Gulf of Mexico

February 15, 2015 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Fishing Report

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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December 9, 2012 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel, Fort Myers Florida Fishing Report

Hello fishing nuts here in Southwest Florida. The weather is great and the waters are cool. That can only mean it’s time to get the shrimp and let’s go for some Sheepshead.

Many people love this fish to eat as to any other fish you can find. We’re getting lots of bites around pilings, bridges and mangroves. Just pick a spot and give it a try. Be wary though as Sheepshead are known for stealing your bait and leaving you with a clean shiny hook.

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

Tight lines,

Capt. Blake

November 16, 2012 By Blake Matherly

Florida Fishing Report, Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Trout and Redfish

The waters are cooling and the fishing for Southwest Florida charter guides has shifted from Snook and Tarpon to cooler temperature fish like Trout and tailing Redfish.

We’re seeing, casting and catching tailing Redfish on the flats in all areas. I love fishing with artificial baits like the DOA shrimp for tailers. I rig the shrimp weedless so I can present the shrimp on the nose of the Red without hanging up in the grass. It’s a blast seeing the Redfish eat and take off in a foot or less of water.

We’re catching numbers of Trout all over Pine Island Sound using the same DOA Shrimp. Many of my Charters are catching 20, 30 and more Trout in a day of fishing.

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

Tight lines,

Capt. Blake

September 9, 2012 By Blake Matherly

Fishing Florida using DOA Lures

When fishing the flats or back country around Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida, no matter what time of year, or how much you fish, you should always have a number of artificial baits (lures) that you have confidence in.

Bait fishing is a no brainer, but what happens when bait is hard to find. What about daybreak fishing. During the summer months in Florida you need to catch the early bite or you may be out of luck. If you’re spending hours catching bait, I will spool you on fish caught for the day, but if you fish using artificial baits you can start fishing as soon as you get your boat wet.

DOA Lures are my go to when it comes to artificial fishing. Between the Shrimp and the TerrorEyz I have caught every fish that can be caught in the Southwest waters of Florida. Shrimp can be fished on the grass flats or skipped under the mangroves. The TerrorEyz can be jigged in deep water in inlets or around bridges. You can use the smaller heads and fish shallower waters with less current.

Go out and give artificial baits a chance and you’ll gain confidence like I have.

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

Tight lines
Capt. Blake

June 27, 2012 By Blake Matherly

Charter Fishing Off the Coast of Sanibel Island

Fishing the Gulf of Mexico is a unique experience to every level of sports fishing enthusiast. The Gulf is a relatively shallow body of water with man made reefs and a wide variety of fish species. This variety of fish is one of the things which attracts many fishing enthusiasts each year to the Gulf Coast of Florida. Sanibel Island is a barrier island off of the coast of Fort Myers. With its sister island, Captiva Island, it is a popular tourist destination because of its natural beauty and pristine beaches. Both Sanibel and Captiva Islands have made a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the area by limiting development. This commitment to the environment has made fishing off of the coasts of the islands one of the best areas in Florida to experience the natural beauty of the state.

For most people, the best way to experience fishing off the coast of Sanibel is on a charter fishing boat. A local captain will know all of the best fishing spots and can make a fishing excursion a success. The type of boat is important, too. A Customized Egret 189 Flat Boat (what we use) is considered the top of the line in fishing boats. The carbon fiber and Kevlar construction make this type of boat sturdy and easy to manage in the Gulf waters. A flat boat is best for the Gulf waters because it gives the fishermen the best access to the water and can get into the coves, inlets, and fishing holes where the best catches can be found.

There are several varieties of fish which can be found off the coast of Sanibel. Each season brings its own unique fishing experience. This is one of the reasons the area is so popular and sets it apart from charter fishing experiences in other parts of the country. Offshore species include tripletail, tarpon, cobia, shark, spanish mackerel, king mackerel, barracuda, and snapper. Saltwater fly fishing yields large snook, tarpon, and snapper. Inlet and back bay fishermen will find snook, redfish, seatrout, and tarpon plentiful.

The tarpon is known for its fight and is one of the favorite fish for sports fishermen. The best season for tarpon fishing is spring, but if your captain knows where to fish, the season can last until the first frosts of winter. This is a very long fishing season for one of the most prized species in Florida. Tapron can be caught near the shore or out in the open waters of the Gulf. Tarpon are large and can weigh over 200 pounds. Tarpon fishing competitions are held in Florida and attract sports fishermen from all over the world. Another very popular species is the snook. Snook are another large fish prized for their fight and aggressiveness in the catch. Snook like to hang out near the coast and in holes. The best fishing season for Snook is during the warm months of summer since the fish tend to get sluggish during cold weather.

Charter fishing off of the coast of Sanibel Island in a private charter boat is an experience the rookie or experienced sports fishermen will not soon forget. The beauty of the area and plentiful fishing makes this area one of most popular sports fishing destinations in the country.