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...
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.
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.
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.
Nearshore fishing has been good with big sheepshead, black drums and more. Offshore on the 10 hr trips, seeing big red grouper and other bottom dwellers. In the quad pic, that's a black drum. The others are pretty much all big red grouper.
Nearshore fishing has been good with big sheepshead, black drums and more. Offshore on the 10 hr trips, seeing big red grouper and other bottom dwellers. In the quad pic, that's a black drum. The others are pretty much all big red grouper.
Sheepshead said bite has been phenomenal using live shrimp and fiddler crabs pitching on mangroves and oyster bars in 2 to 4 ft of water higher tides have been better than low tides especially midday.
Sheepshead said bite has been phenomenal using live shrimp and fiddler crabs pitching on mangroves and oyster bars in 2 to 4 ft of water higher tides have been better than low tides especially midday.
Finished off the 2024 year with some beautiful red snapper days as well as started off with some nice red grouper to open the year. A couple jumbo sized Goliaths joined the party as well. Inshore, the trout bite has been consistent but most of the trout are on the small side. Picking away at mangroves, sheepshead's and grunts on the nearshore trips.
Finished off the 2024 year with some beautiful red snapper days as well as started off with some nice red grouper to open the year. A couple jumbo sized Goliaths joined the party as well. Inshore, the trout bite has been consistent but most of the trout are on the small side. Picking away at mangroves, sheepshead's and grunts on the nearshore trips.
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...
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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James was very knowledgeable about the fish we were trying to catch! Really had a great time caught many fish right off the bat. He also cleaned them all so we could est them. Thank you keep up the good work!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re thinking about booking a fishing charter, stop thinking and book with Captain James!
Three of us hit the water expecting a good day—but we got an unforgettable one. We reeled in mangrove snapper, battled sharks, and hooked into tarpon! The rods stayed bent, the laughs never stopped, and Captain James knew exactly where to put us on the fish.
Professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to making sure everyone has an amazing time. Whether you’re chasing a trophy catch or just making memories with friends and family, Captain James is the one to call.
We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommended!
We met James at the dock and he was all ready to go. We hooked up on some nice snook within minutes of leaving the dock. It was a great day. He is very professional, knowledgeable and did everything he could to make our trip enjoyable. We highly recommend him and look forward to another visit!
A GREAT day fishing with Captain Al!
Ended up booking for the COLDEST day possible in January but Cap’n Al found protected spots with great returns. We all three caught a bunch of Reds, snook, snapper and sheepshead.
Cap’n Al is super experienced and a great navigator..which is ideal when out in any waters. He is also calm, funny and patient, with a kind manner. Had great equipment and plenty of bait for us to lose while trying to entice the fish! The boat is terrific, clean and very well kept, a comfortable and safe platform to fish from, and took the chop very well.
He also kindly filleted our keepers to ensure we had a perfect dinner when we got home!
An excellent fishing adventure and we will certainly be going out with him again.
Thanks Cap’n Al, for a wonderful day!
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.
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