Offshore Ft Meyers, FL - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Chico · #1 03-09-2013, 08:38 PM

Our Friday departure aboard the Sea Trek had us all in anticipation of a great overnite snapper trip. After a 6 to 7 hour steam we arrived at the first stop just as the sun had set. It took a while for the bite to turn of, but when it did, we were all busy hauling fish over the rails. There were some decent mangroves as well as some HUGE porgies. Even though the three of us had managed to fill the livewell with over 6 dozen pinfish, the snapper and porgies were turned on by the shrimp baits. The pinfish almost guaranteed a nice Gag, all released. There were a few other odd fish that the pinfish attracted, including a nice king mac and a bonita. After a few hours the bite turned off and we moved a short distance away and it all started over again, mostly LARGE porgies, with some mangrove snapper as well as some lane snapper. We overstayed at this spot as the last hour was fruitless and the seas began to pick up with the wind. The third stop was a bit shallower and along with more BIG porgies, the main catch here were the lane snapper, not big ones, but most in the 13" to 15" size along with some yellowtail, most were under sized. Although the mangrove snapper were mostly in the 14" to 16" size, there were some bigger ones mixed in. When we got back to the dock, the catch was awesome, one of the better trips for the boat this season. I filled two medium sized coolers with the fish I caught. What was lacking in size for the snapper, was made up by the sheer quantity that we caught. A few guys did try jigging and often were met with a large hungry porgie or a snapper. Overall this was a great experience, with a great group of guys, and a good boat crew as well. If I get a chance, I will try to post pictures, with a busy day on Sunday and another charter on Monday, I am not sure when I will get the chance.

SaltLife1980 · #2 03-09-2013, 08:46 PM

Sounds like it was a great trip!! Nice work!!

tautog · #3 03-09-2013, 09:49 PM

Lane snapper are a small very tasty fish. A 15" lane is a very nice one. Florida porgies are some of the nest eating around, sweeter whiter meat than a northern scup.

Bucktailboys.com · #4 03-09-2013, 09:56 PM

Thanks for the report! I am heading down there in 2 weeks so any more advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Chico · #5 03-10-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucktailboys.com

Thanks for the report! I am heading down there in 2 weeks so any more advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

This was a 24 hr "blue water trip" I am sure they don't do the same on the half day trips. The 24hr trips sell out quickly. Another great value is booking a split charter with "fishgaloreoffshore" Capt. Joe Miller, he is out of Venice and is a great offshore fisherman. We are fishing with him tomorrow. I will let you know how w do!! Like I said in the report, seems fresh shrimp is the bait of choice for the snapper. This has been a GREAT season for both nice porgies and BIG lanes. Last Monday my buddy fished with Capt. Joe and landed a lane snapper just over 5#. The record is 7#!! Tomorrow we are hoping the seas allow us the 45 mile run out to the AJ spots!!

Skolmann · #6 03-10-2013, 10:49 AM

I'm going to be in the Orlando area March 20-27. Probably going to jump on a head/party boat out of Port Canaveral (either the Obsession or Canaveral Star II) on Monday the 25th.

I find it interesting that their 1/2 trips are from 9:30 AM - 4 PM. Up here that would be considered full or at least 3/4 day.

The boats I looked at running out of Port Canaveral full day trip are from 8-5.

I also find it interesting that both boats offer meal plans so for an extra $10 (fare is only $60

) you get breakfast, lunch and all the water, soda, iced tea & coffee you can drink. Like to see that being offered on party boats up here.

TomKaye · #7 03-10-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucktailboys.com

Thanks for the report! I am heading down there in 2 weeks so any more advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Did not do any offshore while down there, but another suggestion as requested :
20 minutes north of Ft. Myers, May of 2011, we stayed at the Resort at Marina Village, Cape Coral, Fl.
( They have since been taken over by Westin and unfortunately, rates are now way up there. $$$ )

This guy has a great rep but was booked all week while we were there.
That's a good problem to have.
http://www.capt-george.com/index.html

So he referred us to a buddy, Captain Bobby something.......I lost his card.
I'm sure any of the hotels can refer you. He's an EMT for Ft. Myers FD and P/T charter captain with a 21 ft bayboat.
Three of us and Capt Bobby fished the river for 4 hours, very comfortably.

He picked us up at the marina dock right after his night shift. The boat was loaded with live shrimp and pintails which he had just caught for bait.
We played C & R with the speckled trout ( weakfish) all morning, and kept only 4 for the boat. Also caught a few small ladyfish and a small fluke on a pintail.
Saw some great wildlife on the river like heron, eagles,& manatees.
Briefly glimpsed what we thought were tarpon but could not entice them.

All in all a great day on the river, if you're looking for an alternative to offshore while you're down there.
I'm sure any of the river guides in Ft. Myers or Cape Coral area could provide you a good day as well.

Tight lines,
Tom K.

P.S. Thanks for the pkg which USPS left in my mailbox yesterday afternoon.
Quality product. Looking forward to using it, and ordering more soon.

Blackfish Doug · #8 03-10-2013, 08:01 PM

[QUOTE=Chico] Another great value is booking a split charter with "fishgaloreoffshore" Capt. Joe Miller, he is out of Venice and is a great offshore fisherman. We are fishing with him tomorrow.

Is this the same Joe Miller who ran the Party Boat Atomic from Sheepshead Bay? If so I had great memories fishing with Joe I loved that full day boat that left at 9 AM. You had a awful lot of work Hookie players on that boat. That boat & the Chief that left at 10 AM. Those boats were always railed. I'm surprised that none of the Atlantic Highland boats wouldn't try that time spot.
Too many half day boats if you ask me there were a awful lot of people who liked to sleep later & get in a on nice day on the water.

Bucktailboys.com · #9 03-10-2013, 08:30 PM

Thanks guys! I emailed both captains and hope I get get out with either one, if not both

Chico · #10 03-12-2013, 09:37 PM

[QUOTE=Blackfish Doug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chico

Another great value is booking a split charter with "fishgaloreoffshore" Capt. Joe Miller, he is out of Venice and is a great offshore fisherman. We are fishing with him tomorrow.

Is this the same Joe Miller who ran the Party Boat Atomic from Sheepshead Bay? If so I had great memories fishing with Joe I loved that full day boat that left at 9 AM. You had a awful lot of work Hookie players on that boat. That boat & the Chief that left at 10 AM. Those boats were always railed. I'm surprised that none of the Atlantic Highland boats wouldn't try that time spot.
Too many half day boats if you ask me there were a awful lot of people who liked to sleep later & get in a on nice day on the water.

NOT the same Joe Miller, this guy is a great capt and friend as well.