to hit the east side of Florida though. Not sure what would equate to the longer ride+ cost, taking an offshore charter from ft meyers going deep into the Gulf of mexico, or driving 2.5 hours to the east side of florida and taking a blackfin tuna boat.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
First of all you never know what the weather will be and with only three days I would stay local. Blackfin tuna in the keys are no problem but it is not cheap and again you need the weather. I would take the suggestions on the board and try those captains.

[Papasown]

Hey Teddysclaw, I agree with jiocg. Head down to Sannibel pier near the bridge, and fish live shrimps. There's a good fishery there, and hopefully you won't have my luck when one of the locals told me " Hey mister I fish here all the time, and you caught the biggest pelican of the year ". I'd rather catch a fish......lol. Also under the bridges with live bait, and livelined ladyfish, you can catch some handsome Snook to release. Catch 'em up, we'll still be digging snow up here....Papa

[chrislars]

you might also take a look at fishing out of naples if you want to charter. in shore fishing is better down there and there are a lot of local charter captains

[Fishin Dude]

Let me know how you make out. I'm going to chase some Tarpon down that way in June, and would also like to do some backwater stuff for some Redfish, as well as a longer ride to deeper water for some Red Snapper since the season will then be open then. I'm in the process of checking out some Guides/Charters, and see a few Head Boats a well. I've heard that those Head Boats will just fish the same old daily grind, and you will have to pick through a bunch of shorts to get yourself a dinner. Yes, I'm a tourist, but I'm a FISHERMAN first!

[teddysclaw]

Hey thanks for the replies guys. I'll look into those captains for sure.

Are any of the backwater fish any good eating down there? I've tried ladyfish, and hate it. Sea trout(Weakfish) is ok. Never tried snook or any of the other commonly caught inshore/backwater species.

Also, is there anything caught inshore that you can try eating raw? Would love to sample some local sushi if possible.

And yea, i've heard the same thing about head boats down there. Absolute trash operations I hear. If anyone has any advice on a headboat that's not so terrible, i'd be willing to try one as well.

[Bucktailboys.com]

Let me know how you make out. Going down in April and usually drive to Venice to fish with Joe.

Keefe

[Capt Sal]

Hey thanks for the replies guys. I'll look into those captains for sure.

Are any of the backwater fish any good eating down there? I've tried ladyfish, and hate it. Sea trout(Weakfish) is ok. Never tried snook or any of the other commonly caught inshore/backwater species.

Also, is there anything caught inshore that you can try eating raw? Would love to sample some local sushi if possible.

And yea, i've heard the same thing about head boats down there. Absolute trash operations I hear. If anyone has any advice on a headboat that's not so terrible, i'd be willing to try one as well.

Our weakfish are different.I think the proper spelling is squeteage? They are a grey weakfish. In Florida they are spotted Sea Trout usually not as big.The Southern sea trout could have worms.no problem cooked but as sushi???

[teddysclaw]

Oh and I definitely will visit the Sanibel Pier and give it a go. Are the types of fish you catch something that u can easily swing up? Or is a net necessary?

Oh and about the sushi, I've seen spotted sea trout on the sushi menu at restaurants, which is why i was curious.

Also, what would I catch on a 2 ounce bucktail tipped with a gulp minnow off sanibel beaches? Using A diamond jig?

[joec]

No real suggestions for a boat, but I would suggest fishing under the bridge into Fort Myer's Beach. Grab some shrimp and have some fun. Some big sheepshead down there!! Also, try Little Carlos Pass down by Lover's Key. A lot of redfish, snook, ladyfish... Just be careful of the power lines on side of the bridge... there are tons of metals and bobbers hanging from them!!

[Fun King]

We used to go to Captiva every winter. sigh. There's a bunch of small boat inshore charters but last time we went we rented our own boat. We fished in the gulf and in the bays and caught lots of blues, ladyfish and spanish mackerel, all on small metal lures. Pisser. We've taken snook, reds, pompano, and the abundant sea trout off the beach on shrimp, live bait and rubber on jig heads. You can catch your own pinfish and use these for bait. Have fun!

[Skolmann]

Although I don't know their names, there are several party boats in Southwest Florida that are well worth hitting up.

Spanish mackerel should be around any bait schools that are near piers or bridges. Clark spoons or Gotcha Plugs are the ticket for them.

[ReelErIn]

I've been doing good in shore in Charolette Harbor Spanich Macs and Sheepshead
off the sea walls.
Have fun. I'm 40mins north send a PM maybe I can get ya out with me on the ReelErIn.
19' Kew West 130 Etech.
NJFishing member discount free!

[Bucktailboys.com]

I've been doing good in shore in Charolette Harbor Spanich Macs and Sheepshead
off the sea walls.
Have fun. I'm 40mins north send a PM maybe I can get ya out with me on the ReelErIn.
19' Kew West 130 Etech.
NJFishing member discount free!


Going down in April, will try to hook up with you.

Keefe

[teddysclaw]

I've been doing good in shore in Charolette Harbor Spanich Macs and Sheepshead
off the sea walls.
Have fun. I'm 40mins north send a PM maybe I can get ya out with me on the ReelErIn.
19' Kew West 130 Etech.
NJFishing member discount free!

Dang it. WIsh i saw this earlier. Had a decent time catching some TINY TINY mangrove snapper and decent sheepshead. Saw a snook caught, undersized. Didn't see any trout, macks, etc. Got absolutely DESTROYED by noseeum biting flies. HOLY crap. Got maybe 50 red circles on my body the size of a chocolate chip. Looks awful and itches like a mf. Use bug spray.

Might hit up that area one more time in May, Def will see if you're still there at that point.

[ReelErIn]

I'll here year round sold the house in NJ and packed my tent. One yr property tax in NJ = four yrs in Fl. My house in on water and the boat is 50' from my back door.

[tightlines]

:)Capt jimmy burnsed out of captiva, his whole family operates the charter ... fished with him 8xs great every time, back water tarpon etc reasonable price and very accommodating, going again in may 239 472 1779 Good luck