fishing

October 8, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Charter Fishing Report

Now is the time for all fishermen who like to fish the back country waters of Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers area to hire a charter fishing guide and enjoy some nice fishing.

Even though the record rainfall has turned the water into a Starbucks coffee look, the fish can be found in waters that they are comfortable with and they are hungry. The Trout bite has increased but the Redfish bite is what I’m talking about.

I’ve seen more schools of Redfish this year than many years past. Some schools seem to like the incoming and some like the outgoing and we’ve even had good bites on slack tides in some areas. We’re using lures, DOA Air Head, DOA shrimp, top-water plugs, and spoons. Live bait always seems to work but sometimes the lures seem the best thing to use. We’ve been fishing these fish for about a month now and hope to fish them into November.

Give me a call, lets set up a day to go and give it a try!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake <*(((><

July 17, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Fishing Charter Report

Fishing the Sanibel and Fort Myers area is a great way to relax on your vacation. The waters of Pine Island Sound are teaming with different species waiting for your fishing line to hit the waters.

Lately the fishing has been like the roller coaster rides we remember as a kid. The weather has been anything but predictable. Non typical rain patterns and lots of wind but fishing this coast is in my opinion the best place to get out even on bad weather day. We have lots of Island to find the Lee side of, and lots of creeks to tuck into to be able to turn a “would be cancellation” into a day to remember.

So be the case with my old friend and author of “Drawing Dead” Ben Shelfer. Ben called to have a day out with his girls, Angel and Karen. We’ve fished before, but Ben heard about some hard fighting Jack Crevalle that I’ve been on, and wanted a piece of the action with his daughters. So let the fight begin.

We chummed them up and presto, magic we were in them. Jacks are pound for pound, one of the toughest and most aggressive fished I’ve ever seen. They hit bait, flys, topwater lures and sometimes the kitchen sink (if you can get it out there)! We had multiple triple hookups, and some funny episodes to remember for a lifetime.

Thanks Ben, Karen and Angel for a day to remember! Hope to see you soon.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake <*(((><

May 16, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fishing Fort Myers and Sanibel Island

Fishing in Fort Myers and Sanibel is warming up because it’s the time to really enjoy the back country flats of Southwest Florida. The Fishing around Sanibel Island is as hot as a Jalapeño sandwich.

I love to Snook fish and it’s no better time than May. Still catch and release (quite frankly I’d love for it to be catch and release year round) but man are they fighting! It seems like they’re stronger than ever. Every fish I’ve missed the size judging by the fight.

The back country Trout fishing has slowed because of the warming waters and the Redfish has calmed a little.

The big draw now is the Tarpon. We’ve seen some decent numbers and many fish caught. As the waters keep warming the fishing should get better and better. Book a trip and experience the thrill of a lifetime.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake <*(((><

April 12, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel Fort Myers Fishing Charter Report

“TGIF”! When you love to fish the back country or fishing the flats around Sanibel Island or Ft. Myers Florida that acronym takes on a lot of different versions. Thank God I’m Fishing, Thank God I’m in Florida, or in the life of Snook fishing, Thank God It’s Feeding”!

Today the Snook bite finally turned on! We’ve had a lot of very unusual weather and the Snook population has had a terrible case of the shivers (water temp has been below 70 degrees) but today marked the first great day of Snook fishing for Team FlatsFish’r.

Long time customer, Dan McConlogue brought his good buddy Dan Buckley, both from the Forest Country Club for a great day of fishing/catching. The day started with making sure that “Mama Rose” packed a generous supply of her famous sandwiches for the guys. With the cooler securely stored we set out for our journey.

Our first stop proved to be a great one with both Dan’s hooking and landing multiple Snook. It was great seeing the Snook enjoying the “snicker bars” tossed out and having multiple busts on the baits soon after landing in the water.

Next we headed up to big Jack country. With some hunting and chumming, we finally got Mr. Jack going. After a while Mr. Jack got both guys to cry uncle and waive the white surrender flags.

What a great day with a couple of great guys and feeding the Captain with some famous Mama Rose’s sandwiches will always get you to the best and most secret spots!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake <*(((><

February 18, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fort Myers and Sanibel Island Florida Back Country Charter Fishing Report

I love the back country fishing in Florida. It’s especially great on the Southwest Coast around the Fort Myers and Sanibel area. We have so many different ways to fish, and a lot of different species to catch. Recreational fishermen usually only work on 1 or 2 types of fishing but being a Charter Captain I’m able to fish a lot more which means I get to fish pretty much every situation and that’s pretty cool.

One of my favorite days on the water is when I have the ladies hire me for the day. Ellen Christian is a regular customer of mine. She loves to fish as much or more than any man I’ve taken out. This day she was taking out her Granddaughter from Ashland Kentucky, Alison. Alison graduated from Virginia Tech (go Hokie’s) and was getting prepared for a new job, so fishing was what the Grandmother ordered.

The water temps were down, winds were up but the sun was shining. We started out with some small Mangrove Snapper, then Sheepshead and followed by some nice Black Drum. Alison was picking them off one after another. The fishing was so good we just about spent our total time in this one spot but finally put the rods down to try another spot before going in.

The next spot produced a few but different fish. We were able to get some Spotted Sea Trout and Flounder. It was another great day on the water with Ellen and was especially great getting to know her Granddaughter Alison. Enjoy your new job and come back for a vacation soon!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake <*(((><