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Place by place, Fishin Report
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Peace River Harbor Heights & upriver along with Shell Creek "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — More and more snook, but still mostly small. Redfish from 14 to 18 inches are relatively abundant, plus a couple in the low end of the slot. Please use inline circle hooks so we can release healthy fish. Juvenile tarpon are up around the creek. The water is getting clearer and we're seeing lots of Mayan cichlids around the docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A lot of little snook. Some undersize redfish and a few on the low end of the slot. Some Mayan cichlids. A few juvenile tarpon popping up to frustrate people.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A few small redfish and a couple slots have been under the docks, especially on the Punta Gorda side. Some small snook are heading up toward Shell Creek. Most of the docks up here have some mangrove snapper, sand brim and Mayan cichlids.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Nothing, zero, nada.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — A few snook around the creek, but lots of Mayan cichlids and tilapia.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Some snook, not huge numbers but enough to play with. Dock fishing is worthwhile, so are mangroves. Some smaller redfish up here too. Gangs of juvenile tarpon scattered throughout.
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Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A few short redfish near the ramp and bridge, and there are probably some black drum around too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A couple small snook and some black drum (on frozen blue crabs).
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — The nearby islands and docks have been producing redfish (mostly shorts but at least a couple keepers), some snook and enough mangrove snapper for dinner. They all like live shrimp.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Nothin.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Redfish at the ramp. Cast left along the edge. Should be some snook around also. No reports from the bridge.
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41 bridges - ..... Live Oak Point park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Some short trout, short snook and short bull sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Quiet. Some small snook at night, and we heard about a few trout and mangrove snapper. Baby bull sharks are around too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A bit quieter. Some snook at night. Glass minnows have been hanging out, and a few tarpon have been around to eat them (but no one hooked any).
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Some mangrove snapper, some short snook at night, and that's it.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — A few reports of mangrove snapper, and at least one keeper redfish. There are evening snook, but nothing big enough to keep.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Few reports. Some snook at night, possibly keepers if you take luck. Shrimp, pinfish and various lures have been working.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Some mangrove snapper and a few trout. Some snook around the pilings from 10p to 5a. Try a MirrOlure TTR-11 around sunrise.
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Laishley Pier "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — TV news reports indicate the pier might be closed for another 12 to 18 months.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Closed until further notice due to hurricane damage.
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Bayshore Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Some baby bull sharks and a short cobia reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some small bull sharks and the occasional trout, plus one short cobia reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports. Now is usually the time fishing picks up though.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of short snook and a few short trout, plus some short mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Some short snook at night. Small mangrove snapper under the pier. A few trout around the general area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Smaller mangrove snapper. A few snook in the evening and at dawn. A handful of trout, one short redfish, and a plethora of catfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Some nocturnal snook, some mangrove snapper, and at least one baby bull shark.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Lots of short snook. A few small trout and mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — A few snook, mostly shorts. A few small trout also. Jacks have been busting in the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Been pretty good. Lots of snook around. Trout sporadic, but should get better soon.
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Port Charlotte canals salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Mayan cichlids and sand bream are eating cut shrimp around the docks. Some snook, mostly shorts but a few bigger ones have been spotted around the lights. Some jack crevalle might be anywhere. Some keeper mangrove snapper and a bunch of shorts. We're seeing sheepshead but not hearing about many caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A lot of Mayan cichlids this week. Little snook are getting very active. A few juvie tarpon are there but not biting. A few jacks have been caught on the troll.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some keeper mangrove snapper in here, along with sand brim around the docks. Small snook, a few black drum, and the occasional jack. East Spring Lake has produced a few tarpon from 20 to 80 pounds; they're frustrating but keep throwing small soft plastics, big chunks of cutbait or live pinfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Random baby goliath grouper, a few snook of mixed sizes, lots of sand bream, mangrove snapper are starting to perk back up, and lots of baby tarpon rolling around.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — The jacks have been around. Small snook, decent sand bream and keeper mangrove snapper are around the docks. Small tarpon are rolling throughout the canals, but they've been more or less unhookable.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Plenty of catfish, if you're interested. Snook are popping around the area. Juvenile tarpon rolling but hard to hook. Several reports of sand bream, including some caught in the crab traps.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Some jacks have been busting small baitfish. Snook caught on the troll. Ladyfish near the canals mouths. Juvenile tarpon are rolling, not so much biting.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — A few mangrove snapper and sand bream. For the bream use small hooks and pieces of peeled shrimp. Lots of tilapia and Mayan cichlids.
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El Jobean Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Black drum are slower but there are a few. Some short trout here also. Lots of snook at night, including a few keepers. Mangrove snapper are mostly small but a few are big enough to harvest.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Some black drum both day and night. A lot of snook, but no reports of legal ones. Good numbers of mangrove snapper and a few trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Still quite a few black drum, but not as many as before, mostly eating blue crabs. Lots of nocturnal snook and juvenile tarpon. A couple sheepshead were caught, but it wasn't repeatable. A few decent keeper mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — This is a snook hotspot at night, mostly short but a few keepers. Swimbaits and shrimp are working well. Tarpon up to about 60 pounds are scattered around at night. A few larger black drum are under the bridge and pier, eating frozen blue crabs.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — A lot of short snook here too. Some juvenile tarpon seen but not hooked. Black drum are eating blue crabs on the bottom. No snapper or sheepshead reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Very slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Pretty quiet, probably due to all the rain. A few short snook, but no mangrove snapper reported.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Sporadic for most fish, but the snook bite late at night has been good. Cast parallel to the trestle with a large Crystal Minnow or Rapala X-Rap 10 size.
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Myakka River area (the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Small trout have been reported around Hog Island.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Trout are around the southwest side of Hog Island.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — A few small sharks around the marker. One redfish reported at Cattle Dock.
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South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Mayan cichlids and tilapia around the docks and bridges, mostly on worms.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some largemouth bass were reported near the boat ramp on live shiners.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids around the docks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Bluegill, tilapia and Mayan cichlids are eating worms around the docks.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
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The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — A whole lot of smaller snook under the shrubbery. Redfish are at the creek mouths taking shrimp and pinfish, and some will be keepers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A lot of redfish are under the bushes and they're moving around, so your hot spot from yesterday might suck today. A few snook are also under the trees. The trout outside the bar are still biting, but it's not like it was a couple weeks ago. The south end has had some ladyfish, and there might be a tarpon there to eat them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A lot of little snook, but also an assortment of redfish (mostly just under the slot, but a few keepers). Some trout are in 4-ish feet of water outside the bar south of the halfway point.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Snook and redfish under the bushes, eating shrimp, pinfish, cutbait, soft plastic paddletails, and MirrOdines. Trout are at the mouths of the bigger creeks and in 4 to 6 feet outside the bar. Pompano have skipped but not caught.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — One of the better spots overall. Redfish and snook under the bushes and in the creek mouths, taking shrimp, cut ladyfish, live pinfish or whitebait, and of course soft plastic lures. There are trout and ladyfish on top of and outside the bar. A few small bull sharks are around too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Redfish are under the bushes, and so are snook. Trout and ladyfish on the flats and at the bar edge. Spoons and soft plastics are working well for the trout and ladies, then chop up a ladyfish for redfish bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Scattered schools of ladyfish on top of the bar and out to about 8 feet of water, with lots of undersize trout mixed in. Redfish and snook under the bushes and in the creek mouths; reds are slot to oversize and the snook are all small. Fish cut ladyfish or pinfish for the redfish.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Mixed bag here. With so much fresh water coming down the rivers, bait is dying quickly. Use a bucket with an aerator. All the large creek mouths have small to medium redfish and some snook (mostly small, but bigger if you get up into the creeks).
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Cape Haze Bar "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Some small trout. A couple out-of-season flounder this week. Spanish mackerel on the deep edge (Boca Grande side). A handful of smaller sharks in the vicinity.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A couple bonnethead sharks, a few bluefish, a bunch of lizardfish, and one pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A couple trout and bonnetheads — and of course Flipper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — No reports this week.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Some ladyfish along with an occasional Spanish mackerel. A few bonnetheads sharks here also. One angler reported skipping some pompano but then couldn't find them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Some trout on the bar, and dolphins being aggressive about wanting to share.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Lots of scattered ladyfish and some small trout, both on top of the bar and out to about 8 feet deep. They're pounding small baitfish fry.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Trout, some Spanish mackerel, quite a few smaller sharks. There are usually some flounder showing up here this time of year.
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Turtle Bay & Bull Bay "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of smaller snook and redfish, plus a few reds to keep. Bigger snook have been spotted but not caught. Lots of trout, mostly shorts. There are bull and lemon sharks in the 3- to 5-foot range, plus a handful of bonnetheads.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — One of the best spots in the area. Redfish of assorted sizes from dinks up to about 25 inches are under the bushes and around the oyster bars. Bigger fish have been taking cut sardines, ladyfish or mullet. A lot of snook are around, mostly smaller ones. A lot of trout scattered around the flats. Mixed sharks (bulls, lemons, blacktips, etc) are more abundant than expected.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A lot of trout of assorted sizes scattered around the area. Quite a few snook and redfish are under the bushes, and there may be a few around the oyster bars too. Lots of lizardfish around too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Redfish and snook under the bushes and around the oyster bars. A few trout and a couple small sharks reported also.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — One of the better spots overall. Redfish and snook under the bushes and in the creek mouths, taking shrimp, cut ladyfish, live pinfish or whitebait, and of course soft plastic lures. There are trout and ladyfish around the grass. A handful of larger sharks (lemons, maybe) around the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Snook and redfish under the bushes, mostly on cutbait but also shrimp or pinfish. Trout are scattered all around the bays. Sharks up to about 6 feet have been seen in random areas. Big schools of mullet have been in the area as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Scattered redfish and snook on the oysters and under the bushes. Live pinfish, cut ladyfish, live shrimp, soft plastics and spoons are all catching fish.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Trout are good in Turtle. Drift with a tandem soft plastic jig, bouncing it along. At the mouth, we're seeing some jacks and trout.
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Cape Haze Reef & Danger Reef "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A couple Spanish mackerel and that's it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A couple Spanish mackerel and that's it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Some mangrove snapper reported on the bottom.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — A few Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper, but not many and not big.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Some ladyfish and a couple Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of trout, mostly short, from Three Sisters to Whidden Bay. Some keeper redfish in the 25- to 28-inch range, plus some shorts. A lot of little snook and very few slots around the mangroves. Sheepshead are around the mangroves and oyster patches. And of course there are lizardfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Spanish mackerel and trout are in 3 to 6 feet of water over grass or sand. Lots of smaller snook and assorted sizes of redfish along the shorelines. Sheepshead are scattered around the area. Lots of lizardfish as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Trout in 4 to 8 feet of water, along with Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and a bunch of sharks in the 2- to 3-foot range. Some tarpon were spotted rolling around the clam leases. The mangroves are holding snook, redfish and the random sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Pretty fishy here. Snook and redfish are under the bushes. All the previously mentioned baits are working, but so are topwaters. Some sheepshead are around the oysters and mangroves. Trout and ladyfish are in open areas in 3 to 5 feet. A few Spanish mackerel are out toward the ICW channel in 6 to 8 feet.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — A good variety here. One of the better spots overall. Redfish and snook under the bushes and in the creek mouths, taking shrimp, cut ladyfish, live pinfish or whitebait, and of course soft plastic lures. Lots of trout, including some good keepers, in 2 to 6 feet of water near grass. Spanish mackerel are spotty, following the bait around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Whidden Bay and Three Sisters have plenty of trout in 3 to 6 feet, along with some ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. Redfish and snook along the shorelines, mostly under the trees.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — A few blacktip and bonnethead sharks, plus a lemon if you're lucky. Trout are small but plentiful. Lots of ladyfish. Jumbo snook up to 40 inches have been caught this week, but also a bunch of little ones. Redfish under the mangroves.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Trout, ladyfish, a few jacks, mangrove snapper and a little bit of everything else. Redfish and snook are good around the mangroves. Lots of fish around, but long casts are mandatory.
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Placida
"Fishin History"
Placida Pier
—
Placida
Trestle
—
Coral Creek Pier
—
Gasparilla Pass
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of sheepshead stacking up. Quite a few dinky mangrove snapper. Some snook at night from the pier, mostly short but a couple are just big enough to keep. Lots of baby gags in the 6- to 10-inch range.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Some sharks from the piers. A few trout from the piers. Some little snook scattered around. A few sheepshead from various points on the trestle.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Snook are decent at night. Daytime anglers have caught mangrove snapper, a couple bonnethead sharks and inconsistent sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — A few sheepshead are starting to show up but aren't consistent yet. You can use fiddler crabs but shrimp are great. Mangrove snapper are popping up, along with mostly undersize snook.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel around bait. Short snook at night around the pier and bridges. A few sheepshead in the area, but it's not on fire by any means. Some smaller mangrove snapper. Redfish reports around the trestle.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Some snook, some redfish action after dark, and a handful of trout. A few mangrove snapper at the trestle.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Mangrove snapper at the trestle, along with some whiting and Spanish mackerel. There are also Spanish at the pass.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Sharks out by the trestle, but few other reports.
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Stump Pass — Lemon Bay Park — Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Stump Pass has had Spanish mackerel, jacks and whiting. The whole bay is shot full of short trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A lot of small snook scattered around the area, plus a handful of trout and a couple redfish. Shrimp and whitebait have been catching everything.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some trout and a lot of lizardfish, plus some baby gags.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Indian Mound has had some trout, a few snook, and some mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Few reports, but we did head about a few trout in the Stump Pass area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
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Englewood Anger Pier
(next to Tom
Adams bridge) "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A couple legal sheepshead reported, plus a few trout and some very short snook at night.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some snook at night and a couple sheepshead during the day. Random bonnethead sharks too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Some snook at night, a few small mangrove snapper and some random sheepshead.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Closed.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Closed.
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Gulf of Mexico bottom
fishin' & trolling
Reefs & Wrecks
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — From the beach out to 15 miles, we're seeing Spanish mackerel. Some smaller kingfish up to 30 inches are mixed with them and have been caught trolling or drifting. Grunts, porgies, lane snapper and mangrove snapper are in about 40 to 80 feet. The nearshore reefs have had quite a few sheepshead caught on shrimp. A few out-of-season flounder have been caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Spanish mackerel and a random smattering of kingfish from the shoreline out to about 20 miles. Mangrove, lane and a few yellowtail snapper from 15 to 25 miles out. Barracuda are on all the reefs and wrecks. A blackfin tuna was caught on a freelined bait near the Mohawk.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Spanish mackerel and kingfish are from the passes out to about 8 miles. Bottom fishing has been netting lots of lane snapper along with a few mangroves plus grunts and porgies from 8 to 25 miles. A few cobia have been spotted but not caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — It's been a bit too windy for most folks. We can expect Spanish and king mackerel from the passes out to about 25 miles, and a mixed bag of lane and mangrove snapper in about 60 feet.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Spanish mackerel from the beaches out to about 15 miles and a few kingfish from 10 to 25 miles. Random bonita schools have been reported too. Lane and mangrove snapper plus good grunts and porgies are at about 15 miles. A few tripletail have been reported around the stone crab trap floats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Weather has kept most boats in, but we heard about some bonita and Spanish mackerel around the School Bus reef. We also heard a few mangrove and yellowtail snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Some nice lane snapper and grunts 25 miles out of Boca Grande, and there are Spanish mackerel around the passes. But wind has let a lot of boats in.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Bonita are schooling out a few miles off the beach. Try to cast to the edges of schools with small lures (pompano jigs, small Kastmaster-type spoons). Blackfin may be under the bonita; let the lure sink if you want one. Nearshore reefs producing snapper and grunts, along with short grouper. Better fish at 80 feet; even better at 120. Red snapper are in at least 100 feet, and be ready to move around to less-used spots. Gags are deep also.
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Venice Jetties and Venice Pier
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots and lots of snook at night, including some slot fish. Sheepshead on the rocks. Spanish mackerel and small kingfish from the pier. Good numbers of sharks all around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — According to officials, we can expect repairs on the south jetty to happen sometime in February or March. The north jetty has had Spanish mackerel and ladyfish, plus some snook at night. A few mangrove snapper and sheepshead are around but small. The pier report has been a few Spanish mackerel and the mafia at the end fishing for sharks and kingfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — The pier has had a lot of Spanish mackerel and some random kingfish. The Nokomis (north) jetty has had pompano, Spanish mackerel, whiting and some snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Spanish mackerel are at both. The north jetty has some snook and sheepshead.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — The south jetty is still closed. The pier has produced Spanish mackerel, some pompano, and a few kingfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel and ladyfish in the afternoon, and some smaller snook after dark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — The north jetty area has had pompano, whiting, jacks and small snook.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Some Spanish mackerel and a couple random sheepshead.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Nope.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Small snook, whiting, Spanish mackerel, and a few sharks (bulls, lemons).
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, some short gag, and some blacknose and/or sharpnose sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper, and some snook still hanging out around the beach.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Some Spanish mackerel and snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, a few tarpon (and even a couple hooked), sheepshead around the pilings and hard bottom patches.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A couple sheepshead and mangrove snapper from the rocks at the beach. A few Spanish mackerel and bluefish out along the dropoff. Tarpon are in the Pass in targetable numbers, but are down deep and not rolling. Try a larger shrimp, a pinfish or a threadfin dropped down to them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, a few baby gag and red grouper, random tarpon both on the bottom machines and free-jumping, a few small sharks, and a couple kingfish in the channel heading out.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Spanish mackerel, some ladyfish, and at least one free-jumping kingfish plus another hooked. We're also seeing some strongly suspected tarpon on the bottom machines.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Spanish mackerel and ladyfish together in open water and around bait, mangrove snapper in 30 to 35 feet on the bottom off Cayo Costa, snook and redfish along the shorelines, a few sharks along the beach.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Spanish mackerel and ladyfish, plus a few bluefish mixed in. Mangrove snapper are on the pilings and rocky areas. A few redfish and snook are biting along the surf line.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — A few Spanish mackerel, some whiting and jacks, mangrove snapper on the rocks, and some overslot redfish.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Spanish mackerel doing pretty good. The 30-foot line off Cayo Costa is producing some legal and near-legal mangrove snapper.
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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 11/25/2023 — Caspersen Beach has had some snook and whiting. Pompano are scattered from Boca to Venice, with the best reports at Stump Pass. Jacks, bluefish and Spanish mackerel might be anywhere. Some small sharks of assorted species.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A few snook, mostly closer to the passes. Whiting, Spanish mackerel and sharks might be anywhere, but the passes are a good bet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some whiting, a few snook, blue runners, jacks and a handful of small sharks. If you're near the passes, Spanish mackerel are a strong possibility.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Caspersen Beach and Stump Pass have had snook, sharks, jacks and Spanish mackerel. Boca Grande has Spanish mackerel and a few mangrove snapper. A handful of whiting are scattered all over.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Caspersen Beach has had Spanish mackerel, whiting and pompano. Stump Pass has the same plus snook. Jacks and lizardfish might be around anyplace.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Boca Grande and Blind Pass are producing whiting, snook, ladyfish and some Spanish mackerel. Conditions have been a bit rough lately.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Caspersen Beach has had a mixed bag of pompano, Spanish mackerel and jacks. Stump Pass has been producing whiting and snook.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Most of the snook have moved away, but there are whiting and sometimes Spanish mackerel getting close to shore.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Nothin.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Redfish reports are coming from the area, but there are few details.
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Pine Island Sound, south end
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
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Pine Island Sound,
north end
"Fishin History"
Rat and Cat keys,
Mondongo & Patricio
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Some redfish and small snook along the mangroves. Small trout and big ladyfish on the grass and sand in 3 to 8 feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A lot of trout, including some bigger ones over 20 inches. Also lizardfish and puffers a-plenty.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Snook and a few redfish around the trees. Some decent trout plus a million shorts on the flats, along with a few random bluefish and puffers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Redfish, snook and some trout are scattered around the whole area, feeding on the abundant whitebait minnows.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Very good fishing: Trout, small sharks, Spanish mackerel. Redfish in small groups and singles. If there are any big tarpon still around, they'll probably be in the ICW in Pine Island Sound.
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Jug Creek Shoal & Bokeelia "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of little trout, a couple Spanish mackerel and a bunch of lizardfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A few trout and Spanish mackerel around the area. Bull sharks reported here too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some trout and a couple Spanish mackerel.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Nothin.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — A few trout and Spanish mackerel, but not many reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Some trout in the area, both from the boat and the pier.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — The Bokeelia pier has had trout, whiting and lots of small random fish.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Spanish mackerel and redfish around the bars, snook along the banks.
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Burnt Store & Two Pines "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Small trout, small snook, smaller redfish plus a couple barely big enough to keep. Also a couple of keeper pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Some decent redfish and random snook along the bushes, mainly on cutbait, but a few on topwaters also. Trout around Two Pines on top of the bar in 3 or so feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Snook along the bushes and a few redfish. Trout and ladyfish outside the bar in 4 to 6 feet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Some snook, redfish and trout.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Redfish and snook are around the bushes. Trout and ladyfish on the bar and outside. You might find a pompano around the bar too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Redfish are in singles and small groups. Lots of snook in the area, but most are small. Trout, ladyfish and bonnethead sharks are also showing up.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Lots of single redfish and some snook around the mangroves, plus some trout out on the grass.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Small wads of redfish. Undersize snook and a few in the slot. Big, bigg, bigggg snook way in the way back of Two Pines.
------------------------------------
East Side "keys" "Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of smaller snook and redfish or assorted sizes up to about 20 inches.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Mediocre. Some smaller trout and a few keeper, if you cover enough ground. You might find better ones north of Pirate Harbor in about 3 feet of water. Shrimp and soft plastics are working.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Mixed reports of a few trout around the channel, plus snook and redfish around the trees.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Trout are scattered out front on the flats and around the islands. Some snook. juvenile tarpon and decent mangrove snapper are in the Pirate Harbor canals.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Redfish, redfish and more redfish around the shrubbery eating a variety of baits. Not many snook, though. Trout on the flats and around the bar, but fewer than the west wall. Schooling ladyfish along the bar, and a few tarpon eating them.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — From Burnt Store to just north or Pirate Harbor, we've got lots of redfish along the bushes and lots of trout on the flat. Cutbait is good for the reds.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Some redfish. small snook, and very small trout around Pirate Harbor.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — A lot of small to medium snook, with a few slots around. You can try a bigger lure to keep the little fish away, but your action will go way down.
------------------------------------
Alligator Creek "Fishin
History"
Poachers
Cut
&
The
Skating
Rink
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Quite a few little snook and some smaller redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — A couple small redfish, but that was it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Nothin.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
------------------------------------
Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — A couple mangrove snapper and black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Fair numbers of mangrove snapper, snook and black drum.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — A lot of little mangrove snapper and a few snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — A few black drum and snook, plus a handful of ladyfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
------------------------------------
P.G.I. canals & Punta Gorda "Fishin History
Elizabeth Park — Barge Canal — P.G. Nature Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Lots of smaller snook. Black drum are a little better. Lots of sheepshead seen and a few caught. Some decent keeper mangrove snapper in here too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Lots of smaller snook. A few black drum. Juvenile tarpon. Mayan cichlids and mangrove snapper around docks and seawalls.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Tons of snook up to about 25 inches, decent mangrove snapper, scattered black drum, lots of tarpon to see but few to catch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Lots of little snook and a lot of small tarpon for lookin' at. Some very nice mangrove snapper in the 12- to 14-inch range on live shrimp or small pinfish. A couple black drum.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Lots of little snook and uncatchable tarpon. Black drum, mangrove snapper and jacks are also showing up.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Lots of little snook and a couple bigger ones. Good numbers of juvenile tarpon, mostly for watching but a few anglers are actually catching them. A couple black drum are around.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — A whole lot of little snook on whitebait. Juvenile tarpon have been caught on whitebait, live shrimp and soft plastic paddletails. Black drum have been heard thumping but not caught. Some jacks are around.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Snook are doing very well in the PGI canals on jigs and swimbaits, and there are lots of jacks too. Big goliath grouper (20 to 60 lb) under the docks on big chunks of cutbait. Lots of mangrove snapper, mostly way small.
------------------------------------
Gilchrist Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Nothin.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Nothin.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — No reports.
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Alligator Creek Reef
AKA Concrete
Reef, 1 Mile Reef,
Charlotte Harbor Reef, 41 Bridge Reef
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — People looked and found nothin.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — There have been mackerel around, but recent reports are slim.
------------------------------------
Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — A few tarpon sightings here, but the caught fish were mostly sailcats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — An occasional tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Some ladyfish and a handful of tarpon, but the bite is wonky.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — A few tarpon Tuesday and Wednesday, and they were actually hooked and landed.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — No reports.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Lots of small sharks, a billion catfish, and a few tarpon.
------------------------------------
Baitfish
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Whitebait south of Pirate Harbor, but more around Jug Creek Shoal. A few have also been netted around Devilfish Key, plus a few pinfish. Threadfins, cigar minnows and blue runners are in large schools offshore.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Some whitebait around Marker 2; better around Jug Creek and Devilfish Key. There is an enormous amount of bait offshore from 3 to 15 miles.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Pirate Harbor, Devilfish and Jug Creek are producing whitebait and some small threadfins. Bigger threadies are off the beaches from a half-mile to 3 miles out.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Pirate Harbor and Bokeelia. Some small stuff on the north end of the Harbor, but not much.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Decent whitebait at Pirate Harbor, Bokeelia and Devilfish. Small whitebait might be just about anywhere, especially along the ICW. Pinfish are coming from the back side of Cayo Costa.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Lots of small bait in the upper Harbor. Devilfish, Jug Creek and Placida also have some small bait. Plan on throwing a 3/16-inch or quarter-inch net.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Lots of tiny fry all over. Nettable bait around Pirate Harbor (early in the morning) and Three Sisters (pinfish and whitebait).
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — The beaches have had some smaller whitebait (nettable with a 1/4-inch net).
------------------------------------
Freshwater canals, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Most of the reports have been bass, mostly on live shiners but a few on soft plastics. The upcoming cold should fire up the crappie.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — Crappie minnows have been selling and people are catch a few. Bass fishing has slowed up a bit but there were plenty caught on shiners this week.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — Bass on shiners are the big story. A few anglers are using spinnerbaits and plastic lizards. Lots of anglers are looking for crappie but finding only a few. Mayan cichlids and tilapia are out there and relatively easy to catch.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — Bass are doing well. Shiners are still the hot bait, but plastic lizards and worms are working better.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Bass are pounding shiners, with lots of fish in the 2-pound range and a few up to 4 pounds. Some Mayan cichlids and tilapia also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — Bass reports have been good, mostly on shiners. A few smaller fish have also been taken on plastic worms or artificial frogs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Bass are great on shiners anywhere there's moving water. Bluegill, tilapia and Mayans are biting but have slowed down a little.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — The bass and tilapia fishing has been good in Webb Lake. Zippin' Ziggy topwaters and Bangtail inline spinners are both good. The freshwater PC canals are producing bass on shiners or shiner-imitating lures. Artificial frogs are also getting fish; spray them down with WD-40 and fish them right up in the weeds. In the morning, fish the sunny side of the canal. In the evening, fish the shady side.
------------------------------------
Tarpon reports 
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/25/2023 — Too many inconsistencies, and this year's tarpon season is pretty much toast.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/18/2023 — There might be a few in the 20-foot holes, but there's probably a better bite in Boca Grande Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/11/2023 — It's possible you might find one in the 20-foot holes or Boca Grande Pass. It's also possible you might fish all day for big fat nothing.
Robert & Capt. Josh 11/05/2023 — The 20-foot holes have had a few. Try a DOA Bait Buster, big swimbait or live ladyfish.
------------------------------------
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/28/2023 — Nothing to mention. I've literally only heard of one fish hooked this week. It's a bummer.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/14/2023 — A few have been seen and hooked in the middle of the Harbor, but it's pathetically low for this time of year.
Robert & Capt. Josh 10/07/2023 — Nothing for adults, but there are babies biting in PGI.
Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23 — Cape Haze and Bokeelia have had decent schools of tarpon but intermittently. There are some fish in the 20-foot holes, but not as many as we'd expect. The ICW in Pine Island Sound is worth checking. There are smaller fish in the Harbor Heights area up to just before the water treatment plant. There may also be some fish in deeper holes in Shell Creek and up by the dam.
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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
