Mild weather continues to aid Ian’s shallow and deep cleanup after the hurricane. With weaker easterly currents, water clarity improves daily, and baitfish flock toward beaches, swarming offshore/nearshore structures and natural hard-bottom areas.
Baitfish coupled with optimal currents kept inshore enthusiasts tight on snook and redfish, with the best action occurring within the bay and along the beach. Heading into November, look for an increase in redfish counts to filter all areas of the region.
Before:Southwest Florida Fishing: Watch out for contaminants and bacteria in the water.
more:Southwest Florida Fishing Report for Oct. 20: Pay Attention to Debris Onboard Electronics
In the upstream phase of the ebb tide, tube jigs and sand fleas just above the substrate fool a good number of pompanos. Specifically, new sandbars, notches and valleys on the beach were formed thanks to Hurricane Ian. These new substrate features did not take long to start producing high-quality catches. It should continue to be a hotspot for quick connections.
Over the horizon, effort and fishing pressure remain low. But snapper bites continue to deliver bent rods and lively fish boxes. Ledges and artificial reefs are the best producers for those who do. Strategic anchoring, the use of light tackle, and the deployment of high-volume chum products were the best ways to get hooked on yellowtail, mangrove, and mutton snapper.
Anglers are scoring gag grouper catches while targeting snappers. Live pinfish and a series of jigs rigged on heavy-duty tackle in the 20- to 40-pound class performed well during the reporting period. Must be 24 inches long to harvest on limit. Grouper’s season ends on his December 31st.
offshore
“All day fishing was great,” said Capt. Allen Wolburn. “We’ve been doing some trips and we’re starting to see some of our fall customers coming back.”
Wolburn’s charter boats, A&Bs and All-Ins, depart from Port au Call Marina, sailing to depths of 90 to 110 feet. Arriving at the scene, his captain and his crew are powering up the rock piles and ledges.
Using cut squid, shrimp, and herring, yellowtail and mangrove sea bream, porgies, and sandfish crossed the rail and entered the fish box. A typical late October mackerel and school of sharks kept things interesting and fun.
Naples/Gulf of Estero
Aboard the Naples City Dock-based guided boat Grand Slam, anglers enjoyed a week of half-day inshore fishing. Mixed bag catches were landed in working areas along the beach and within the central bay.
Along the beach and during the first quarter of low tide, shrimp-tipped tube jigs slowly work their way along bottom tricked pompano, ladyfish and aggressive Jacques Kleber. I was.
Casting live sardines, my anglers led to snook and redfish near current sweep points, deeper mangrove shorelines, and fallen deadwood. Intermingled with the gamefish were juvenile jack krebales, ladybirds and goliath groupers.
Manshima
Shark Chaser Charter Captain John Brossard said, “Fish have been biting in the upper Ten Thousand Islands this week. Baitfish are easy to spot and water quality is improving.”
Brossard has concentrated the efforts of its guides along the bay-facing coastline, outside the oyster bars and along the cut of the island. I caught mangrove snapper and redfish.
Brossard reports that debris still remains a navigational hazard along the outer and inner bays, suggesting that caution and caution be exercised in manipulating.
If you have a report to share email, captwill@naplessportfishing.com.
Anglers please email your photos to news@naplesnews.com. We’ll put your images together in an online gallery and feature them every Thursday morning at www.naplesnews.com. Do not submit photos of illegally caught fish.
