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Place by place, Fishin Report
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Peace River
"Fishin History"
Harbor Heights & upriver along with Shell Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Juvenile tarpon rolling. Some small snook have been caught in the area. Still, overall slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports; however, heavy river flow is probably getting a tilapia/hoplo flush going, so I would expect snook and tarpon to be heading up here to feed.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Skip it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Very slow. A few Mayan cichlids and sand bream in Shell Creek. A few tarpon and gar rolling but hard to catch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Still slow. Some snook and juvie tarpon, and a lot of gar rolling, but the catching is slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Slow to nothing — except up at Shell Creek, where the spillway has been flowing and there are some snook and juvenile tarpon.
------------------------------------
Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few small snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Skip it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — A few Mayan cichlids in the canal. A few tarpon and gar rolling but hard to catch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
41 bridges - ..... Live Oak Point park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few mangrove snaplets, one baby bull shark, some snook at night (mostly small), and a few juvie tarpon around sunrise.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A little slow, but there have been some snook reported at night. A couple small trout and mangrove snapper have also been caught. Some black drum were spotted but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Lots of little snook and a handful of slots, mainly after dark, on live and frozen shrimp. Juvenile tarpon rolling around the area. Lots of catfish also.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Some snook activity at night and early mornings. Some mangrove snapper, mostly smaller. Tarpon rolling at night and first light but very hard to get interested. A couple baby bull sharks also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — A few snook at night, and a few tarpon rolling in the mornings. Some small trout and mangrove snapper in the evenings. Black drum may be around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A couple black drum and a few baby bull sharks. Should be some snook around at night, but no has reported them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Some small mangrove snapper, a few oversized black drum, a couple bull sharks, and some very small snook at night. Overall, not great.
------------------------------------
Laishley Pier "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — TV news reports indicate the pier might be closed for another 12 to 18 months.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Closed until further notice due to hurricane damage.
------------------------------------
Bayshore Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — One keeper cobia and two baby bull sharks reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A couple small bull sharks. One snook caught in the morning.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — One baby bull shark reported, but that was it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A couple small bull sharks. One snook reported. A couple tarpon have been jumped but not landed.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Some juvenile bull sharks (no blacktip sharks).
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Some small snook, maybe a keeper or two as well. A couple sand bream around the boat ramp and seawall.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A handful of snook, including a couple keepers. Lots of short mangrove snapper and catfish, too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Minimal reports. A couple bull sharks and a few snook. Lots of catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Some snook at night. A couple undersize trout and juvenile redfish reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some small snook at night. Sand bream and very small mangrove snapper during the day. Small bull sharks in the evening.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A few small mangrove snapper and trout, plus some random small snook.
------------------------------------
Port Charlotte canals salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Sand bream and Mayan cichlids have been abundant. A lot of small snook and a few black drum have also been biting. There have been a lot of juvenile tarpon around the canal mouths.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Some snook, mostly smaller ones. A few black drum seen but not caught. Ditto the small tarpon. Mayan cichlids and sand bream have picked up, and there are loads of baby Mayans.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — A lot of dinky peanut snook 12 to 20 inches. There are also a few that might keep. A few black drum around still. Juvenile tarpon seen but not hooked. Lots of catfish.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Sand bream action has been decent. Quite a few little snook and jacks, plus some tarpon rolling. Black drum are slowing down quickly.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Black drum are taking soft plastics and shrimp or crabs. Lots of little snook are around; try the spillways for actual catching. A lot of people are talking about catching sand bream around their docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Sand bream reported scattered all over. Lots of smaller snook also. Black drum have thinned out a bit but there are still decent numbers. A few jacks have been through the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Black drum are still in all of the canals but starting to thin out a little. Sand bream and jacks are pretty good. Juvenile tarpon rolling but not eating. Snook are around but not too big.
------------------------------------
El Jobean Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few snook, including some in the slot. Juvenile tarpon around sunrise. Smaller (eating size) black drum around the pilings.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Good for snook at night. Lots of shorts and more than a few keepers. Juvenile tarpon all night and around dawn. Short mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — A few juvenile tarpon caught. Lots of short snook and a few keepers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A lot of snook at night; might be a good place for a slot fish when season opens. Juvenile tarpon are around at night and at first light.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — No reports this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Few reports. One guy caught several snook and saw some smaller tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — No reports this week.
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Myakka River area (the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A handful of ladyfish feeding near the surface, but not much else.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A few Spanish mackerel and some juvenile bull sharks. Tarpon are showing up some mornings but not sticking around.
------------------------------------
South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids. A few smaller tarpon have been jumped on trolled lipped plugs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A few snook, a lot of Mayan cichlids and a few tilapia.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Some snook and juvenile tarpon in the evenings and into the night. The little tarpon are taking shrimp and small soft plastic shad tails.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some juvenile tarpon and snook at night.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Night fishing is decent. Snook and small tarpon are eating around the lights.
------------------------------------
The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Lots of snook and 20-inch-class redfish, mostly around the creek mouths. They're hitting lots of different things, but you've got to have moving water, and if there's at least two feet of water that's better.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Action here is picking up. Lots of redfish reports along the bushes, especially near the creek mouths. The same areas are holding scattered snook. Trout on the bar and bar edge. Juvenile tarpon rolling just inside the bar are easy to see but hard to hook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Slow at the north end. The south end has redfish around the creek mouths taking cutbait, a handful of small snook around the bushes, and a scattering of trout out toward the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Redfish are around the creek mouths, mostly in 3 to 4 feet. Cut ladyfish are good. A few snook are around the creeks and under the trees. Some pompano have been reported on the bar, but the commercial netters have found them too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some pompano and a few random trout in 3 to 4 feet outside the bar. Snook are scattered along the shoreline down the lower half of the wall.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A few small snook, a few trout, some small sharks. Several anglers report catching or skipping pompano.
------------------------------------
Cape Haze Bar "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few ladyfish, a few Spanish mackerel, and a handful of blue runners. But no trout, no snook, no redfish, and no sharks this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — A few ladyfish and Spanish mackerel.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Ladyfish, a few Spanish mackerel, a couple bluefish, and a handful of trout. No pompano reported here this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and an assortment of mostly smaller sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some bonnethead sharks and a few other smaller sharks. Very small bluefish. Spanish mackerel and ladyfish around bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Several kinds of sharks this week, along with ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and a few flounder. No redfish or snook reported. Still, it's been decent and it's worth fishing here, especially around the dropoffs along the western side.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A lot of redfish and snook scattered under the bushes. Reds are slot to over, snook are mostly shorts. Cutbait, shrimp and soft plastics are all doing well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Lots of redfish, mostly singles in the bushes but also a couple schools. Lots of trout, with a few keepers. Snook bite is fairly good, mostly shorts. A miscellaneous variety of sharks around too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Redfish are abundant, with lots of them over the slot. They're in groups of about a half-dozen to 20. Some very good snook in here eating cut ladyfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Redfish scattered around, with schools moving around various areas (including the Turtle Bay bar) and singles all over. Snook are moving around but not consistent. Lots of small trout and a few keepers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Snook and redfish are around any spots that are a bit deeper with good water flow. There's also a school of reds moving along the Turtle Bay bar, and they usually have several boats targeting them. Lots of trout around — mostly smaller, but some fish in the 20-inch range have been caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Lots of little snook and a few redfish too. An assortment of sharks, including some larger lemon and bull sharks. Some juvenile tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A lot of snook, and a handful are good fish in the mid-30-inch range. Some smaller sharks, and a couple bigger lemons. Scattered trout, but most are small (10 to 13 inches). No redfish reports.
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Cape Haze Reef & Danger Reef "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No fish were caught here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Spanish mackerel and a couple bluefish this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Spanish mackerel, enough to be fishable. Some tarpon rolling within a quarter mile.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel, and not many.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Spanish mackerel and bluefish. A couple bull sharks were also reported at Danger Reef.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Redfish and snook around the bushes behind Three Sisters and in Whidden Creek. Trout are around Sandfly, Devilfish and the tiny island where all the white pelicans gather in winter. A lot of ladyfish around. Bull, sharpnose and bonnethead sharks are around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A good mixed bag. Ladyfish, snook, trout, redfish, a few Spanish mackerel, a couple bluefish — plus some adult tarpon around Whidden Creek. Lots of small fry bait around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Schooling redfish reported. Snook under the bushes eating cut ladyfish or soft plastic shadtails.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Schooling redfish around Devilfish Key and Catfish Creek. Trout, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are in the deeper water. Snook are scattered all around, with some on the deeper dropoffs and some on the shorelines. Live shrimp or pinfish and cutbait are getting the snook feeding.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — From Devilfish Key to Catfish Creek, there's been a school of redfish in 3 to 4 feet. Random reds are also along the shoreline in Whidden and Catfish creeks. Some tarpon rolling thru. Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and sharks are also popping up.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Pretty good fishing here. Trout, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish in 4 to 6 feet of water over grass and sand. Snook and a few redfish are along the shorelines, anywhere there's structure and deep water nearby. Lots of small sharks around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A lot of snook around the cuts and creeks (anywhere with deeper moving water). Trout, bluefish, jacks, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel are in the 4- to 8-foot range. Tarpon are cruising through at random; many are juveniles but some are big.
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Placida
"Fishin History"
Placida Pier
—
Placida
Trestle
—
Coral Creek Pier
—
Gasparilla Pass
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Snook at night, with lots of shorts but some keepers. A few overslot redfish. Spanish mackerel from the bridges to the pass. Lots of small mangrove snaplets all over the area. A good choice for pier anglers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Spanish mackerel and tarpon in the pass. Snook around the trestle at night, plus some redfish and mangrove snapper (which might be keeper size).
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Snook at night around the trestle and the bridges. A few pompano in the area. A couple small sharks around. Some overslot redfish at night on cutbait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Gasparilla Pass has some mangroves and Spanish mackerel in the deeper hole. Tarpon are rolling around the whole general area. The trestle has mangrove snapper, oversize redfish, snook and some random sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Very small mangrove snapper. A few whiting. Lots of smaller snook, but very few when it's light out.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Spanish mackerel and a few tarpon in the pass. Mangrove snapper and a few sheepshead have been reported at the trestle. A lot of snook are around, including a few bigger ones, but the best bite is at night. Fair numbers of trout, but mostly small.
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Stump Pass — Lemon Bay Park — Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A couple schools of redfish just north of the Miserable Mile. Redfish and snook under the docks on the island and mainland side, mostly on cutbait. Trout on the flats near Stump Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A couple schools of redfish, but they've broken up into smaller groups. One is in the Miserable Mile and one is somewhere near Indian Mound Park. A few smaller snook under the docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A couple redfish schools in the area, with one in the Miserable Mile and one near Indian Mound Park. Lots of snook, mostly smaller ones. A handful of smaller sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Some redfish reports, including at least one school. Snook in the Stump Pass area. Spanish mackerel have been caught trolling in the Miserable Mile.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Schools of redfish have been moving around. Pompano are around the Lemon Bay Conservancy area. Snook are under a lot of the docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Spanish mackerel in deeper areas. Snook from 25 to 35 inches. A few baby gags and keeper trout on the grass.
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Englewood Anger Pier
(next to Tom
Adams bridge) "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports. The pier is closing Sept. 18 for about 60 days.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A few snook at night and some small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Some snook, mostly at night. A couple Spanish mackerel and whiting.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — A couple snook at night. A few mangrove snapper, but mostly small. A few whiting on the bottom.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some snook at night.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel and a couple sharks, plus some snook at night.
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Gulf of Mexico bottom
fishin' & trolling
Reefs & Wrecks
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — At 15 to 20 miles there's lane, mangrove and yellowtail snapper, plus some grunts and porgies, plus short red grouper. At 45 to 70 miles, the weekend red snapper have been very good, with fish up to 20 pounds, and gag grouper up to 30 pounds. Some true black grouper and scamp have also been caught this week. Blackfin tuna and bonita are out at 50 or 60 miles, and probably closer if you're looking.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Not much, really. Mangrove and lane snapper along with some grunts and porgies at 20 to 30 miles. No red snapper or keeper gags reported — too sporty.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Small red grouper and lots of grunts reported 9 miles off Boca Grande Pass.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Mangrove, lane and yellowtail snapper are in 60 to 80 feet of water. Gag season opens Sept. 1, but reports in the area have been minimal. Red snapper will be open for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 1 to the end of November. Expect most of them to be deeper. Some schools of bonito have been seen out past 12 miles.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — There's been a lot of rain popping up and keeping people off the Gulf, plus red grouper are closed. But there are mangrove and yellowtail snapper at 10 to 25 miles, and lots of bonito busting at the surface.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — From shore out to a few miles we're seeing lots of Spanish mackerel. Tarpon are from 200 yards to 5 miles out. Lane snapper, some mangrove snapper and a few yellowtail have been caught in 50 to 80 feet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — There are barracuda on any of the wrecks. Mangrove and lane snapper are in 65 to 100 feet of water, and you might find a few yellowtail out there too. Bonita to 15 pounds. Amberjack are open thru Aug. 24 and triggerfish should be open til the end of the year.
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.
Venice Jetties and Venice Pier
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel, snook at night, a few whiting, some tarpon moving through. Sharks caught from the pier.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — The south side is temporarily shut down due to hurricane damage. Snook from the north jetty.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Snook at night, including some big fish in the 40-inch range. Spanish mackerel, a handful of whiting and a couple pompano during the day.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Some big snook have been caught at night. Some Spanish mackerel and whiting, both on the beach and in the pass itself.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A lot of snook, including some very nice ones, at night. Spanish mackerel, whiting and pompano during the day. Tarpon are around and might take big dead baits on the bottom.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Slower than it should be. A few Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper, plus some smaller snook. There are tarpon and sharks around; some have been hooked but not landed.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A few redfish and a lot of snook. Mangrove snapper aren't thick but they're up to 14 inches. Feeding frenzies of Spanish mackerel and bluefish sporadic.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Spanish mackerel, a few snook, an occasional tarpon, and a couple sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — OK, not great. Some mangrove snapper and snook, plus whiting on the edges. Tarpon and sharks are moving thru the pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A few Spanish mackerel. A lot of snook. A few mangrove snapper. Some very small gags.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Spanish mackerel, snook, a handful of ladyfish, and a couple smaller sharks.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Lots of Spanish mackerel. Snook along the surfline on both sides of the Pass. Some oversize redfish. A handful of whiting. There are also some tarpon in and around the Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A blitzkrieg of ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel has been pummeling bait. Mangrove snapper are in the pass itself in 30 to 50 feet of water. Tarpon are showing up from time to time. Redfish and snook have been caught along the shoreline on both sides.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Snook. A couple pompano. Spanish mackerel, sometimes lots. Juvenile tarpon at the oil dock and phosphate dock, plus a few big ones in the deeper holes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Better mangrove snapper have been caught in 35 to 40 feet. More than a few tarpon are also in the pass; offer them squirrelfish or pinfish, b ut you can also try a vertical jig or bucktail. Spanish mackerel have been from the hill out to the bell buoys.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper are biting well. Tarpon are here but the action is slow; they might want crabs, pinfish or squirrelfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — This is the prime spot for tarpon. Try crabs in the morning or squirrelfish later in the day. Spanish mackerel and a couple small sharks.
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Walkin' the Gulf beaches,
from Sanibel
to Venice. Surf fishing anywhere along the Gulf shoreline.
17th
street,
Stump
Pass Park "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Lots of little snook. Some slot fish have been seen but not caught. Whiting, jacks, Spanish mackerel, and lots of bait-stealers have also been around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Not many reports, but some redfish, snook and whiting have been caught at Stump Pass and Boca Grande. There were also some juvenile lane snapper at Stump Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Lots of snook. mostly early. Whiting, small flounder and a few pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Snook are good in the mornings. A couple oversize redfish reported this week. If the bait comes in close, the Spanish mackerel will also. Tarpon are coming close also, and will eat large chunks of cutbait or big swimbaits.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Whiting, snook and a few pompano are providing surf anglers with smiles all up and down the coast. A few jacks and Spanish mackerel have also been reported this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — The beach at Boca Grande has whiting and some bigger snook and ladyfish at night. Some trout have also been caught in the surf there too. Whiting are also decent from Englewood Beach to Caspersen. Manasota Key has been producing lots of snook.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Lots of redfish, mostly singles around the bushes and creek mouths. A handful of snook. Fair numbers of trout, in random sizes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Quite a few redfish of assorted sizes, and some of them are ganged up into small schools. Good trout reports also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A few trout, a few snook, and a couple miscellaneous sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — The bridge area has been producing lots of ladyfish, plus some snook. A bunch of big trout were reported caught on ladyfish chunks.
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Pine Island Sound, south end
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
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Pine Island Sound,
north end
"Fishin History"
Rat and Cat keys,
Mondongo & Patricio
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Captiva Rocks has had some trout and redfish. The west side of Pine Island has had trout, redfish, short snook and assorted small to medium sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — The only consistent reports have been redfish around Captiva Rocks and around Patricio.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Snook, a few redfish (under the trees), lots of tarpon (DOA Bait Busters or live pinfish), and a handful of legal trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Lots of little snook and a few bigger ones. Some schooling redfish are popping up. Individual and small groups of small tarpon randomly around. Lots of smaller sharks and a few larger ones.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Trout, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and a handful of sharks in 4 to 8 feet of water. Inconsistent tarpon. Some snook, trout and random flounder along the mangroves.
------------------------------------
Jug Creek
Shoal &
Bokeelia "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few trout and Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A few trout and Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Some big redfish and some blacktip sharks have been reported in the area of the Bokeelia Pier.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Ladyfish, a few trout and a couple Spanish mackerel. Random smaller sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Lots of bait around. A handful of trout of assorted sizes, plus some bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Some trout and a few Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Some trout, but that's all we've heard.
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Burnt Store &
Two Pines "Fishin
report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few redfish around (maybe schooling, maybe not), and lots of little undersize snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A couple schools of redfish in the area. Ladyfish and tarpon outside the bar south of Burnt Store.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports, but surely that school of redfish is still around.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A big school of redfish. Your best shot is to target them real early or late in the evening. Some snook and trout, but redfish are the main target so nobody cares.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Schooling redfish are on the bar, until they get blown apart by too many anglers chasing them. Ladyfish and pompano have also been on top of the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Schooling redfish on the bar. Pompano outside the bar. Some smaller snook along the trees.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A handful of snook in the mid 20-inch range. Some pompano have also been reported this week. A few jacks are cruising around. A handful of small sharks have also been caught.
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East Side
"keys"
"Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Redfish and small snook. A few juvenile tarpon. Random schools of ladyfish along the outside of the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A few redfish. Lots of little snook. Some small trout. A few bonnetheads. Lots of juvenile tarpon around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Some redfish, a handful of snook, some mangrove snapper, and at least one juvenile tarpon. Whitebait hasn't been working well, but live or cut pinfish or cut ladyfish are good choices.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Pirate Harbor is sludged with algae, but there are some small snook. On the windward island points, you can find redfish and a few snook. Not much deep in the backcountry.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — A few redfish scattered, plus some smaller snook and trout outside the bar. There are smaller tarpon and an assortment of sharks outside the bar also. No reports from the canals except floating rotting vegetation.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Pompano on the bar. Blacknose and bonnethead sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — A bunch of trout and some bonnetheads sharks around Hobbs Point. Pompano have been skipped but not hooked. A few black drum inside Pirate Harbor.
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Alligator Creek "Fishin
History"
Poachers
Cut
&
The
Skating
Rink
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — No repopes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Some trout, a few big jacks and a couple black drum in the creek.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Sand bream in the creek, along with some baby goliath grouper, black drum and small snook.
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Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few black drum and snook (including some allegedly poached).
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — A couple big (well over slot) snook, and some very tiny mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A couple black drum. Lots of snook spotted but they're educated and hard to hook. A few trout from the dock and on the flat.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — The canal entrance has been producing very small mangrove snapper, a few black drum, a couple big snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A few black drum and some itsy-bitsy mangrove snapper. A few decent snook have been seen but not caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — One report, caught and saw nothing.
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P.G.I. canals &
Punta Gorda
"Fishin History
P.G.I. canals —
Elizabeth Park
Barge Canal
— P.G. Nature Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Lots of smaller snook. A few juvenile tarpon. Some schooling black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Black drum of assorted sizes, with more small than large. Juvenile tarpon rolling all over. Lots of small snook, but no one has mentioned bigger ones.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — A few anglers have reported small snook from their docks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Lots of juvenile tarpon, and they've actually been semi-cooperative on DOA CAL shads or live shrimp. Black drum are better here than the Port Charlotte canals, but the schools are still breaking up. Good numbers of snook. Try trolling lipped plugs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Black drum in large numbers. Lots of small tarpon, allegedly eating DOA CAL shads. A few snook, but not as many. Oddly, no jack reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Lots of smaller snook. Juvenile tarpon easy to see but hard to catch. The black drum have been heavily pressured and are a lot tougher to hook now.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Some black drum. Juvenile tarpon to look at. Some smallish snook. Some jacks. Itty-bitty mangrove snapper.
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Gilchrist Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — No repopes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Nothing.
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Alligator Creek Reef
AKA Concrete
Reef, 1 Mile Reef,
Charlotte Harbor Reef, 41 Bridge Reef
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A couple Spanish mackerel and some random tarpon in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Lots of algae, no fish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A couple anglers have looked for snapper and cobia, but the only report was one tarpon hooked near the reef.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Occasional rolling tarpon, but nobody's catching anything.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Ghost town.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Very little activity.
------------------------------------
Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — A few tarpon and a lot of catfish, plus the occasional random larger shark. Overall slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Tarpon to the west of the north holes and to the east of the Pirate Harbor hole. Try around 12 feet. A few big bull sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports, but there should be tarpon.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — A good variety of smaller sharks. Tarpon off and on; you need to be in the right spot at the right time (it's luck).
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Some tarpon, lots of catfish, and some bull sharks in the 4- to 6-foot range.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — A few sharks. Lots of catfish. Occasional Spanish mackerel. No tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Nothing worth going for. No tarpon, a few catfish.
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Baitfish
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — Bokeelia and Devilfish have been producing some small whitebait (you need a 1/4-inch net). There are enough pinfish to trap along the ICW grassflats, but nothing in the north end of the Harbor. Tiny baits right along the Gulf beaches, too small to net.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Small (very small) whitebait around the Port Charlotte Beach Complex and Marker 2. Bigger ones around Bokeelia and Devilfish Key. A few theadfin pods, mostly around Bokeelia.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — Some whitebait in the Bokeelia area and on the bar near Pirate Harbor.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — There are some whitebait on the east side long the bar. Devilfish, Three Sisters and Jug Creek Shoals are all producing bait, but a lot of it is small. Pinfish reports are getting better. Threadfins are scattered in the Harbor but fewer than they were a couple weeks back.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Bokeelia, Jug Creek Shoals and Devilfish Key have had some decent whitebait and pinfish. Lots of threadfins in the center of the Harbor; don't confuse them with whitebait because only a few will live in your baitwell. Lots of small baitfish are all over, but most of it is too small to net.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Threadfins are scattered in the 20-foot holes and down into Pine Island Sound. Lots of small whitebait around Bokeelia, plus some at Devilfish and Placida. Most of it is too small to net, even with a quarter-inch net. Lots of pinfish on grass 4 to 8 feet deep.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Jug Creek Shoal and Pirate Harbor have both had some whitebait (mostly smaller) and threadfins also. A few pods of threadfins scattered in the Harbor, mostly south. If you see a school of threadies, they may actually be butterfish (Atlantic bumper). Pinfish on deeper grass.
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Freshwater canals, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — No reports this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — Anywhere there's moving water might produce bass, bluegills and Mayan cichlids. Beetle spins and crappie jigs are ideal for panfish; shiners are better for bass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — The rain has perked things up. A lot of anglers are heading out with shiners for bass.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Tough bite. The North Port canals have been producing a few bass, bluegills and Mayan cichlids.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Flowing water around culverts and spillways is the key right now. Shiners are what the bass want, or try plastic frogs early in the day. Bluegills have slowed down.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — Very slow. A few bass on plastic worms or lizards, but shiners are better. Moving water is key, especially if there's also shade.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Super slow. Bass will eat shiners lethargically. If you have spillways or culverts that are flowing, you can try soft plastic worms. The bluegill and panfish bite is also slow.
------------------------------------
Tarpon reports 
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/16/2023 — It's a tough bite. Some have been in 12 to 15 feet of water near the 20-foot holes taking ladyfish or DOA Bait Busters, but it's not consistent. There are fish on bottom machines in Boca Grande Pass, but I've not heard of any success there. Juvenile tarpon are scattered all around the upper Harbor, but catching has been slim.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/09/2023 — The only consistent spot is around the 20-foot holes. Fish are also scattered near the mouth of the Myakka. The fish in Boca Grande Pass haven't really been targeted much, so they might or might not be eating.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/02/2023 — No reports due to the hurricane.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/26/2023 — Fish are peppered all over but nowhere is great. Try the 20-foot holes, Boca Grande Pass, the backside of Cayo Costa, Captiva Pass, and off the beaches. DOA Bait Busters and cut ladyfish are working; expect sharks if you're using natural bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is your best shot because the fish are consistently there. Off the beaches from the trough to two miles, they're actually feeding. Offer them DOA Bait Busters or NLBN soft plastics, or pinfish if you prefer bait. In the 20-foot holes, DOA Bait Busters are hot. They are on the move, so expect to burn some gas.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/12/2023 — The ICW from Captiva Pass to Venice has mostly little fish but some bigger ones. The beaches from Sanibel to Venice out to about 3 miles also have fish. There are also some fish in the passes, mostly in Boca Grande Pass. No matter where you go, the bite has been slow. Try big chunks of cut fish on the bottom.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/05/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is the spot. Very few anglers are targeting them, so the bite is excellent. Small pods may also move out along the beaches from Venice to Sanibel.
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In memory of Capt Angel 1975-2010
Angel remains here with us,
He was my friend, I miss him
Fishin Frank-----
It would be hard to picture life without fishing.
People who do not fish do
not understand the
therapeutic value of fishing, losing yourself to
the motion of the waves and
just relaxing.
The best things about fishing is where you do it,
and that you do not carry a score card.
Since 1984 when I first walked through the door
here at Fishin Franks,
I found the people / customers to be the best part of this job,
and all these decades later that is still true.
You all are the best part of the day.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives so many years
Fishin Frank
