Sanibel Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

Our wintertime fishery here in Naples, FL is shaping up exactly how it should, with a few added bonuses showing up early. We’ve been following our typical winter pattern of capitalizing on the windows in between passing cold fronts, and it has been paying off in a big way. Offshore...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

Our wintertime fishery here in Naples, FL is shaping up exactly how it should, with a few added bonuses showing up early. We’ve been following our typical winter pattern of capitalizing on the windows in between passing cold fronts, and it has been paying off in a big way.
Offshore action has been excellent with a wide variety of species in the cooler water. We’ve been blessed with some of the best King Mackerel fishing we’ve seen in years. Chumming them up and throwing artificials has been an absolute blast. These fish are a riot on light tackle, and watching them sky out of the water on topwater plugs truly never gets old.
The deeper wrecks have been holding their usual winter residents as well, with plenty of Amberjacksto pull on and some Cobia mixed in. On top of that, the snapper bite has been outstanding for those looking to bring home dinner. Big Mangroves, Lane Snapper, and Yellowtails have been common on our offshore trips.
Nearshore, we’ve been treated to an unexpected bonus for January — giant free-swimming Permit. We’ve had shots at some true giants recently, fish we typically don’t see until summertime. This is just the beginning, as the Permit fishery is set to explode over the next month, and we’re anticipating an epic spring and summer with these fish.
There’s also been no shortage of jacks on the nearshore wrecks, providing plenty of hard-pulling action. The nearshore meat bite has been strong as well, with quality Sheepshead fired up in the cooler temps — some of the best table fare around.
Inshore, we’re in full winter mode with cooler water temps. I

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Tim Cornish with Cornhusker Charters
Punta Gorda, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

8 different species today 👍... would guess 40ish fish

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Tim Cornish with Cornhusker Charters Punta Gorda, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

8 different species today 👍... would guess 40ish fish

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Tim Cornish with Cornhusker Charters
Punta Gorda, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

.. but we wacked the hell outta the almaco jacks, had 3 huge fish that kept breaking 150# steal leader 😳 on biggest rods i got... funny part was his wife said i don't fish, I'm like well u got on the wrong boat for that, i handed her a...

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Tim Cornish with Cornhusker Charters Punta Gorda, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

.. but we wacked the hell outta the almaco jacks, had 3 huge fish that kept breaking 150# steal leader 😳 on biggest rods i got... funny part was his wife said i don't fish, I'm like well u got on the wrong boat for that, i handed her a rod and she wound up catching more fish than anyone else that day and by the end of the day she was talking about buying a boat 🤣
...but actually got along so well with em we went golfing the next day

18-inch mangrove snapper!!! 👍

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Andy Santana
Bokeelia, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

Sheepshead bite has been really good and will only get better as these cold fronts move in. Targeting them near structure, pilings, rock pilings along the beaches. Using small prices of shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook and a pinch weight.

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Andy Santana Bokeelia, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

Sheepshead bite has been really good and will only get better as these cold fronts move in. Targeting them near structure, pilings, rock pilings along the beaches. Using small prices of shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook and a pinch weight.

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Eric Ogden
Charlotte Harbor, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

Been getting some good black drum. Bow fishing's been pretty good the days we can get out between the front

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Eric Ogden Charlotte Harbor, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

Been getting some good black drum. Bow fishing's been pretty good the days we can get out between the front

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Tim Rushing
Naples, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

Despite the chilly temps this morning, the fishing has been red hot! In addition to countless jack crevalle and ladyfish, both trips hammered speckled searout, Mangrove Snapper, sheepshead, jewfish, black drum, redfish, Pompano, and even a permit on tipped jigs. I love this kind of fishing because everyone stays busy...

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Tim Rushing Naples, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

Despite the chilly temps this morning, the fishing has been red hot! In addition to countless jack crevalle and ladyfish, both trips hammered speckled searout, Mangrove Snapper, sheepshead, jewfish, black drum, redfish, Pompano, and even a permit on tipped jigs. I love this kind of fishing because everyone stays busy casting, working on their retrieve, and getting non-stop action. It wasn't uncommon today for double, triple, and even quadruple hookups!

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Dalton Bryant
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

The sheepshead bite has really kicked off with the arrival of the cold fronts! Tight lines and good time! Always!

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Dalton Bryant Fort Myers Beach, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

The sheepshead bite has really kicked off with the arrival of the cold fronts! Tight lines and good time! Always!

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Jesse Calhoun
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Reported: 3 months ago

Great action mostly right in calm back water any time of the day

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Jesse Calhoun Fort Myers Beach, Florida Reported: 3 months ago

Great action mostly right in calm back water any time of the day

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