trout

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 24, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fort Myers and Sanibel Island Florida Charter Fishing Report

Flats fishing the back country waters of Pine Island Sound near the Island of Sanibel just off Fort Myers Florida, is a great place to land a number of species. It’s also a great place to hunt for a certain species to add to your bucket list. It could be the Spotted Sea Trout, maybe the Snook or Tarpon.

As for Author Ben Shelfer, his quest was for the elusive Red Fish. We’ve fished a number of times stalking the Red Fish from the tailing Reds on the grass flats, to the Red Fish in the mangroves. It seems that each time we’re looking for Reds, we find and catch all the other species but not the Red Fish. This day we were around Sanibel Island working the grass flats and mangrove islands.

While out fishing, we decided to try a mangrove shoreline for whatever (Ben had finally come to the conclusion that Red Fish was the water version of the Southern Snipe). Bam! Fish on! The fight was on and even though I thought the fish was fighting like a Red Fish, my lips were tighter than a oyster in Alaska in the winter time, till the fish was in the boat. It was, finally, Mr. Red Fish. The only problem was that fish was caught by, yes you guessed it, Me! Okay, we’ve located some Red’s, so Ben cast his DOA Cal lure towards the mangroves and Bam, Fish On!

We caught a number of Red Fish before the bite calmed down and off we were, stalking and hunting the Snook (another Snipe?). To be continued.

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

Capt Blake <*(((><

February 14, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Fishing Report

Well, we decided to go out and test the fishing around the islands of Sanibel and Fort Myers today for some saltwater back country Snook and Redfish.

Even though the winds were up, front coming through the area, we braved the 2-4 white caps to get to the back country fishing grounds and found some creeks that produced what we came for. Gary Barnett was my point man today on the bow and I was manning the push pole on the platform. Gary, his wife and son, is currently living in the Guangdong Province of China, but is looking to move back to the States (I think we got him hooked today in the back country to move to Southwest Florida).

The first fish was a very nice Spotted Sea Trout (released with no picture). Then the Redfish fell prey to the artificial lure. Next came the Jack Crevalle. Multiple fish were added to the count before we both became victims to the urge and need for food. The Green Flash won the vote and a nice lunch ended the day. A short bumpy ride back to the ramp had us both being glad we decided to make the trip today.

Thanks Gary for the great day fishing and the company!

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

Capt Blake <*(((><

February 10, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fort Myers Sanibel Florida Fishing Report

This week fishing the saltwater flats around Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island Sound have been pretty good for this time of year. Whether you’re going spin fishing or fly fishing the red fish and spotted sea trout have been biting a multitude of bait patterns.

I was out with my friend Joe “Mad Man” Maddalone from Boulder Colorado. He’s a fishing nut like the rest of us and came for a short visit to see what’s biting in the back country.

The fishing started out a little slow but we managed to get a number of Spotted Sea Trout to the boat but none were the big ones I hoped for. We tried a couple of other spots looking for Red Fish but they were not cooperative as days before.

I decided we’d move to a spot that has been producing some small Grouper, but with ultra light rods, THEY’RE A BLAST! It was slow to start because the tide was moving slow but they finally took the bait. After a number of break offs Joe finally started bringing a number of the smart ones to the boat for the famous “grip and grin” photo op.

After a few more we both decided to try another spot and we’re glad we did. Snook was the main topic for the afternoon. Joe had a blast catching Snook under the mangroves. It was difficult getting the smart line-siders to come out for a “snicker bar” but we did manage to get some to take the bait (along with a number of pesky Jacks).

Thanks Joe for visiting us and getting me out on the water. Safe travels back home and come back to see us soon!

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

Capt Blake <*(((><

January 24, 2013 By Blake Matherly

Fort Myers, Sanibel Florida Charter Fishing Report

If fishing the flats in Florida is your gig, then come to Fort Myers or Sanibel and enjoy the weather and the fishing. Chris Weaver, from the DC area did just that.

Chris visited Fort Myers first to be in a baseball tournament (in which his team won) but quickly became a big fan of the great fishing we have to offer. To start off the weather was great! The fishing started off a little slow. The first number of fish never seemed real interested in the bait. Fish after fish were missed but we didn’t let that stop us.

Chris being a great caster really helped in getting the lures in the strike zone. Finally we started to get multiple fish to the boat. Redfish, trout and other species were on the list at the end of the day.

Special thanks to my new fishing friend from the North. I’m looking forward to seeing you again!

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

Capt. Blake <*(((><