Rotonda West Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Rotonda West Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Rotonda West

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 10 months ago

Winter reef fishing.

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters Sarasota, Florida Reported: 10 months ago

Winter reef fishing.

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James Gibson
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 10 months ago

The redfish, sheepshead and Trout have continued to stay consistent as temperatures continue to drop.

James Gibson Sarasota, Florida Reported: 10 months ago

The redfish, sheepshead and Trout have continued to stay consistent as temperatures continue to drop.

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Steven Herich
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

Here's some pics of some beautiful Redfish caught from the beach last weekend.

Steven Herich Sarasota, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

Here's some pics of some beautiful Redfish caught from the beach last weekend.

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Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

The bite has been productive. Inshore and nearshore bite has produced snappers that will reopen Jan 1. The redfish snook and trout are gorging on white bait before the water gets too cold. Good fishing good fun filling coolers

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters Sarasota, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

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Brandon Douberly
Bartow, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

Brandon Douberly Bartow, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

The winter feels are here in Southwest Florida. We may not be in full blown cold season but it feels like it some days. Early cold fronts that have not been common the past several years, extreme low winter type tides and of course our northern visitors have made their appearance. The other, more notable signs of winter fishing is the invasion of big sheepshead in to our inshore waters. When the temps drop these delicious fish make their way inshore to engage their annual spawning. Sheepshead are big, hardy, tasty and strong fighting fish that feed exclusively on crustaceans like barnacles, shrimp, crabs and even sand fleas. Our sheepshead are a structure oriented species, meaning they like cover such as docks, rock piles, mangrove branches and you can sometimes find them along oyster beds where a lot of their food can be found. They have big strong jaws, lined with rows of rounded teeth resembling human teeth. They are quite the sight to see, but despite their strange appearance they taste much like the food they consume. Some people would compare their meat to crab. I typically target these fish using a sharp 1/4 ounce jig head tipped with a small shrimp or if need be a piece of a larger shrimp. The key is to cover the hook without giving them enough hanging off the hook where they can pull it off. Covering the hook makes them have no choice but to eat the whole bait. Their mouth is so full of teeth sometimes it is difficult to get a hook in them, needless to say it is not uncommon to miss them.

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Jack Swedberg
Fort Myers, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

Cobia and triple tails nearshore

Jack Swedberg Fort Myers, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

Cobia and triple tails nearshore

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Logan Hawthorne
Cape Coral, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Nearshore bite is heating up.

Logan Hawthorne Cape Coral, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Nearshore bite is heating up.

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Jack Swedberg
Fort Myers, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

42 inch redfish on a nearshore trip

Jack Swedberg Fort Myers, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

42 inch redfish on a nearshore trip

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★★★★★
We had a wonderful day out on the water. Jason put us on fish and we couldn’t be happier with our experience.
Pamela M. | November 30, 2025

Trip: 10 Hour Trip – Snapper/Grouper
★★★★★
Booked a trip with Captain Cole and from the start there was good and timely communication. Brought my two younger boys who had a blast! Cole was patient, answered their 100 questions, and took us to nice spots where we pulled out some nice fish and the boys were thrilled! We had a blast!
Morgan H. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Sarasota Inshore/Nearshore
★★★★★
Captain is a real professional!! We were on snook minutes from leaving the dock. We caught Red grouper, gag grouper, mangrove snapper and snook. My wife and I highly recommend Captain James.
Jack L. | November 15, 2025

Trip: Fort Myers/Sanibel Fishing Trip
★★★★★
Had lots of fun
Elam P. | November 13, 2025

Trip: 4 Hours Fishing Trip
★★★★★
Captain Jesse knew where the fish were and just a great captain to hang with very knowledgeable would for sure go out on his boat with him again
Michael A. | November 9, 2025

Trip: Fort Myers Beach Local Captain.
★★★★★
Amazing trip. Caught a variety and saw plenty of amazing places.
Nicholas J. | November 4, 2025

Trip: Fort Myers Beach Fishing Charters
★★★★★
Had an awesome day on the water with Marc. Despite cold and windy weather, Marc worked hard to make sure we caught fish. My niece said it was her “best fishing trip ever!” Will definitely ask Marc to take us out again in the future.
Dan P. | November 3, 2025

Trip: Back Country Fire Up
★★★★★
Excellent day on the water with Logan and Austin. We will enjoy another day on the water with Logan and Austin in the spring. Both knowledgeable fishermen and great people.
Earl S. | November 1, 2025

Trip: 4 - 8 Hour Trips With Capt. Logan
★★★★★
We had a great time! We had Captain Chris and he was a fun and awesome guide. Highly recommend.
Janelle S. | October 10, 2025

Trip: Iguana Hunting Veteran Guides
★★★★★
Had a great time catching fish. Billy was patient with us and extremely helpful. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
Sebastian L. | October 4, 2025

Trip: Inshore Bay / Flats

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