Snook and reds will sometimes push bait into these areas and can be caught on soft plastics in baitfish patterns. 2022 was one for the books onOffshoreBocaGrande! The snapper bite has also been great. There is a 4.91% catch rate for Thread Herring, based on 1155 Thread Herring counted. Tony and Linda Lombardi used spinning tackle in Tuesdays winds to catch and release more than a dozen slot-size trout and uncounted ladyfish in several spots in northern Matlacha Pass, where Gulp! Shrimp and white swimbaits were the go-to baits. An 11 a.m. opening of the "rebuilt" causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. Deer season was rewarding, yet again. Reports of tarpon will become more common as well as sharks and other species moving into our waters. And while their isn't a bait shop on the pier, you can gear up with all your fishing needs at our Sanibel bait shop before you head over. With water temperatures around 80 degrees, Snook and Redfish are fired up. NBC 6's Ryan Nelson reports. Fishing Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Ft Myers, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Pine Island Sound, Bokeelia, St James City, Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande, Captain Jason Mash . It was jaw dropping for them. Fish Haven If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Sanibel Reef 20 Two weeks after being severed by Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Causeway reopened to a convoy of utility vehicles on Tuesday. The first island has big mostly sand/muck flats on the west, which during an incoming or outgoing tide can produce fish. Fishing is improving. Link copied. Hurricane Ian has left a path of destruction in southwest Florida,. The changes to the Sanibel Causeway is an $8.5 million project that includes a . Fishing reports for sanibel causeway are updated each week, usually by Thursday morning. Perhaps the best fishing can be found on the numerous artificial and natural reefs nearshore of Sanibel. Ron DeSantis said in a news conference Thursday afternoon, adding the area was hit with a "biblical storm surge.". For the Passionate Fisherman (239) 579-0399 About Us About Us What We Carry Reviews Our Sanibel Charter Captains Sanibel Fishing Info FAQ Sanibel Fishing Spots Sanibel Fishing Tides & Weather This is a very narrow window of opportunity, maybe the first two hours of an incoming and the last two of an outgoing tide will be the best. The water quality is rebounding daily from lack of rain and cutbacks on the discharges from the lake. Hurricane Ian has had far-reaching effects throughout the greater Fort Myers area. Another 1/2 hour later we found another that was good for another 20. Fishing Status is the world's largest provider of fishing spots and data for the fishing community. 6: Well offshore for red grouper and mixed snappers. fishing in Punta Rassa (San Carlos Bay) (2.7 mi.) Visit MyFWC.com/PierFinder to search for a location by county, city, feature name and type of feature (such as a bridge or pier). No. Whitney Jones of Whitneys Bait & Tackle on Sanibel reports diversity for success up at Blind Pass, where snook, jacks, trout and sheepshead were biting for anglers throwing Z-Man Diezel Minnowz, Hogy jigs and live shrimp. CAUSEWAY ISLANDS Mangrove Snapper and Redfish are being caught as well as Snook, and Pompano. Causeway B is much larger than Causeway A, and it's amenities include drinking fountains on both sides of the road, restroom facilities, and a few picnic tables. Our award-winning Sanibel charter captains have been out on the water and along the shores of Sanibel to gather all you need to land your next big catch. Each of these projects cost millions of dollars on top of annual routine maintenance. A few schools of bait around the pier, birds diving on fish now and then. You've come to the right spot! I have had zero success surf fishing. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.The island, also known as Sanibel Island, constitutes the entire city.It is a barrier islanda collection of sand on the leeward side of the more solid coral-rock of Pine Island. If you have one that is loaded with wooden docks even better. Drone footage shows Hurricane Ian's damage to Sanibel Causeway 01:29. Many Snook reports on topwater lures, and many Trout hitting small Pinfish and Shrimp. There has been a marked improvement in water quality each week! Another 1/2 hour later and so on and so on. It's always great to introduce people to our diverse ecosystem that we're so lucky to have right on our doorstep! Blacktip sharks have been caught using Spanish mackerel. SEEING REDS IN FALL FOR FISHING SANIBEL ISLAND FLORIDA! The deeper you go offshore the better the deep bottom fishing gets for many varieties of Snapper and Grouper. Chopper flies over Sanibel, Florida, after Hurricane Ian moves out. Meteorologist Bryan Bennett. The ledge runs over a quarter mile. Call Sea Landing at 805-963-3564 to book your spot now! Wow, Jaxon that is great information! There is no fee for Florida residents, There is excellent fishing from both sides of the causeway islands, Goliath grouper have been caught under the bridges by the pilings, There are very strong rip currents near the base of the causeway bridges and they can be extremely dangerous, You may launch unmotorized vessels or wade into the water. The ones we did run were productive though! Bennett Wong caught this toothy beauty with Capt. Some fishable structures extend a few feet into the water, while others extend 2,000 or more feet into the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. A few Tarpon hitting whole and cut Ladyfish and Mullet! | fishing in Little Hickory Island (12 mi.) 6/4/2012 11:37:15 PM - Started on 15-Jun-77 Concrete Rubble artificial reef. With resilience and optimism, our community is working hard to rebuild. Saltwater fishing from shore is allowed on both sides of Wildlife Drive. The current Sanibel Causeway toll is $6.00 for automobiles and motorcycles traveling from Punta Rassa to the island. Most water here is 3' or less. View full Sanibel Fishing Forecast to see all species and best lures and colors to use. They are eating live and dead bait and a variety of lures. Tuesday was adventurous for the Polkinghomes, Jeff, Andrea, and daughters Madison and Emily on their Fishbuster trip. The water quality is rebounding daily from lack of rain and cutbacks on the discharges from the lake. 1. Sharks, most commonly but not limited to Blacktips, and Bonnet Heads have also been caught on most everything from Shrimp to cut Mackerel, Mullet or even frozen Squid. 2023 we be no different with all new tackle and a motivated captain! Wade fishing from the causeway north on the sanibel side I've caught small grouper, trout, and snook. A A. SANIBEL, Fla. The Sanibel Causeway is expected to be repaired and accessible by the end of October, according to a statement from the Florida Department . 9:06 PM EDT, Thu October 06, 2022. Sanibel Causeway. If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fish pineisland.com; or via email at [email protected]. If your fishing the east side its more like fishing the bay. Snapper, amberjack,redfish, grouper, and sharks are frequent residents of th, Lighthouse Hole Jim Rinckey sent in shots of potentially delicious, but out-of-season catches on full and half-day charters, all made on live pinfish. Some Pompano are being caught as well. Are you looking for a place to fish from shore? Some people who frequent the causeway are upset by the changes, including the lack of shade without the large trees. The southwest winds at the beginning of this week should have been good for shelling. Oh well, maybe when the weather subsides, this area will be productive, but today, we can't quite justify saying that it was. | fishing in Estero River (10 mi.) No wasted time getting started.Every minute counts when your having this much fun. 1/13/2018 11:04:05 PM -. On top of low temps we had record rains. The Sanibel Causeway is severely damaged. Here are eight spots to get you started. Some happy Captiva Fishing Charter clients. Many reports of Snook and some Reds hitting shrimp, frozen Ladyfish, threadfins, and pinfish. Sheepshead should be around the dock pilings at high tide. But so far, no massive fish kills reported. A section of the causeway leading to Sanibel, Fla., in Lee County was knocked out by Hurricane Ian Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The Redfish bite only gets betteraround Captiva Island through the fall months. Told Ya So We also caught some smaller grade bluefin and a nice grade of yellowfin. [email protected], Horse Island, Worm Cove and Tin House Cove were the hottest areas to find big spawning fish in clean water, with hard edges of emergent vegetation. Tripletail are around the crab traps and they are biting Shrimp. 1: Northern Matlacha Pass for trout and ladyfish. Sanibel Live = Intersections with cameras Use two fingers to pinch, stretch and pan the map on a mobile device. Most of our passengers on board have never been in a dorado bite before today. Gafftop Catfish (Sail Cats) have a real long dorsal fin that makes them easy to recognize and are a suprisingly tasty fish. For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. Field staff Inside the massive J.N. Contact us to book Catching Barracudas in Sanibel Island As you know, no current = no fish. Snook are here along with Redfish, some Trout, lots of Mangrove Snapper, and Sheepshead. . I can't say I had the highest of hopes for this morning. Web: Contact Form All rights reserved. 1: Horse Island to Tin House Cove for bass. Our morning whack yielded us 24 Bluefin, with most being in the 30-plus pound class, so that was just dandy. Salt water fishing is popular along Wildlife Drive, in Tarpon Bay, and in the backwaters of the Refuge. New Footage Sheds Light On Causeway Damage - Videos from The Weather Channel New Footage Sheds Light On Causeway Damage October 12, 2022 New video from Florida reveals the extent of damage to. Video below: Timelapse video shows storm surge in Sanibel Island caused by Hurricane Ian Whiting and Flounder are being caught. Unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds have been less than stellar lately but the bite has been persistent to those that have been diligent in their pursut of fish! One thing you should know is that there's a $6 toll for entering the bridge, but not when going back. No. All were released for another day! Visitor Disability and Home Care Services on Sanibel Island, Browse all 10,881 Sanibel Island topics , Lighthouse will be relit tomorrow morning, Restaurants have been full; still limited rentals, Webinar addresses rental availability, rebuild timelines, Bailey- Matthews Shell Museum offers post-Ian experience, Snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins, Sanibel vs Marco Island-which one is better for family. Not to mention putting up some numbers on snook daily! They were dunking squid, 35 miles west of New Pass, with no red tide discernible; but they ran through significant red tide, out to 13 miles.. These structures give anglers who enjoy fishing from shore or do not have a boat an opportunity to catch a variety of species. Redfish are hot right now. What are some "kid-friendly" activities to do? And, if you'd rather follow our lead in person, book one of our Sanibel fishing charters by inquiring online! Two big sharks, an estimated 10-foot bull and a seven-foot sandbar broke their lines at boatside. Jessica Jones of Pottstown, Pa., and Matt King of San Diego both released nice gag grouper pulled off a ledge in 55 feet of water Monday. If the tide is running real high, the fish will actually move to the inside of the grass in low light conditions. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, February 24 fishing report from Byron Stout, 10 people rescued from Caloosahatchee River after boat sinks, One dead in head-on crash in Glades County, New Florida bill would imposes restrictions on gender-affirmative care, North Port man crashed through FHP homicide investigation, Motorcyclist dead after crash at Fort Myers shopping center. There is a 5.21% catch rate for Red Grouper, based on 1225 Red Grouper counted. If your fishing the east side its more like fishing the bay. 1/6/2023 12:59:35 PM - Captain Brad Hickman consistently produced quality fish all year. Mullet, Spanish Mackerel, Threadfins, and chunks of Stingray are what the shark are biting. Minimum size is 12 inches fork length, with a daily bag of 15. ~~Sep. Hoping for warmer weather and for the return of the bait! Thursday morning. I believe we found our first winner ohhh around 10:00 or so. Sanibel Island Fishing. [email protected]. Snook, Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, Tarpon, and some Redfish in the surf west of the pier along with Mangrove Snapper. No. | fishing in Fort Myers (16 mi.) And Kentuckian Joey Koch used a popping cork rig to catch a 23-inch trout near Starvation Key on Wednesday. Once you're up to speed, stop in for Sanibel fishing gear, live and frozen bait, Florida fishing licenses, FREE fishing lessons and to chat with Whitney and his crew for expert fishing advice! And NO JOKE, use a piece of hotdog the size of your thumbnail. Book Captain Anthony with Crushin it Fishing Charters he was great! A boater throwing a Cotton Cordell Spoon caught a 24-inch Spanish mackerel and a couple of trout at the Sanibel Causeway. Captain Mike Pritchard called in from the Tribute last night updating us about the 1.5 day trip returning this AM. We had 72 Yellowtail (up to 40 pounds), 13 Bluefin Tuna (up to 30 pounds), and 7 Dorado. This was a perfect snook specimen, safely released. Non stop action with a lot of big Redfish. We had a good time, all fish were released un-harmed. One of the best times of year to fish in swfl! There is a 12.68% catch rate for Sheepshead, based on 2982 Sheepshead counted. ESTERO BAY: Last Friday on an inshore Fishbuster Charter, Dave Knoll and family and friends combined for 11 sheepshead, three black drum and a puffer on an all release trip. Now we're going to catch our yellows. As Red October approaches we should have some really great schools of fish move into the sound. Join us on a Captiva Fishing Charter when you're in town! A majority of these structures are free to use. All in all, the water is clear and the fish are here! 9/3/2022 1:22:35 AM - We are on the cusp of fall down here in SWFL and its a great time to be on the water! Beginner anglers, start here. | fishing in Iona Shores (6 mi.) Canals are great this time of year. The first few trucks carrying supplies and workers made their way over the bridge Tuesday after . We give free lessons on casting a net, fly fishing casting techniques, tying knots and anything else you can think of! Would you have any tips on how to catch fish off the beach outside of our condo? Look for diving birds and throw with the wind! We are used to fishing high mountain lakes in Colorado. This time of year I'd try shrimp under a float and let the tide carry it on the outside edge of grass or over deeper holes. Fishing has started to pick up in Pine Island Sound. Tide Reports, Fishing Reports & Fishing License Information, Hurricane Ian Recovery Resources For Residents and Businesses, Hurricane Ian Updates From The Town of Fort Myers Beach, Town of FMB 'Key Questions With Key Staffers' Video Series, Hurricane Ian Relief Other Ways You Can Help, Fort Myers Beach Chamber Water Foundation, FMB Chamber Board of Directors and Staff Directory, 2023 Spring Break Schedule for Major Universities, Web Support & Maintenance by Island IT Pros. Whitney & our Sanibel fishing store crew are always happy to help prepare you for fishing on land. Our eta for tomorrow will be 7:30 am and then Drew will take out the next one which is the 2nd annual Let's Talk Hook-up Charter. | fishing in Captiva Island (outside) (10 mi.) [email protected], You've come to the right spot! Fishing Status is the world's largest provider of fishing spots and data for the fishing community. The Sanibel Causeway was temporarily repaired after Hurricane Ian ripped through the area. Good Luck. Areas within Lee County, including Sanibel Island and Fort Myers, are facing major . Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel being caught along with some Blues on the beach as well. Sanibel's historic lighthouse shares the grounds with one of the Island's most popular fishing spots, the Sanibel Pier. If there is a wood dock with a lightwatch out. While the popular spots listed above are known favorites, anyone looking to fish on Island can have great luck on any of our beautiful beaches. What is the best part of the island to stay-eat-shop? The Sanibel Causeway toll booths are now cashless, and this has caused some confusion, here is information about your payment options! The weather has been ideal and the fishing sensational. The 3-mile . Many reports of Sharks being caught here. A section of the causeway leading to Sanibel, Fla., in Lee County was knocked out by Hurricane Ian Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Common fish include sheepshead, snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout. Lots of Shark activity much like Bowmans Beach, and Turner Beach this area has been a staple for large shark fishing for a long time. Most areas of water on the left side of Wildlife Drive are closed to the public. Another Great Day of Offshore Fishing in Sanibel Island! Sand fleas or shrimp a distant 2nd choice. Anyhow, we did manage to scratch up a couple of Bluefin late in the day but before we could get a beat on 'em, darkness fell and we had to turn downswell again so that everyones dinner plates stayed on their table. What is the best way to enjoy the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge? Average snapper have been 12inches with some fish in the 15-16 inch range. My 10 year old son is obsessed with fishing and has already planned out the places he wants to hit. The snapper and Redfish bite over the last few weeks has continued to be great. The pier at Ligthouse Beach Park provides residents and visitors with sights of enthusiastic boaters circling the island, dolphins jumping in the waves, birds diving for their next meal and the area's most popular species of fish. When I am not shell collecting, I do enjoy fishing. As of 10/3/22 search and rescue is still underway, SEEING REDS IN FALL FOR FISHING SANIBEL ISLAND FLORIDA! We'll be finishing up our trip closer to home so we'll have all day to make the most of our final day. Tarpon are crushing Ladyfish near the west end. When you can see it, aim for the outside edge of the grass, its a highway and feeding trough for fish. The wrinkle is, boaters are reporting the lake has been alive with grass shrimp and shad, on which its denizens including crappie, bluegill and bass have been dining exclusively. Bowmans and Turner beaches are starting to show signs of life. Spotted Seatrout being caught out in the grass flats using shrimp fished under a float. Our redfishing has also been great with cutbait being the go to bait fishing higher stages of the tide and presenting the bait as far back in the mangroves as possible. FORT MYERS, Fla. - Hurricane Ian swamped southwest Florida, leaving behind a damaged power infrastructure in two counties, turning streets into rivers, and damaging two bridges, including the Sanibel Causeway. 6/4/2012 11:37:16 PM - About 6 miles south of Sanibel, the Doc Kline reef sits in approximately 30 feet of water. We even have rod & reel rentals for those traveling without their own equipment. Bait has been relatively easy to catch with Pinfish being the best lately for this guide. Blind pass is on fire all year long! Fishing reports for sanibel causeway are updated each week, usually by Plan a second day of fishing if you have time. Hurricane Ian has left a path of destruction in southwest Florida . There's supposed to be a strong cold front coming at the end of this week (week 3), so we'll see how week 4 and the first week of the newyear go! The Seabass are biting and the Apollo is online for LIMITED LOAD trips. Mangrove Snapper along with Redfish, Snook, Jacks, and Juvenile Tarpon can be found along most of the culverts. A lot of the locals refer to October as "Red October" as many of our upper and over slot Redfish Wear repellant and take precaution! Where should we eat that is "kid-friendly?". Pompano are biting pink or chartreuse jigs! It's been a busy couple of weeks getting rigged up with this new SHO. There is a 15.36% catch rate for Spotted Seatrout, based on 3612 Spotted Seatrout counted. The move paid off, somewhat. November continues with the warm weather trend, with near record highs daily.