Sarasota to Bonita Beach
Includes Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood, Boca Grande, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Pine Island, Cape Coral, Captiva, Sanibel and Fort Myers.

July 3-6

Offshore: This week had a few good days off the beaches but weather was a factor with threatening storms. The weekend is looking up but still keep an eye to the sky and an ear to the weather radio. There were good reports from the 36- 100 ft. marks if you had the boat to work ‘em. Snapper, grouper, cobia and other stuff were on a chew. The close marks held snapper, whiting, short grouper, flounder and others.

Sarasota-Englewood: The weather played a part, but with care and a little overconfidence crews skirted the some times spooky storms. Reds, snook, trout and ‘poons ate on the strong morning incoming tides. The midday bites were fair to good if you could outrun the storms.

Port Charlotte: A good mixed bag bite across the board. Snook are on a hot chew and favor whitebait but will inhale a fly along the beaches and creeks and bushes, just look for moving water. Reds were thick under the bushes with numbers of oversized fish reported. Trout bite had mixed results at times with the warm water but they could be caught with small pins, whitebait and shrimp. Softplastics worked well to with flies a close second for those who preferred arties. There are plenty of tarpon in the big bay.

Ft. Myers: We found some nice slot reds under the bushes and on the bars in Estero Bay. Snook were major player though and inhaled whitebait and pins pretty much throughout the bay. Trout action remains slow though with very warm water a bit of a problem. Mixed size ‘poons were seen throughout the bay with particular attention to the passes.

Pine Island Sound and Matlacha held good mixed bag bites with snook, reds and trout all available. The high tides helped out especially if you got out early. ‘Poons worked the flats inside Redfish and Captiva passes. Fly guys reported some success with dark flies, purple, black and the like. The Caloosahatchee held snook, reds, big jacks and some ‘poons near the bridges. The Franklin Locks however remain the best place to see plenty of tarpon and they will eat at first light. Cut mullet, live catfish and some soft plastics will all work but it can be a tough frustrating bite.

Capt’s Corner: The early bird catches the fish, especially with the storms and heat. There’ll be plenty of weekend traffic too, so get going early and play safe. The Marine Patrol and Sheriffs will be out in force so keep the brewskis for that afternoon fish fry. Eighty-five plus of all accidents on the water are alcohol related. Salute the Flag; remember the troops and “Pray for Peace.”

By Capt. Ron Kowalyk
1-239-267-9312
www.fishswfla.com
captronkow@aol.com |

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