If youre running into this issue and cant decide, it may be best to book a charter that focuses on multiple species or whatever species are in season. Download over 7090+ fishing spots in Fort Myers, Florida, US. Lay of the Land. With Fort Myers being on the Gulf of Mexico, it is susceptible to tropical storms. The sun will be at it's highest point at 12:40 pm. Fort Myers Fishing Charters provides the city's most-trusted and exciting fishing services to accommodate your skill level, fishing enthusiasm, and your desire for a day of fun. The first store I went to was REI to get more infomation about buying the right paddle for my new kayak. There is a botanic garden which looked like it was being expanded.more, People are fishing from the boardwalk. with a Crankbait. Jack crevalle is one of the top targeted species in Fort Myers. I like to see programs like that be very success like it is at our local university. A cobia fishing season starts in Fort Myers in the late winter and ends in the late fall. Sanibel Island fishing is a top year-round fishery. One thing they have in common? A fishing trip on a charter boat will get you to some of the best marshes and backcountry waters in a matter of minutes. The kids are going to love this one. Get ready to work those muscles though, cause its not going anywhere without a fight! You can rent one and head down to Sanibel and Pine Island for a chance to battle some big fish. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Bookelia, check out this article. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reaching out! Its a legit challenge, whether youve been angling for 30 years or whether you just like to try everything once. A Fort Myers fishing season is high between April and August. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to New Pass. Lovers Key State Park: The 712-acre preserve covering three islands is good for fishing from the shore. Its family-friendly, with a themed pool and easy access to the pier, the sand, and the water. There are always a lot of fishing charters available in Fort Myers and its surrounding areas. North Fort Myers is a populated place in US with an estimated population of 39407 and an average elevation of 4 meters above sea level, located in the America/New_York timezone. Fort Myers is one of the best fishing locations in Florida due to its abundant coastline and rich fish populations. Professional anglers, who are interested in catching bigger fish, should book longer trips. Anglers have logged in Fishbrain over 13,566 catches for Largemouth bass, 5,492 catches for Common snook, 2,078 catches for Mangrove snapper and many more species in the Fort Myers area. The most popular fishing spots in Fort Myers include Riverside Park, North Shore Park, Tarpon Street Pier, Manatee Park, Lakes Park, Billy Creek, Midpoint Bridge as well as the nearby bays which are closer to the Gulf. I have enjoy good food, good weather, roof top bars, and the beach. The Ten mile canal is a good place to fish as well pick up some shinners from The Bait Station in North Fort Myers, take to and fish at John Yarbrough Park from Metro Parkway all the way down to Alico Rd. Fish the 865 overpass that connects the island to the mainland and to Fort Myers Beach for sheepshead. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Captiva. Crystal clear waters, abundant wildlife, and beautiful sandy beaches all [], Florida represents many different things to many different people. Even if the storm doesnt directly hit the area you are in, it can still affect you. Fishing in the area is good at any time of the year. November through March is the best season to fish. A season to target snook in the area starts in the late winter and ends in the late fall. Tides will always have an impact on fishing, but that shouldnt steer you away from ocean fishing. Fishing in Fort Myers is great for most of the day, but getting an early start may be the best choice for your trip. Certainly close-to-shore wrecks, ledges, rock piles and other bottom structure produce, but for bigger fish and more-consistent action, farther is often better. However, once you do manage to reel one in, your sore arms will thank you, and youll get to have an entirely new experience. Redfish is active in the region between the early spring and the early winter. Pompano Beach, FL 33062. South Florida has another advantage -- you can go lobster fishing after sundown. Check out the best fishing spots in North Fort Myers, Florida. The big question is where to go fishing in Fort Myers? Crystal clear waters, abundant wildlife, and beautiful sandy beaches all make it paradise on Earth. There are countless species available at this time, and the weather will be great. They stand a chance of catching their own mangrove snapper right off the pier with most any kind of rod, some frozen bait, and a pinch of luck. Offshore species of snapper like to eat baitfish, mainly mullet or pinfish. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really cut my teeth fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. Inside the massive J.N. The most common setup is a weighted rig with plenty of slack line with either a shrimp or baitfish on the end. In addition to fishing from the shore, you can arrange charters and boat rentals at the marina. Calusa Fishing Advent List Your Fishing Services; Login; Travel & Accomodations; . Traditionally, anglers book half-day trips when they go fishing in inshore waters. If you know anything about SW Florida anglers, you know they love a kayak! For a list of the best charters in Fort Myers, check out this guide. For others, its an overgrown playground, home to Disney World, and plenty of water parks. 1; 7; Details; Aug, 14, 2021 Rick S 0. nice one John Sherri Spencer. Anglers can catch cobia, and gag grouper as well as permit when fishing in nearshore waters. Fort Myers is a beautiful town in Florida. From long, sandy beaches to inshore bays and bayous, fishing in Sanibel has everything you need for an unforgettable day on the water. I also have enjoy learning and listening to interesting people. This is a review for lakes in Fort Myers, FL: "Wow! Both piers have a snack shop that sells bait. The best tide to fish is high tide. Charters in Florida tend to be pretty busy year-round, but especially so in the winter, and over spring break. Administration Office Terry Park 3410 Palm Beach Blvd. Most of the piers and beaches in the area are public, but you will have to check regulations on fishing. Average Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5 stars 17 ratings. CHUCK BALLARO. 8. You'll no doubt want to stay away from a crowd of people in the water as they can spook the fish and get in your way, so near the downtown area is . The top targeted species in the region include amberjack, great barracuda, black drum, cobia, black grouper, gag grouper, goliath grouper, red grouper, hogfish, jack crevalle, king mackerel, ladyfish, permit, redfish, bull shark, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon as well as tripletail. Inshore anglers love a challenge, and Snook certainly puts up a good fight. (Note: Two sections of the Great Calusa Blueway, an epic paddling trail, converge here). In the Fort Myers/Sanibel Island area, great fishing spots are everywhere you look! On the other hand, the worst times of the year to target permit in the area are between January and February and between September and December. Keep in mind that this is an estuary system and a natural entrance to the back bay in other words, the bait fish are plenty. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. For the true Pine Island Sound experience, this place is it. Or make your way into the bay for reds, trout, flounder, ladyfish, permit, spanish mackerel, and even shark! Saw an osprey catch a fish and a very large alligator. Sight-casting is possible here, too, as the fish often tail in the shallows. We have the best Fort Myers fishing spots. Matlacha Pass and the Pine Island Sound are the best places for anglers, who are interested in inshore fishing. For those fishing piers where a fee is required, almost all have a pier license that covers anglers, resident and non-resident, that fish on the pier. You can find them around mangroves, mouths of rivers, docks, and any other spot close to shore that has structure. Just imagine paddling out into the waters of the broad Caloosahatchee River, casting your bait to entice the bite of those elusive underwater creatures. Anyone thinking of having a tasty dinner after catching and keeping one of these fish may face a hefty fine if caught, and possible toxic health effects if eaten. Species Caught Here:Flounder Jack Mackerel Redfish Salmon Shark Snapper Snook TarponPublic Property26.377861 -81.861755Edit Details. Snook are legal to keep at the time of my comment as long as they meet FWCs regulations. Use Fishbrain to view local fishing regulations, read reviews of local fishing spots, and . Amazing! Either way, as long as you are prepared with the right equipment or the right charter, you can expect to catch lots of fish at night. Tarpon are 40-100lb in that Canal its also full of cichlids and red ear sun fish and Blue Tilapia. And of course, anglers should explore these fishing spots during their fishing adventures in Fort Myers. Fishing spots in Sarasota, Venice and Fort Myers Florida. This area includes the waters off of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island. Tarpon Street Pier and Midpoint Bridge are great fishing spots to target snook in the area. Tired of fishing the same spots? Much of the area remains natural and offers excellent habitat for the many plants and animals Naples is considered by many to be the crown jewel of southwest Florida. Location Fort Myers. For both kinds of snapper, you should have your bait low in the water column and slowly jig it back to you. This makes them much easier to catch than if they were all hiding under cover or scattered. This area offers great fishing for multiple species, but specifically great fishing for flats fish. The worst time of the year to experience trout in the region is between November and December. Large Gator Trout can be found roaming the citys numerous canals, as well as the broad Caloosahatchee River. With so many freshwater lakes and rivers, fishing in Fort Myers, Florida (New Pass) is top-rated. The crown jewel of Fort Myers charter fishing is the inshore trip. Yes, you might give your arms a workout, but the experience more than makes up for the pain. From freshwater superstars to some of the best saltwater game fish, its all possible in this part of Southwest Florida. Snook are most commonly found in shallow water areas including mangroves, inlets, rivers, and docks. What was once a remote fishing village on an isolated tropical island is now a vibrant town filled with people from all walks of life. Tropical storms can ruin an entire trip, but you would have to be very unlucky to book a trip when one happens. North Fort Myers is also known as: North Ft. Myers Best Fishing Spots in the greater North Fort Myers area. We fish for Snook, Trout, Redfish and Shark with the spotlight being on the water temperature. Naples Pier and Fort Myers Beach Pier: Both attract many a fisherman (along with a few hungry pelicans) because of the variety of fish that thrives beneath the piers. Thats why its recommended to book full-day trips if you would like to fish in offshore waters. There are both offshore and inshore species of snapper in Fort Myers, the main ones being yellow and mangrove snappers. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. They like warmer water, but dont like when the sun is directly on them, so if you go fishing anytime other than the afternoon, you should have good luck. If you are using live bait, you should use a lightweight, heavyweights that will spook the fish. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Basic introduction to required Florida fishing licenses. You can certainly fish its open waters, but the real magic lies in the hidden spots near the many smaller islands. Captiva Island is Sanibels sister island just a short drive over the bridge will bring you there. 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. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida FWC has advice and reminders on how to safely navigate the post hurricane landscape and how you can help get the sunshine state back on its feet. I tried to load the Live Photo but it would only load a still picture to this site. Yes, as you said, these species have been catch and release only through May 31, 2021. You can bring your own, or you can rent a kayak at a number of spots down the Caloosahatchee River. A four-year old could probably guess that Florida is prime fishing territory. Tell us about your experience in the comments below, and ask anything youd like to know we love hearing from you! May through August is the best timeframe to fish Fort Myers. Trout fishing is great in the region. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Cape Coral, please check out this article. There are also specialized fishing trips. Many anglers plan ahead and incorporate best fishing practices using tips to ensure safe and responsible angling. Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Contact Info: Gene Beachguide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Englewood, check out this article. The reality is that the destination provides angling enthusiasts with easy access to numerous fishing spots. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish in Punta Gorda, please check out this helpful guide. High tide can also be useful for offshore fishing in a different way, when the tide hits its peak, the water will stop moving, allowing your bait to get to the bottom and stay there much easier. Located in the southwest part of Florida, Fort Myers is home to some great fishing. About FMB Guide. We offer affordable Fort Myers fishing charters. Estero Bay is located south of Fort Myers, in between the mainland and Estero Island. Most of the fishing is done inshore, offshore, or within the Caloosahatchee River. View and purchase these Fishing Spots. Become a Pro subscriber to see when and where fish are being caught and logged in Fishbrain. Some fish species are active in the local waters year-round. I came a cross a program about the local University of North Florida (UNF), they offer Gear Check-out & Adventure Trips. The students can use the gear for free, for example, kayaks, canoing, and rock climbing. Find many different fishing hot spots with GPS coordinates. Avoid dropping the fish, especially onto hard surfaces. Spotted sea trout with a Popping cork with new penny 3' Gulp shrimp. Dont go much bigger than a 15-footer if you want to navigate and explore the backwaters. 50 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL, 33931 (239) 765-6794. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is Tarpon Bay, where more than 200 species can be found in the salt-and-freshwater ecosystem. Fort Myers Beach, FL 46307. The river is wide enough for you to never get affected by traffic but small enough to the point where you can do a half snook half bass day if you wanted to. It is not uncommon to see 10, 15 even 20 of them out walking in a line . Tarpon Street Pier and Midpoint Bridge are great fishing spots to target snook in the area. Two of America's most greatest innovators, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, chose Fort Myers as their winter homes and as an . Tarpon are known throughout Florida as the Silver King for their stunning silver scales. Night Fishing: A night fishing trip is ideal for catching snapper. The area has many such places along with artificial reefs guaranteeing some nice catches. You can cast your line in this force of nature, and have a nice Snook at the end of it in minutes. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.