Estero Bay Report

this past week the fishing really started to heat up. The water temps have cooled due to the afternoon rains and evening temps and the fish are responding. The tarpon are returning from their summer stints in the northern waters and can be found off the beaches. They are taking free lined threadfin herrings and pinfish under floats. The backcountry fishing has many options for anglers right now and there is plenty of bait off the beaches and on the grass flats. Fishing free lined bait along the floating docks and mangrove islands near the passes is resulting in snook, redfish, snapper, and jacks. Beef up your tackle to prevent cut-offs on the pilings. Free lined pinfish or jumbo shrimp under floats is producing some nice redfish action on the oyster bars and mangrove islands. Anglers seem to be having the best luck on good moving water near the top of the tides. The passes are producing snapper, jacks, ladyfish, trout, spanish macs, and small sharks. Bouncing shrimp along the bottom is working best .