A storm hitting the keys or even Texas could have an impact on your fishing in Fort Myers. Jack crevalle is one of the top targeted species in Fort Myers. Fish for monster grouper in the Gulf of Mexico when you book a deep sea fishing charter with Crabby Charters of Cape Coral and Ft Myers. Some of the better-known exotic residents include the walking catfish, Asian swamp eel, and oscar.The Florida Snakehead is an air-breathing fish similar in appearance and behavior to the native bowfin (or mudfish).. Anglers have been Snakehead fishing and catching . Oct 12, 2020. Has many 5 star review on the Lews Webpage. Spotted sea trout with a Popping cork with new penny 3' Gulp shrimp. Crescent Beach Family Park is actually a little sliver of Fort Myers Beach just south of the Fort Myers fishing pier. Now, lets try to get the answer. TheBookOnGoneFishing.com also participates in affiliate programs with Walmart, Bestbuy, Cabela World Foremost Outfitters, and other sites. This is a city that boasts great weather, calm waters, and prolific fisheries, making it a year-round fishing destination. Its worth noting that fishing in these places is very productive. If you visit the town, youll have an adventure that you wont forget. Since then, I've lived across the country and have really taken that passion for fishing to a new level. Yes, as you said, these species have been catch and release only through May 31, 2021. 1. There are a few piers that are well lit and open overnight available to the public. Knowing the best and worst conditions can have an outsized impact on how many bass you will catch. Its possible to target snook in the region year-round. We have the best Fort Myers fishing spots. Meet residents and loyal visitors who are passionate about the Fort Myers area and have had great experiences here. You can use spinnerbaits, crankbaits, worms, frogs, live bait, and just about anything else to catch largemouth. May through August is the best shark fishing window of the year. The best time of the year to fish for trout in the area is between April and June. The Fantastico was a 200 foot Honduran freighter ship that sank in the Gulf of Mexico in March of 1993. I came a cross a program about the local University of North Florida (UNF), they offer Gear Check-out & Adventure Trips. The students can use the gear for free, for example, kayaks, canoing, and rock climbing. Snook are easily caught from shore, but a boat can help you get to harder-to-reach spots as well. Details: 5 lb. For those fishing piers where a fee is required, almost all have a pier license that covers anglers, resident and non-resident, that fish on the pier. Fishing in the area is good at any time of the year. Best Fishing Spots in Fort Myers Surf/Shore Fishing. You can bring your own, or you can rent a kayak at a number of spots down the Caloosahatchee River. Fort Myers Beach, FL 46307. 6179 Black Marlin Lane, Cape Coral, FL 33914 239-919-2626 about the catch to FWC. Night fishing has become very popular in the Fort Myers area. Tides will always have an impact on fishing, but that shouldnt steer you away from ocean fishing. Where to stay: There are no accommodations on Fisherman Key itself, so instead stay just across the channel near Johnathon Harbour. 1. Keep in mind that this is an estuary system and a natural entrance to the back bay in other words, the bait fish are plenty. I'm having a hard time identifying it lol. Redfish is inactive in the region between January and February. Fort Myers Beach is a small beach town on Estero Island that was only incorporated in 1995. The fish get bigger out here, like the goliath grouper, amberjack, king mackerel, and even some species of shark. Also get there early in the morning because parking gets taken up really fast and its hard to find other parking spots near the pier once its taken up (parking also costs money there). For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Marathon, please check out this helpful guide. 28 1/4" red fish free lined a pinfish with a circle hook (5), My biggest Florida Bass so far, (a little under 3lbs), was caught in a canal. Traditionally, anglers book half-day trips when they go fishing in inshore waters. Have a drink at the lively bar to celebrate your catch, then tuck into your seaview room the hotel straddles the open ocean and the quieter bayside (the latter with views right onto Buck Key). Sharks will also move much closer to shore than normal and feed there for most of the night. Change location, depth, or bait to avoid catching fish you do not intend to keep. Looking to unwind and have a relaxing day by the water? Night Fishing: A night fishing trip is ideal for catching snapper. They stand a chance of catching their own mangrove snapper right off the pier with most any kind of rod, some frozen bait, and a pinch of luck. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. We offer affordable Fort Myers fishing charters. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The programs offered University of North Florida (UNF) allow students, staff and visitors to learn about team work in different environment. The best season to book a charter comes down to the weather, what species you are targeting, and how busy the charters will be. Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. Photo: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Inshore fishing trips in Fort Myers are recommended for beginners, families, children, and anglers who cant spend too much time on the water. Such a blend is rare, so consider making the most out of this opportunity! Aim for early in the morning or into the evening, and dont be discouraged by inclement weather sometimes, that churns the waters in your favor. From freshwater superstars to some of the best saltwater game fish, its all possible in this part of Southwest Florida. The best time of the year to experience permit fishing in Fort Myers is between May and July. Tarpon like to roam the flats in the morning and move into deeper parts of the flats during the afternoon. There is a Canal by Three Oaks its a no outlet road at the traffic light before i-75 that you can fish for Tarpon and Snook and Large mouth bass. Fort Myers offers excellent tarpon fishing trips. We are a full time family owned Fort Myers fishing guide service. Fishing Spots Near North Fort Myers FL. View more Fort Myers Fishing Spots. Crystal clear waters, abundant wildlife, and beautiful sandy beaches all [], Florida represents many different things to many different people. "There is a fishing pier here though not much else. Tarpon Bay. I like to see programs like that be very success like it is at our local university. You could spend a lifetime exploring the mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, sand shoals and grass flats. To read the rest of the articleKayak Buyers Guide. Plenty of Snook are there. The list below outlines the Lat/Lon location coordinates of many different reefs, wrecks, natural bottom structure and other places to fish in the waters off of Lee County, Florida. Lets make the best of the time in Fort Myers, Florida (New Pass). I fish here every year and Ive caught tons of sheepies, mackeral and drum out here but it just gets a little crowded sometimes and it can become hard to find a fishing spot on the pier (sometimes). The area offers a broad variety of activities, nearly all of which can be done in a laidback manner somewhat characteristic of Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. Ft myers sucks if you bank fish. Theyre all breathtaking! Visit in the fall, and youre bound to come across schools of this beautiful species, making them easy to spot and hook. August through December is the best timeframe. Old-Florida vibes run deep, and theres four-star dining onsite. If youre running into this issue and cant decide, it may be best to book a charter that focuses on multiple species or whatever species are in season. that is powered by twin Yamaha 300more, During my trip I saw an alligator, snake, ducks, turtle's, a gar fish, other fish, heron's and othermore, Park amenities include benches, boat docks, fishing pier, pavilion, playground, and sand volleyballmore, You can fish , hike the trails and even camp . There are numerous spots you can head out to in Fort Myers to just sit down and have a cold drink while you chase the bite of the areas prized species. Naples Pier and Fort Myers Beach Pier: Both attract many a fisherman (along with a few hungry pelicans) because of the variety of fish that thrives beneath the piers. Since then, I've lived across the country and have continued learning about fishing. There are islands and grassy flats in the area, making it the perfect home for tarpon when they migrate into the area. Anglers should plan their Fort Myers fishing adventures in advance. Boca Grande, the Tarpon Capital of the World, is a boat ride away from Fort Myers, so if youve got your sights set on the Silver King, its the place to be! Punta Gorda, FL. Today, Fisherman Key is still popular among paddlers and boaters for angling Sanibels fresh and saltwater fish. The reality is that the destination provides angling enthusiasts with easy access to numerous fishing spots. Inshore snappers usually like to stay in shallower water. Here you can get the information you need about fishing near Fort Myers (Florida). For more information read our privacy policy. Caught this LM before hurricane Fred arrives. Much of the area remains natural and offers excellent habitat for the many plants and animals Naples is considered by many to be the crown jewel of southwest Florida. And you should aim for areas with plenty of cover and deep water if you are fishing a different type of area from shore. That is a relatively short drive that can easily be one in 1 day from Fort Myers and you have a excellent chance of catching your first peacock bass there. Further up the river is where you will find species like largemouth bass and crappie. Debbie Hanson speaker and ESPN Radio show host. Largemouth are usually most active during the spring and fall and tend to fall off some during the summer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What was once a remote fishing village on an isolated tropical island is now a vibrant town filled with people from all walks of life. This park features 158 acres of freshwater quarry lake that is ideal for catching largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. Its a city, but it doesnt require you to bump elbows with other people, making it the low-key king of recreational fishing. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. For a complete breakdown if fishing is good in St. Augustine, please check out this article. Either way, you will catch plenty of fish at the Centennial Pier. #4.25.5. We were catching Mangrove and MuttonSan Carlos BayView All|Driving Directions. Things to Do Lori Sorrentino August 17, 2022 Fort Myers, beaches, best beaches, . The Lee County area of southwest Florida includes Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Pine Island and Sanibel Island. See an up close view of how it works and what's included with the Sarasota to Fort Myers Florida Fi. Oftentimes, anglers catch redfish during their Fort Myers fishing adventures. When it comes to seasonality, all we can say is its Florida! Prolly worth the admission. We provide the native files for your . Fish from the shoreline or take your rod with you on a kayak tour for better water access. ft. 14831 Park Lake Dr #105, Fort Myers, FL 33919 $199,900 MLS# 222079196 The Park at Lakewood is a quiet gated condo community in four-story buildings wi. A fishing trip on a charter boat will get you to some of the best marshes and backcountry waters in a matter of minutes. For a list of the best charters in Fort Myers, check out this guide. On the other hand, its not easy to catch. We caught 13 largemouth bassLake Trafford, Catfish can be found around snags and in deeper holes, and can be caught using chicken liver,Peace River, We Fished at the foot of the First span of the sanibel bridge. Fishing in Fort Myers is an experience that you dont come across too often. . Cobia is one of the main targets in Fort Myers. . It is not uncommon to see 10, 15 even 20 of them out walking in a line . 6 oz. They do offer classes, rentals, certifications, and more. They will stay somewhat far away from shore, looking for grassy cover and deep holes to find cover from the sun. Beginner anglers, start here. This is your jam! Hope this post was helpful to you and that you have a very successful trip fishing with your friends and family! The first store I went to was REI to get more infomation about buying the right paddle for my new kayak. The grassbeds on the east side of the bay is the best place to start casting your lines. A trout fishing season in Fort Myers starts in January and ends in October. Largemouth Bass, the beloved freshwater trophy, can be found up the Caloosahatchee River, alongside colorful Peacock Bass. Sanibel Island fishing is a top year-round fishery. In the winter we start fishing from 9:30 - 11: . Do not play the fish to exhaustion. The area has many such places along with artificial reefs guaranteeing some nice catches. Find unique fishing spots, catch locations and more on Fishbrain. Estero Bay is located south of Fort Myers, in between the mainland and Estero Island. Its the perfect place to fish during the winter months. Other than that, the worst weather they get is wind and rain, which can be very unpredictable and something you may have to deal with. Year-round availability. The mangroves and grass flats in the local waters attract plenty of redfish in the region. There are a few spots on the island that are open to fishing and there are spots on both sides. Nestled on Estero Island, one of the most beautiful barrier islands in all of Florida, Fort Myers Beach has no choice but to attract tourists. There is a botanic garden which looked like it was being expanded.more, People are fishing from the boardwalk. A recent addition is 10 boat docks for day use so boaters can stop and enjoy the park. Royal Palm Park. Great place to visit !more, Fishing was even allowed. You can also try fishing near the mouth of the bay for some bigger fish, but the best fishing in the area will be closer to shore. Timing can have a heavy influence on the success you have in catching bass. Wherever you go in the area, you can expect to run into this Florida staple. The sheer volume of fishable waters can be overwhelming, but our Damn Good Guides have the lowdown on the best fishing spots Fort Myers has to offer. The artificial light from shore will attract gamefish to the area, and if its enough, it may even bring in offshore fish. Whether youre fly fishing, baitcasting, spinning, trolling or chumming your chances of getting a bite here are good. 2023 Copyright Freshwater Fishing Advice, link to Best Water Temperatures for Perch Fishing (Complete Guide), link to Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. Fort Myers Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. If you dont see much stirring (probably trout), head toward the mouth of the creek. Black grouper, gag grouper, goliath grouper as well as red grouper can be caught in the waters of Fort Myers. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Captiva. Use Fishbrain to view local fishing regulations, read reviews of local fishing spots, and learn what lures are most successful in Fort Myers. Try fishing in deeper water where the temp is . What are people saying about lakes in Fort Myers, FL? Fort Myers is known for its subtropical climate and great weather conditions. Matlacha Pass and the Pine Island Sound are the best places for anglers, who are interested in inshore fishing. Fort Myers is the perfect place to experience grouper fishing. Here is some information from REI: Figuring out the right size (length) of paddle is surprisingly straightforward. with that said, it's difficult to navigate and can be extremely shallow on areas. Winter and early spring is great for redfish and grouper in Fort Myers waters. 2. Saw an osprey catch a fish and a very large alligator. As for night fishing from a boat, it is possible through some charters. May through August is the best timeframe to fish Fort Myers. The park is managed by Lee County and provides bank, pier, and small boat access (canoes and paddle boat rentals are also available). It is a good place to visit by both family and friends, with pools that are easy to access . Whatever you decide to do, the best beaches in Fort Myers are sure to provide amazing beach day spots. I went shopping online at 4 different online stores to find the right paddle for my kayak. Mark Combs, who manages the Fish Tale Marina, has 35 years of bottomfishing experience off Fort Myers. Where to stay: Sitting just north of San Carlos Bay and Bunche Beach Preserve, with easy access to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island as well, is the Marriott Residence Inn Fort Myers Sanibel. For some, its the bright lights and big-city atmosphere of Miami. (Note: Two sections of the Great Calusa Blueway, an epic paddling trail, converge here). Where to stay: The Inns of Sanibel lie a few minutes drive from Tarpon Bay. We're a 15 Year Verified Seller and Merchant with 100% Positive seller Feedback. Anyway, to my surprise, i pulled out this 2 1/2 pounded the other day! Nearby reservoirs and lakes of Fort Myers. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Where to stay: Toward the western side of the sound is Cabbage Key, and Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant is a regional icon. The City of Palms has something to offer to everyone. There were also water fountains available. Charlotte Harbor and the surrounding Gulf Islands are often called southwest Floridas best-kept secret. Large "Gator" Trout can be found roaming the city's numerous canals, as well as the broad Caloosahatchee River. I'm having a hard time identifying it lol. Use knotless, rubberized landing nets and rubberized gloves to avoid removing the slime layer from the fishs body. America Go Fishing Online Store Lee County PDF Download [Lee-PDF] - Over 220 GPS Waypoints! I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. Gina's expert tip: This . No fishing from the docks but fishing on the beach at Matanzas Pass is fantastic. When booking a fishing charter, we ask that you leave your credit card number with us as a . Read on to figure out your preferred way of enjoying a day of fishing in Fort Myers. There are other species, like catfish, in the river, but the bulk of the fish you will catch will be snook and trout. Playgrounds, water park, paved walkways, open fields, exercise stations, bikes for rent and much more.