A Light Tackle Fishing Experience In Bonita Springs

Summer time fishing is in full swing with a mix bag of fish. Snook are on the beaches and passes. Look for them cruising the shoreline early in the morning. You can use a live pilchard or a small Buck Tail Jig. Redfish can be found under the bushes at high tide and out on the grass flats at low tide early in the morning. Use a Hybrid Flurry on a ¼ ounce jig head or cut bait.

Tarpon are still along the beaches and in the passes. You can drift the passes using live threads or live pass crabs. Out on the beaches look for rolling fish and then set up in front of them and let the fish come to you. Use live threads free lined or pass crabs.

 
   

The trout can still be found on the grass flats early in the morning. Use top water plugs like Skitter Walk’s or Chug bugs. You can also use a Clacker Cork with a Hybrid Flurry or a D.O.A. Shrimp.

Remember the sun is very strong. Make sure to cover up with UV protected clothing and lots of sun block lotion.

As the weather and water have continued to warm up so has the fishing. April is poised to be our best month we have seen this year. The Snook bite is really starting to heat up. We had a great day on the water this week on a charter with the Butler Family. There were three generations of fishermen on the boat, but the youngest 11year old P.J. took the prize that day with 4 impressive Snook. He managed to catch four out of the five Snook brought to boat; they were 29, 32, 33 & an impressive 41”. A fat 36” Snook was caught by P.J. s Grandfather.

There has been Redfish on low tides on the grass flats in very skinny water. Poling is must to get to these fish. The fish have been extremely spooky. As the tide rises, look for the Redfish to move under the mangrove shorelines. You must be very patient when trying to catch these fish, sitting in the same spot for long periods waiting for cruising fish.

       

        

Jacks and Ladyfish have been abundant all winter and still continue to be so. Again, as the water warms the bait will start moving in followed by the mackerel, sharks and other predatory fish. Soon the Tarpon will show up in the next couple of weeks. So to all the fisherman out there who missed their Spring Fishing Charters, now is the time to book a fishing trip.

We are out fishing most days, and here is what you can expect from fishing Estero Bay and Bonita Springs during the year.

Redfish
The redfish or red drum are at home among the grass flats, mangoves and oyster beds in the warm waters of Estero Bay. Redfish are a hard hitting, fast pulling sportfish known for some spectacular runs. Redfish can be seen tailing year round, with the hottest action coming in September, October and December as the water cools off. Redfish fishing is still a great bet during the cooler months between December and April, then drops off a little during the hot summer months of May, June and July. These battle hardened warriors will test the medal of any angler on light tackle.

Sea Trout
Sea Trout or spotted drum, are the easiest of Estero Bay species to target and and perfect for beginner anglers or any angler that wants to catch alot of fish. Favored for it's willingness to strike both live baits and lures, sea trout are also excellent table fare. Drifting across the grass flats with offerings of shrimp, or pinfish will entice the school to eat. Once the school starts to eat, the bite can last an hour or more. Sea trout are always a popular winter species around Bonita Springs . The winter months of January, February and March are great for trout and remain excellent in early spring. Trout fishing slows down somewhat during the summer heat and picks back up in late fall and gets strong again in November and December.

Shark
Numerous species of shark use the mangroves of Estero Bay as it's hatchery. You can find bonnethead shark, black tip shark and even bull shark moving in and out of of the bay through the passages from the gulf. The most common being the bonnethead shark, a close relative to the hammerhead, but only growing up to about 3 feet, they will readily take a live bait and put a hurting on any angler.

Along with the targeted species of fish we specialize in, you can also expect to catch mangrove snapper, sheepshead, gag and goliath grouper, and tarpon.