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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 03/25/2023 — Quite a few snook, mostly small, around the Nav-A-Gator and Shell Creek. Small redfish are also around. A couple little tarpon have been hooked on topwater.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — From the Nav-A-Gator to Shell Creek, we've heard snook (a few in the slot) and redfish, plus some tarpon rolling in the 40- to 80-pound range.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Snook and redfish reported in the area; shrimp are great and soft plastic shad tails are also catching. Some juvenile tarpon seen rolling, not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Lots of obstacles in the water. Big tarpon spotted, but only a few caught. If you want to hook one, try a live or dead tilapia or Mayan cichlid. A few snook also, mostly in the Shell Creek area.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — One report of a couple dinky snook, but that's it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — A little quiet but we've had reports of a few snook, some slot-size redfish, and a few juvenile tarpon. Mayan cichlids have been turning up around some of the docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Very few reports; just a couple snook. Navigating the area is tricky. Watch out for sandbars, shoaling and trees in the water.
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Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — A couple snook near the pilings and islands, but no great shakes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — You might catch a snook from the ramp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Kayak anglers are catching small snook and redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A couple whiting and little trout reported here this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports.
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41 bridges - ..... Live Oak park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Lots of snook at night, mostly short but a few slots. They're taking paddletails and live shrimp. A couple small redfish are around, and there are random trout and sheepshead around the power lines.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Nighttime snook are thick; most are undersize. Daytime anglers are getting some mangrove snapper, black drum and trout from the docks. Gar have been cruising the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Snook are fair at night, with only a couple legal fish caught. Trout and mangrove snapper during the day. Black drum are around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — The snook are doing good at night until an hour after sunrise. A few trout, mangrove snapper and black drum also. Kind of expecting cobia reports soon, but not yet.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A few mangrove snapper and redfish. Snook overnight and early in the morning. A few trout also reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Trout here and there, mostly in the mornings. Snook in the evenings. Baby bull sharks around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — A few snook and redfish reported. Trout and mangrove snapper have also been caught. However, reports have been pretty inconsistent.
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Laishley Pier "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Closed until further notice due to hurricane damage.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Closed. No reports nearby, except for people getting chased out of the marina for fishing in a no-fishing area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — The pier itself is closed. Few reports from the area.
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Bayshore pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — No fish. Yet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Anglers have been and reported nothing.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Allegedly, one guy caught a baby bull shark and a short cobia.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — People are fishing but getting nothing.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — A few people fishing, but not much caught.
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Port Charlotte canals salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Lots of snook, mostly short but a few legal. Troll lipped plugs or cast underneath the docks. A few sheepshead and small mangrove snapper have been caught. Juvenile tarpon are abundant and rolling, especially in the spring lakes. Some small bull sharks have been in the canals also. No jack reports this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — A lot of snook, mostly small. Some keepers caught trolling lipped plugs or casting shrimp (real or plastic) under the docks. Small and med-small tarpon are in the Spring Lake and Edgewater canals, rolling but rarely eating. A few jacks have been buzzing around and would love to hit a big noisy topwater.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — A lot of little snook. They can be caught around the docks or on trolled plugs. Juvenile tarpon are in east and west Spring Lakes for your viewing pleasure. Way in the back, sand bream and Mayan cichlids have been eating shrimp or worms. Some jacks in the 3- to 5-pound range have been hitting trolled Rapalas and Yo-Zuris.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — They've perked up a bit. Lots of little snook and a few bigger ones. They're taking baits and lures under the docks and also trolled plugs. Some trout have been in the canals, mostly in wider canals and closer to the Harbor. Quite a bit of teeny bait in here too. Black drum moving around but not actively feeding. Not many jack reports, but Mayan cichlids and sand bream are in the backwater canals.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Some little snook, sand bream, Mayan cichlids, a couple jacks and a handful of small tarpon seen but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Very slow, but we've heard some small snook, plus a few mangrove snapper, jacks and sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Fishing is OK but not great. Some mangrove snapper and snook, plus some sand bream in the backwaters. Tarpon in Spring Lake. Black drum seen but not caught. Water flow through here has changed a lot, so the fish are probably still trying to figure out where they want to be.
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El Jobean Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — A whole lotta snook in the overnight hours and the first hour of daylight. Most anglers are using live shrimp; some are throwing flairhawk bucktails or large soft plastics. A few trout, sheepshead and small mangrove snapper are also biting, but not very consistent.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — The snook action has been good to great at night, with a fair number of keepers. Shrimp are the hot bait. Some fish are taking NLBN soft plastics or bucktails too. During the day, no snook; just a couple trout, small mangrove snapper and small sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Some keeper snook have been caught at night, mostly from 10 p.m. to sunrise, along with loads of undersize fish. A few small tarpon have been providing random entertainment. A few trout and mangrove snapper reports too, and one report of sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Snook at night. Not many people are talking about it, but there are probably lots of snook. Daytime is slow, but there have been a few mangrove snapper and trout around.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Few reports. Some small snapper and trout during the day and snook at night. No sheepshead and no black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Some sheepshead (not a lot). Also some trout, mangrove snapper, baby black drum and spadefish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Quite a few snook biting at night. They're not huge, though. Try a 3- to 5-inch swimbait fished slow. Some sheepshead, mangrove snapper and trout during the day.
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Myakka River area (the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Tippecanoe Bay and the west end of the Myakka Cutoff have been producing some snook and slot redfish. A few trout are on the Hog Island bar. Keep an eye out for jacks blitzing on bait pods.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — The west end of the Myakka Cutoff has some smaller snook and trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — The west end of the Myakka Cutoff has had lots of snook, a few trout and a couple redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Smaller trout on the north side of the Myakka Cutoff.
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South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Lots of Mayan cichlids reported. A few snook are scattered around. A few redfish are around the locks eating shrimp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids are eating worms. A few small snook scattered around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Mayan cichlids and tilapia have been tearing up red wigglers around docks. Small snook are scattered around the canals.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — A couple small snook. Some small reds near the locks. Mayan cichlids and tilapia on worms way back in the canals.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Mayan cichlids on worms. A few redfish reported near the locks. Random snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — A few anglers fishing from their seawalls are getting Mayan cichlids, smaller snook and teeny tarpon. Overall pretty quiet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — A couple snook, along with some Mayan cichlids and tilapia.
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The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — The north end is still fairly slow. A scattering of snook and redfish are eating shrimp, cut mullet and cut ladyfish along the south half. The creek mouths are top locations. Some short cobia and manatees have been reported on the grassflats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — The north end is slow, with just a few snook here and there. But from the halfway point south, the creeks are holding decent numbers of snook plus a handful of redfish. Shrimp are good; cut ladyfish are catching reds plus a few of the snook. The flats have been slow, besides some manatee sightings.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — The south end has been producing a lot of snook and quite a few redfish, mostly on shrimp. If you want slot reds, go with cutbait instead. The trout are around in fair numbers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Lots of snook and redfish under the bushes and around the creek mouths. Lures and natural bait are both working. Try soft plastic shad, MirrOdines, live shrimp, or cut mullet/ladyfish. Trout and short cobia on the bar. A few small tarpon spotted on the open flats. Also, one guy caught one pompano, which is potentially significant because other people have skipped them lately.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Some trout outside the bar, mostly on the southern end. Snook and redfish under the bushes. Short cobia on the bar itself. Quite a few bonnethead sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — As before, the lower end is better. Redfish from 12 to 24 inches, mostly smaller snook but some big ones are around. Trout and some very short cobia are on the bar. Bonnetheads might be anywhere. Be ready to cover ground to find fish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — The lower end is still much better. Redfish in low end of the slot and snook are both biting. Trout and pompano are on top of the bar, and you might spot a cobia if you keep a sharp watch.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Lots of bonnethead sharks, a few Spanish mackerel on top of and outside the bar, a few trout around, and lots of puffers patrolling their little territories with both aggression and malice.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports, but the fishing is almost definitely good.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — It's been decent for guys fishing shrimp. Ladyfish, bonnetheads, trout, a couple Spanish mackerel, and a couple flounder have been reported this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Several pompano reports this week. Also some bonnethead sharks, trout, Spanish mackerel, and ladyfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Bonnethead sharks, trout, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish on top of and outside the bar. Small baitfish reported in the area. Dolphins have been annoying.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Trout are the main deal here. Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, bonnetheads and pompano are the bycatch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Some trout, a couple ladyfish, some bonnethead sharks, and a few Spanish mackerel on the deeper edge. Slow-troll or cast a spoon along the dropoff for the macks, or fish a shrimp to catch the rest.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Still the best thing going. Trout, sheepshead, snook, redfish, bonnetheads and a few 4- to 6-foot bull sharks have all been reported. However, some folks are seeing more than they're catching due to high water clarity. Stay as far back as you can and try to cast with the wind.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Again, the top spot. Snook, redfish, trout, bonnetheads, baby bull sharks, pompano around the Turtle Bay bar. Fish the flats, the oyster bars or the mangroves. Shrimp and cutbait are catching fish. If you can't catch fish in this area right now, you might want to re-evaluate your tackle and techniques.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Top spot for this week. Trout are around the oyster bars and on the flats. Redfish from 15 to 24 inches are in the same spots plus under the mangroves. Snook (some keepers) are mostly around the trees. Shrimp are the best choice for everything, either under a popping cork or on a jighead. A few dead fish have been reported, but they're old ones and there's been no red tide here this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Action here is decent. Lots of trout, redfish and snook, plus some juvenile tarpon in the backcountry. Shrimp are doing well, or you can try topwaters early and soft plastics later in the day. Larger sharks have been seen but not caught. Some dead fish floating in the bays, but we have not had any reports of red tide actually in these waters.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Still the best thing going. Snook, redfish, trout, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, bonnetheads, ladyfish, and a few jacks. Fish are on the bushes, fish are on the oyster bars, fish are over sand. Still, be prepared to move around to find the best spots.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Once again the best spot. Bonnetheads and trout are on the open flats. Lots of snook and redfish around the mangrove, plus some sheepshead. Shrimp are king, but topwater work in the mornings for the snook and reds.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Still the best spot to be. Snook, redfish, trout, bonnetheads, sheepshead and mangrove snapper have all been caught. The water is getting clear enough to sight-fish, but it's also clear enough for them to see you. Shrimp and soft plastic paddletails are best.
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Cape Haze Reef & Danger Reef "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel, but that's it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Some scattered Spanish mackerel have been caught on trolled spoons in the general area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — A few Spanish mackerel on Cape Haze Reef. Troll a spoon.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Spanish mackerel are showing up around Cape Haze Reef. There may be a few sharks with them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Some trout behind Three Sisters. Snook along the bushes, plus some redfish and sheepshead. Whidden Creek has some trout and mackerel. Bonnethead sharks are scattered around the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Spanish mackerel, jacks and ladyfish have been south of Devilfish. Trout and bonnetheads are up around Sandfly. Lots of little snook around the mangrove shorelines, but they're really easy to spook. Shrimp and soft plastic paddletails are great, and topwater lures are catching fish too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Some red tide has drifted thru, but the bite's been decent. Trout, snook, redfish, sheepshead, bonnethead sharks and Spanish mackerel have all been caught this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Some sheepshead, snook, redfish and trout reports, but there have been lots of red tide reports also. For now, I'd be very skeptical about this spot. If I were going to fish here, I'd be prepared to move around a lot in search of clean fishable water.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — There has been some red tide from Gasparilla Pass to Boca Grande Pass, leaving some dead floating fish. However, the trout, ladyfish, snook, redfish and sheepshead have all been biting despite that.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Very fishy. Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and trout in the open; snook and redfish around the oysters and mangroves and docks. The water is getting very clear, so plan to make longer casts so you don't spook fish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Similar to Bull and Turtle bays, but we're also getting Spanish mackerel in the channel (5 feet and deeper), and also lots more puffers. A pretty good mixed bag.
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Placida
"Fishin History"
Placida Pier
—
Placida
Trestle
—
Coral Creek Pier
—
Gasparilla Pass
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Fair numbers of sheepshead still. Snook at night, including some slot fish. Shrimp are hot for the snook, or you can try locally caught pinfish. A handful of Spanish mackerel have been around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — There are still a few sheepshead and mangrove snapper around the trestle, but they're thinning out a bit. A few legal snook have been caught from the pier. Red tide reports have vanished.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Some sheepshead at the trestle, plus mangrove snapper. Snook and redfish are around at night. Spanish mackerel and small sharks are in the area of the pass. It's possible some red tide might move thru here, so be prepared to move if necessary.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Some sheepshead, snook, redfish and trout reports, but there have been lots of red tide reports also. For now, I'd be very skeptical about this spot. If I were going to fish here, I'd be prepared to move around a lot in search of clean fishable water.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Some sheepshead and Spanish mackerel reports, despite the moderate fish kill from red tide.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Lots of sheepshead, but it's hard to get bites. Pompano and flounder near the pass. Ladyfish and Spanish mackerel in open water areas.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — The trestle is producing pretty good sheepshead. A couple bonnetheads and trout are also in the area.
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Stump Pass — Lemon Bay Park Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — No reports this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Indian Mound has been holding some trout and a few snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Just a few snook and trout reported between Lemon Bay Park and Stump Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Some sheepshead, snook, redfish and trout reports, but there have been lots of red tide reports also. For now, I'd be very skeptical about this spot. If I were going to fish here, I'd be prepared to move around a lot in search of clean fishable water.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A few trout, a couple redfish, and a handful of snook. Might be a touch of red tide around the pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Indian Mound has some good trout and redfish, and snook are around (if not always hungry). Snook and jacks are also around Stump Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Some trout at Indian Mound Park. The Lemon Bay Conservancy area has also had trout and some small snook.
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Englewood Ainger Pier
(next to Tom
Adams bridge) "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Spanish mackerel, and probably a few sheepshead around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Short snook are around but very slow during the day.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Small mangrove snapper. Snook and sheepshead hanging out in the area but feeding only sporadically.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports from here.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Pompano have been in and out, but when they're in they're thick. Some sheepshead around the rocks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — No reports this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Red tide off and on. Spanish mackerel have been around when the red tide isn't.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A few sheepshead, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Sheepshead are easy to see, hard to hook. Some big Spanish mackerel and ladyfish, plus bonus pompano and mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Sheepshead action is pretty good at the jetties. Shrimp and sand fleas are both working well.
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Gulf of Mexico bottom
fishin' & trolling
Reefs & Wrecks
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Spanish mackerel are from Venice to Sanibel, from the passes out to 8 miles. Snapper, grunts and porgies are on the nearshore reefs and hard bottom. Sheepshead action has been very good, with some XXL fish caught. Some kingfish are around, so consider trolling as you move from spot to spot especially if there is bait around. Red grouper fishing has been a little disappointing due to wind, but also gags are in some of the red grouper spots. It might get better when they re-open past 120 feet on April 1.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — The Novak Reef has had some small yellowtail snapper. The Palm Island Ferry and Tremblay are holding sheepshead. Red grouper have been reported at 30 to 35 miles. Overall, windy weather has kept a lot of offshore boats in port.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — From 8 to 10 miles, we've head scattered red tide. Most anglers are going out to at least 15 miles if the weather allows. Red grouper in 90 to 110 feet. Mangrove snapper plus a few lanes and yellowtails are eating shrimp, sardines and squid in 60 to 90 feet. Small kingfish are in 60 to 90 feet also. No tripletail reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Red tide is patchy within 10 miles. Out past that, there are grunts, porgies, sheepshead, and mangrove and lane snapper. Bigger snapper, plus decent red grouper, are out closer to 30 miles. A few kingfish reports, but not big ones. Try trolling a lipped plug. Kings are as far north as Tampa Bay. Blitzing bonita schools have been sighted. A couple undersize cobia. No tripletail reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — The red grouper have been decent in 80 to 110 feet of water, along with some mangrove and lane snapper. In 60 feet or better, epect to catch some smaller lanes along with grunts and porgies. The nearshore reefs have had sheepshead. Spanish mackerel are from the beaches out to about 15 miles. The temperature is right for kingfish, but none reported. Tripletail reports don't exist.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Few reports due to weather. However, we've heard red grouper in 80 to 110 feet; and grunts, porgies and snapper in about 60 feet. The nearshore reefs (Mary's, Helen's, etc) have also been producing good numbers of sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Good red grouper in 75 to 110 feet (closed outside the 20-fathom curve until April 1). In closer (50 to 80 feet), the mangrove and lane snapper are good, along with grunts and porgies. Some short cobia have been caught also. Tripletail are pretty much zilch.
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.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Tarpon have been seen rolling and with luck you might hook one. Snook and trout are under the nearby docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — A few Spanish mackerel and trout, plus some whiting.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports other than red tide.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Spanish mackerel and a couple snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Spanish mackerel, a few over-slot redfish, a few pompano and lots of little snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Spanish mackerel, a few mangrove snapper and sheepshead are biting. Some random tarpon are around and a few have been caught, but it's not quite tarpon time yet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No red tide reports here either. Some sheepshead, bonnethead and pompano have been caught from the beach. Spanish mackerel are possible both from shore or a boat. Small snook are around the rocks and docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Random patchy red tide, less than before. Mangrove snapper are out in the open in 30 to 35 feet. A few sheepshead and a few baby goliath grouper are around the phosphate docks and pilings.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Patchy red tide, but there have been some fish caught too: Spanish mackerel, sheepshead and snook. Lots of dead fish around also.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Patchy red tide, but also Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, redfish and a few snook moving thru. Baby grouper in 30 to 40 feet. Goliath grouper 60 to 300 pounds in the deep holes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Just like Captiva Pass, plus a few more bonnethead sharks. Drift or slow-troll for the Spanish. Baby red grouper in 30 to 40 feet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper out in the middle. Snook, whiting, redfish, pompano and bonnethead sharks from the beach.
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Walkin' the Gulf beaches,
from Sanibel
to Venice. Anywhere along the Gulf shoreline.
17th
street
Stump
Pass Park. "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Stump Pass and Boca Grande Pass are reporting Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, snook and jacks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Stump Pass has had a few pompano and small snook, both on the beach and Ski Alley sides. See Boca Grande report also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Boca Grande Pass has been producing redfish, whiting and sheepshead. However, a lot of places still have a whiff of red tide (but it's fading).
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports due to red tide.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — A bunch of trout, plus a few redfish and snook scattered around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — From the bridge, some legal snook and a lot of short ones. Also, lots of small mangrove snapper, small trout, and small sheepshead. Did I say small? There are bigger trout and redfish on the nearby flats and mangrove shorelines.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A few sheepshead and trout. Snook early in the morning.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Some snook and a few redfish; not bad, but not amazeballs. Could use more reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports.
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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
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Some trout and redfish, along with a few Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. Fish shrimp around the island shorelines.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — A few trout, plus redfish and snook action. However, we've had patchy red tide reports here too, so it's hit or miss.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Some trout, a few redfish and a few nice snook. Shrimp and spoons are doing it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Trout and a few Spanish mackerel. No reports of snook or redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Quite a few trout, plus a few redfish and snook. Expecting to hear Spanish mackerel reports also.
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Jug Creek
Shoal &
Bokeelia "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — A few anglers hunting bait, and finding only some.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A little bit of bait showing up, along with some trout and Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Trout, just trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Trout fishing is OK here. Plentiful puffers present.
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Burnt Store &
Two Pine "Fishin
report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Snook and redfish are along the bushes and might be on the flats or the bar. Random trout and ladyfish are on the flats and outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Lots of snook here, with several legal fish reported. Pompano are on top of the bar, long with some ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. Small baitfish are providing a feed for gamefish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — We're hearing snook and redfish along the mangroves, along with trout and bonnetheads on the open flats and on top of the bar. No red tide reports here for the last several days, but it's still possible.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Some snook and redfish reports. A little bit of red tide coming in with the tides.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Snook and redfish along the shoreline. Trout, pompano and possible flounder on top of the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Lots of small snook and a few redfish along the shoreline. A few trout and pompano on top of and outside the bar, plus possibly small permit mixed in with the pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Some pompano on the bar. Trout, bonnetheads on the grass. Around Two Pines, snook and redfish along the bushes.
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East Side
"keys"
"Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — It's been weird. Some anglers report doing well on trout, redfish and small snook. Others say it's been slow, but they're seeing fish. The determining factor is probably how stealthy you are.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Lots of trout, mostly small, on top of and outside the bar. Bonnetheads are in the same area, plus on the open flats. Snook and redfish are scattered around the islands. Not many keepers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Bonnetheads and small trout. Baby cobia have also been seen. Smaller snook and redfish are scattered around the islands. Good manatee viewing here this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — South of Pirate Harbor, not a lot. To the north, some trout, a few snook and some redfish in the backcountry, plus some trout and bonnethead sharks on the flats. A few short cobia have been seen and caught, but nothing close to keeper size.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Fair trout reports, and some bonnetheads just north of Pirate Harbor. Baby cobia cruising the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Some trout and a couple snook around the entrance and channel at Pirate Harbor.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Lots of trout in Pirate Harbor, mostly small. Some trout, pompano, bonnetheads and short cobia all over the flats.
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Alligator Creek "Fishin
History"
Poachers
Cut
&
The
Skating
Rink
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — The creek has jacks and snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Some jacks and small snook in the creek itself, caught by anglers trolling lipped plugs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Jacks and snook in the creek, but not many keeper snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Alligator Creek has had jacks and lots of little snook, plus some smaller tarpon. Same in the Burnt Store Isles canals.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A few jacks and black drum, mostly in Burnt Store Isles.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Mostly lousy. A few big jacks in Alligator Creek and some small snook on the troll in the creek.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Overall quiet. A few snook and jacks in Burnt Store Meadows, and some little troutlets in Alligator Creek.
------------------------------------
Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — A few undersize snook. A few jacks. A couple black drum. Sheepshead have been seen under the docks and around the rocks, but not caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Snook, jacks and one black drum caught (but a lot more seen). Exceptionally mediocre fishing here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — A few jacks and (as usual) a few snook. Black drum are here but the bite is highly inconsistent. Shrimp are the best bait here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — A couple black drum and jacks, plus a few snook and some dinky mangrove snapper.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Jacks, a couple snook, some mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Jacks. Just jacks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports.
------------------------------------
P.G.I. canals &
Punta Gorda
"Fishin History
P.G.I. canals —
Elizabeth Park
Barge Canal
— P.G. Nature Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Some big jacks and legal snook, plus a few black drum and mangrove snapper. Small tarpon might be rolling anywhere. Shrimp are the hot bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — A whole lot of snook, both shorts and keepers. Most legal fish have been taken on shrimp. Jacks are cruising through and hitting whatever. Tarpon are rolling and black drum are passing by, but they have not been easy to hook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Jacks are reasonably abundant. Lots of black drum and juvenile tarpon seen but not hooked. Small mangrove snapper are scattered all over. There are lots of small snook plus more than a few keepers around. As with the other spots, live shrimp are the choice bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — The highlight for this week. Lots of snook around docks and under boats. Lots of jacks up to 18 pounds, caught trolling, still-fishing, drifting and any method you want to use. Still not catching the black drum, although they're definitely in there. Few sheepshead reports lately.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Lots of little snook and a couple bigger ones. Black drum are showing and sounding but hard to catch still. The real story is big jacks, with lots of 10- to 15-pounders. Big offshore-style poppers are catching those jacks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Plentiful small snook plus some larger ones. Jacks up to 15 pounds blowing up on mullet. Mangrove snapper are around but sheepshead have vanished. Spadefish and juvenile tarpon are possible.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Lots of snook. Sheepshead up to about 15 inches. Smaller mangrove snapper. Jacks in the 5- to 8-pound range, plus a few larger ones. Juvenile tarpon frustrating people. Black drum visible but not really biting.
------------------------------------
Gilchrist Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Closed due to hurricane damage.
------------------------------------
Alligator Creek Reef
AKA Concrete
Reef, 1 Mile Reef,
Charlotte Harbor Reef, 41 Bridge Reef
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — A few sheepshead, mostly short. Several small goliath grouper. A couple short cobia. Some Spanish mackerel on trolled spoons, but it's not gangbusters by any means.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — A few small snapper, but nothing worth getting excited over.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel, plus some barely legal sheepshead. The water clarity is good, the fishing is exceptionally mediocre.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — A couple Spanish mackerel and sheepshead, plus some minimal keeper mangroves.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — A couple sheepshead, a few mangrove snapper, random Spanish mackerel, a couple 20-inch cobia.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Some spadefish, a couple sheepshead, short cobia and aquarium-size goliath grouper (aka jewfish).
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Some short cobia. A couple Spanish mackerel, expecting a lot more. No sheepshead or snapper reports.
------------------------------------
Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Zero, nothing, nada.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — A few Spanish mackeral, but not much.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel caught trolling.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/07/2023 — Quiet until March/April.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baitfish
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — Tough to find. Some around Marker 2, some around Bokeelia, overall very inconsistent. There are lots of small schools of bait scattered all over the Harbor, but it's probably not nettable and probably not whitebait anyhow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Few and small.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — Small whitebait is scattered all over, but there's not much big enough to net. If you must, Marker 2 is your most realistic shot.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Scattered whitebait around the Harbor, pushed in due to red tide. Size is very inconsistent, so think twice (and then one more time) before throwing a net on anything.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Small bait around Cape Haze Reef, not nettable. Some fishing-size bait around Bokeelia. In the Gulf, there are some Spanish sardines, blue runners and some pinfish around reefs and ledges in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — A few have been showing up. It's not enough to net inshore. In the Gulf, we're starting to see cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, blue runners and some pinfish around reefs and ledges in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — Not yet.
------------------------------------
Freshwater canals, creeks, ponds and lakes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — The bass are doing really well, with lots of 2- to 3-pounders this week. Shiners are choice still, but many artificials might work too. Crappie are biting on minnows in the canals.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — Bass are crushing shiners. Bluegills have been picking up locally and on Lake June. Lake June has also been producing good numbers of crappie.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — The bass bite is great with the fish being post-spawn hungry. Everglades fishing is amazing as the water dry up, forcing the fish into smaller areas and more competition.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Crappie are still OK on minnows, but anglers are also getting bluegills, tilapia and small bass on those minnows as the crappie bite slows down. Bass fishing reports are mixed but OK locally. Everglades anglers are getting loads of oscars, Mayan cichlids and tilapia.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — The tilapia have been hungry this week, eating worms. Some bluegills on worms too. Crappie on minnows and Beetle Spins. Largemouth bass are hitting everything: Plastic worms, artificial lizards and frogs, live shiners.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/11/2023 — Some crappie activity went on with the full moon. However, crappie minnows have been tough to get. You can net grass shrimp. Lots of bass in the 1- to 4-pound range, mostly on shiners. Oscars, Mayan cichlids and bowfin in the canals south of Naples.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — A lot of crappie, hopscotched everywhere. Wigglers are catching bluegills, tilapia, Mayan cichlids and the occasional bullhead catfish. Lots of 1- to 3-pound bass hitting shiners as they prepare to spawn.
------------------------------------
Tarpon reports 
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/25/2023 — A few random fish have been caught, but we have nothing consistent. However, now is the time to get your tarpon tackle before the rush, because it won't be long at all.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/18/2023 — A lot of fish have been seen in the canals and river mouths, and there are scattered fish as far as Boca Grande Pass. But very few have been willing to bite. That will probably change in a week or two, but right now it's tough going.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/11/2023 — A slow bite has gotten slower. Let's not jump the gun, OK?
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/04/2023 — Resident fish in the rivers are starting to feed a bit. It's not on yet, but if you have more patience than brains you can try it.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/28/2023 — No direct reports, but the fish are probably still in the Pass. Give it a shot midweek if you have a chance.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/21/2023 — It's not spring yet, but we've had a dozen or so reports in the last 10 days from Boca Grande Pass. All caught drifting with live shrimp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/17/2022 — Sorry, folks — tarpon are pretty much done until spring.
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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
Punta Rassa / Sanibel Island..\/ St.James City "Fishin History"
