SW FL-Bonita Beach: Almost Too Big Snook, Bull Red, Snapper & Sheepshead
Bill Story and friends, Mike, Dave, Jim, Marvin and Ed picked a nice calm morning to fish offshore with me on Tuesday, 10/28. We headed out of New Pass about eighteen miles and fished in 43 feet with live shrimp. The guys were after pan-fish for a fish-fry they planned for this week, and we did well to fill their table with keeper lane snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, grunts, Spanish mackerel and porgies of the whitebone and jolthead varieties. We released lots of smaller snapper, as well as short triggerfish and red grouper. Friday morning, 11/6, Mark Murphey, Tom Stefaniak and Jerry Craig fished with me in Estero Bay. We had a great morning, mostly because of the 32 1/2 inch snook Mark caught on shrimp–It was a beauty, and we were holding our breath when we measured it. Fortunately, it fell 1/2 inch below maximum size (see photo.) The guys also caught some nice keeper sheepshead and mangrove snapper, along with four sand bream. We released crevalle jacks, an 18-inch snook and all but ten of the 35 mangs we caught. The group planned to go have their catch cooked for lunch at Fish House, then to ride back to where they were staying on Marco…probably a long ride for Tom and Jerry, listening to Mark brag the entire time! Though Friday had been windy, it seemed calm, compared with the winds of Saturday morning. I fished Estero Bay again, this time with Jim and Kytha Eibel and their ten-year-old son, Graham. The high winds made for a tougher time fishing, but we caught three keeper sheepshead and released lots of smaller sheepies, along with snapper and two large stingrays to 20 pounds. The storm out in the Gulf, north of us, caused our winds to grow stronger and stronger throughout the weekend. The party I was to fish with on Monday decided that even bayside fishing would be too challenging, with wind gusts predicted to reach 30-35 mph, so they deferred their Monday trip. As it turned out, winds laid down pretty nicely that morning and didn’t become gusty until after noon. Winds were moderate Tuesday morning, when I fished Estero Bay with Ed Leroux and friend, Jim. We caught too redfish, one too small to keep at 17 inches and one a bull, too big to keep at 30 inches. We released those after photographing the larger one, along with small mangrove snapper, crevalle jacks, and two stingrays. We caught a few keeper sheepshead for table-fare. The photos shown are of angler Adam Koenigsmark, with a 34-inch king mackerel, caught on a sand perch on a recent offshore trip, and angler Mark Murphey with his 32 ½ inch snook, caught on shrimp in Estero Bay this week.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Kings, Bonito, Shark, Snapper & Trout
Seasonal business is just beginning to pick up around here, though most of the recently reserved dates are for later this month and into next. I did get offshore Saturday, 10/10 with long-time customers Jerry and Barb Rudan, from Wisconsin. We headed out of New Pass to about 18 miles, but it was slow going heading out in sloppy seas. Predictions were for one-footers, and it did eventually calm to about that, but the trip out was definitely not that calm. We used live shrimp to catch a lot of different fish but many of our catches were frustratingly just short of keeper-size. We released red groupers that were as little as one eighth of an inch short of legal. The same was true of many yellowtails and mangrove snapper. Triggerfish were abundant and would have been keepers prior to the regulation change, which now demands 14-inch minimum, so we released those too, along with lots of ladyfish. On the bright side, we did manage to catch a mess of keeper-sized snapper too—mangs, lanes and yellowtail, as well as Spanish mackerel.
David Koenigsmark, son Adam, and father-in-law, Hubert, fished offshore with me Thursday, 10/15. We had a full-day so we headed out 37 miles west of New Pass to 74 feet. David had fished with me this summer, but we were bayside to accommodate his younger son. This time, he wanted his fourteen-year old son to have some offshore adventure. We caught a variety of fish, some of them pretty good size, which included a 34 inch king mackerel, a 28 inch king, whose tail was bitten off as Adam reeled him in by a huge barracuda, a 3 ½ foot sharpnose shark, a very large stingray, and an 8-pound bonito. We kept the kingfish and released the shark, stingray and bonito. We also caught some good table-fare—lane snapper, mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper—all keeper-sized, though we released all the lanes and a few mangs, as we already had plenty of fish, and also released lots of grouper shorts. At one point, we spotted about fifteen large mahi-mahi, right beside the boat—we had just arrived and weren’t rigged up yet, and they spooked and swam off.
Sunday morning, 10/18, I had planned to fish offshore with Dan Wampler, son, Barry, and eleven-year-old grandson, Max. The weather, however, had other ideas, as our first real cool-front came through the area, bringing not only much cooler temperatures, but also stiff winds and rough seas offshore. Dan and family decided to brave the cold morning temps and fish in the calmer waters of the bay. We stayed as sheltered from the wind as possible, and used live shrimp along the mangrove shoreline to catch five keeper sand bream and nine keeper mangrove snapper. We released small sheepshead and two small snook.
As the winds continued to be strong and seas rough offshore on Monday, Chester Yanik, son Mark, and friends Jim Basara and Tom Murphey also swapped their offshore plans for two days of inshore fishing in Estero Bay. Monday, we caught a dozen keeper-mangrove snapper out of twenty-five total mangs, and four keeper-sheepshead out of a bunch of sheepies caught. We released the smaller snapper and sheepshead, along with a 16-inch snook. We were fishing with shrimp and small bait- fish along the shoreline, wherever were able to stay somewhat sheltered from the winds. Tuesday, the same group caught a bunch of trout–about 30 throw-backs measuring 14-15 inches–and they kept three nice trout that were 16 inches, along with keeper mangrove snapper. We released four redfish to 17 inches, an Atlantic spadefish, and a 3 1/2-foot bonnethead shark. We fished mostly in areas behind Ft. Myers Beach, using live shrimp and popping corks for the trout and reds.
The photo shown is of angler Mike Page, with an 18-inch sheepshead, caught on shrimp on a recent trip.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Gulf &Bay Report
The bay was good fishing on Friday morning, 9/4, when I fished a catch-and-release trip with father-son anglers Dennis and Mike Page. Mike hooked a bull red at the edge of the trees and fought that until it broke free in the mangrove roots. We also caught and released eleven keeper-sized trout to 16 inches, two sheepshead at 14 inches and 18 inches, and fifteen keeper-sized mangrove snapper to 15 inches. We fished with shrimp under the edges of the mangrove trees, and used popping corks on the flat for the trout. Monday, 9/14, I fished in 38 feet, 18 miles offshore from New Pass, with Dennis and Jamie Riddel and their friends. We were lucky with hogfish—caught five of those, three of which were keepers to 16 inches. The Riddels will definitely be eating well! We also caught some keeper Spanish mackerel, nice whitebone porgies and grunts, which are good to eat too, but hogfish have a way of making everything else seem unworthy! We caught keeper yellowtail, but released a bunch more of those that were just short of the 12-inch legal size, along with four mutton snapper at 15 1/2 inches, also just shy of keeper-size, triggerfish, and red and gag grouper shorts. Tuesday, 9/15, I headed out of New Pass again to about 18 miles, with Doug Sapp and his two friends, one also named Doug and the other, Brian. Brian released two goliath grouper, one of which was 5 foot long and quite a monster to fight. The other was a small one at about 15 pounds. We also caught keeper Spanish mackerel and whitebone porgies. There were lots of big ladyfish around, which were a nuisance, so we had to move several times. The photo shown is of angler, Robert Deering, with a 15-inch hogfish, caught on shrimp on a recent offshore trip.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Gulf & Bay Report
The bay was good fishing on Friday morning, 9/4, when I fished a catch-and-release trip with father-son anglers Dennis and Mike Page. Mike hooked a bull red at the edge of the trees and fought that until it broke free in the mangrove roots. We also caught and released eleven keeper-sized trout to 16 inches, two sheepshead at 14 inches and 18 inches, and fifteen keeper-sized mangrove snapper to 15 inches. We fished with shrimp under the edges of the mangrove trees, and used popping corks on the flat for the trout. Monday, 9/14, I fished in 38 feet, 18 miles offshore from New Pass, with Dennis and Jamie Riddel and their friends. We were lucky with hogfish—caught five of those, three of which were keepers to 16 inches. The Riddels will definitely be eating well! We also caught some keeper Spanish mackerel, nice whitebone porgies and grunts, which are good to eat too, but hogfish have a way of making everything else seem unworthy! We caught keeper yellowtail, but released a bunch more of those that were just short of the 12-inch legal size, along with four mutton snapper at 15 1/2 inches, also just shy of keeper-size, triggerfish, and red and gag grouper shorts. Tuesday, 9/15, I headed out of New Pass again to about 18 miles, with Doug Sapp and his two friends, one also named Doug and the other, Brian. Brian released two goliath grouper, one of which was 5 foot long and quite a monster to fight. The other was a small one at about 15 pounds. We also caught keeper Spanish mackerel and whitebone porgies. There were lots of big ladyfish around, which were a nuisance, so we had to move several times. The photo shown is of angler, Robert Deering, with a 15-inch hogfish, caught on shrimp on a recent offshore trip.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: A Little Girl and a Big Red
It’s that time of year when fishing trips are spaced more sparsely. Add to that a three-day hiatus in celebration of a wedding anniversary and the net result is just a couple of days on the water this week. Tuesday morning, 8/25, I headed out of New Pass about eighteen miles with Harold Matthews, his son, Chad, and Chad’s wife, Misty. Seas were not as calm as predicted on the way out, but they did calm as the morning progressed. We caught four nice porgies and porkfish on shrimp, but we did more releasing than keeping. We released lots of undersized gag grouper, lane snapper and yellowtail snapper. We also had fun catching and releasing two goliath grouper, 35 pounds and 45 pounds. Eleven-year old, Anna Perry and her dad, Evan Perry, fished central Estero Bay with me, using live shrimp, Thursday morning. Anna had done some fishing from piers but had never before fished from a boat. She had no trouble acclimating: The first catch of the day was Anna’s 25-inch redfish (see photo), which she reeled in on her own, from beneath the mangroves around New Pass. She also caught a 12-inch sheepshead and three trout, one of which was a 16-inch keeper. Add to that mix eight keeper-sized mangrove snapper, five of which the father-daughter team kept.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Goliath Beasts & Redfish
Monday morning, 8/31, I fished in 45 feet, out of New Pass, with Mike & Denise VanHorn. We fished for goliaths first, while the couple had their best energy–Good thing because Denise hooked one that was most likely over 300 pounds. Mike followed up with one that was around 100 pounds. We used Spanish mackerel, blue runners and a grunt for bait. After we released those two fish, we got serious about finding some fish to eat. We ended up with ten keeper lane snapper, all caught on shrimp. We released mangrove snapper just short of the twelve inch requirement, along with red grouper shorts. Estero Bay had good tides most of this week. Wednesday morning, the tide served us well, when I fished with Bob Flesch and his friend, John. Bob caught a nice red. We could tell it was going to be good-sized from the way it fought, and we were hoping it would be within the slot for keeping. We were lucky, as it measured exactly 27 inches (see photo.) We also caught five keeper mangrove snapper and a 14-inch sheepshead. We released two small snook, as well as a 50-pound stingray, which was an admirable fight!
SW FL-Bonita beach: Near-shore Report
Saturday morning, 8/15, I fished with Greg Sommesi and family at the reefs off Bonita Beach. With a 70% chance of rain predicted and seas beyond 20 miles at 3-5 feet, we decided the near-shore reefs might be our best bet, especially with three youngsters on board. We did well with snapper, catching thirteen keepers to 12 inches, and releasing lots of smaller ones, along with undersized triggerfish and flounder. We also caught a keeper lane snapper, Spanish mackerel and grunts.
Monday morning, I fished the reefs once again, this time with Mike and Noreen Weber. We limited out on keeper mangrove snapper to 14 inches and released lots of others after we had our ten. We caught two keeper flounder also, as well as some grunts. We released three small goliath-grouper to 20 pounds. We used shrimp for all but the goliaths, which bit blue runners. Tuesday, Robert and Roberta Duhlberg and their two young children, Daniel and Rebecca, planned a ¾ day of fishing with me in the bay. Those plans were foiled when a surprise thunderstorm hit about 11:30 AM. We had to quit fishing and take cover as best we could until the storm slowed to a light rain. By that time, we were all wet and ready to head in. we did manage to catch three keeper mangrove snapper and a 16-inch trout, on shrimp.
The photo shown is of angler Dawn Croft, with a 21-inch red grouper, caught on shrimp on a recent offshore trip.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Goliath Adventures & Table-fare Too
Wednesday morning, I fished about 17 miles west of New Pass with Harry and Melanie McDaniel and their daughter, Molly. We had steady action, which helped compensate for some prettyrough seas as we were on the storm-fringe much of the morning. We used shrimp and caught ten keeper Spanish mackerel to 24 inches, a keeper mangrove snapper and porgies and grunts. We released lots of just undersized mangs, yellowtails, and red grouper, along with a twenty-pound goliath grouper. Thursday, I headed out 19 miles from New Pass with Mack Wilson, his son, Jonathan and grandson, Scott, who was celebrating his eighteenth birthday. We caught fourteen nice whitebone porgies, which the group looked forward to cooking. We released lots of undersized gag and red grouper, as well as mangrove and yellowtail snapper. We also caught lots of keeper-sized Spanish mackerel that we released, since the guys much preferred porgies for table-fare. We did, however hook one of the Spanish macks on a heavy pole, to give Scott a chance at hooking a goliath grouper. Sure enough, moments after casting, he hooked a huge one, about six-foot long and three-foot high, and estimated at about 400 pounds. Scott reeled that fish in, released it boat-side, and required a twenty-five minute break to recover! But it was a nice thrill for him to feel something that big on the line and a great way to top off his birthday adventure. The next time I fished was on Monday, August 10th. David Conway, eighteen-year-old son, Kyle, eleven-year-old son, Will, and Kyle’s friend, Eric Legal, fished with me about 18 miles west of new Pass. Will caught a 14 inch hogfish and the group also caught two keeper mangrove snapper, 16 and 17 inches, keeper Spanish mackerel to 24 inches, and keeper porgies. We released lots of smaller mangrove snapper, yellowtail and red grouper. We also released two goliath grouper at 100 pounds and 175 pounds, along with a 3 ½ foot sandbar shark. We used shrimp for everything except the goliaths, which bit blue runners and mackerel. The photo shown is of the 100 pound sailfish I caught the end of July on a busman’s holiday to Marathon in the FL Keys…not a local catch where I usually fish but I just had to post it!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Hogfish, Yellowtail, Lanes, Mangs, Spanish…and Bonefish
Wednesday morning, 7/15, I headed out to fish fifteen to nineteen miles out of New Pass, with Paul and Debbie Szemplinski and their three children, Ryan, Audrey and Evelyn. We caught a bunch of yellowtail snapper, fifteen in all, but only one that we could keep at 18 inches. The spot that yielded the big one was overtaken by dolphin, which made catching more of the keepers impossible. We also kept five fourteen-inch whitebone porgies and released a bunch of silver porgies. We also got four keeper Spanish mackerel to 25 inches and released undersized mutton snapper, lane snapper, gag grouper to 18 inches and grunts. Interestingly, we caught and released a small bonefish that was ten inches long, an unusual catch around here (more commonly in the FL Keys), especially in the depths we were fishing. We used shrimp for everything. Thursday morning, I fished offshore again, this time with Chuck Mitchell, Reita Martin, and three children. We caught three varieties of porgies and kept six of those, along with two keeper lane snapper and six Spanish mackerel to 28 inches. We released about 40 undersized yellowtail snapper, along with some gag and red grouper shorts and small triggerfish. We were fishing with live shrimp, in 44 feet out of New Pass. Strangely, another bonefish bit our bait on Friday morning, about 15 miles offshore, where I fished with Bob and Kim Deering, their sons, Robert and Matthew, and father-son anglers Greg and Gavin Zarbock. Robert also caught a nice hogfish, 15 inches long, and the group caught a dozen keeper mangrove and lane snapper, porkfish, grunts and a mess of Spanish mackerel. We released lots of undersized snapper and grouper.
The photo shown is of angler, Florian Kordas, with a 19 1/2 inch mangrove snapper, caught on shrimp on a recent offshore trip.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Inshore & Near-shore Report
This week was challenging in terms of weather, for sure.
Monday morning, 6/22, was the best weather of the week. I fished Estero Bay with the Matt Stanford family, including Matt, his wife, their two young children and the children’s grandfather. We had a good morning, using live shrimp to catch seven keeper mangrove snapper, three keeper sheepshead to 14 inches and a keeper whiting. We released two small snook, each about 16 inches.
Tuesday morning, Julie Brady, her son, Nick, and Nick’s friend, Colby, had planned to fish offshore, but with stiff winds out of the west, we changed those plans to fish inshore instead. Using live shrimp in central Estero Bay, we caught keeper mangrove snapper and a 14 inch sheepshead. We released smaller mangs and sheepshead, along with a 15 inch snook. After two consecutive days of strong, westerly winds and rough seas, the offshore forecast for Wednesday calmed down significantly, with predictions for two-foot seas out to 20 miles and two-to-fours from 20 to 60 miles offshore. Robert Smith and son, Walker, were pleased to awake to calm winds that morning, and we optimistically headed out. But, even at the near-shore reefs, seas were sloppy, with a leftover swell and seas on top of the swell higher than predicted. We fished there until it wasn’t fun anymore, dared not venture out further, and retreated to the relative calm behind Ft. Myers Beach for the final hour of fishing. We caught keeper mangrove snapper and grunts, and released Spanish mackerel. NOAA continued to forecast calming seas, with predictions for two-foot out to 60 miles for the rest of this week. But the low pressure system that stalled over us had other ideas. Thursday morning, I was back to the dock by 10 AM with Mike Weber, Bill Carlson, and their wives. There was a stiff 20 knot wind and seas rough enough to be border-line unsafe. We released a couple fish and decided to head in before it got any more uncomfortable or dangerous. Needless to say, with unstable, rough conditions and lots of moisture still around on Friday, I advised Chris Morrow, son Alex, and Bob Snyder and son, Zack, to fish inshore, rather than risk gulf fishing. We dodged a few rainstorms throughout the morning but we ended up catching ten keeper mangrove snapper and a keeper sheepshead. We released smaller snapper and sheepshead, and returned to shore just as the skies were letting loose with a heavier shower. The photo shown is of six-year-old angler,Tyler Guthman, with a bonnethead shark, caught on shrimp in Estero Bay, on a recent inshore trip. 
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Fishing Blog- Web Updates - Nov. 4, 2009
- Salmo Sting Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Chubby Darter Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Bullhead Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Hornet Review - Salmo Lures
- Shrimp Tease Review - Creme Lures
- Killer Diller Shrimp Review - Creme Lures
- Jerk N? Shrimp Review - Creme Lures
- Devil?s Tongue Review- Saltwater - Creme Lures
- Creme Shrimp Soft Plastic Lure Review - Creme Lures
