Capt. Terry Fisher
Every month of every year will present different challenges to all anglers. This year should be no different from the previous year, in regards to knowing when or where to go in quest of a particular species. Each year at this time, I present my views on what I believe will hold true for the new calendar year as to what species is best to target and during which months (on a ‘quarterly’ basis) as follows:
JANUARY- MARCH
Sheepshead will lead the charge as the bigger fish migrate from the gulf waters and infiltrate docks, seawalls and mangroves. They will be found in each and every ‘PASS’ (Redfish, Captiva and Boca Grande) as well as creek mouths and back waters with structure, especially those areas with old piles and rocks. I fish for them with shrimp tails while periodically hurling the heads for chum. Use small #1 or # 2 size bait hooks.
Snook is a year around favorite of mine and they have moved from the beaches to the canals and creek mouths. Artificial baits such as ‘twichbait’ (MR 19 MirrOlure); Shallow Running Swim or ‘Crank’ baits; weedless soft plastics or top water plugs (Heddon Spook Jr.) will all produce. Preferred live baits include sardines, herring, pinfish and big shrimp.
Jack Crevalle will prevail in canals and creeks. The will be spotted busting glass minnows at the surface. Almost any artificial presentation will work when they are feeding. Use sardines or shrimp for live bait presentations.
Spanish Mackerel will begin their migration southward. Artificial baits such as; gold and silver spoons, Got-cha lures for good action. Use wire leaders to prevent cutoffs. Watch for diving birds and usually the mackerel will be a part of the action together with Lady Fish.
Grouper/Snapper move closer to inshore as water temperature cools. Causeway, Edison, Helens, Pace and other well know reefs will hold fish. Shrimp, pinfish, sardines and squid are my baits of choice.
APRIL-JUNE
Seatrout will inhabit grass flats in 3’-6’ of water. Look for murky green color indicating sea grasses. Larger seatrout will be more prevalent during the early spring month of April. Artificial baits of all types will work. Also, fish shrimp under a cork (weighted or free-lined) suspended above the seabed.
Tarpon will begin their migration from the waters of Mexico. Look for them off Ft. Myers Beach, and the beaches of the outer islands of Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa. Fish live small ‘dollar’ crabs, threadfins, mullets or big pinfish under a cork for best results. Anchor up ahead of their paths. Dead baits placed on the bottom of the seabed will produce and include mullet, catfish fillets. Fishing Boca Grande Pass requires additional skills and different techniques to yield success. I suggest hiring a guide for that adventure and learn some of them.
Snook beginning to move from the canals and creeks to the beaches and passes.
Redfish become more plentiful and larger inshore with higher tides and stronger currents. Look for them around oyster beds and mangrove islands on incoming tides. Big shrimp, cut pinfish and crabs are all great baits to use fished on the seabed or suspended under a popping cork.
Mangrove Snapper are an inshore favorite this time of year. They are very tasty. Live cut shrimp on small circle hook placed under docks and around mangroves should yield plenty, for a nice meal.
Tripletail/King Mackerel/Cobia/Permit offshore may all join the party as waters warm. Troll artificial lures for mackerel. Try big shrimp for tripletail and cobia. Mackerel and cobia will likely be caught while fishing for snapper on the reefs mentioned above.
JULY-SEPTEMBER
Redfish become the predominant fish. The bigger ones (around September time frame) are known as ‘Bull Reds’. Warmer water triggers their migratory senses to move closer inshore. High tides, plenty of food and protection give them the ability to eat, spawn and fatten up for their long winter offshore. They will be found in schools. They love artificial gold spoons and soft weedless plastics. Live shrimp, pinfish and crab are great baits to use in back country locations off oyster shoals and around mangrove islands.
Snook will be found in the same locations as redfish during this time of year. While targeting redfish, one will likely catch snook on the same presentations used for redfish.
Seatrout will remain active, but will be smaller in size. Look for the larger ones in the ‘potholes’.
Grouper/Snapper will require going further offshore to find. The bigger ones will hold in 45’-120’ of water. Last year the far offshore boats caught a lot of different varieties of both species.
Permit are fighting machines and will show up on the reefs. Live crab is my bait of choice.
OCTOBER-DECEMBER
‘Red-fishing’ may be at its finest early on this ‘quarter’. However, depending on the water temperatures, it will likely be the ‘beginning of the end’ for the larger Bull Reds. Usually, the month of October is the best and things will begin winding down sometime in November, when cooler water temperatures move the schooling fish offshore.
Seatrout are here year around and are usually plentiful to catch and release but not as big during the last quarter of the year.
Pompano/Spanish Mackerel will for the most part be by catches while targeting seatrout. These species are migratory and will show up from time to time throughout the year.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters LLC of Cape Coral, Florida. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Call me direct at 239-357-6829 or email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com for any charter request. I am also available on your vessel (by the hour) as ‘Captain for Hire’ to assist with navigation, safety, fishing locations and techniques that I use, to insure your every trip is successful.