Fly fishing

November 24, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Fishing Guide Report

Fishing the waters surrounding Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva can produce fantastic results. Snook, Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout are just a few species that are living in these waters. You can target one, but are likely to catch 6, 8, 10 or more different species fishing the same type of bait, using the same techniques and even the same area.

My great friends from Omaha, came for a visit and enjoyed the bountiful waters. Carl and Marilyn Mammel enjoyed a couple of charter days out with Captain Blake on the Blue Egret and had a great fresh fish dinner that night. Carl caught a nice Tripletail but Marilyn’s got away. Notice this one did escape a threat early on in his life but Carl wasn’t about to let that happen again. Tripletail are a worthy opponent as they jump and pull drag trying to escape the dinner table.

Moving to the backcountry produces a number of different species such as the beautiful Redfish. Marilyn did get her revenge by outsmarting a number of Snook and this nice Redfish. This one was lucky as the Mammel’s do mostly practice “catch and release”.

We had a great couple of days on the water. The weather was beautiful but the company was special! See you guys soon.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake <*(((><

October 8, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Charter Fishing Report

Now is the time for all fishermen who like to fish the back country waters of Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers area to hire a charter fishing guide and enjoy some nice fishing.

Even though the record rainfall has turned the water into a Starbucks coffee look, the fish can be found in waters that they are comfortable with and they are hungry. The Trout bite has increased but the Redfish bite is what I’m talking about.

I’ve seen more schools of Redfish this year than many years past. Some schools seem to like the incoming and some like the outgoing and we’ve even had good bites on slack tides in some areas. We’re using lures, DOA Air Head, DOA shrimp, top-water plugs, and spoons. Live bait always seems to work but sometimes the lures seem the best thing to use. We’ve been fishing these fish for about a month now and hope to fish them into November.

Give me a call, lets set up a day to go and give it a try!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake <*(((><

March 4, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fort Myers and Sanibel Island Florida Charter Fishing Report

Stalking and finding fish in the Back Country around Fort Myers and Sanibel is like hunting for Quail back in the fields of North Carolina where I grew up. You keep looking till you find what you came for. That’s what Ron and his brother in law encountered while fishing the Flat’s around Sanibel and Captiva Island in Pine Island Sound.

We start like always, fishing the tide. If it’s low, we fish pot holes or deeper cuts. If it’s high we fish the mangroves. We found some fish in a creek near Sanibel. First we found the Snapper. Then we came upon some smaller but nice size Black Drum. They kept coming, one after another. At times we had double hook ups. Seeing the rods bent almost doubled is the greatest site a fishing guide has ever seen. Hearing the reel scream like a sewing machine on steroids is the greatest sound. Combine both and you have a “happy, happy” Captain!

After a number of fish in the boat and time running out, we together decided we’d try to find some more, but different fish to bother and play with for the rest of the trip. We found some trout (a few very nice ones) drifting the grass flats. After playing a while with those guys, we moved to the trouble makers of the day. Yes, the Red’s and Snook were there but boy did they have a bad case of “loose lips, sinks ships”. They just would not partake in our fun and enjoyment.

The day ended, but we all enjoyed a beautiful day on the water. Ron and Rick were good fishermen and great guys. I had a great day with both and they both were gentlemen.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake <*(((><

February 18, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fort Myers and Sanibel Island Florida Back Country Charter Fishing Report

I love the back country fishing in Florida. It’s especially great on the Southwest Coast around the Fort Myers and Sanibel area. We have so many different ways to fish, and a lot of different species to catch. Recreational fishermen usually only work on 1 or 2 types of fishing but being a Charter Captain I’m able to fish a lot more which means I get to fish pretty much every situation and that’s pretty cool.

One of my favorite days on the water is when I have the ladies hire me for the day. Ellen Christian is a regular customer of mine. She loves to fish as much or more than any man I’ve taken out. This day she was taking out her Granddaughter from Ashland Kentucky, Alison. Alison graduated from Virginia Tech (go Hokie’s) and was getting prepared for a new job, so fishing was what the Grandmother ordered.

The water temps were down, winds were up but the sun was shining. We started out with some small Mangrove Snapper, then Sheepshead and followed by some nice Black Drum. Alison was picking them off one after another. The fishing was so good we just about spent our total time in this one spot but finally put the rods down to try another spot before going in.

The next spot produced a few but different fish. We were able to get some Spotted Sea Trout and Flounder. It was another great day on the water with Ellen and was especially great getting to know her Granddaughter Alison. Enjoy your new job and come back for a vacation soon!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake <*(((><

November 2, 2012 By Blake Matherly

Florida Fishing Report, Trout Fly Fishing

The winds have finally died down in the coastal fishing areas of Southwest Florida around Pine Island Sound. The back country waters are in the mid 70’s so that means, let’s go Trout fishing.

The Spotted Sea Trout around Sanibel and Captiva in Pine Island Sound love almost anything you throw at them. I prefer Fly Fishing for them. Find the grass and you’ll find the Trout. If you’re not proficient with the fly rod, a light tackle spin outfit with DOA shrimp will do the job just fine.

We’re catching lots of Trout now on FlatsFish’r Charters and you’re invited to come along.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Captain Blake
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