Southwest Florida Forecast
May 26, 2023
By Capt. Greg Stamper
Capt. Greg Stamper of Snook Stamp Charters talks fishing from Sarasota to Bonita Beach, including Siesta Key, Englewood, Boca Grande, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Pine Island, Cape Coral, Captiva, Sanibel and Fort Myers
May 26 - 28
The heat is on, no pun intended, as water temperatures move into the upper 80s. Midday temperatures are pushing into the mid-nineties now, and rains have begun inland. Fishing early in the morning or in the evening is going to be the way to go for many months to come. As these afternoon thunderstorms begin to make their way toward the beaches and estuaries around them, things change. The outflow of rainwater brings nutrients. This in turn becomes food for all the small baitfish throughout the area. When there is plenty of bait, there will be plenty of predators.
The back bays will begin to see schools of juvenile tarpon. These fish range from a few pounds, up to forty. Small baitfish, flies, and twitch baits will get their attention. The areas where you find ample bait will also hold snook and redfish. These fish have been hard to find, but the changing weather should make things easier moving forward. Pompano are beginning to show up on the flats while we are trout fishing. A simple popping cork baited up with a live shrimp will be your best bet for them. I have not seen a lot of snook on our beaches as of late, but that too shall change soon.
Nearshore it has been all about the tarpon and the permit. It took seven tarpon to win this week’s tarpon tournament, so they are definitely eating at times. Live crabs in the 2- to 3-inch range caught most of them, but threadfin herring also worked well. The permit continue to be found in good numbers from 30 to 70 feet of water. Crabs once again are your best bait for them, but shrimp will also work just fine. Cobia, mackerel, small snappers, as well as some triggerfish will be the bycatch.
Offshore just keeps on ticking. Mangrove snappers in the 1- to 4-pound size are plentiful. The nice part is anglers caught them in 100 feet of water, meaning they only had to drive 35 miles out to get them. The boats that went out far, meaning 140 feet plus, found grouper, wahoo, sailfish and some mahi. The blackfin tuna bite has slowed down this week, as few fish were seen by anyone.
Editors Note: Signatures Needed! The "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signatures by November 30 to get on the 2024 ballot. Learn more here: http://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/
Tight lines,
Capt. Greg Stamper www.snookstampcharters.com
