Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Hey thanks for the replies guys. I'll look into those captains for sure.

Are any of the backwater fish any good eating down there? I've tried ladyfish, and hate it. Sea trout(Weakfish) is ok. Never tried snook or any of the other commonly caught inshore/backwater species.

Also, is there anything caught inshore that you can try eating raw? Would love to sample some local sushi if possible.

And yea, i've heard the same thing about head boats down there. Absolute trash operations I hear. If anyone has any advice on a headboat that's not so terrible, i'd be willing to try one as well.

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Let me know how you make out. Going down in April and usually drive to Venice to fish with Joe.

Keefe

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Our weakfish are different.I think the proper spelling is squeteage? They are a grey weakfish. In Florida they are spotted Sea Trout usually not as big.The Southern sea trout could have worms.no problem cooked but as sushi???

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Oh and I definitely will visit the Sanibel Pier and give it a go. Are the types of fish you catch something that u can easily swing up? Or is a net necessary?

Oh and about the sushi, I've seen spotted sea trout on the sushi menu at restaurants, which is why i was curious.

Also, what would I catch on a 2 ounce bucktail tipped with a gulp minnow off sanibel beaches? Using A diamond jig?

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

No real suggestions for a boat, but I would suggest fishing under the bridge into Fort Myer's Beach. Grab some shrimp and have some fun. Some big sheepshead down there!! Also, try Little Carlos Pass down by Lover's Key. A lot of redfish, snook, ladyfish... Just be careful of the power lines on side of the bridge... there are tons of metals and bobbers hanging from them!!

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

We used to go to Captiva every winter. sigh. There's a bunch of small boat inshore charters but last time we went we rented our own boat. We fished in the gulf and in the bays and caught lots of blues, ladyfish and spanish mackerel, all on small metal lures. Pisser. We've taken snook, reds, pompano, and the abundant sea trout off the beach on shrimp, live bait and rubber on jig heads. You can catch your own pinfish and use these for bait. Have fun!

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Although I don't know their names, there are several party boats in Southwest Florida that are well worth hitting up.

Spanish mackerel should be around any bait schools that are near piers or bridges. Clark spoons or Gotcha Plugs are the ticket for them.

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

I've been doing good in shore in Charolette Harbor Spanich Macs and Sheepshead
off the sea walls.
Have fun. I'm 40mins north send a PM maybe I can get ya out with me on the ReelErIn.
19' Kew West 130 Etech.
NJFishing member discount free!

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Going down in April, will try to hook up with you.

Keefe

Re: Fort Meyers Fishing
 

Dang it. WIsh i saw this earlier. Had a decent time catching some TINY TINY mangrove snapper and decent sheepshead. Saw a snook caught, undersized. Didn't see any trout, macks, etc. Got absolutely DESTROYED by noseeum biting flies. HOLY crap. Got maybe 50 red circles on my body the size of a chocolate chip. Looks awful and itches like a mf. Use bug spray.

Might hit up that area one more time in May, Def will see if you're still there at that point.