Southwest Florida Fishing Report - Bonita Springs to Captiva

Capt. John GiddyUp-Bunch
July 29, 2004
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Rain has ruined the Fishing Picnic in Southwest Florida. Redfish, Tripletail, and snagging Jet Skiers running the Mangroves remain your best options.

Tarpon were schooling up and down Sanibel Beaches last Friday (7/23)but the rains came, the poons' split, and the action overall slowed way down. The amount of freshwater in Pine Island Sound and C-hatchi River has completely changed the fishing. The bait has all but disappeared. This past Monday we ran from the Sanibel Causeway out into the Gulf and up to Redfish Pass. It is hard to describe my disbelief in not spotting 1 single school of bait.

Tripletail are all over the Gulf of Mexico is the good news. The bad news is most of the tail are very small as in illegal/jailbait type fish. But the T-Tails saved a charter day for me. I took young "Ridge" Nelson

(age 11) and his Dad out on Monday and the kid got his first taste of legal tail (Tripletail in excess of 15" that is). We also found Cravelle Jack ripping up the water off "C" Span of the Sanibel Causeway.

Redfish seem like the best bet right now. They are going for Pinfish under the bushes like popcorn at a movie. Strips of Pinfish work just as well. Cut Ladyfish really makes them happy. Try the two keys behind Chino Island on the first of the incoming.

Jet Skiers running the mangroves offer excellent opportunity during the dog days of summer. I wish some Muslim Teleban Towel wearing dudes would fly by. Teleban on! A dream come true. Maybe some day.

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