This report is usually (but not always!) updated on Saturday around noon.
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Place-by-place Fishin' Report Here it is — SCROLL down
This report is usually (but
not always!) updated on Saturday 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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Peace River Harbor Heights & upriver along with Shell Creek "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A few people fishing, nothing worth reporting.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Lots of gar and also some rolling tarpon. Mayan cichlids and small snook are in Shell Creek.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Pretty slow, but there have been a few redfish under the bushes. Try frozen shrimp or cut fish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Some bull sharks in the 2- to 4-foot range. Juvenile tarpon have been rolling but not really biting anything.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Lots of fish will be moving around, mostly gar and tarpon. The snook should be leaving as the river becomes fresher.
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Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Some Mayan cichlids, a few juvenile tarpon, and a couple small snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — A few snook here, both around the ramp and the bridge pilings. Small bull sharks are here as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — A few black drum and some smaller snook.
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US 41 bridges - ..... "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Quiet. Some tarpon seen.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Slow, but there have been some ladyfish and a few tarpon of mixed sizes. Very small snook and itty-bitty mangrove snapper are also around.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Slow. Small mangrove snapper and some peanut snook. Bait is around and the birds have been busy; a few sporadic tarpon in the bait but not much.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — A few tarpon around, eating ladyfish when they're available.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Reports are quiet this week, although a lot of people have been fishing here. A few jacks around, some short cobia, a couple black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — There are juvenile tarpon around in the mornings and evenings and also a few snook reports. Jacks have been off and on chasing baitfish around.
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Laishley Seawall (pier currently closed due to hurricane damage) "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — One report: A couple mangrove snapper, a small trout, and a baby bull shark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Small snook on chunks of frozen ladyfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — 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 09/26/2025 — Some small snook at night, along with a couple black drum. Some small tarpon seen but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Catfish, Mayan cichlids and a few black drum. Small tarpon have been spotted but not caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — A couple catfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — A few black drum and some itty-bitty mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Catfish and small mangrove snapper. Juvie tarpon seen rolling, black drum around but not feeding much.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Mangrove snapper, lots of catfish (both species), lots of small tarpon to see and a few have been hooked (try whitebait or a soft plastic shad along the shadow line at night).
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Nothing but catfish.
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Port Charlotte canals salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Pretty quiet, other than lots of sand bream (striped mojarra) around the docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A few black drum (singles, no schools). Lots of juvie tarpon around but hard to catch. Small snook, sand bream (striped mojarra) and some Mayan cichlids.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Lots of little snook, some big black drum, sand bream, and juvenile tarpon scattered all over.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Black drum schools and singles. Lots of little snook. Juvenile tarpon are easy to see but hard to catch. Sand bream should be around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Lots of juvenile tarpon seen and a few hooked; try a Storm Twitch Stick. Black drum are taking shrimp or crabs (frozen is fine). A few small snook are also around. The water's pretty dark in the canal system.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — It's been decent. We're seeing black drum, snook, lots of catfish, a few mangrove snapper, and some stingrays.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Lots of smaller snook and quite a few black drum. People are seeing and actually hooking juvenile tarpon. Try small shrimp, live shiners, MirrOdines or small soft plastics.
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El Jobean Bridge (pier currently closed due to fire & hurricane damage) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Snook and tarpon at night. Most of the tarpon are little, but a few adults are around. Big swimbaits and bucktails are working.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Tarpon all night from 10 to dawn. Snook are OK, with lots of small ones but a few bigger. Black drum and mangrove snapper are also biting. The cops have been more adamant about asking people to leave this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Lots of juvenile tarpon mornings and evenings. Snook and small mangrove snapper are around the pilings.
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Myakka River area (from the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Juvenile tarpon around the bridge early in the morning. Scattered ladyfish and Spanish mackerel all through the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A few Spanish mackerel, schooling ladyfish, and tarpon eating both.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Schooling ladyfish with a few big (20- to 24-inch) Spanish mackerel mixed in. Random tarpon scattered throughout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Mayan cichlids around the docks on worms or minnows.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Mayan cichlid off the docks on live minnows.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Josh saw lots of fish on an underwater light: Snook, tarpon, mangrove snapper and Mayan cichlids.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — There are redfish under the bushes, but most are small. Some snook there too. Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, tarpon and sharks (3 to 6 feet) outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Redfish and some small snook along the bushes. Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and sharks up to about 6 feet outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Some redfish reports, but there could be more. A few snook. Lots of ladyfish, with a handful of Spanish mackerel and a few sharks on top of the bar. Tarpon outside the bar in 10 to 15 feet of water.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Quite a few redfish under the bushes. No schools here but they may be in groups. Small snook are under the trees too. Pompano and ladyfish on top of the bar. Schooling ladyfish and Spanish mackerel outside the bar in 6 to 10 feet, with sharks of random size (2 to 6 feet) chasing them. Might see some tarpon outside the bar also; use DOA Bait Busters if the sharks keep taking your ladyfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Tarpon outside the bar (as shallow as 5 feet) to the 20-foot holes. Don't bother with ladyfish unless you want bull, blacknose and sharpnose sharks to take them 7 out of 11 times; DOA Bait Busters and big NLBN baits are working fine. Snook and redfish are under the mangroves taking any cut bait you want to try (shrimp, crabs, fish). A lot of the fish are way under the bushes, so be patient with keeping your bait in one spot for a while.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Redfish are in the creek mouths and under shady bushes, eating shrimp, cut ladyfish, spoons and soft plastics.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — One report of redfish and a few snook under the bushes.
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Cape Haze Bar "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — A few pompano have been skipped here. There are also ladyfish and Spanish mackerel in the area. Trout were feeding here before the heavy rains, but reports have been slow the last few days.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Some sharks, some ladyfish, a couple pompano, and a few Spanish mackerel. Fish on top or on the edges.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Some ladyfish and a few trout on top of the bar and along the edges.
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Turtle Bay & Bull Bay "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Lot of redfish, including a school that's been around the bar, but you'll probably have better luck around the mangroves. Pinfish (live or cut) are the choice bait, or try cut ladyfish or mullet. There are also some snook under the trees. Expect small mangrove snapper too. A few small sharks and a lot of small trout are on the open flats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A lot of redfish scattered under the bushes. There's one school in Turtle Bay also. Lots of trout scattered around, mostly small but a few good keepers. Bigger fish have been taking pinfish or shrimp under a float. Some peanut snook in here too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Redfish scattered throughout, mostly under the bushes but also some schools of up to 100 fish reported. Some snook are in here too, but the average size is about 20 to 24 inches. Small trout reported as well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Scattered redfish. There's been a small school of reds (30ish fish) in Turtle Bay, and there are probably some around the Turtle Bay bar. Small snook and small to medium sharks are scattered around the bays. Small snapper are taking all your shrimp or whitebait, so try pinfish instead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — A few redfish under the mangroves, and some smaller trout around Gallagher Cut.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Just one report: Redfish just west of Gallagher Cut along the mangroves, plus uncooperative juvenile tarpon in the wayback.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Redfish and snook around the mangroves and oysters. A few dinky trout.
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Cape Haze Reef & Danger Reef "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Both spots are quiet for bottom fishing, but in the general area there are ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and some sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Some Spanish mackerel and ladyfish in the area. One small snapper on Cape Haze Reef.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — A couple Spanish mackerel up top and some small mangrove snapper down below.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — A few Spanish mackerel and ladyfish in the area of the reefs, plus a few sharks and tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — A bunch of sharks (blacknose, sharpnose, hammerhead, bull), random Spanish mackerel, schools of bait (threadfins and Atlantic bumper).
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Random Spanish mackerel.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — The outside of the channel in 4 to 7 feet has ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. In shallower water, there are redfish, snook and even some big trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A lot of redfish under the mangroves, plus at least one school bouncing between Devilfish Key and the trestles. Trout, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel are in 4 to 6 feet of water. A few tarpon of mixed sizes are in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Schools of redfish all around, from Devilfish to Placida, plus more under the bushes along with snook. Redfish and better trout are around Three Sisters in deeper water, plus a few tarpon from 10 to 100 pounds.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Redfish are schooling around Three Sisters, Sandfly and Cayo Pelau. Snook are under the trees. Random jacks, mackerel and ladyfish are out in the open water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Lots of reports here. Three Sisters, Sandfly and Devilfish have been producing trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and assorted sharks, plus a few bigger tarpon. Smaller tarpon are up on the flats. Redfish and dinky snook are under the mangroves. Baits have run the gamut, because everybody uses their favorites and a lot of people are catching fish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Trout, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel in 6 to 8 feet. An assortment of sharks in the same general area. Redfish and snook around the mangroves, with one big red reported on Sandfly Key.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and trout in 6 to 8 feet, plus a few random tarpon. Baby tarpon are on the shallower flats, as skinny as 2 feet. Redfish and snook around the trees.
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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 09/26/2025 — A 37-inch snook was reported at the Coral Creek Pier. The trestle also has snook, plus some mangrove snapper and a few sheepshead starting to creep in. Pompano, Spanish mackerel and big tarpon have been around the pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Mangrove snapper at the trestles. Pompano, redfish, sharks and Spanish mackerel are in the area too, and under the bridges and docks nearby.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — The trestles are producing small mangrove snapper and a few snook. Spanish mackerel and pompano are also in the area. A handful of sharks have also been reported.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — The trestle has had good snook early or late in the day, with lots of fish up to about 30 inches and a few over. Small mangrove snapper and occasional pompano too. Smaller sharks are cruising around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Snook, redfish, and a lot of tarpon over the full moon. Assorted sharks and Spanish mackerel have been in the pass area. Whiting and some small mangrove snapper have been around the party bar and trestle.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Tarpon are in the pass and around the channel and trestle. Pompano around the bridge pilings, along with small lane and mangrove snapper. A few sharks have been in the area.
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Stump Pass — Milton Pass — Lemon Bay Park — Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — A couple redfish schools are in the Miserable Mile on the flats. A few reds are also under the docks, alongside snook and mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A couple redfish schools have been reported; one in the Miserable Mile and one just north of Ski Alley. There are also reds under docks and around the mangroves.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Some schools of redfish, plus a bunch of singles in the Miserable Mile.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Lots of good redfish reports, plus a few snook. The reds are from 17 to 35 inches, mostly singles around docks, mangroves and open sandholes. Lots of small trout, plus a handful of bigger ones.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Some trout near the Indian Mound boat ramp. Snook, mangrove snapper and a few redfish under the docks and along the shorelines.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — 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 09/26/2025 — Spanish mackerel off the beaches (1 to 5 miles). A few kingfish have been caught from 5 to 20 miles out, but the better reports are north of us (Tampa Bay). Lane, mangrove and yellowtail snapper in 70ish feet of water. Legal red grouper in 100 feet of water; bigger ones are in 140 to 160 feet. Amberjack are now closed.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — At 3 to 10 miles, anglers have reported Spanish mackerel up top, plus mangrove snapper, grunts and porgies on the bottom. Big lane, mangrove and yellowtail have been at 20 to 30 miles.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Weather has kept most boats in. There are red grouper at 30 miles, and a mixed bag of snapper at about 25 miles.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — It's been weird. Mangrove and lane snapper are in 60 to 90 feet, plus a few yellowtail. Anglers targeting red grouper haven't done much due to storms keeping them in. Some mahi up to 20 inches at the Schoolbus, and more around the Boxcars. Red snapper reopens Sept. 1 for recreational boats only.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Thunderstorms have made reports sparse. Red grouper, red snapper, and yellowtails reported in 155 feet off Stump Pass. The area around the Pegasus, Mohawk and Captiva Blue Hole has been producing nice yellowtail, barracuda, bonita and random smaller bottom fish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Barracuda, grunts, small snapper and jewfish at the Palm Island Ferry. Yellowtail and mangrove snappers plus short red grouper have been caught in 135 feet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Weather has been crappy. One report of short red grouper plus mangrove, yellowtail and red snapper from 160 feet. The School Bus Reef has mangroves, yellowtails, barracuda and sharks.
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Venice Jetties and Venice Pier (North Jetty is open, South Jetty is closed; pier is partially open)
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Some Spanish mackerel from the pier and a few from the north jetty. The jetty also has whiting, snook at night, and the occasional pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports at the pier, but the jetties have mackerel, whiting, pompano, a few random tarpon. Lots of nocturnal snook on big dead baits or bucktail jigs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Lots of snook and Spanish mackerel at the jetties. Also some pompano, whiting and ladyfish. The pier has been quiet.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Quiet. Nothing from the pier. Snook, pompano, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish from the jetties, but there haven't been many reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — The jetties have snook at night, or tarpon 24 hours a day. Some mangrove snapper, pompano and whiting have also been reported.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — It's been snooky at the jetties, with fish caught both day and night. Fiddler crabs are catching some. Pompano and Spanish mackerel have been caught from the Venice Pier, and tarpon have been seen in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Spanish mackerel all over. There are lots of snook at the jetties, with live or cut baits better than artificials.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Redfish are all over the place, up to Redfish Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Redfish have been schooling from here to Redfish Pass, with lots of big ones under the docks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Redfish and some snook; also some trout on the shallows nearby.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Redfish from Punta Rassa to Redfish Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Schooling redfish from here to Punta Rassa, plus a few snook reported.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Lots of little snook and some big redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Snook on live threadies or pinfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Lots of snook and a few trout.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Snook, redfish and trout in the area of the pass. The trout are on both the inside and outside edges, but you may need patience to time the bite right.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Tarpon, sharks, Spanish mackerel and trout in the general area, on both the Gulf and ICW side.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Some snook and Spanish mackerel, plus trout on the inshore side. Tarpon have been seen but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Tarpon are in and around the pass, along with a few bull and lemon sharks. Spanish mackerel are in if there's bait, and there are trout just inside in the ICW.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Snook in the channel, mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel too. Tarpon have been moving in and out.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Lots of snook, fair numbers of tarpon, a few small mangrove snapper, and a couple blacknose sharks.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — A few pompano caught from the rocks and at the broken-down pier. Snook have been spotted cruising the surf. Bonnethead sharks and Spanish mackerel have also been at the beach. Robert's crystal ball says there should be mangrove snapper in 30 feet of water and Spanish mackerel all through the pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Some Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. There are juvenile tarpon around the phosphate docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Some tarpon (juvies and adults). There should be mangrove snapper around the phosphate dock and just north of Cayo Costa.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Pretty quiet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Captiva Rocks has had trout and spadefish. There are a few pompano and redfish on the beach at Cayo Costa. A few tarpon are here, because they're always here.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — There are still tarpon here, despite the "official" season being over. Crabs and threadfins are both catching fish. Some pompano on the north side of the channel, and mangrove snapper in the middle and on the south side near Cayo Costa.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Lots of tarpon reports, with crabs still the bait of choice. Spanish mackerel schools are in and out.
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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 09/26/2025 — Boca Grande: A few pompano caught from the rocks and at the broken-down pier. Snook have been spotted cruising the surf. Bonnethead sharks and Spanish mackerel have also been at the beach. Blind Pass: Trout, redfish and snook on the back side (at the kayak launches), plus snook, whiting and Spanish mackerel in the surf. Tarpon and jacks are also cruising the beach early in the day.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Spanish mackerel, whiting, pompano, and a whole lot of snook and bonnethead sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Blind Pass Beach State Park (Middle Beach) has had whiting, jacks, snook, pompano and a few sharklets.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Sanibel and Blind Pass (Middle Beach) had whiting, pompano and small snook. You can pretty much expect to see snook out there, but they may be hard to catch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Captiva has whiting, snook and a few trout. Blind Pass Park has snook, trout, whiting and small bonnethead sharks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Boca Grande has been producing whiting, snook, redfish and trout. Blind Pass in Englewood has all of those plus Spanish mackerel and some blue runners.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — The snook are abundant on most beaches. Whiting and jacks are around, and there are pompano at Blind Pass.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Trout of various sizes on the flats. Small snook and a few redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Redfish scattered around here. Several sharks to 6 feet seen cruising the flats.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Redfish scattered all around the area, plus a few snook reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Some trout and a couple redfish, but not many reports here.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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Pine Island Sound
"Fishin History"
Rat and Cat keys,
Mondongo & Patricio
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Trout and Spanish mackerel in 4 to 6 feet. Snook and redfish around the trees. Some bigger snook have been sighted in here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Redfish and quite a few snook are scattered along the bushes. Trout and sharks have been around the deeper cuts and holes on the flats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Redfish schools and individuals on the shallow flats and around the trees. Small snook are under the trees also. Spanish mackerel and trout on the deeper flats.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Snook and redfish around the bushes, although you may have to look around to find them. Trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and sharks on the deeper grassflats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — South of Patricio, there are trout in 5 to 6 feet. Occasional ladyfish, tarpon and sharks are also showing up.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Trout in 6 to 8 feet of water. A few redfish east of Useppa and down around St James City.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — There are trout, Spanish mackerel, tarpon and mixed sizes of sharks in 6 to 8 feet.
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Jug Creek Shoal & Bokeelia "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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Burnt Store & Two Pines "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Schooling redfish inside the bar, plus lots of singles around the mangroves. A few snook under the trees too. Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and some big tarpon outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — A big school of redfish is moving around inside the bar, and there are single reds under the bushes. Pompano and ladyfish on top of the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — A school of redfish cruising inside the bar; best bet would be very early or very late in the day. Ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, tarpon and sharks on the outside of the bar.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Lots of redfish. One school is just getting started on top of the bar. Ladyfish and a few tarpon outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Some redfish and a few snook under the bushes. Sporadic tarpon reports outside the bar.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — A few little snook and some redfish along the shorelines. Trout and ladyfish outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Some redfish.
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East Side "keys" "Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Only one report: Some trout and a few redfish just north of Pirate Harbor on Lil Johns and Marsh Minnows.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Lots of redfish under the bushes, and some small snook. Bonnetheads and random smaller sharks are on the bar. Sporadic larger tarpon outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Miscellaneous redfish and a lot of snook, plus some juvie tarpon in Pirate Harbor.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Lots of small snook and a scattering of redfish. Small tarpon on the bar and in the Pirate Harbor canals; some have been caught on shrimp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Redfish and some small snook outside on the flats. Juvenile tarpon in the canals, taking whitebait, pinfish and cutbait.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Some redfish around Pirate Harbor in the mangroves, and some bonnethead sharks on the flats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Redfish scattered around the islands, plus a few random snook.
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Alligator Creek "Fishin
History"
Poachers
Cut
&
The
Skating
Rink
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — People are fish, but not much to report.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Small snapper and catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Baby mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Baby mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Small 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 09/26/2025 — Sand bream, small mangrove snapper and a couple spadefish from the docks. Snook and black drum are scattered throughout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Lots of small snook and juvenile tarpon. Single black drum are scattered all over.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Small snook from the docks and trolling. A few jacks and juvenile tarpon around the canals. Most of the black drum schools have broken up, but there are still lots of fish in the canals.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Lots of smaller snook and big black drum. Juvenile tarpon are around but inconsistent. A few sheepshead and small mangrove snapper around the docks. Spadefish have also been moving through.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Juvenile tarpon, lots of little snook, seeing a lot of black drum, and quite a few Mayan cichlids under the docks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Still lots of black drum and small snook. Baby tarpon are around but not feeding much. A few residents are reporting lots of spadefish around their docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Black drum. Juvenile tarpon have been willing to take whitebait and occasionally soft plastics.
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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 09/26/2025 — Tarpon have been spotted but not hooked. Otherwise very slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Some Spanish mackerel reports, along with sporadic adult tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Random tarpon, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel, but snapper fishermen have come up empty.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — People have been fishing but not catching.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Lots of spadefish reports. Tarpon are in the area, especially in the afternoons. A few Spanish mackerel caught on trolled spoons.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — The outer edges of the holes (in 10 to 15 feet of water) have been holding ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. Tarpon and sharks are in the mix.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — The general middle of the Harbor has been holding tarpon, sharks, ladyfish and some Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Some tarpon, Spanish mackerel and sharks in the general middle of the Harbor.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Tarpon, catfish, sharks of mixed sizes, catfish, some Spanish mackerel, catfish, a few ladyfish, and some catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Tarpon and sharks, in and generally around the holes. Giant sailcats can be expected too.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — No reports.
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Baitfish - Whitebait, but also threadies, pinfish, sardines, etc
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — Some whitebait around Jug Creek and Devilfish, and most of it is smaller. Threadies are inconsistent and scattered. Pinfish are on all the grassflats. Random schools of bait offshore, but bottom bait (pinfish, squirrelfish) have been pretty slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Tough. Threadies are scattered around the Harbor. Pinfish and whitebait are around Devilfish, Placida and Pine Island Sound.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Scattered threadies all over the Harbor. Jug Creek and Devilfish have whitebait, but they're dying in livewells on the flats (too hot) or upper Harbor (too fresh). Lots of pinfish on grass all over Gasparilla Sound.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Jug Creek and Bokeelia have had smal whitebait and pinfish, but it's work. There are some threadies in the upper Harbor.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — Most whitebait reports are from Cabbage Key, Jug Creek and Devilfish. Threadies are off and on from the US 41 bridges to the passes. Pinfish are anywhere there's grass; most are under 3 inches.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Threadies are in the lower Harbor. Whitebait has pushed out some and there's not much at all in the upper Harbor; Devilfish and the ICW corridor have been holding some.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Markers #1 & #2, and Bokeelia Shoals and Devilfish Key are producing whitebait. The US 41 bridges have mostly threadies with some whitebait mixed in. A few bigger threadies have been reported out in the open Harbor. Pinfish are mostly small but abundant in grassy areas.
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Freshwater canals, creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, ditches, spillways & bathtubs "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — People are buying some shiners and minnows, but they are not reporting many fish caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids don't mind the heat. The overcast has perked up the bass and bluegills a bit, but the action is nowhere near as good as we were expecting.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids don't mind the heat. The overcast has perked up the bass and bluegills a bit, but the action is nowhere near as good as we were expecting.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — Live shiners are catching bass. Tilapia and Mayan cichlids are taking worms or small jigs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — It's hot and shiners are small. There are bass up to 3 pounds around culverts and flowing spillways. Mayan cichlids and tilapia reports are OK. Bluegills and crappie are just random bycatch.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — Small bass around the culvert pipes (better if they're flowing), mostly on shiners. Some bluegill, tilapia and Mayan cichlids.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Mayan cichlids and tilapia are all over, and active with this rain. Whole wigglers or chunks of nightcrawlers are working well.
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Tarpon reports 
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/26/2025 — The best areas are in the upper Harbor. There are fish off Whorehouse Point and from the mouth of the Myakka down along the west wall outside the bar. There have also been some around Alligator Creek Reef, the Pirate Harbor hole and between Burnt Store Marina and Two Pines. A few have been caught in Boca Grande and Redfish passes. Live ladyfish are by far the best bait, or try any large soft plastic (Robert is partial to the DOA Bait Buster).
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/18/2025 — The best spots have been the mouth of the Myakka River and the dropoff outside the west wall bar down to about the halfway point. There are also reasonable numbers of fish off the east wall bar, all through the middle of the Harbor, and in Boca Grande Pass. Anglers looking around the other passes and a mile or so off the beaches have reported some fish, but it's only so-so in those areas. Ladyfish are the top bait, but the sharks like them too. If you get frustrated with bite-offs, switch to DOA Bait Busters.
Robert & Capt. Josh 09/12/2025 — The best spots has been the mouth of the Myakka River and the dropoff outside the west wall bar down to about the halfway point. There are also reasonable numbers of fish off the east wall bar, all through the middle of the Harbor, and in Boca Grande Pass. Anglers looking around the other passes and a mile or so off the beaches have reported some fish, but it's only so-so in those areas.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/30/2025 — There are lots of fish out a mile or two off the beaches, and in the 20-foot holes. You've also got a realistic shot at tarpon along the west wall, around Bayshore Park, and between Burnt Store and Two Pines. This time of year, they might be anyplace else also. They'll take live or dead ladyfish, but the sharks usually get them first. DOA Bait Busters and other large swimbaits are probably a better choice.
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/14/2025 — There are lots of fish out a mile or two off the beaches, and in the 20-foot holes. You've also got a realistic shot at tarpon along the west wall, around Alligator Creek Reef, and between Burnt Store and Two Pines. This time of year, they might be anyplace else also. They'll take live or dead ladyfish, but the sharks usually get them first. DOA Bait Busters and other large swimbaits are probably a better choice.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 07/12/2025 — No changes that we have heard of, but the full moon might have changed things. Tune in next week to find out.
Robert & Capt. Josh 07/05/2025 — Carbon copy of last week.
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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
