Ft. Myers - Offshore

Mixed Bag Greetings; Fishing offshore has been a mixed bag this past week. The good news is if you go out looking for a bent rod you have a very good chance of finding it. There has been a lull in the tarpon fishery in the inshore stage this week, but the snook and jacks have migrated out to the beaches to take up the slack nicely. Spanish mackerel are abundant in the smaller sizes also. If big is your thing, there are some huge sharks mixed in with the tarpon. Out further there is still some king mackerel activity and good cuda action. On the longer runs of twenty to thirty miles there is excellent snapper and grouper action as well. You are likely to find tarpon any place from Wiggins Pass to Captiva pass in our area this time of year. Lately with the couple of low pressure fronts that passed by the fish scattered out. We have has success drifting and anchoring. Thread herring, mullet, and shad have been the bait of choice. Use a wire trace if a grinner is on your target list but bring your lunch it may take a while. We fought one for two and a half hours last Sunday. Snook have finally started migrating out to the beaches and passes in good numbers. Live baits in the smaller sizes has produced plenty of fish this past week. There are some over sized spawners under the docks also now. Up along the coast of Sanible near Captiva pass there have been reports of nice sized permit tailing in the surf so keep your eyes open for those black tails sticking up! On the deeper wrecks cudas rule the surface. Kings are not thick but steady action can be had if you move around from spot to spot. Live baits and trolled feathers and lures are all working. Grouper action is as good as I have seen for seven or eight months and if you happen upon the right spot the snapper action is red hot also. Im not sure whats up but there are very reliable reports of a true red snapper being caught in ninty feet of water and a diver buddy of mine swears they seen a swordfish in the same area. Somethings up because we spotted a bunch of flying fish last week in closer also. Possible a piece of the loop current is in the area so it may be a good time to head out and try for something special. Good luck and have a great time out there. Watch the thunder storms in the afternoon they will be starting to head offshore this month. Sincerely, Capt. Rick Featherstone Sincerely, Capt. Rick Featherstone