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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 59
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 2:33 pm: | |
With the beginning of the Tarpon migration starting about a month early this year, they have been our primary target the past few weeks of April and May.
Just like with any species of game fish, no two days are ever the same. This applies to the sliver king as well. There's been days where there's been reports of guides jumping more than 18 tarpon in a day. Then the next day, it's a hunt to find them. Yesterday we had our lines in the water for two hours before we landed the first and only Tarpon for the day.
The migration is bringing the fish north along the Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva coast about 22ft to 26ft out. We've been drifting threadfins using size 6 to 8 size hooks, 40 pound braid and 60 to 80 pound leader (depending on the clarity of the water and location). In the passes you can try both threadfins and/or crab. In Boca Grand pass free line crabs if you see them rolling. Once they head to the bottom to shade themselves from the sun in the afternoon try using a weight the get the crab to the bottom.
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oursoccercleats (Oursoccercleats)
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Post Number: 26
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 6:34 pm: | |
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 56
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 08, 2012 - 3:49 pm: | |
It's been a few weeks since I've had some time to catch up on my sleep, gather my thoughts and sit down to write a fishing report. I've been fishing EVERYDAY since the 2nd week of February, so although I've had a lot to report about. I just haven't had the time or energy to put it in black and white. So here we go...
The month of March has brought Fort Myers and Sanibel Island with some of the best weather we've had in years. Beautiful skys with no rain. Perfect for spring breakers and boaters. A little less perfect for anglers. With this great weather pattern comes high pressure, which is usually more difficult for fishing. The fish will still eat but you basically have to put it right in front of them. The theory is that barometric pressure is greater in shallow water (which is where we fish) than deep, probably due to the pressure of the weight of the water in deep water being so high, that the air pressure above it is less significant. A great example would be the experience I had yesterday. We had a cool front come in late evening, early morning before my trip. This weather system brought in a lot of rain and wind. This was the first time in almost two months that the pressure was falling because of the degrading weather. I came very close to canceling my trip because of the rain and wind. The problem was that these guys were driving in from Tampa, just for the day to fish. So I didn't want to dissapoint anyone. On the way to the boat ramp, I had a blow out on my trailer, so to say the least it was not off to a good start. I got to the boat ramp late, at 7am and still had to catch bait before I picked my clients up at 8am. All of the other guides canceled their trips for the day except myself and my friend Bruce. Fortunately Bruce didn't have a blow out on his trailer that morning so he was already on the bait. I threw my cast net once and I couldn't even pull the net in my boat because it had so much bait in it. Once I got it in the boat, I emptied it into my livewell and the rest spilled out all over the boat. All of a sudden I was being attacked by birds and pelicans. Bruce was just sitting back laughing at the chaos, lol. I started thinking then, that the fishing's gonna be awesome today. I was right. We caught fish all day long. We were still catching fish when it was time to leave. We left with three keeper redfish, four trout and released the snook that we caught (closed until 8/31/12). We caught everything using live Pilchards with 20 pound Power Pro, 30 pound leader and #3 hooks. The tide was really high, so we fished the mangroves because the fish were pushed up into the trees. These boys knew how to fish and pull them right out of the structure.
On to the subject of tarpon. I have been noticing more and more migrating in each day. My first tarpon trip is not until this week. I'm a little leery because I've seen them but not in large enough numbers to really target. I haven't noticed them in the passes yet but I have hooked two under the bridges and one on the flats. Unfortunately I was unprepared to catch a tarpon and we were using light tackle gear. It was fun though. Once I realized what was on the line, I dropped my anchor and put the boat in gear. My client fought the tarpon under the bridge for about 5 minutes, which I'm surprised it lasted that long. It was hooked on a 7 ft medium action St. Croix rod with 20 pound line and 30 pound leader. I was waiting for the line to break at any minute but it just kept going. Finally after the 3rd jump the leader broke about 3 inches up. I thought maybe, just maybe I was going to be able to say we caught a 150 pound fish on a light tackle set up. Maybe one day......
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 53
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 6:28 pm: | |
Today was a perfect day of fishing on the water here in Fort Myers Fl, other than all the weekend warriors. Between the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp festival, two fishing tournaments and spring Break boat traffic we still managed to be where the fish were, all day. The temperature was a sunny 86 degrees with the winds 5 to 10 out of the N.E.
I started the morning off catching a load of pilchards off the beach. I picked up my clients, Dave and Doug Hawley from Minneapolis Mn. and headed into the river. I had some really nice sized bait so I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity with some big fish.
Today I had the poles rigged with 30 Pound leader and line with a 6 o circle hook. With our first two casts we caught 2 decent sized snook. I decided to move just around the corner where I know there's really big snook, there just usually finicky eaters. I had enough bait that I chummed up the water with the extras and had them throw there lines out. Those juicy pilchards must have been just what the snook ordered because I would see them swim past the bait and swim right back and explode on it. We lost atleast a 40 pound snook right at the boat when I had the net in the water. It decided to take one last leap into the air and spit the hook right out. We had to take a breather after that one. Or just maybe me, because my hands were shaking from excitement! Hooked another one about the same size but lost it to the trees.
Over all we had a good quality day catching Snook and Redfish! Spotted Tarpon on the way in but didn't give it much time. We were all whooped. The tarpon have been making scattered apppearances but not enough to really concentrate on them yet.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 48
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2012 - 5:48 pm: | |
Inshore fishing in Fort Myers is picking up as the water temperatures have risen to the seventy degree range. On the wrecks nearshore sheepshead, spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper offer the most consistent bite.
Redfish, have been steady. We've been doing best on tides that have good current and high tides. Some over ten pounds. Shrimp & baitfish have been working the best. On the lower tides, they become very visible with their tails sticking up in the air. The trick is being there when they are feeding. Try working the edges of the sand bars and oyster reefs. When fishing the flats of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. When fishing the mangroves, fish the end of the high tide and get cast your bait underneath the mangroves as far as you can. Also a great way to pull up a Snook too.
The information in this report is provided as a service to the Fort Myers and Sanibel Island angling community by FishSkinner Charters, Fort Myers, FL.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 42
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2011 - 2:36 pm: | |
Fishing Fort Myers Beach has changed a bit this week. The past month or so, we've been catching fish after fish after fish. It's been great for fishing charters and the captains. This week however, things have slowed down some. The fishing hasn't been as fast. They're biting in smaller numbers but bigger fish. The bait fish have made there appearance on the grass flats this week along with the Snook.
Today I went armed with shrimp, cut ladyfish and bait fish. The winner was......bait fish. The past few weeks the redfish and even Snook have been hitting the cut lady fish hard. This week not at all. Today the bait fish was the clear choice for Redfish, snook and trout.
The Redfish have all been slot and fat. Snook have been of really nice size, which is really good to see. They've been carefully released of course. Trout have been plentiful.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 41
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2011 - 9:19 am: | |
Fishing the past couple days near Fort Myers beach has been the usual (good), but the fish have been getting bigger. I've been noticing a lot more snook out and about. There not quite biting yet but it's good to see them around. I've been seeing some bait fish schools but I think it's too early to attempt to fish with anything other than artificials and or shrimp/cut bait such as ladyfish. I think within the next couple of weeks if the weather remains the same or even warms up more, the Snook bite will be on.
Yesterday I had two double fishing charters. The first half of the morning we caught redfish, sheapshead and snapper. Once I picked up the next crew, the fishing slowed down but the fish were bigger. We ended up catching 3 slot sized redfish all on cut ladyfish The largest being 25".
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 38
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 4:08 pm: | |
This has been a great week to have the opportunity to guide clients on fishing charters for a living. The weather has been, what I consider to be perfect all week long. Highs in the upper 70"s with full sun and a light breeze. The fishing over the past month hasn't really changed much. My reports seem to be a little repetitive. Lots of red fish and trout. I've been having the best luck in the mornings when the tide is low, in and near potholes for Trout and Red fish. A lot of lady fish and trout on deep grass flats. Great for the kids and families visiting and fishing the Fort Myers beach area. It'll be nice when the bigger fish start to come out to play. Snook, tarpon, etc... Soon!
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 36
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2011 - 4:55 pm: | |
Today I fished Fort Myers beach with the Goren family from Ohio. They were interested in targeting Trout so I took them to a spot I tend to have a lot of luck with towards a nearby pass. The gear we used were 7 ft medium action poles rigged with 20 pound leader, 10 pound braided power pro line, and jig hooks with a popping corks. We had live shrimp on the boat but I was hoping to catch the larger fish with some dead pinfish or mullet strips. We work the dead bait like it's live, and the larger trout feed on them better than live shrimp. We ended up catching four trout at 20" inches" ( florida fishing regulations for slot is 15" to 20", one per person over 20"). We caught probably 20 Trout but mostly closer to 15". We would have got more to the boat if it weren't for them ripping the hooks out of there mouths. Keep in mind that Trout have very soft mouths, so try not to set the hook too hard otherwise you'll miss out. They had a great day fishing fort myers beach and I enjoyed having them. It was a beautiful day!.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 35
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2011 - 3:35 pm: | |
Small, spotty and in large numbers. That's the majority of the Red fish We've been catching this week fishing Fort Myers beach. They have grown considerably since winter has started. Probably since they've been feeding so well. I caught 3 within slot which is 18" to 27". Most of them close to 50 caught in one day were right at 17". I did notice a lot more spots on there tail than usual. I counted 23 spots on one Red.
I've been fishing with a 7 ft medium action rod with 10 pound test. using shrimp or cut bait, near cuts and on the grass flats.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 31
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 - 5:46 pm: | |
Today I took the Hughes family fishing in Fort Myers for redfish. I knew we would catch a lot of redfish but I was hoping we would catch atleast one or two within slot (18"-27"). That's been a little difficult fishing Sanibel lately so I took them up to Pine Island. We ended up doing pretty well. We caught a lot of the smaller reds like I've been catching lately but we also landed three slot sized Redfish. One being 20, one 23 and the third was 25. The afternoons have been producing more fish because of the warmer temps.
We used a 7' MEDIUM ACTION ROD.
SPINNING REEL WITH 8-10 # TEST MONOFILAMENT.
20# TEST MONOFILAMENT LEADER TIED DIRECTLY TO YOUR 8-10# TEST LINE .
When fishing in Fort Myers or the Sanibel are for redfish, always look for grassy areas with sandy potholes. Water depth should be within 3-4ft deep. Look near the mangroves and under docks.
We used live shrimp by hooking the shrimp under the "horn" with a 2/0 hook with a floating cork approx. 2 1/2 - 3 ft. from the hook Adjust according to the debth of water.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - 5:15 pm: | |
Today was a great day of fishing Fort Myers beach. The weather was amazing with temperatures in the mid to upper 70's and best of all, the wind and water was calm.
Today I took the Imhoff family from Wisconsin fishing. We started the day off fishing the flats on top water. We caught about 15 trout and then decided to move on because a few dolphins decided to make an appearance. We ended up moving into a deep cut in the ding darling area. Right away we hooked a couple redfish. It didn't slow down all day. The redfish and sheepshead just kept eating no matter where we fished.
The past few weeks of fishing have brought in a very large numbers of fish. The fish just haven't been very large. It's been a good time though. I left the docks with 200 shrimp in the morning and we went back with none. Over all a great day for Fort Myers beach fishing.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 27
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 - 4:36 pm: | |
The weather has still been up and down the past couple weeks but the fishing on Fort Myers Beach has remained good, even in the cold.
Offshore and inshore Sanibel and Fort Myers are great this time of year for grouper,snapper and any other fish that hang around structure.
If your looking for a good time in numbers, mackerel seem to be every where . Just make sure you have some extra lures or hooks because these toothy fish can cut through a line with no problem. I like to use a spoon or jig tied to a little piece of small wire with a swivel.
Sheep’s head have been great in deeper creeks around any fallen trees or stumps. You can almost sit on top of them and give them the bait(shrimp). I like to use a small jig head with the long hook shank I can find. It really helps when the fish swallow the hook to have something to grab onto with your pliers.
Redfish are showing up pretty much ever where. Not very big but fun to catch. I usually use the same rig for theme as the sheep’s . It's nice not having to change up tackle. Although you might hook that 21 to 24 incher that will reek havoc on some 15 pound test leader. So if you think there is a possibility that you might run into one of these guys make sure you have a minimum of 20 pound test on your rig, and that should do the trick.
Trout on the flats have been fun on a popping corks and shrimp. You can also use the same tackle, just attach a cork and set it where the jig head does not drag the bottom too bad.
Offshore and inshore Sanibel and Fort Myers are great this time of year for grouper,snapper and any other fish that hang around structure.
If your looking for a good time in numbers, mackerel seem to be every where . Just make sure you have some extra lures or hooks because these toothy fish can cut through a line with no problem. I like to use a spoon or jig tied to a little piece of small wire with a swivel.
Sheep’s head have been great in deeper creeks around any fallen trees or stumps. You can almost sit on top of them and give them the bait(shrimp). I like to use a small jig head with the long hook shank I can find. It really helps when the fish swallow the hook to have something to grab onto with your pliers.
Redfish are showing up pretty much ever where. Not very big but fun to catch. I usually use the same rig for theme as the sheep’s . It's nice not having to change up tackle. Although you might hook that 21 to 24 incher that will reek havoc on some 15 pound test leader. So if you think there is a possibility that you might run into one of these guys make sure you have a minimum of 20 pound test on your rig, and that should do the trick.
Trout on the flats have been fun on a popping corks and shrimp. You can also use the same tackle, just attach a cork and set it where the jig head does not drag the bottom too bad.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 26
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 02, 2011 - 2:11 pm: | |
December was a month full of stress. Between christmas shopping and the crowds of people it can be quite unpleasant. But all that pays off on christmas day for about 30 mins, when we get to watch the presents be opened. Then it's time to clean up and cook the christmas feast. (I really don’t do anything)
That's why I just prefer to fish in December. It's a lot less stressful. Although we've had to fight the cold weather and wind while fishing fort myers beach, but if you can get past that then you've probably realized that the Redfish bite has been off the charts. Every charter that I have taken out in the past three weeks has produced 20-25 Redfish on average. We had a couple of days where we caught 40 Redfish. Sounds crazy, but there is a set back. Most of these fish are13 to17 inches, not within slot but fun nonetheless. Trying to get a slot size Redfish recently has been as difficult as the temperature has had making it into the 80's. It can happen but the chances are slim.
The sheepheads are biting nicely too. The larger ones are in full force and they put up a pretty good fight.
The grouper are under the trees where the water is deep and has a good tidal flow. I know there great offshore too, but at the moment I prefer to not have my clients get sea sick.. I was fishing with a client the other day when she kept breaking off.. I knew there was only one thing it could be, Goliath grouper (Jewfish).
I had a rod set up on the boat for larger fish because I was taught a lessen once on a hunting trip. I was about 14 years old and I left the camp to use the restroom. To my surprise as I sat there doing my business, a nice 6 point buck walked out. No rifle at all, just some toilet paper. Maybe I could blind fold him. After returning to camp and telling my uncle what had happen, he got pretty upset and said, "you never walk into the woods with out your rifle". So I still use that rule today with fishing as well. You never leave the dock without a big rod and reel because you never know when you might need it. I even took it one step further. I never leave my house without a fishing pole. Maybe I'm just a little obsessed.
With the larger rod in hand, she used one of the keeper sheephead that we had caught earlier and tossed it right under the bushes. It took about 10 seconds for grouper to take the bait. To her surprise the fish on her line was fighting a lot harder than the sheephead she was catching before. After some words that usually come from a sailors mouth, she had the fish right beside the boat. It was about 15 to 20 pounds but she called it a monster. A baby monster grouper.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2010
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 1:28 pm: | |
The weather in December hasn't helped while fishing Fort Myers Beach The temperatures have been been averaging out in the 50's. Good for the holidays but bad for me and the fish. The love I have for being on the water with clients spring through fall, apparently makes up for the bitterly cold days I've been suffering through this past month. Clients from up north think this is shorts weather. I was born and raised here in Fort Myers, so I call this beanie and jacket weather. I think the fish might agree.
On the days when the wind is high, and the temps are low I like to fish near mangrove islands, where I can shield my customers from mother natures witty sense of humor. It's that time of year where I have the good fortune of sleeping in an extra hour or so because I don't have to wake up and catch bait. During the winter months we can go through 1000's of bait shrimp so make sure you use the right size hooks. I like to use little jig heads, the ones that you would use for bream fishing or crappie. They have about one eighth lead head and a long shank hook. This helps to keep the hook out of the fish's mouth so you can still grab it with a pair of pliers. It also prevents the fish from chaffing the small leader.
The redfish have been biting in very large numbers. The problem has been that there are few within slot. We caught 24 redfish in one day earlier this week. Only three were legal.
Sheep’s head are a good catch right now too. I've actually had a good time fishing them the last couple of years. They've been big and fun to catch.
The wrecks near shore have been great for grouper. If the weather permits and there's no one aboard with weak sea legs then just about anything you can mark on the sonar will hold a grouper or two. Even little ones pull like mad.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 22
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 09, 2010 - 8:24 am: | |
The winter has come even earlier in 2010 than the year past. Lets hope this is not a sign of whats to come. Last years continuous cooler temps killed off a lot of our Snook. I appreciate the continued Snook ban but would hope that they have time to flourish without the threat of more dying off. They truly are a beauty. I choose to catch and release whether there's a shortage or not. I'd hope that other anglers and or guides (in particular) choose to do the same.
In regards to the cold temperatures moving south into the Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel area, the larger fish are migrating south and/or up into the rivers and creeks for the winter months to stay warm.
The bait has moved off the beaches and has been harder to find. Now's the time to start using shrimp, which is a lot easier for me in the mornings. I don't mind a bit.
The past week I've been been staying near shore fishing the reefs for grouper, snapper and flounder along with trout on cut bait.
Inshore I've done well catching nice sized trout on jigs and shrimp.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 19
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2010 - 2:22 pm: | |
Catching bait has still been very good at the Sanibel Causeway. Only if you make it there before daylight though. Because the wind has been picking up the past few days I've been fishing the river creeks. The creeks can offer some good fishing opportunities on either incoming or outgoing tides. I allow the tides to push my live bait up under the mangroves, allowing the fish to present itself naturally to the game fish. Last week we caught two gag grouper and three redfish all in the same spot. I've also been having a lot of luck with Trout on the flats using live or cut bait under popping corks.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 18
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 3:48 pm: | |
Sanibel Island has been producing good numbers of fish this week. I've been fishing the flats on a high tide using live sardines under popping corks. We've been catching plenty Snook and Redfish. The Snook have not been very big, but loads of fun especially in numbers. The redfish have been very nice sizes, A lot actually have been over slot. The winds have been noticeably picking up which has been making it a little more difficult to fish the flats. Luckily Sanibel island has plenty places to shield yourself from the gusts, which also has been setting me up for nice redfish in the bushes. I've been using cut mullet or lady fish with 30 pnd test and 30 pnd leader. Along with the Redfish and Snook on the flats have been Jack. Fun to catch especially for the kids.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 15
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2010 - 8:25 pm: | |
Fishing in and around Sanibel Island in the fall is great. I wish this was our season. The weathers cooler like in the spring, but without the wind burn. The fishing's hot right now too. The past couple days we've still been catching plenty nice sized bait off the beaches. I've been working near shore for cobia, mackeral and there are still plenty of shark. Inshore, on the flats I've been catching slot size reds and the trout actions really starting to pick up.
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Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
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Post Number: 13
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 3:08 pm: | |
Something happened to me today that fishing guides; any angler, in fact dreams of. I have a friend who needed me to tow his boat through some very small creek cuts in the back bays of Estero. I'd mention the area, but this is my little secret now. So as I'm towing his boat in the silence of the mangroves, we start to hear fish hitting the surface of the water feeding fiercely on bait fish. I assume from a distance that they are Jack, when all of a sudden a 50 pound back country tarpon jumps clear out of the water. Now remember, I was towing a boat with no plans of fishing and tarpon are known to be some what scarce in the Fort Myers and Sanibel area this time of year. To say the least I was not prepared. I had two poles on the boat both rigged with mirror lures. We start throwing the line at the fish with them all scavaging the top of the water to eat what they were seeing. There mouths were all wide open on top of the water just waiting for something to land in it. I knew these fish back here were not pressured much because they were so willing to eat whatever was thrown at them. This was awesome! What I dream of every day of fishing. Three hook ups and three losses. I then finely after about thirty minutes of this, hooked one good and the rod went screaming. The fishing line shortly came flying back at me when the line broke, of course it did! My 60 lb leader broke earlier with the first hook ups, so at this point I was only using the 20 lb power pro that was left on the pole. I was just trying to be resource full at a time in need. Expect the enexpected right? I'll be back!
FishSkinner Charters
http://www.fishskinner.net |
Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
New member
Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 8:22 am: | |
The client base here in the Fort Myers beach and Sanibel area has been slow this month, so my buddy Capt. Bill and I decided to start the day out in hellpeckny bay and then work our way out with the tide. We didn't catch bait because our intentions were to use artificial and troll. An hour into our journey, the trolling motor decides to take the day off. Luckily we had back up, cut up mackeral. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing. First throw we hooked a 24" redfish. Moved spots, 22" red. Caught a couple more small reds in that spot and decided to move again. Went to the old tree stump. caught a 25" inch red with the first toss. After we threw our line back in the same spot, my drag started screaming and the fight was on. We ended the day with a 32" red. The weather was beautiful and the fish were on. I love fall fishing in Florida!
Capt. Wes Skinner
FishSkinner Charters
http://www.fishskinner.net |
Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
New member
Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 8
Registered: 8-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 10:31 am: | |
"Emma's 2nd Annual Fishing Tournament"
http://www.fishskinner.net is a proud sponsor/participant of "Emma's 2nd annual fishing tournament".
Emma was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor at three months old. The doctors did not expect her to live past the age of one. Today Emma is eight years old. She is learning to walk, speak and read braille!
http:www.emmafaithhall.com
Please come out and fish for a great cause. All proceeds go to "Emma Faith Hall", to help with her continuing medical costs.
When: oct 2nd, 2010
Captains meeting: Oct. 1st @ 6PM
Where: Mullock Creek Marina
18501 Mullock Creek Lane,
Fort Myers, FL - phone: 239-267-3717
Time: first light weigh in: 3:30 pm
*Heaviest combined weight on (2) Redfish within slot $500.00
*Heaviest weight on mystery fish $250.00
RSVP for tournament - Steve Hall 239-693-5488 |
Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
New member
Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 24, 2010 - 11:45 am: | |
This week in the Fort Myers and Sanibel area, bait has been very easy to catch. Three throws and my live wells full.
I've been catching reds, snapper, snook, trout and grouper this week. All on live white or cut bait.
The water temps are beginning to decline, so I'm staying more inshore in the bays and on the flats.
The first cool front will begin the migration of fish back into the rivers and canals in the area. I've been targeting oyster bars, grass flats and mangroves.
We've been catching a good amount of redfish around bait schools on the flats.
FishSkinner Charters
http://www.fishskinner.net |
Capt Wes Skinner (Fishskinner)
New member
Username: Fishskinner
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 11:38 am: | |
Inshore fishing in late September around the Fort Myers and Sanibel area can be hit or miss. Nice sized bait fish have been plentiful before the sunrise but start to become more scarce wants the sun makes its appearance.
August and September are the hottest months of the year here in SW Florida. Because of the warmer water temperatures the fish are found in more shaded areas such as holes, docks and deep cuts.
The past week I've been catching smaller snook, slot sized reds and snapper. I've been focusing most of my attention on inshore grouper. During the day the Snook bite has been a little slow, so I've been taking my clients to a grouper spot and some docks near shell creek that seems to always produce. The technique for fishing this way is a little more advanced, but even if my client misses it, at least he got to feel the rod bend and the line scream.
Earlier in the day before I picked up my clients I caught about eight ladyfish. I used the lady fish for bait with 80 pnd braided line and 100 pnd leader with 6/0 circle hooks.
We had a blast. It took about three break offs but we finally landed one. We then gently released the grouper right after a quick picture.
Goliath grouper, commonly called jewfish, are totally protected from harvest in Florida waters. It is illegal to boat, gaff or harm a jewfish. All care during handling and releasing must be diligently done as quickly as possible.
Capt. Wes Skinner
FishSkinner Charters
http://www.fishskinner.net |
CaptainIDS (Captainids)
New member
Username: Captainids
Post Number: 52
Registered: 9-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:19 am: | |
Are you a Licensed Coast Guard Captain?
This is for you
http://www.captainids.com/ |
debbie (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 10:47 am: | |
what is the best bait to catch the crinner fish and hook size |
Capt. Terry Pitz
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 12:33 am: | |
Subject: FT Myers & SW Florida Fishing Report
Welcome to Capt. Terry's FISHING REPORT:
Oct. 17th, 2002
Redfish, The reds are schooling up on and near the grass flats. The water clarity has cleared and made sight casting a part of the daily trip. Some cooler temperatures and lower tides in the next few months, should make fishing for the abundance of redfish very good. This is the time of year for the big ones! The trick is being there when they are feeding. Try working the edges of the sand bars and oyster reefs. Some people call it fishing for reds, I call it hunting. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. When fishing the mangroves, fish the top end of the high tide and get your fly, bait or jig underneath the mangroves as far as you can. This technique will also produce a few snook. A great way to cover a lot of water and it can be very productive. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or cut bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser and for some real excitement try top water on the overcasted days. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Watch for those TAILS!!!
Snook, This year is the best year I've seen for snook. Good numbers and a lot of large ones. The past few weeks were a hit and miss for me.Some days doing very well and on others just couldn't get them to eat.Tides become very important this time of year. Some real monsters out there and when hooked you have your job cut out for you. One mistake and they win! The big ones will give you a run for your money and make you want to go to battle again with them. Large hand picked shrimp and white bait sometimes will get the larger ones to take in the passes, sand holes and under the mangroves. Fishing them on the out going tide usually produces the best results. Brightly colored flies or plastics also are working on some of the deeper holes and against the mangroves. Keep your eyes open and fish them on the tides that create good current. Hungry Snook means Bait, though throwing a well placed fly will usually be rewarded with an aerial show.
Speckled Trout, early fall time produces some large trout! Some very respectable Trout in the 20" to 25" range being caught with flies on or near the flats. Look for them in 3' to 5' of water near the edges of the grass flats. Watch where the birds are feeding and give it a try. A great top water feeder on overcasted days makes for some sure fun. Again flies, artificials and bait will bag a few of these hard hitting fish.
Tarpon, This last month produced a lot of small tarpon for me on the fly. I found them in the back country creeks and canals. Throwing a glass minnow fly on the out going tides. Ten to twenty pounders on my eight and ten weight rods. A lot of fun and a real challenge in those tightly enclosed areas. Overall this tarpon season was tough, with all of the wind in the beginning of the summer and an abundance of fresh water run off from the mainland. When the conditions were good, I did great! But , we didn't have a lot of perfect days which we normally get. Live bait and flies working the best for me. Threadfins and greenbacks mainly the bait of choice. Throw your bait about ten feet infront of the rolling tarpon, let your line tighten and hammer him home! I see alot of people try and set the hook to early, be patient and make sure your poon has really eaten your bait. When the tarpon are here and conditions are ideal, an experience of a lifetime awaits you. Flies, artificials and bait can hook these sought after critters, but getting them to the boat is a whole other story. These beautiful fish will range from 30lbs. to 200lbs. Average being around 100lbs. They will test your skill and your equipment when hooked with the fly rod or light tackle.
A day on the flats will always take you home with some memories and remember fishing is fun, so have fun out there! Don't take it so serious that you can't have a good time.
Till the next update take care and keep those lines TIGHT!
Capt. Terry Pitz
http://www.floridalighttacklecharters.com
1-866-4-TARPON (482-7766)
|
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 12:57 am: | |
Subject: Magic Hook Fishing Report
Greetings;
Fishing in general has been good lately. When the weather has been stable in the typical summer pattern, bait gathers at the typical places and the fish feed well on the moving tides. If you happen to time your trip during or right after one of these little fronts or tropical waves that have been around its a bit tougher to make things happen.
Inshore the snook are on the beaches and in the passes now. Other good places to look are docks and snags near the passes with good tide flow in and around them. Live baits will bring the most strikes, but lures and flies will keep light tackle people very happy. Tarpon have been tough lately. Not many fish around but there are some caught every day by the die hard people with tarpon fever. Sharks are active in the low light times and around areas where you find good bait concentrations. Spanish mackerel have been here and active around the structures from twenty to thirty feet of water. Jigs, shrimp, spoons, will all get you a toothy bite.
Offshore has been pretty much nonstop action when the weather will allow the run out there. Permit have been pressured and have been tough but loads of very large cudas, LT's (Little Tunny), have been keeping the rods bent and drags screaming. Toss in a few smoker kings and cobia, snappers and gags, and you have plenty of action for anyone to smile at.
Keep and eye to the weather. Leave early, and start home early.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
www.MagicHook.com
E-mail: Capt@magichook.com |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 11:25 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report Offshore Naples Fort Myers Sanibel
Greetings;
Our fishing seems to have pretty much moved into a summer pattern. I sprained my ankle and was slowed a bit but I have been out fishing and here is what we found.
On the offshore stage there are king mackerel still around amazingly. We got mostly schoolies. The permit action is hit and miss but when you find them they eat well. We released 13 on one trip from twelve to twenty pounds. Cudas are all over the heavy structures and ready for a fight. We had a twenty
pounder land in the boat on the first jump last Saturday. Goliath grouper (Jewfish) are on the same spots and stand ready to test your stamina and
tackle any time you drop a live bait down to them. I have heard reports of some good snapper fishing out deep also.
One morning while running out I spotted a bunch of frigate birds working a anchored shrimper. When I got close the water was churning up in the by catch
trash that had been tossed in. I was thinking LT's (little tunny) and blackfin's at first. But it became obvious it was a ton of sharks in a feeding mood all crashing the surface. As we quietly drifted by we sight casted to a dozen or more big black tips, lemons and hammerheads. I don't know how many we hooked but we released five from twenty to eighty pounds.
Inshore is the good news. A nice big bunch of poonies have migrated into our area. With them came a bunch of spanish mackerel and sharks also. We had good
success with both live and cut baits. There is some good snook and jack fishing around the dock and bridges right now too. Live baits will get you
the most strikes, but everything will work.
Have a great week and enjoy. Watch the afternoon thunderstorms and don't take any chances.
Capt. Rick Featherstone
|
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2001 - 12:58 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report For June 1, 2001
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 |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 1:09 am: | |
Subject: Magic Hook Fishing Report
Greetings;
Fishing in general has been very good for most anything we chased the last two weeks. As normal for me this time of year most of my time has been spent chasing silver kings in the Gulf. Action has been consistent and productive if we put in the time to search them out. We had a couple of late season cold fronts and two weeks of heavy wind that changed the whole fishing and bait pattern around. That has kept me pretty busy trying to figure out a pattern
that for all practical purposes does not exist. That said, we have been able to hook tarpon on almost every trip we targeted them if we stayed patient.
On the offshore stage the grouper have invaded the ledges and live bottom areas and are there in good numbers. Both live and cut baits have been productive. On the wrecks jewfish, amberjack, cobia, permit, and kings are all there.
Tarpon are along the whole coast from Wiggins Pass to Boca Grande Pass. Our drill for most days is to either run to the Sanibel Causeway for the almost sure bet at big thread herring for bait or run offshore and look for pods of threads to sabiki them in. Using a half inch ten or twelve foot cast net we can normally get plenty of threads for live bait and chum pretty quickly. Its a trade off I take on most days right now and invest the extra hour it takes
to make it happen as the threads have been the answer to a successful story when we find the tarpon. Poons can be found off the May reef, and off the southern coast of Sanibel. Depth has been changing from day to day but lately the fish have been deeper than twenty five feet. I wanted to mention a huge fish my daughter Jenny fought for two hours last Sunday. After a great effort she gave the rod to me and I gave him my best shot for another half hour before we could release it. That fish was just under seven feet long. There are still some nice sharks mixed in with them to.
If king mackerel light your fire then find the big areas of bait that are moving through our area about ten miles out. Work the edges with spoons or live baits and hang on as these fish are the late run smokers and can really heat up a drag.
Good luck and keep your patience handy there are some nice fish out there if you do.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
www.MagicHook.com
E-mail: Capt@magichook.com |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2001 - 8:44 pm: | |
Subject: Offshore Naples, Ft. Myers, Sanibel, Florida
Greetings;
The majority of my time lately has been in pursuit of the might silver king. (Tarpon). With them are the normal gazillion sharks to keep me busy re-rigging and my anglers busy pumping and reeling while we wait for the poonies to bite.
Mother nature has sent us a couple of late season fronts and cooled the water temps off substantially. Along with the fronts of course has come the wind.
Heavy seas have kept us fishing in close and in the backwater the majority of the time. The good news is that most days we have been able to make that work with consistent success on the sharks and tarpon. The half days have been
tough because it seems the fish only are feeding on one tide, and never notify us as to which one it will be! One day we jumped seven tarpon all giants over a hundred pounds in the morning. We got not a single bite in the
afternoon. The very next day it was just the opposite. On another trip I was netting bait around the bridge. My angler was tossing a jig just for fun and managed to hook a sixty pound tarpon that we released. Pretty nice fish on ten pound gear. Last Saturday we released twenty five sharks. The very next day we jumped three tarpon, and released one. We fought another one fifteen minutes before a king mackerel bit the leader in half as it streaked through the water. On that same trip we released a nine foot lemon shark and a seven footer. We also had a giant hammer head come up the chum line like a streak and take a swipe at the chum bag! That was pretty freaky as he was half as long as the Magic Hook.
Look for the tarpon along the beaches out to twenty five foot of water from Wiggins Pass all the way to Boca Grande Pass. Drifting, anchoring and chumming, flies, and plugs will produce when the bite is on.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2001 - 6:57 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report - March 11, 2001
Greetings;
Hey there Mr. Weather Man, THANK YOU. Spring weather and rising water temperatures have combined with some calm seas to make fishing pretty good lately. On the offshore front the snapper fishing is top notch. King mackerel are abundant, cudas, amberjacks, permit, and some cobia are all eating well.
Inshore there is a good run of spanish mackerel, king mackerel, sharks, tarpon, and more are present.
Our offshore charters kept me busy running from spot to spot as the bites were not long lasting. What they lacked in length they surely made up for in arm weary action. The runs are longer in the thirty mile plus range but if a box full of three to five pound snappers is on your list then the time is now. Wreck fishing is action packed with kings, cudas, permit, and jewfish. There are also some very large cobia hanging around as well as some nice amberjack's.
My whole weekend was spent chasing tarpon. Although not here in the large numbers expected next month there are plenty to fish for. Mixed in with the poonies are loads of sharks in all sizes to keep the rods bent while waiting out the poon bite. One good thing I noticed was there seems to be plenty of
smaller tarpon in the thirty to sixty pound range out there. I think this looks good as to the future of these beautiful fish. Of course the ones we hooked were always seemed to be the hundred and fifty pound bulldozers!
The beach and pass fishing is good on the moving tides for trout and pompano. The bridges are starting to hold snook as well.
Have a great week and enjoy the weather.
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
www.magichook.com |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2001 - 11:28 pm: | |
Subject: Magic Hook Fishing Report
Greetings;
Well fishing fans let me say this spring sure has been interesting out in the gulf. The good news is we caught our first tarpon of the year, we are catching some great permit, king mackerel, and lots of really nice trophy
cudas, and sharks. The bad news is we had had to deal with several cancellations because of high wind and thunderstorm activity. The flip side to the wind has been some very good trout fishing in close.
Offshore the water temps have risen into the mid seventy's. Over the wrecks the jewfish have woke up and are eating everything they can. Permit have been active also. Our biggest so far this spring is a twenty six pounder.
I had the pleasure of guiding Mina Hemingway, granddaughter of Earnest Hemingway. Her husband John hooked and landed the twenty six pound fish on ten pound tackle. I have been able to get several king mackerel over live bottom and ledges. No huge ones but respectable fish in the twenty pound range are in good numbers. If you like sore muscles just drop a blue runner or jack down on any of the wrecks. It will not be long before you feel the power of a jewfish testing your tackle.
The cudas have been very active. We have released several over fifteen and a few over twenty pounds caught on light tackle. We had a blast on a couple of trips for tarpon / shark. I love it when the first bait of the morning hits the water and the line comes tight with a sixty pound blacktip shark streaking out drag! The action has been nonstop. We have released some very large bull sharks too. One over three hundred pounds.
It was on one of these trips we caught and released our first tarpon of the year. A beautiful eighty pound fish. At one point it looked like a shark exibit with ten or more doasal fins tracking above the surface.
When the wind was just too strong to head out we had two pretty active inshore trips. It took some searching around but we managed limits of trout, lots of ladyfish, bonnet head sharks, jacks, spanish mackerel, and whiting. Of course we had the mandatory one that got away (three times). Big snook
that came to play, but busted us off quickly.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
WWW.MagicHook.com |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 2:18 pm: | |
Subject: Offshore Naples, Ft. Myers, Sanibel, Florida
Greetings;
I spent three days this week putting my web site back together. Due to my computer knowledge being limited, and my learning curve about publishing my site I managed to loose all my pictures and mess up most of the links. It all started by simply trying to publish a booking form. Thanks to M.E. Parker of computerinsite.com Its up and running again. I have spent a couple of nights re-posting the pictures. I have also spent a couple of the windy days in Miami visiting Liz at school. During that time I had a blast visiting all the tackle shops over there and talking fishing with the Captains at Bay Side.
Tarpon were rolling in the marina basin and that sure got me fired up about our poonie season here! I also took time to install the new Raytheon radar unit on the Magic Hook. That was a project in itself but I had to make it interesting. I drilled a hole right through my GPS cable. Thanks to my buddy Mac Mackenzie for the tip on splicing it I am back in action.
On the offshore scene, things are starting to rock! I fished with Dominic Karrie and his wife on a very calm Sunday. His preference was to try some sight fishing which is one of my favorite ways to fish also. Finding fish was no trouble at all. Big cudas and permit were all over the place at every stop
I made. Getting bites was pretty easy too, some times two or three per cast!
The cudas were on the chew for sure, but getting a solid hookup was nearly impossible for some reason. Many strikes and short hookups with cudas ranging
from fifteen to thirty pounds made awesome fishing on the surface. One nearly leaped into the boat. Others tail walked for forty yards across the surface sending spray and white water in every direction. On a couple of the hookups the fish would eat the lure and wire leader and five feet of mono line. The permit were exasperating. I had trouble getting bait the night and morning before our trip. The crabs I got were huge, way to big for bait. So I busted
them up and used chunks which has worked for me in the past. We sent out perfect cast after cast into bunches of permit schools. The fish would turn, attack the bait and stop ONE inch short and turn away! With this type of action on the permit, I switched back to another area that was holding
literally thousands of cudas. I reloaded with tube lures this time in a different color and the change was dramatic. Instantly we a got solid hookup and after a great fight and posing for pictures we released a trophy twenty pounder. A short time later we got another one about the same size. Then a
big jack attack took place nearby. on the first cast of the tube, he was into a very large jack. After that great fight we had a wonderful afternoon ride
on smooth water back to the dock. On another day we made a pretty long run of thirty five miles for some bottom fishing. The mangrove snapper bite was as
good as it gets and we took a four man twenty fish limit for our efforts with the fish ranging from three to five pounds. The grouper fishing was slow but there were a few around. We got two keepers and several undersize fish also, plus a few breakoffs that we could not stop. Before the blow last week tarpon schools started showing offshore. I think when things settle back down we will be finding them in there traditional areas in forty to fifty feet of
water feeding big time.
The inshore fishery was pretty much slow going this week during and after that big blow. The murky water kept the bite at a minimum. Before the wind spanish mackerel, sheepshead, snapper, and some grouper were all on the hit list. When things settle the good bite should continue.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
Home: 941-455-0006
Boat: 941-960-8973
MagicHook@aol.com
www.magichook.com |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2001 - 12:12 am: | |
Subject: Warming Trend Improves Fishing
Warming Trend Improves Fishing
Greetings;
Well we sure had some great days of fishing last week. Perfect Chamber of Commerce weather, warming water, and light wind, blended for perfect fishing
conditions.
On the inshore stage we found spanish mackerel moving in tightly packed schools along the beaches. They were hitting shrimp, scaled sardines, or anything white or flashy. Silver trout were eating Lov Lures and shrimp in close. Snook were starting to show on the beach structures as well as big jacks. On Saturday four tarpon were released up in the traditional areas of San Carlos Pass and a bit further up along Ding Darling. These seem to be river fish that had moved down as they are gold in color, and over a hundred pounds.
Offshore the king mackerel were showing up in good numbers. Most of the ledges and hard bottom areas had fish on them. We took some nice smokers over twenty pounds on live spanish sardines drifted under a balloon rig. Big cudas and permit were also making a showing over the deeper structures. The ever present line breaker, the jewfish. They were taking up residence on the wrecks, ledges, and structures as well. Any live bait or hooked snapper dinner will get you hooked up to these bruisers. Speaking of snapper fishing, its as good as it gets if you get out far enough.
As this is written the small craft warnings are up and have been for four days. We are in the middle a passing cold front. The water has cooled a bit but this may be good news to the king fishermen. I feel it will stall the migration in our area and give us a longer shot at them.
Take care and watch the fronts they can still pack a punch.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
Home: 941-455-0006
Boat: 941-960-8973
MagicHook@aol.com
www.magichook.com |
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 2:53 am: | |
Subject: Fishing Report
Greetings;
Its been very busy lately. First of all I want to thank all that attended the Florida Sportsman Fishing Show seminar's. It was great to meet so many people with a passion for fishing. Secondly we fished our first SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) tournament held in Ft. Myers. I met a bunch of great people there also and had a blast fishing with them.
Inshore fishing is picking up as the water temperatures have risen to the seventy degree range. On the close wrecks sheepshead, spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper offer the most consistent bite.
There is a good showing of silver trout along the beach as well.
Offshore the mangrove snapper fishing is as good as it gets. Limits of three to five pound fish are the rule if you take your time, use light leaders and
light wire hooks, and very little sinker. You will hook a few fish you cant land but the action and the size of the snappers well make up for the difference. Barracuda action has picked up dramaticly this week. We had great fun tossing tube lures and bombers to catch several over fifteen pounds. One of my younger anglers age twelve fought and landed a beautiful twenty two pounder. Permit are hit and miss, but when you see them, you will see plenty of targets to cast to. The bulk of the king mackerel are still to our south, I expect these to start into local water within the next two weeks. I seen a nice tarpon hooked forty miles south of here also so they are thinking about coming home too.
Watch the fog, play is safe! There is always another time or day if you feel conditions are dangerous. I have spent my last day in heavy fog blowing the horn hoping big shrimpers with sleepy helmsmen are paying attention. With the death of a local angler due to collision, I became convinced. My new radar is on the way to the house as this is written.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
Home: 941-455-0006
Boat: 941-960-8973
MagicHook@aol.com
www.magichook.com |
Magic Hook Charters
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 12:39 pm: | |
Subject: Offshore Naples / Fort Myers / Sanibel
Spring Has Arrived! (Maybe)
Greetings;
Well fishing friends I am hoping that it is not premature to say that spring has sprung. Our water temperatures have climbed ten degrees in the last week. Bait schools are migrating into our area also. This past weekend I found a huge school of permit well offshore. Barracudas were up on the surface over heavy structure. Air temperatures have been above eighty all week and nights in the sixties and the last cold front was much less intense. All of these signs seem to point to spring and I for one am very glad to see it this year.
Inshore fishing along the beaches and artificial reefs is picking up nicely. There is a strong sheepshead bite any place you can find rocks, debris or structure. We had a pretty good time one morning just off the beach fishing under birds for silver trout, jacks, and blue runners. Light tackle and small white jigs kept us pretty busy releasing nearly fifty fish before noon. The gag grouper bite around these same places is turning on also. A great way to get the bigger fish is by trolling big plugs.
Offshore is showing signs of both winter and spring patterns. The snapper bite is as good as it gets. Big mangroves, and a few yellow tails are the main show with bottom fishing. We were able to get our limit of mangs ranging from three to six pounds on a couple of trips. There are grouper available also with the reds being a bit further out. I mentioned finding permit in the first paragraph. We were running from one spot to another when I remembered finding some permit this time last year. I stopped in that same area and just drifted a while. Suddenly like a switch was turned on, they were everywhere as far as the eye could see! Let explain what I mean by a huge school. This mass of fish was over a mile across!
We did spend a little time this week looking for the early bird king mackerel or tarpon. None were found, but the way I see things it could be anytime. So if you head out, keep those rigs handy.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick Featherstone
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Capt. Kirk SanCartier
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 17, 2001 - 9:06 pm: | |
Subject: Trout and Grouper
West Coast Fishing Charters
Captain Kirk SanCartier
Fishing the areas of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor
The fishing has improved this past week and, we were able to fish with our good friends the Lobbestaels. The charter was a Valentines day gift from Machelle to Joel. We started out early in the morning and caught some really great bait. We then proceeded to some fishing holes were I had seen the Snook laying. After a short time a large Snook was hooked but broke the line, it didn’t take long before another line was tight only to find a nice snapper was on board. We then moved to a spot on the grass flats were it was brought to my attention, that Machelle had only caught one fish before this charter. So as luck would have it, after her second cast Machelle hooked a cobia, a good fighting fish even though it was to small to keep you should have seen her face light up, it made my whole day. I asked if they would like to catch some Trout and Machelle was right there with an enthusiastic “you bet”. After moving to a calmer area on the grass flats we stopped at a small hole that was covered by sand and grass. Well, they had a blast; the Lobbestaels caught one Trout after another. The total was probably around 30-40 fish, they could do no wrong, and almost every cast returned a fish. After a while I happened to look over and caught Machelle rubbing her arms, she said they were getting sore from pulling in all those fish (that’s what makes a perfect charter). After a short lunch at a restaurant on the water (only accessible by boat) we headed out for a Grouper hole were only one fish was hooked but he was a big one, he broke the line but that’s the way it is sometimes. It was nice to fish with these folks and fellowship with good friends hope they will never forget this day. And folks remember the Tarpon are coming soon, as a matter of fact I'm seeing a few already but, the big schools are coming so book now, don’t miss out on the best fighting fish in the world. Contact us at our web site www.WestCoastFishingCharters.com; e-mail us at FishingCaptain@yahoo.com or call us at (toll free) 1-(888)-476-6656; cell phone (941) 823-2278 or (941) 283-9340
Thanks again and tight lines.
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Capt. Kirk SanCartier
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 1:58 pm: | |
Subject: Red Fish, Mackerel & More in SW Florida
West Coast Fishing Charters
Captain Kirk SanCartier
Fishing the areas of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor
Well it is February and we have started off great. On my last charter we got into some nice reds, not real big but fun to catch after fishing. After fishing for a couple of hours we decided to move over to the grass flats where we made or casts count and did well with some trout. They were nice in size and gave us a good fight on 10 lb test line. There were also some Lady fish caught and some Spanish Mackerel all in all the day was pretty steady catching and the weather has finally settled down to make an enjoyable time on the water. Later in the week, we had a young man who wanted to catch a good fighting fish and on our way to look for some Reds I spotted a school of Jacks. As some of you know there is no better fighting fish in this range for a young person to catch. They fight like a truck being pulled up a hill; my client caught several nice fish with some weighting in as big as 10 lbs. They are a big fight on light line and since we were not keeping our catch, they decided to stay and have fun with the Jacks for the remainder of their charter. Many fish were caught and a new fisherman was born or should I say ‘hooked’. Looking forward to seeing them next year. It’s getting close to Tarpon season and I think it will be a good year. Schedule and book your trip now so you won’t be scrambling for a guide during the season. Remember, take a kid fishing and share the joy that we all experience. It is one the best ways to spend time together. This report has been brought to you by West Coast Fishing Charters, call us at 1-888-476-6656 or 941-283-9340 or 941-823-2278 (cell) or visit us on our web site at www.WestCoastFishingCharters.com, e-mail us at FishingCaptain@yahoo.com. See you on the water and tight lines. |
Capt. Kirk SanCartier
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - 7:28 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report / January 1-5, 2001
January 1 – 5, 2001
West Coast Fishing Charters
Captain Kirk SanCartier
Fishing the areas of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor
Well, a new year has started with a cold spell and the fish aren’t liking it much. We have had some windy, bitter cold days, which make for some hard fishing, but we still were out there trying.
Earlier this week we spotted and hooked some Grouper and Trout, not many but they still made the trip worthwhile. Later in the week it started to warm up slightly and the Reds started to turn on. The Mackerel are still feeding and make for a good eating fish as well. Then this past Friday and Saturday the weather warmed up to a decent temperature and the Redfish and Grouper were in abundance. Actually, my client came up just one pound short of making a world record with a nice Grouper.
The Weather reports say it should be a more favorable week next week, so if you are interested in booking a charter either visit my web site (you can e-mail me from there) at www.WestCoastFishingCharters.com or call me at (888)476-6656 / (941) 283-9340.
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Capt. Kirk SanCartier
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 4:53 pm: | |
Subject: Red Fish and Snook in SW Florida
West Coast Fishing Charters
Captain Kirk SanCartier
Fishing the areas of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor
Hey folks, another week has passed us by and the fishing has been a little rough due to the weather. However, we are still able to put a few nice fish in the boat. Including some nice size Red Fish up to 9 pounds and some small Snook. The scout for the Minnesota Twins was with me this week and hooked a rather large Snook, for this time of year; it was about 20 pounds and will make a nice conversation piece at the training camp. We have also been catching some really nice Black Drums, up to 15 pounds which are ready for a great fight. The Mackerel are still here and ready for a great challenge on light line. Let’s not forget about the inshore Grouper, some very nice ones have been caught within the last few weeks. Remember, we are now booking for Tarpon season, so don’t a chance to hook one of these awesome fighting fish. Call and charter soon at (888) 476-6656 or e-mail me at FishingCaptain@yahoo.com.
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Capt. Kirk SanCartier
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2000 - 4:44 pm: | |
Subject: Mackerel and Snook on the Lee Island Coast
West Coast Fishing Charters
Captain Kirk SanCartier
Fishing the areas of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor
The Mackerel are in large schools feeding off shore. During a very successful charter my clients caught and released over 90 fish within a 4 hour charter.
During another charter earlier this week several Snook and Red Fish were caught in the shallow back bays with a few Mackerel, and some nice Gator Trout have been caught up to 30 inches in length.
Today’s charter we caught and released the Red Fish and Snook until my clients couldn’t move their arms anymore. An excellent week in all. So remember, boat safe and take a kid fishing. If you would like to book a charter please visit my web site at: www.westcoastfishingcharters.com take a look around and fill out our questionnaire or e-mail me at FishingCaptain@yahoo.com
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Capt. Kirk SanCartier
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2000 - 6:26 pm: | |
Subject: Red Fish, Trout & Mackerel in SW Florida
West Coast Fishing Charters
Captain Kirk SanCartier
Fishing the areas of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Charlotte Harbor
We have had another great week with the fishing since our first cold front the fish have been feeding well. The Red Fish have really been on the bite, with fish caught up to 35 inches in length. I’m happy to say all were released alive and well. The Trout are starting to really get into full swing, so if this is your favorite type of fish - book now and lets catch a few. The Snook are starting to slow down a little, but we are still catching a few. I’m happy to say that the Mackerel are moving in and boy do they fight. These fish are real tasty, so bring your cooler and take a few home. Well that’s this weeks report, give us a call and lets stretch some line 1-888-476-6656 or check out our web site at www.westcoastfishingcharters.com and fill out or questionnaire.
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