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INSHORE FISHING TRIPS
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EXTREME FISHING TRIPS
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TOURS & CRUISES
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THE FISH OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
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TARPON
PRIMARILY APRIL - OCTOBER
SMALLER FISH YEAR-ROUND
Strength, stamina, and fighting ability, make the Tarpon one of Florida's premier game fish. Anyone who has fought a tarpon, large or small, knows they exert a tremendous amount of effort during an angling event. Fossil research shows that tarpon have been swimming in our oceans since prehistoric times and can reach sizes up to 8 feet and can weigh up to 280 pounds. Due to its majestic appearance of size and color, the Tarpon is nicknamed "Silver King." Tarpon are primarily found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries, but they are also found in open marine waters, around coral reefs, and in some freshwater lakes and rivers. Tarpon can only be fished recreationally in Florida. The majority of recreational anglers practice catch and release since the fish is not considered to be of any food value.
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SNOOK
YEAR-ROUND
Snook are quite possibly Florida's most important gamefish. Snook are tenacious fighters, offering head-shaking jumps, searing runs, and pitbull-like determination. They are often found on shallow ledges, drop-offs, in potholes, and hanging out under mangrove. They are year-round residents to this area of Florida, but their feeding will ebb and flow with the changing water temperature. One of the things that makes Snook such a great target species is their readiness to strike artificials, live, and even dead bait in so many different fishing situations. Snook are a prized table fare when they are in season and of legal size (currently 28"-33")
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GROUPER
YEAR-ROUND
There are many Grouper species that inhabit Florida waters, and almost all of them make terrific table fare. These bottom-dwellers are generally found around submerged structure in deeper waters. In Southwest Florida, most species spend their adult lives in the open Gulf of Mexico, but tend to move much closer to shore as the waters cool in the winter. This is true of Gag, Black, Red, and Scamp groupers. However, it is the mighty Goliath Grouper, the largest fish to inhabit inshore waters (often reaching weights of over 600lbs) that will haunt your dreams after you tangle with one. Goliath Grouper are a protected species which cannot be harvested, but this does not stop them from providing what can only be described as a brawl with anglers who dare to test them. The most terrific part about these behemoths is that they inhabit mainly shallow inshore and nearshore waters, and are almost always hungry. At times, this can provide a welcome reprieve from the grind of Tarpon or Snook fishing. For those of you who pride yourself on tangling with the biggest and strongest fish that swim, the Goliath Grouper should be right in your sights as a target species, or just a side trip. Be prepared, dealing with these giants is not for the faint of heart, and only for the physically fit.
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REDFISH
YEAR-ROUND
The crown jewel of shallow water fishing in Florida. Redfish are a hearty, powerful, fast, and cunning inshore species. They are a prized catch to any angler, and often inhabit the same stretches of water as Snook and can be caught with the same techniques. However, Redfish can often been seen feeding and holding in such shallow water that the tips of their tails stick out of the water (termed "tailing"). This offers a unique opportunity to sight fish up-close and personal with a highly prized gamefish. Redfish can be taken on a variety of baits, artificial, live, and dead, depending on the time of year, and situation. TOP |
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SHARKS
YEAR-ROUND
The oceans apex predators. Sharks are an often over-looked gamefish in some area of the country. Southwest Florida anglers are generally not among these people. The shark fishing here varies through out the year from really, really good to downright stellar. During Tarpon season, throngs of monster sized sharks move into the area to feed on the migrating Tarpon....yes, that's right ...sharks that can often be seen in Boca Grande Pass eating 150lb+ tarpon in a matter of seconds. Lemon, Bulls, Hammerheads (a recent world-record was set in Boca Grande Pass at over 1200lbs) Blacktip, Spinner, Dusky, and even a very rare Tiger Shark can be found in these waters. The type of fishing done for these sharks varies throughout the year but generally consists of large live or dead baits and "Key West Style" chumming. Light tackle shark fishing counts among one of the most thrilling and fulfilling endeavors an angler can under take. There are many line-class and all-tackle world records capable of being broken in the area, don't be afraid to ask about them and give it a shot if the timing looks right!
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KING MACKERAL
SPRING
& FALL
One of the most widely fished species on the Atlantic coast. This is the target species of the SKA tournament trail that runs from Key West, FL all the way up the coast. King Mackerel offer excellent light tackle action and can be taken through various methods including trolling, however it is live baiting that takes the most large kings. Kings range from about 5lbs-60lbs with the average in Southwest Florida being about 15-30lbs. Kings are often taken in the same areas that we find Permit, Cobia, grouper, snapper and sharks making for great near-shore action.
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COBIA
SPRING & FALL
Few migrations are more anticipated than that of the Cobia. These large, powerful, and great tasting gamefish make an annual migration up the coast feeding voraciously as they prepare to breed in the cool waters of the mid-atlantic. Cobia are generally found patrolling just off the beaches behind turtles and rays. They are also often encountered near offshore structure and wrecks. Cobia offer superb light tackle action, however growing regularly surpassing 50lbs and at times topping 100lbs you have to be careful just how light you go! Cobia fishing is generally 100% sight fishing making it one of the most exciting target species available in the offshore and nearshore waters of Southwest Florida.
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PERMIT
LATE MARCH - EARLY JULY
Permit are the prize fighters of the wrecks and offshore structure. Pound for Pound one of the most tenacious fighters found anywhere. Permit offer an excellent chance for light tackle, fly, and live bait action. Usually fished with small live crabs, small jigs and bucktails, and crab fly patterns, you will never forget your first (or last) battle with a large Permit. Catching a Permit on light tackle or fly definitely counts as one of the top achievements you can claim as a saltwater angler.
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TROUT
YEAR-ROUND
Offering excellent year-round action, the spotted sea trout is the greatest fish management success story in recent history. Found primarily over the miles of live-grass bottom covering Charlotte Harbor, their readiness to strike artificial plugs, particularly top-water, make them an exciting and action-packed catch. Often encountered in the same areas as Snook, Snapper, Redfish and even Tarpon, they can top off a nice inshore day and even the much sought after inshore slam! Sea trout are considered to be excellent table fare.
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SNAPPER
YEAR-ROUND
There are many species of snapper found in the waters of Southwest Florida. It is the Mangrove, Red, Lane, and Yellowtail varieties most often encountered within 20 miles of shore. Mangrove snapper are found from the shallow backwaters of Charlotte Harbor to the offshore wrecks and live-bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Found in large schools, they can offer non-stop action and are excellent fighting fish. Always targeted with light tackle, they are blast to catch and are definitely one of the best tasting fish in our waters. Generally targeted with live bait, and small artificials such as bucktails.
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LITTLE TUNNY (BONITO)
YEAR-ROUND
These hard fighting members of the tuna family are found in abundance year-round in the gulf of mexico. They will often form large schools and "bust" bait at the surface, creating a huge disturbance on the water that can sometimes be heard before it can even be seen. Little Tunny are seldom targeted as a gamefish despite the fact that they are, pound for pound, one of the fastest and strongest fish found in the Atlantic or Gulf. The Little Tunny is prized as both cut and live bait (though they are extremely difficult to keep alive, so are usually used on location). They can be caught in a variety of ways including chunking, trolling, livebaiting, casting plugs to busting schools, etc. Targeted with light tackle, or even fly, these guys will give you a run for your money. Typicaly 3-20lbs.
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BARRACUDA
YEAR-ROUND
One most fearsome, and misunderstood fish that swims. Barracuda are lightning fast, often striking with blinding speed and slashing live baits, or hooked trophy grouper and snapper for that matter, in half before the angler can blink. Barracuda grow to very large proportions, topping 5-6 feet in length. When hooked they are known for absolutely blistering runs and skyrocketing many times their body lengths out of the water. They can be an absolute blast to catch on light tackle. Barracuda have little, if any food value. They are catch and release only, aside from a few that are kept for shark bait on occasion.
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JACKS
YEAR-ROUND
It is commonly agreed that the Jack family are some of the strongest fish in the ocean. Aggressive predators that often travel in large schools, some species growing to over 100lbs, and their readiness aggressively attack a variety of artificial baits make Jacks a terrific game fish. Jack Crevalle are found from the shallow inshore waters and back country to deep offshore wrecks and reefs. Jack Crevalle have very little food value, they do however offer outstanding light tackle action. Jack Crevalle are not generally a target species, just a fun aside.
Greater Amberjack are another common member of the jack family encountered in Southwest Florida. Amberjack are usually found exclusively over deepwater wrecks and reefs. Amberjack offer excellent eating, and are usually caught in large numbers...if you can handle it!
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BLACK DRUM
YEAR-ROUND
Closely related to the Redfish (Red Drum), Black Drum grow to much larger proportions (to 75lbs+). Black Drum are not as common, or as highly targeted as their smaller cousins, but this makes them no less of a gamefish. Blackdrum are usually encountered in Charlotte Harbor over craggy oyster bars. They are extremely powerful, and will surprise even the most experienced anglers with their scorching runs when hooked. Black Drum are catch and release only as they offer moderate to low food quality.
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