Southwest Florida Fishing Report - Bonita Springs to Captiva

So here we are already into October. Amazing how it all just flys by. Capt. Kevin of Sea Claw Anchors (the best anchor made and the least lost)has informed me of a huge fish kill in and around Charlotte Harbor. If this Red Tide descends on Pine Island Sound all of our recovery from our July fish kill will be for nothing. Let's take a look at the good news and hope the bad news stays away. Redfish: Matlacha seems to have the market cornered on Red Fish. On the incoming tide those fishing hunks of cut Ladyfish are scoring some nice Reds along the mangroves. In addition, Big Drum are tailing in and around South Matlacha Pass. Hooking one of these brutes is like attaching a line to a submarine. They are fun but Drum don't have a whole lot of GiddyUp. Snook: The beaches and canals plus the docks are holding linesiders in good numbers. The best time to fish the docks is usually the first of the outgoing. Most of our Snook Hookups are coming off Big Shrimp. Pompano: I'm looking everywhere for them. Call me clueless. Cobia are in good numbers in and around the May and DGH Reef off Big Carlos Pass. Always-always have a rig ready for cobia. They love plastics resembling eels. Trout in Pine Island Sound are making a comeback. We scored a few 18-19" guys but no gators as of yet.