Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Fishing report for last week in February is mixed with Snook, Redfish, Trout and Pompano. Even though we had a couple of cold fronts attack us from the north, we still managed to get some numbers in different species in the back country around the islands of Sanibel and Captiva in Pine Island Sound.
Clousers, EP Everglades Special, and Joe Mahler’s Strawboss were the best flies to target these fish while flyfishing. We use TFO Mangrove series 8 wt rods with Wulff Bermuda Shorts floating line to make the presentation right on target.
Dr. Collins from Winston Salem NC enjoyed some days on the flats catching Snapper, Snook and just missing some tailing Redfish on the grass flats. The weather was a bit windy but we still made the best out of the days we were out.
Lures included DOA Shrimp, and Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad worked best for getting the bait where the fish were holed up (mostly under the mangroves). Both the shrimp and the Shad are perfect for skipping the bait under the hanging limbs to set up the ambush.
For bait fishermen, live shrimp are the best bet for the cooler water temps. I like rigging the shrimp weedless so you can use on the open grass flats, around oyster bed or even under the mangroves.
Mike Gigliotti from New York and his father in law, Dan McConlogue from Fort Myers had a great day fishing mangroves, oyster beds and the grass flats using lures and live shrimp. Redfish, Snook, Snapper and Pompano were fooled by the masters.
Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake
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About Blake Matherly
Captain Blake Matherly is a full time Spin and Fly Fishing guide. Captain Blake holds a United States Coast Guard 50 Ton Master Captain's License. Your Captain is fully insured and supplies a Florida Fishing License for all clients. He is a member of numerous Pro Guide programs including, Simms, Sage, Temple Fork, DOA Fishing Lures, Hatch Fly Reels, Power Pole, Penn, Calusa Cast Nets, Patagonia, and Columbia.