This report is usually (but not always!) updated on Friday around noon.
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the little circle thing — if nothing changes, we ain't done it yet
Place-by-place Fishin' Report Here it is — SCROLL down
This report is usually (but
not always!) updated on Friday around noon.
Don't
see this week's report? REFRESH
your browser.
the little circle thing — if nothing changes, we ain't done it yet
Tell us about your fishing day! — These reports come mostly from anglers like you. We don't want your secret spots, we just want to be able to share what's going on out there. Whether the fishing has been awesome or terrible (or anything in between), we want to know. Just call 941-625-3888 and ask for Robert.
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What does "no reports" mean? It's just like it says. No one has been talking about fishing in this place. It might mean there are no fish there, or no fishermen there, or lots of fish and nobody wants to say anything. We don't know, because we have had no reports from that location.
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Peace River Harbor Heights & upriver along with Shell Creek "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Snook have been pretty active up here as far as the water treatment plant. Trout and whiting are from I-75 up into Whidden Bay. Mangrove snapper, snook and small redfish around and on the way to the San Souci trestle.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A few reports of baby bull sharks from docks and in the river channels. Some mangrove snapper, catfish and other random fish are up around the DeSoto CR 761 bridges.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Shell Creek and the Sans Souci Trestle have had some snook and short redfish, plus small mangrove snapper and Mayan cichlids. Harbor Heights have had little snook and snapper, plus some trout in the river channel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — There were some jacks up in this area, but the commercial netters have been taking a lot of them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Fair numbers of little snook have been around the river mouth, along with redfish under the bushes around Shell Creek and I-75. A few whiting reports have come in. Jacks might be just about anywhere, so keep your eyes peeled. If you can't find them, check just outside Whidden Bay near the boat ramp.
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Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Some small redfish along the adjacent shorelines.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A few black drum in the 5-10 pound range, some whiting and a couple redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Overall quiet around the bridges. Maybe some small redfish and mangrove snapper at the park.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — A few small snook and jacks, plus a couple redfish around Darst Park, but not much to get excited about. Duck hunters have been making it weird.
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US 41 bridges - ..... "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Short cobia, jacks, ladyfish and some bull sharks, plus snook at night.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A lot of anglers, but not as many fish as we would hope. A few snook at night, a few short cobia, some baby bull sharks, and somy dinky mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Night fishing has been good, with lots of short snook, some baby tarpon at night. Sheepshead, short cobia and black drum are active during the day. There have been some bigger fish (as yet unidentified) blowing up on pods of bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — A lot of anglers fishing from the bridge, getting some small mangrove snapper and black drum. There have also been some whiting, trout and ladyfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Sporadic but good, with jacks, small mangrove snapper, a few black drum, and some snook after dark. If there are baitfish around, expect to find ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel around them.
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Laishley Seawall (pier currently closed due to hurricane damage) "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Catfish and small mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A few anglers have tried it, but no reports of catching this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — No reports.
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Bayshore Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/16/2024 — Currently, there are no Bayshore piers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 11/16/2024 — Currently, there is no Port Charlotte Beach Pier.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Some small mangrove snapper and a few small snook. Some trout have been caught in the general area too.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Some small snook by the seawalls and bridge, along with some smallish mangrove snapper and sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Some mangrove snapper, a few small snook at night, juvie tarpon showing up but not biting, and some big ladyfish around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Quiet, but a few snook and mangrove snapper have been caught by kayakers. Some redfish and black drum have been seen in the area, and there are little tarpon rolling in the canal.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Some snook at night. A few ladyfish. Black drum, including some little ones (eating size). Dink mangrove snapper and lots of catfish.
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Port Charlotte canals, salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Small snook are throughout the canal system. Black drum, redfish and some small bull sharks have also been caught. Many canals (especially a little farther back from the mouths) have Mayan cichlids as well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Lots of small dock snook, many caught by trolling. Smaller jacks have been coming through, but not very consistent.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Lots of little snook. Still sand bream in some of the canals, but reports are getting spottier. A few more sheepshead have been moving around. Juvenile tarpon are around but hard to catch. The Manchester Waterway has some jacks cruising thru.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Sand bream off the docks, though not as many as we had a couple weeks ago. Sheepshead are starting to show up in more numbers. Lots of smaller snook have been around the pilings and even occasionally eating. Small paddletails are good for the snook, or try trolling a smaller lipped plug (#8 or #10 Rapala).
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Some snook have been caught trolling thru the canals, and there are also some around the canal mouths. Sand bream and some sheepshead are around the docks, and both will happily take chunks of peeled shrimp. You'll get mangrove snapper too, but they're mostly itty-bitty.
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El Jobean Bridge (pier currently closed due to fire & hurricane damage) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Jacks and baby tarpon are in the area. Some snook at night. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper have been slow.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Not much except some snook after dark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — A lot of anglers here. Some snook are biting. Mangrove snapper are little but there are some good (not great) sheepshead around the trestle pilings.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Some catch-and-release snook have been around the area, and we're getting reports of a few trout and sheepshead (not as many as we want, but at least we have some).
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Snook around the pilings. Jacks are cruising around the bridge. A handful of bigger trout have been caught in the past couple weeks.
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Myakka River area (from the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — The west side of the Myakka Cutoff has had some decent mixed bag fishing.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — The Myakka Cutoff has had some fish around both the east and west entrances.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — The Marker 8 area has had schools of glass minnows attracting Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish, plus random tarpon. A couple anglers have said the Cutoff was slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — The west side of the Myakka Cutoff has had some activity, but it's not fantastic.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Tippecanoe and the Myakka Cutoff have had a few redfish and small snook, but the reports are not exactly great. The best bite has been on shrimp, but soft plastics and topwaters have been OK too.
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South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Dock anglers are catching tilapia and Mayan cichlids, and a few reports of snook as well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Mayan cichlids and tilapia on worms around many of the docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Few reports, except for some tilapia.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Some anglers have been buying bait to fish here, but we had no reports back.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — No reports.
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The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Lots of small snook and scattered redfish (with a couple keepers) around the trees, mostly on shrimp. Trout of various sizes on top of the bar. A handful of pompano have been skipped and some short cobia are cruising on top of the bar.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A lot of small reds and a few keepers under the bushes, along with some random snook. Pompano, short cobia, and a few trout on top of the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Lots of little snook and a handful of redfish under the bushes. Cut mullet is great, and so are live shrimp (redfish are fine with frozen). Pompano are on top of the bar, and a few cobia have been spotted cruising the bar as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Quite a few little redfish and some smaller snook under the bushes; small soft plastic baits or live shrimp are top picks. Some pompano, a few small jacks and some smaller tarpon on top of the bar. Look close and you might spot a cobia on the bar as well, but they've been undersize.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Decent action here. Some pompano have been skipped, although few have been reported caught. Short cobia are on the bar. Snook and redfish are hanging out in the tiny creek mouths, so take some time to seek those creeks out.
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Cape Haze Bar "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Ladyfish and bluefish, plus a couple Spanish mackerel. The recent cold may have changed that.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Reports are super slow. One trout and a couple lizardfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — No reports.
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Turtle Bay & Bull Bay "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Big ladyfish around the entrance. Trout action has been good all through the bay. Redfish have been around the trees and oysters. If you see mullet schooling, cast a bait in there because the predators are following them.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Scattered redfish around the potholes, along with a few snook. If there are mullet, it's more likely you'll catch fish. Shacks and deeper cuts have had some sheepshead and mangrove snapper. Small trout are scattered all around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Some big ladyfish. A handful of bonnethead sharks and some unidentified larger sharks. Trout are scattered throughout both bays. Schools of mullet are abundant in here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Trout have been the main story, with a lot of small ones and a few bigger ones. There are some snook and redfish as well, plus fair numbers of sheepshead moving around the oyster bars and fish shacks. If you see mullet schools, cast a bait into them in case there are any predatory fish hanging out around them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Probably the best spot in the area. Lots of trout showing up, but most of them are on the smaller side. Some nice redfish, including small schools of 5 to 20 fish but also singles under the bushes during the day or on the flats early. Lots of schooling mullet moving around, with potentially all sort of gamefish following them around.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Three Sisters and north has had a lot of trout and sheepshead, but also dolphins that are likely to follow you and take released fish. Whidden and Catfish creeks have had trout, ladyfish, lizardfish and puffers scattered across the flats.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — The best reports this week. The snook and redfish have been around Catfish Creek to Devilfish Key along the shoreline. The area of the 19th Street kayak launch at Boca Grande has had some larger trout. Spanish mackerel, bluefish and big ladyfish have been cruising the general area of the ICW.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Trout and ladyfish are on all the grassflats and many deeper cuts. Redfish are schooling up in a few locations. Sheepshead have been around pilings, oyster bars and any mangroves that have barnacles or other growth on them. Random sharks are throughout the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Three Sisters and heading south toward the golf course has been producing decent trout. Whidden and Catfish creeks have been producing snook and redfish. The snook are under the bushes; the reds may also be on the flats heading toward Sandfly Key. Pinfish have been the bait of choice here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Fishy. If your soft plastics are chomped, it's probably puffers. The mangroves have had a lot of redfish and snook, and there are some small schools of reds around the clam leases. Big ladyfish and occasional bluefish are in deeper water.
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Placida
"Fishin History"
Placida Pier
—
Placida
Trestle
—
Coral Creek Pier
—
Gasparilla Pass
(Placida Pier and Boca Grande Pier currently closed due to hurricane damage; Coral Creek pier is OPEN)
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Sheepshead are around the docks, mostly smaller. We've also heard about bonnethead sharks, Spanish mackerel, small bluefish and pompano in the pass, plus a mixed bag of random smaller fish around the trestles.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Sheepshead, but they're inconsistent due to inconsistent weather (big today, teeny tomorrow). There have been some pompano, Spanish mackerel and bonnethead sharks in the area too. Whiting and big redfish are under the docks on the south side of Gasparilla Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — The whole area has had sheepshead around the pilings, but they are sporadic. Pompano and whiting have also been showing up. We've heard about a lot of baby gag grouper on the flats and around structure.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — The sheepshead are showing in better numbers all along the trestle; shrimp and fiddler crabs are both working fine. Some bonnethead sharks (mostly under 24 inches) have also been around the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Pompano and mangrove snapper are around the trestle. A few flounder and ladyfish have also been reported around the area. There are more sheepshead showing up every day.
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Stump Pass — Milton Pass — Lemon Bay Park — Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — There are good reports of trout from Indian Mound Park all the way south to the Miserable Mile. Bonnethead sharks and small redfish are also in the area. Mangrove snapper and sheepshead have been reported at the docks near the Tom Adams Bridge.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — There are trout on the grass between Stump Pass and Indian Mound Park.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Indian Mound Park have been producing a lot of lizardfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — No reports.
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Englewood Anger Pier (next to Tom Adams bridge) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/16/2024 — Currently, there is no Anger Pier.
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Gulf of (America) Mexico bottom fishin' & trolling - Reefs & Wrecks "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Spanish mackerel were from 1 to 10 miles out before the cold. Flying fish have been seen within a couple miles of shore, so keep an eye out for random larger pelagics. Lane and mangrove snapper plus a few grunts are in 60 to 80 feet of water. No recent grouper reports. Amberjack and African pompano have been reported 80 miles out.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Spanish mackerel are along the beaches from 2 to 10 miles out. Tripletail reports have been poor, with almost all of the fish significantly undersize. A few nice cobia have been on the crab traps. Porgies, grunts and a few lane snapper are on the nearshore reefs. Red grouper and a few yellowtail have been caught in 90 to 110 feet of water. Flying fish sightings have been abundant.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — From the surf out to 10 miles, we're hearing of Spanish mackerel and a few straggler kingfish. Anglers are hunting tripletail on the crab trap floats, but mostly we're seeing dinks. A couple cobia are around but don't expect numbers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — There have been big goliath grouper (jewfish) moving in to many of the reefs, which is normal for this time of year. There are still a few straggler Spanish mackerel, but most have moved south. Grunts and lane snapper are in about 50 feet. The Boxcars have had some big amberjack around, and also a 5-foot sailfish. Way out past Christmas Ridge there are yellowedge grouper and silky snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — From 3 to 15 miles, we're hearing good reports of mangrove and lane snapper, sheepshead, grunts and porgies. The area of the Palm Island Ferry and Power-Poles reefs have had Spanish mackerel and a few kingfish. As for going further out, it's been pretty bumpy.
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Venice Jetties & Venice Pier (North Jetty is open, South Jetty is closed; pier is now fully open)
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Sheepshead and whiting around the jetties. The Caspersen rock piles have some fish (bluefish, mackerel, whiting), but you'll have to walk south from the dog park.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Little sheepshead at the jetties; few big ones. Whiting and Spanish mackerel are around too. The pier has macks and whiting too, plus some flounder and little sharks. Snook and redfish have been feeding after dark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — The jetties have had sporadic sheepshead, plus some good snook and larger sharks at night. Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are attacking bait. The pier has a had a few mackerel and whiting, but otherwise few reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Spanish mackerel, pompano and some whiting have been at both spots. A few sheepshead have been rolling in.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — One kayaker said he got into a few redfish and ladyfish, plus saw some baby tarpon rolling.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Trout, pompano and permit are in the general area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Some redfish, snook and pompano in the vicinity.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Sheepshead, mangrove snapper and baby gags are in the pass. There are trout just inshore of the north end.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Spanish mackerel and bonnethead sharks, plus some trout and baby gag grouper on the nearby grassflats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Few reports, but there are some mackerel around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Trout, whiting, a few pompano and at least one flounder along the edges.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Trout in the general area, plus some pompano and baby gags in the pass. Spanish mackerel and small blacktip and blacknose sharks will be around if there is bait to chase.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Quarantine Rocks has lots of hobberdobbers (baby gag, porkfish, random little fish), plus bonnetheads, sheepshead, whiting, etc. We are waiting to hear whether the tarpon are still in the pass after this latest cold spell.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — There were still some tarpon 40 to 80 pounds as of Christmas Eve, and they've been hitting on vertical jigs. Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish are around. Mangrove snapper are in 35 feet on the Cayo Costa side.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel are in the pass, with decent fishing around the phosphate docks. There are still tarpon, taking mullet, pinfish, squirrelfish or shrimp; try the deeper holes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — There are STILL some tarpon in here, and actually biting. The mangrove snapper are in 30 to 35 feet of water on the south side of the pass. The sandbar has had some ladyfish, bluefish and pompano right along the edge of the dropoff.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Spanish mackerel and bluefish have been in and out, with some good fish caught from the rocks at the state park. Sheepshead are on the phosphate docks. Mangrove snapper are in 30 feet of water near Cayo Costa. Tarpon have still been around, and a few have been caught using shrimp or pinfish. You don't need crabs.
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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 01/02/2026 — Stump Pass State Park (Milton Pass) has had jacks, snook and ladyfish. There are surely lots of fish at other beaches, but we've had only this one report.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — The area of the Venice Pier has whiting, redfish and Spanish mackerel. Manasota Key (Englewood Beach and Blind Pass State Park) has had whiting, sheepshead and bonnethead sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Blind Pass (Middle Beach) has had whiting and pompano on the surf side, plus trout and redfish around the bayside kayak launches. Bonnethead sharks and sheepshead, plus random snook and redfish, are around the rocks at the Boca Grande Lighthouse.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Blind Pass Beach and the south end of Boca Grande have had sheepshead, whiting and a few redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Blind Pass Beach State Park (Middle Beach) and Boca Grande have had whiting, pompano, Spanish mackerel, bonnethead sharks, jacks, overslot redfish and a few random lingering snook. Remember, a wind out of the east can be pretty gusty without building up a big surf. Shrimp has been the hot bait, but pompano jigs will get some too.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Sheepshead and small trout from the bridge.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Trout to 22 inches and some smaller redfish have been throughout the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — The bridge has been producing sheepshead, at least on some days. The shorelines throughout this area have been producing redfish and snook, plus trout in the grassy areas between the islands.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Sheepshead are moving in more around the whole Matlacha area. The local canals have had a lot of smaller snook and a few really big ones.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Redfish scattered all around the area, both on the flats and under the trees, along with some good snook. Shrimp and pinfish are good baits, and scented soft plastics are also catching fish.
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Pine Island Sound
"Fishin History"
Rat and Cat keys,
Mondongo & Patricio
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — There are some big trout, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish around Captiva Rocks and the fish shacks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Some big snook along the mangrove shorelines, but the redfish are slower here. Trout are on the flats from 2 to 6 feet deep taking soft plastics and live shrimp; if you hit the deeper dropoffs you'll get into Spanish mackerel and ladyfish too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Trout scattered from Patricio to Captive Rocks, in 2 to 8 feet of water. Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish are in the deeper areas. Puffers are wrecking baits everywhere.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Trout are scattered all around, on the flats in 2 feet by Quarantine Rocks and in 8 feet of water around Mondongo and Patricio, mostly on soft plastics. Bring plenty, because the puffers are wrecking lots of bait. Patricio has been producing some redfish on scented soft plastics and spoons, or on live shrimp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — A lot of trout, but they haven't schooled up yet. A few Spanish mackerel. Some huge ladyfish. Snook and reds around the bushes.
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Jug Creek Shoal & Bokeelia "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — A few trout, but also loads of lizardfish and puffers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Bait hunters are finding pinfish and small whitebait, but the overall action has been slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — There are some redfish in Jug Creek.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — No reports.
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Burnt Store & Two Pines "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — South of the marina there are redfish and mullet mixed together, plus a few snook. Trout, ladyfish and bonnethead sharks are on top of the bar.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Good snook and redfish reports around shorelines near Two Pines, plus some trout along the outer edges of the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Redfish and snook under the bushes all along the shorelines here. The outside edge of the bar has had some trout, pompano and ladyfish, plus lots of mullet schools.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Pompano on top of the bar along the whole stretch. Ladyfish and sheepshead have been reported on the bar as well. Trout are on the open flat. Snook and a few redfish have been caught under the mangroves. Tarpon were in the area last week but not lately.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Pretty good redfish and snook action under the bushes. The redfish like pinfish a lot. Pompano and a few cobia on top of the bar; ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and random sharks on the outside of the bar.
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East Side "keys" "Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Hobbs Point has had some decent mangrove snapper and sheepshead. Redfish are along the shorelines.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — There have been some small snook just north and south of the Pirate Harbor channel. Small redfish are on some of the shorelines. A few trout and bonnethead sharks have been in Pirate Harbor on the flats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Pirate Harbor and Hobbs Point have had some trout, redfish and small mangrove snapper, but otherwise reports have been slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — We've had good redfish reports from the islands and creeks just north of Pirate Harbor, with both live shrimp and soft plastics getting bit. Some trout are on top of the bar and scattered in the trough, but the low tides have made this area tough for anybody who's not in a kayak.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Trout are scattered along the bar and inside Pirate Harbor. Some redfish are in the deeper pockets way in the back of the islands.
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Alligator Creek, Poachers Cut & The Skating Rink "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Some jacks in the creek. Small snook in the Burnt Store Isles channel and the mangroves in the creek.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Anglers are fishing here, but they're not catching much of anything.
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Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Still lots of small mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Mullet have been running thru, but the fishing has been pretty slow other than little snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Lots of anglers, but not much being reported except little snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Really slow. There are some small mangrove snapper, and some snook and black drum have been seen moving thru. There's a lot of poaching going on, with people keeping undersize mangrove snapper.
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P.G.I. canals & Punta Gorda "Fishin History
Elizabeth Park — Barge Canal — P.G. Nature Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — The canals have been producing small snook, juvenile tarpon and a few jacks, with a lot of them caught on trolled baits. Sheepshead, black drum and small mangrove snapper are also in there.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Juvenile tarpon around the lights at night. Some jacks up to 8 pounds and snook caught trolling the canals. Small mangrove snapper and sand bream are around many docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — There are jacks all through the canals, plus snook hitting trolled lipped plugs (and occasionally spoons). The jacks are willing to take big poppers because they're mostly feeding on spawning-size mullet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Snook have been hitting trolled lipped plugs, and so have jack crevalle. Troll the middle for the jacks or the edges for snook. Juvenile tarpon have been hanging out around the underwater fish lights after dark. A few anglers are getting into sheepshead, which we're definitely seeing more frequently. Black drum have been seen, but not as many.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Black drum are in the canals, but they're easier to see than catch. Try peeled shrimp tails pitched in front of them. Snook and jacks have been caught trolling. Sheepshead are showing up around the pilings. Juvie tarpon are on the lights after dark. A 4-foot bull shark was caught way up in the back of the canals.
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Gilchrist Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/16/2024 — Currently, there is no Gilchrist Pier.
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Alligator Creek Reef
AKA Concrete
Reef, 1 Mile Reef,
Charlotte Harbor Reef, 41 Bridge Reef
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Small sheepshead and small cobia reported often, plus one 39-inch keeper cobia this week on a bucktail.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Small cobia (20 to 26 inches) are around, but not as many as before. A few barely legal sheepshead and small mangrove snapper have been reported, which doesn't sound great but is the first real bottom fish reports we've had in a long time. A few mackerel are in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Still lots of small cobia, plus some Spanish mackerel. A couple sheepshead have been reported this past week, and you might hook a baby gag grouper while fishing for the sheepies.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — The little cobia are still here. Some smaller mangrove snapper are on the rubble.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — A lot of small (24 to 30 inches) cobia have been on and near the reef, mostly on jigged or trolled lures. a few Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish are around the area. Sporadic tarpon reports as well.
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Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — A few tarpon were moving in and out, along with Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Take a look as you go through, and if it stays warm this week it might be worth actually fishing here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — A few anglers have been spotting tarpon in here, mostly on their side scanners. A few Spanish mackerel and bluefish have been caught on trolled baits.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Some tarpon, but there might be hundreds or zero. Do you feel lucky, punk?
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Baitfish - Whitebait, but also threadies, pinfish, sardines, etc
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A little bit around Jug Creek and Devilfish, but not consistent at all.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Some at Marker 2, some around Devilfish Key — not abundant anywhere.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Whitebait have been ... let's call it unlikely. Even pinfish have been tough this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — Some whitebait at Marker 2 and some around Devilfish Key, but the cooler water has them scarce. We're seeing lots of itty-bitty bait, but too small to use or even try to net. Pinfish traps are getting some out on the grassflats, but a lot of traps are being raided or even stolen.
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Freshwater canals, creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, ditches, spillways & bathtubs "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — Shiners have been the top bass producers lately. It's been warm for crappie, although the recent cold may spark them up. Some tilapia and Mayan cichlids have been taking wigglers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids have been the big thing, because the crappie slowed down due to heat. The Cocoplum Waterway has been producing some smaller bass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — Bass fishing has been good with soft plastics and artificial frogs. Anglers are buying fewer shiners this week, for reasons that they are not sharing. Crappie action has slowed down a little. Cold weather would probably light them up.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — Some people have been targeting bass and crappie, but we've heard minimal reports back. The retention ponds on Kings Highway have produced some smaller bass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — The bass fishing has been getting better, mostly on live shiners, though a few anglers are catching them on spinnerbaits or soft plastics. Crappie and a few bluegill, plus good numbers of Mayan cichlids and tilapia, are providing fish to fry if that's what you want.
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Tarpon reports 
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/02/2026 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/26/2025 — A few fish still in Boca Grande Pass, probably disappearing after the cold front early next week — so hurry!
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/19/2025 — There have been some in Boca Grande Pass, plus a few scattered in the 20-foot holes. Give it a shot.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/12/2025 — You could get one in Boca Grande Pass, if you have plenty of luck. A live baitfish would be best, or you could try a big ol' shrimp. If you feel experimental, a vertical jig could be something to try.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/5/2025 — There have been a few in the 20-foot holes and Boca Grande Pass, but it's very hit or miss. If you wanna do it, you should definitely have a Plan B ready to go.
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In memory of Capt Angel Torres, 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
