Bite is on in Estero Bay, snook, redfish

{%image_id=50377%}Fishing in and around Estero Bay, its tributaries and passes has been very good over the past couple of weeks. The only downside was the recent passing of Hurricane Matthew on the other coast. The storm was large enough to cause some windy days over here with seas big enough to prevent offshore trips. Before the storm the offshore waters were on fire. Lots of red grouper and snapper were at the top of the list with loads of lane snapper. Talk about a great dinner fish. Baits of choice were squid, cut and whole finger mullet and live shrimp. Shark fishing was good along the coastline in about 14 to 15-feet of water. Blacktips accounted for most of the bite with a few big hammerheads. {%image_id=50376%}Snook and redfish are eating well in the backcountry despite the tides and winds. Live pilchards netted along the beaches proved to be excellent bait, but don't overlook live shrimp if shiners are hard to get. It won't be long before the grass flats are loaded with pinfish so watch for those while fishing your favorite flat. They shine like silver dollars on the bottom when the sun is overhead and the redfish love them. {%image_id=50378%}We'll be coming up on the full October Moon so it's time to get out there an wet a line.