Florida Fishing Charter Reports

August 18, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fishing Guides in Sanibel and Fort Myers Weekly Report

Fishing in Sanibel and Fort Myers with a charter guide for Snook, Redfish and Tarpon has been pretty good lately but other species are also a recipe for a great day on the water.

So is the case lately when Mick (Dad) and Katie (Daughter) decided to take a day off the beach and spend it on the water.

The day started out by being welcomed by some Dolphin leading us to the fishing grounds. After some hit and misses we ended up at a spot where we can usually catch a few but this day the bite was on.

Katie was reeling them in as fast as I could unhook them and Dad took the back seat watching her and forgetting that this is a competitive girl and she’s keeping record of the score. There were Mangrove Snapper, Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Speckled Sea Trout and her favorite the Topsail Catfish (it was the biggest and pulled the best). We ended up spending the whole charter fishing this one spot and had a great time.

Everyone that knows me and reads my blog understands my favorite day of fishing is when a parent takes their kid out for a day of fishing. It brings back memories of my dad taking time out to get me and my sister hooked on fishing.

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

Capt Blake
<*(((><

Below is a part of an email sent by Katie after our great day on the water. Tight lines Katie and hope to see you next year!

“My dad and I had a lot of fun fishing with you last week!
I can’t believe all of the different kinds of fish we caught: mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, topsail catfish, ladyfish, & sea trout.
My favorite ones were the jacks and the catfish!
We look forward to fishing with you again in the future”.

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 <*(((><

April 7, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel Fort Myers Florida Fishing Charter Report

Back Country Flats Fishing in the Fort Myers Sanibel area has a lot to offer. You have lots of decisions to make. Where to go, how

to fish, what species is your target. This week my client Rich Thompson from Minnesota told me he was bringing his son Ryan, and wanted Ryan to have a great day catching fish with his Dad.

So that was the the goal for the day. We started seeing if the Snook were ready to end their winter fast. Okay, maybe you’re still on your diet. We fished a couple of other spots and caught some Snapper and Sheepshead. Then we found some Jack Crevalle. They were tearing the water up going for a free meal of their favorite food, live threadfin herring.

Throughout the bite, Ryan and Dad, had multiple double hookups and laughter broke out many times doing the “two step” trying to keep lines from tangling and not being the one that lost his fish. Ryan developed the “Ryan Technique” for catching fish by leaving the bait by the boat and watching the Jacks attack the bait boatside.

I had a great time with a great kid and his dad and look forward to next years spring break to have Ryan and his “Technique” back on board the “Egret” charter boat.

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

Capt Blake <*(((><