Captiva Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

Kicking off the month of May exactly how it should start with sight fishing big Permit and Tarpon. This is the best time of the year to target these bucket list game fish and this is primetime to catch both of them in the same day. We have strong numbers...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

Kicking off the month of May exactly how it should start with sight fishing big Permit and Tarpon. This is the best time of the year to target these bucket list game fish and this is primetime to catch both of them in the same day. We have strong numbers of Tarpon migrating our beaches and there are massive schools of Permit offshore. These two fish will be our main emphasis over the next couple of months but that doesn't mean there aren't other options as well. There have still been some straggler Cobia hanging out offshore which has been nice while we look for Permit. Most of the wrecks offshore are also littered with Amberjacks which are fun to tease and throw artificial baits at. These are also great fly targets for any avid fly fishermen. Closeby there are great numbers of Snook inshore and nearshore. They're gearing up for their annual spawn and will be very hungry as we progress into summer. Our water clarity has been about as good as it gets which makes for some awesome sight fishing on all of the previous listed species. This is the peak time of the year for sport fishing in our area! We are looking forward to many great trips with all of our clients. Reach out to any of us with any questions you may have. Happy fishing!

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Hot, sunny and south wind. The days we wait all year for are here. Inshore or Offshore this is the best time of the year for sport fishing. The bait bite in the backcountry has been stellar with all the species cooperating nicely. Snook, Redfish and juvenile Tarpon have been...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Hot, sunny and south wind. The days we wait all year for are here. Inshore or Offshore this is the best time of the year for sport fishing. The bait bite in the backcountry has been stellar with all the species cooperating nicely. Snook, Redfish and juvenile Tarpon have been steady. Just awaiting the big strings of migrating Tarpon to show up out front. Will be any day now. Things have been epic offshore with massive schools of Permit, swarms of Amberjacks and plenty of barracudas to pull on. Were sight fishing all of these species and catching a lot of Amberjacks on the fly which has been a lot of fun. There’s also some enormous Mangroves chewing for anyone who wants some fish to eat in between the sport fishing craziness. We will be serving up bucket list Permit and Tarpon trips all Spring and Summer. We’re filling numerous trips daily for April and May. Please reach out to any of our Captains with any questions you may have. Looking forward to an epic Spring with you all!

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Jesse Calhoun
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

It's super easy to have fun on the water these days.

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Jesse Calhoun Fort Myers Beach, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

It's super easy to have fun on the water these days.

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

The March rush is here and we're fishing hard every day. We're on our transition into spring and good things are happening both inshore and offshore. Water temps have been on the rise which has led to increased activity with numerous different species. The bite with live pilchards has been...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

The March rush is here and we're fishing hard every day. We're on our transition into spring and good things are happening both inshore and offshore. Water temps have been on the rise which has led to increased activity with numerous different species. The bite with live pilchards has been picking up nicely in the backcountry. Snook, Redfish and jacks have been steady on all of our trips back there. There have some still been some winter time fish hanging around on the cooler mornings which have been nice for those seeking a meal. Sheepshead fishing has been very solid in the mornings with some Trout mixed in which have led to some great meals. Our offshore fishery is right on track and everything is showing up like clockwork. Big schools of Permit have been showing up and they've been complying nicely. We also will typically get a few shots at some Cobia while we're Permit fishing. There are also massive schools of Baracudas around as well which are always fun and have been eating artificals nicely. Further offshore there is a great snapper bite with other good action on the wrecks. Amber jacks, Jack crevalles, Cobia, Sharks, Baracudas, and Goliaths have been very steady. Our fishery will only get better from here on out as we progress further into spring. Our March calendars are basically almost full with a couple halfdays available here and there. April is beginning to fill up nicely as well. Spring yields some of the best charters of the whole year! Don't miss your opportunity to experience it.

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Jon Fetter
Fort Myers, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

The fishing has started to heat up down here like the temperature. There has been some really good redfish action lately although most have been on the smaller size. Shrimp tipped jig heads thrown up around the mangroves and oyster bars has been the go to method for them. The...

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Jon Fetter Fort Myers, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

The fishing has started to heat up down here like the temperature. There has been some really good redfish action lately although most have been on the smaller size. Shrimp tipped jig heads thrown up around the mangroves and oyster bars has been the go to method for them. The spotted sea trout bite had been great as of late. Shrimp under popping corks seems to be the bait of choice. Anglers have been picking up plenty of ladyfish and snapper as by catches. If you want to bend rods and make memories it has been a great time to do so.

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Tom Katz
Fort Myers, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Plenty of grouper and snapper in the gulf of America.

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Tom Katz Fort Myers, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Plenty of grouper and snapper in the gulf of America.

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Travis Murphy
Bokeelia, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Bite has been solid the past week inshore for redfish, snook and trout and nearshore has been good up to 9 miles offshore for grouper grunts snapper and sheepshead last week when the wind has allowed us to get out there. Everything on shrimp because everything loves shrimp.

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Travis Murphy Bokeelia, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Bite has been solid the past week inshore for redfish, snook and trout and nearshore has been good up to 9 miles offshore for grouper grunts snapper and sheepshead last week when the wind has allowed us to get out there. Everything on shrimp because everything loves shrimp.

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Phil Haley
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Awesome Amber, Jack grouper, snapper and barracudas awesome chips.

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Phil Haley Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Awesome Amber, Jack grouper, snapper and barracudas awesome chips.

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