FISHING PARADISE Bays, rivers, on-shore and off-shore, Lee County’s waters have it all
By Nathan Mayberg • For Hook, Line & Sinker
You have finally made it down to Southwest Florida with your fishing pole and are eager to enjoy its wealthy fishing waters. Don’t dive in head-first. Without a fishing permit you will be in trouble with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
You can obtain a permit online at www.myfwc. com or take a ride with a local charter captain. Southwest Florida is not a fish buffet, though. There are limits on many catches in place to protect local fisheries.
The limits on what kind of fish can be kept, the minimum size and what season they can be caught are all on the FWC’s website at www.myfwc.com. For saltwater fishing, there is an extensive list for the regulations on fish https://myfwc.com/fishing/ saltwater/recreational/
Currently, through Aug. 31, snook cannot be harvested – only caught and released. From Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, they can be harvested at a limit of one catch per day. The season is then closed again from Dec. 1 to the end of February.
This is a good time to be fishing in Southwest Florida as the regulations on catches are less than they have been in the past following the devastating 2018 red tide event that decimated local fisheries.
Cobia and redfish are currently among the most regulated fish here with a limit of one catch per person for each fish.
Capt. Mike Denegre
Among the other bag limits in the local waters are three per person for spotted seatrout and they must be at least 15 inches in length, and only one per person over 19 inches.
Tripletail are limited to two fish per person. Black drum and flounder are limited to five fish per person.
Southwest Florida is renowned for its large tarpon, which are catch-and-release only, and the largest fish in the waters here. There are several species of sharks which can also be caught.
A good local charter captain will be able to assist with identifying local fish for beginners and knowing the limits.
For Cape Coral-based Capt. Enzo Cerqua, who runs Enzo Outdoors fishing charters, the beauty of Florida fishing is “you never know what you are going to catch.”
He recommends the purchase of saltwater equipment. The maintenance of non-saltwater equipment used in saltwater can be demanding.
“Saltwater species – they all have some type of defense mechanism. They can bite you, sting you,” he said. “There is a real good chance you are going to catch a shark. They can hurt you. They did a lot of damage to my hand.”
Cerqua said small sharks can be found in shallow water so be careful and alert.
“Be prepared for the unexpected,”
he said. “Be careful in how you handle a fish. If you hook a shark and are not sure, just cut the line because they will get you.”
Cerqua’s charter boat goes 80-100 miles offshore. He likes to go off Pine Island Sound, out past Fort Myers Beach to Sanibel, Captiva and deep into the Gulf of Mexico.
“That whole area from Fort Myers Beach to Sanibel is loaded with fish,” Cerqua said. “It’s just a great fishery we are blessed with down here.”
To go fishing nine miles offshore, he needs a reef permit which costs him $25,000 to own. Further offshore he catches kingfish, tuna and large snapper.
“I still catch fish I’ve never seen before,” Cerqua said. The smaller fish usually are the harder ones to identify.
Cerqua stresses the need for anglers to keep up to date with the FWC rules.
“You better pay attention because it can change overnight on you,” he said. “They will surprise you.”
Cerqua said he understands the reason for the regulations.
“We got hit pretty hard with red tide (in 2018),” he said. “Our fish are making a great comeback,” he said.
Capt. Mike Denegre operates Good Time Charters out of Snook Bright Marina on Fort Myers Beach. The marina is home to a number of fishing boats and charter boats.
A good local charter captain will be able to assist in identifying fish for beginners and knowing limits.
“That whole area from Fort Myers Beach to Sanibel is loaded with fish.”
Denegre has been operating his fishing and dolphin tour boat for 20 years on Fort Myers Beach. He has a Catamaran fiberglass boat.
Denegre mainly does in-shore and near-shore fishing around Fort Myers Beach from the Estero Bay area to Lovers Key, and as far as five miles offshore into the Gulf.
“Right now we are doing a lot redfish. Snappers are everywhere,” Denegre said. Other common catches are spotted seatrout and Spanish mackerel.
Denegre said his favorite fish to catch in these parts are pompano. “They are a good fight and good to eat,” he said. Florida pompano can be caught year-round with a limit of six per person. African pompano catches are limited to two per harvester.
“Ninety-five percent of my charters want to catch some dinner,” Denegre said. Denegre offers to clean the fish for clients to cook themselves. Denegre said some local seafood restaurants on Fort Myers Beach will clean the fish at a charge and cook it on site. This can be helpful for vacationers who don’t have the ability to cook the fish themselves.
Denegre also offers charters for catching sharks.
Denegre said his main business is taking families on fishing and sightseeing charters. He also works at Snook Bright Marina taking care of boats in their dry storage.
He will charge $625 to take a group of up to six people for a four-hour excursion on his boat.
Denegre said this is a good time to be fishing. “We have a good fish population now,” he said.
SWFL FISHING Primer
Southwest Florida offers a diverse range of fishing opportunities due to its unique coastal environment, including the Gulf of Mexico, estuaries, mangroves, and freshwater systems.
Each type offers a unique experience, shaped by the region’s warm climate, rich ecosystems, and year-round fishing potential. Whether you’re after a trophy Tarpon in Boca Grande or a relaxing day on the flats, Southwest Florida has something for every angler.
Here are the main types of fishing you can enjoy in the region:
Inshore Fishing
• Takes place in shallow coastal waters, such as bays, estuaries, and along mangrove shorelines.
• Popular species: Snook, Redfish (Red Drum), Spotted Seatrout, Tarpon, and Mangrove Snapper.
• Techniques: Light tackle, fly fishing, or live bait (like shrimp or pilchards). This is great for anglers of all skill levels and can be done from boats, kayaks, or even the shore.
Offshore Fishing (Deep Sea Fishing)
• Occurs in deeper Gulf waters, typically 15–40 miles from the coast, though some action starts closer in.
• Popular species: Grouper (Gag, Red, Goliath), Snapper (Yellowtail, Red), King Mackerel, Amberjack, and Permit.
• Techniques: Heavy tackle, bottom fishing, or trolling with live bait or lures. Requires a sturdy boat and often a charter for the best experience.
Nearshore Fishing
• A middle ground between inshore and offshore, usually 5–15 miles out, around reefs, wrecks, or artificial structures.
• Popular species: Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, Sharks, and smaller Grouper or Snapper.
• Techniques: Light to medium tackle, live bait, or casting. Ideal for shorter trips without venturing too far offshore.
Flats Fishing
• Focuses on shallow flats (often less than a few feet deep) in areas like Pine Island Sound or the Ten Thousand Islands.
• Popular species: Tarpon, Bonefish, Redfish, and Snook.
• Techniques: Sight fishing with fly rods or light spinning gear. Poling a skiff or wading is common, offering a stealthy, exciting challenge.
Surf Fishing (Beachcasting)
• Done from beaches or piers, such as Naples Pier, Fort Myers Beach Pier, or Sanibel Island.
• Popular species: Snook, Pompano, Whiting, Sharks, and occasionally Tarpon or Redfish.
• Techniques: Casting with spinning rods, using cut bait, shrimp, or lures. Perfect for those without a boat.
Freshwater Fishing
• Available in canals, lakes (like Lake Trafford), and man-made water systems in areas like Cape Coral or Lehigh Acres.
• Popular species: Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass, Crappie, and exotic species like Oscars.
• Techniques: Bass fishing with plastic worms or jigs, or light tackle for panfish. Often overlooked but abundant in the region.
Pier Fishing
• Specific to structures like the Naples Pier or Fort Myers Beach Pier, where fish gather around pilings.
• Popular species: Snapper, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, and sometimes Snook or Tarpon.
• Techniques: Simple rod-and-reel setups with live bait or jigs. Convenient and family-friendly.
Kayak
Fishing combines inshore
or flats fishing with the mobility of a kayak, accessing tight spots boats can’t reach.
Kayak Fishing
• Combines inshore or flats fishing with the mobility of a kayak, accessing tight spots boats can’t reach.
• Popular species: Redfish, Snook, Trout, and smaller Tarpon.
• Techniques: Casting light tackle or fly fishing. A growing trend for its affordability and adventure.
Fly Fishing
• A specialized method thriving in Southwest Florida’s inshore and flats waters, known for world-class opportunities.
• Popular species: Tarpon (especially in Boca Grande), Snook, Redfish, and Bonefish.
• Techniques: Casting flies to visible fish, often in shallow water. Requires skill but highly rewarding.
How to Avoid Troubled Waters
Scott Williams
By Craig Garrett For Hook, Line & Sinker
Has road rage crossed over to our waterways and boat ramps?
For some seeing bad behavior daily, the answer is yes. These Southwest Florida charter captains and salty boaters report line jumping at boat ramps, for instance, music blasting in “quiet” fishing or crowded beach zones, hurled insults and threats, blowing through No Wake zones in canals and the Intracoastal Waterway, rights-of-way illiteracy, fishing gear snarled or sliced by carelessness, rental or intoxicated boaters/anglers doing dumb things.
Crowded beaches and fishing piers can get awful too, at peak season and as Florida’s population surges past 23.5 million.
In some instances, fights erupt.
Or worse: Florida in 2023 reported 59 waterway fatalities of mostly untrained boaters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC. As Florida is the country’s boating capital with more than 1 million registered vessels, dangerous or rude incidents on the water are inevitable – too many of us chasing a favored beach or fishing spots, too many big boats swamping littler ones, perhaps reflecting road rage, industry observers insist.
“And why I keep my head on a swivel,” said Scott Williams, the Cape Coral owner of Thrill of It All fishing charters. “I regularly tell my guys (customers), ‘We got a big wave coming at us … brace yourselves.’ And the other boater doesn’t understand within a certain distance that’s illegal. You see all sorts of crazy things.”
To once-a-month boaters, boarding another person’s boat, on waterways where no one person is entitled, however, this violence-tinged drama startles them. Long-timers say it has been creeping for a few years, a recipe to nick the state’s $142 billion vacation brand.
Florida in 2023 reported 59 waterway fatalities of mostly untrained boaters.
“I think it’s a sign of the Electronic Age, not talking to one another,” said Jim Thompson, president of the Englewood Fishing Club in Charlotte County. “(You) can be a half a mile away from (another angler) and they’re yelling and screaming. We just don’t teach our kids courtesy anymore … the key is being observant, being aware … and a boater safety course.”
And like most things, behavioral adjustments – and living by them – can help us avoid trouble on beaches and waterways.
Here are simple rules of etiquette offered by the FWC.
Be ready at the ramp: Prepare your boat and equipment before launch. At a fuel dock, get fuel, pay and move out of the way.
Wear a life jacket: Set a good example for others and stay safe.
Watch the wake: Stay at least 200 feet from shoreline and other boaters and follow no wake zones. Always yield to wade anglers.
Boat safely: Know who has the right-of-way and when.
Be courteous on shore: Don’t shoreline fish in areas or during times of day when there are a lot of swimmers. Don’t crowd anglers who are fishing from shore.
Stash your trash: Recycle fishing line and dispose of trash in a proper receptacle ashore.
Coming in for a landing: When anchoring up, watch how other boats tie off and do the same. If you think you are too close to other boaters or anglers, you are probably too close. Mind the current and be patient and wait for others to move before docking. Keep the noise down: Sound is amplified over the water, which can disturb other boaters and those who live near the water.
Give anglers space: The sounds or wake from your boat can cause an angler to lose their catch or drive fish away.
Beaches are a shared space: People and dogs will walk around you, ask questions, so be mindful of who and what is around you when casting fishing lines; stay close to your gear and don’t be annoyed when someone walks under your rods.
Make way: When casting, because sea fishing is often done with heavy weights, clear 50 feet in any direction. Also, if a fish is hooked and the angler needs to move around, let them have priority. Ensure your gear doesn’t take up space that another angler could use. Yell ‘fish on’ when fighting a fish, alert other anglers to avoid tangles, pull in your line when your neighbor is fighting a fish.
Be an ethical angler, which means knowing when to keep or release your catch while always handling fish with care. This includes knowing and abiding by regulations and being able to identify the fish you target. Also, a friendly attitude goes a long way.
Be
an
ethical angler!
If you see something…
Report a suspected violation of the law to Wildlife Alert at fwc.com. Report as soon as possible and provide as much detail as you can about the location, physical descriptions of potential violators, vehicles, license tag numbers, etc. If the information you provide results in a citation or arrest for a violation listed on the Wildlife Alert reward schedule, you may be eligible for the reward that corresponds to the violation level.
Your identity is protected by Florida law. If you wish to remain anonymous, you are not required to provide identifying information or testify in court.
Tarpon Fishing This Season?
GEAR
Set up for success with these gear recommendations to catch tarpon quickly and minimize fight time.
Spin or Conventional
• Use tackle heavy enough by matching tackle to conditions and targeted fish size. Example: If targeting large tarpon, consider using medium to extra heavy spinning rods with 5,000 to 10,000 series spinner reels and at least 12 pounds of drag, 50- to 60-pound braid, and at least 60- to 80-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon leader, depending upon the selected crimp or knot system. Use 6/0-10/0 circle hooks depending on brand and bait type.
• When using bait, use non-stainless, non-offset, barbless circle hooks.
• Use single-hook rigs.
• Have a fighting belt or chair available for additional support during the fight.
• Have a long-handled dehooking tool to quickly and easily remove hooks.
• Fly
• Use tackle heavy enough by matching tackle to conditions and targeted fish size. Example: If targeting large tarpon, use 10- to 12-weight class rods and line with a break section of 15- to 25-pound test in the leader.
• Use a break section in your leader in case sharks show up. The break section is a portion of your leader that is weaker than the rest of your leader and the core of the fly line.
• Crimp barbs down on flies.
• Have a long-handled dehooking tool to quickly and easily remove hooks.
Make sure to follow these best fishing practices to keep silver kings reigning Tarpon season is in full swing and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds anglers to use these best fishing practices to keep silver kings reigning for generations to come. These best fishing practices were developed to help anglers quickly reel in tarpon and be set up for a successful release. From gear selection and handling techniques to proper release and shark awareness, here are the key practices every angler should know.
FIGHTING
Aim to minimize fight time of tarpon and use these fighting techniques to reduce stress on the fish.
• If the tarpon jumps, bow your rod toward the fish and drop the rod tip down while reeling in so that the tarpon does not throw the hook.
• Counter the tarpon’s run by using the backbone of the rod to pull low and hard in the opposite direction the fish is swimming and use short turns of the reel to bring line in.
• Put the butt end of the rod into your hip or use a fighting belt or chair to get leverage for the fight.
• Make sure your drag is tight enough to sufficiently wear down the tarpon as quickly as possible.
• If the fish tries to go under or around the boat, move to the front of the boat to prevent the line from breaking or becoming entangled.
• If you need to break the line, point your rod at the tarpon and hold the spool or reel. Pull straight back to break the leader and free the tarpon.
HANDLING
Keep handling to a minimum and be sure to work quickly to allow for a successful release.
• Tarpon over 40 inches MUST remain in the water by rule, unless in pursuit of a state or world record using a tarpon tag purchased before fishing begins.
• Tarpon smaller than 40 inches should only be handled with wet hands and be supported horizontally under the belly, if removed from the water.
• Keep the gills of tarpon in the water to minimize air exposure.
• Keep fingers away from the gills and eyes.
• Avoid dragging tarpon over the gunnel of a boat or over rocks or railings.
• Avoid delaying release by having a camera ready if you’re planning to take a quick picture.
FOR MORE INFO
For more information on tarpon best fishing practices, regulations, and frequently asked questions, visit MyFWC.com/Tarpon.
RELEASE
Catch and release tarpon as quickly as possible to reduce stress on the fish.
• Aim for a no-touch release by either using a long-handled dehooking tool to remove the hook or cut the line as close as possible to the hook.
• If the tarpon is gut hooked or the hook is lodged in the throat, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Revive a lethargic tarpon by holding it horizontally in the water to allow it to pump water through its gills.
• Shorten future fight times if tarpon appear lethargic during release.
SHARKS
• Help give tarpon the chance to escape predators when released.
• Sharks are known to prey upon tarpon during the fight. If a shark shows up, help the tarpon survive by quickly bringing the fish to the boat and cutting the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Move to another fishing location if sharks are in the area.
Additionally, it is also recommended to avoid fishing for tarpon from bridges or piers. Only tarpon under 40 inches may be removed from the water, so if you did hook up to a large tarpon from a bridge or
pier, you would have to cut the line and leave a long line trailing behind the fish, leading to entanglements and reducing survivability.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fishing for Tarpon in Boca Grande Pass?
Be sure to review the regulations specific to this area. Bottom-weighted jigs are prohibited year-round. This includes fishing with gear that has a weight attached to a hook, artificial fly or lure in such a way that the weight hangs lower than the hook when the line or leader is suspended vertically from the rod. Any jig that allows the attached weight to slip down the shank so that it hangs lower than the hook while the line or leader is suspended vertically from the rod is also prohibited. Any gear or jig that can be described as such, may not be attached to any rod, line or leader and must be stowed when traveling through the Pass. Additionally, from April 1 through June 30, no more than three fishing lines may be deployed from a vessel and breakaway gear is prohibited.
It is important to remember that these restrictions apply to fishing for all species within the Pass.
Tarpon photo courtesy of Dr. Aaron Adams.
Captains’ Tips: Learn from the Insiders
Knowing how wild fish behave is key in the ageless art of angling. But it’s not easy; remember the fish stealing your bait or a zilch day as the sun arose on a morning of such promise. Or just a nibble, a sudden pull and the thrill of reeling your catch.
That cycle of hope is what gets us back on the water again and again.
The best advice for fishing success is consulting experts, either observing or getting out with a charter guide. Below are tips from a fishing professionals in Southwest Florida.
Captain Brandon Douberly
Floridaze Fishing Charters, Bokeelia
Inshore fishing is my specialty… and when you fish inshore, it’s key to find good flowing water, structure, bait fish, oysters, mangroves and, most of all, grass beds. Grass, in my opinion, is the lifeblood of our inshore waters; it is a good signifier of a healthy ecosystem and is home and a hideaway for bait fish and crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. Predator fish love to scour these grass beds for food.
Captain Tanner Peer
Captain Tanner’s Charter Company
Cape Coral
The key to becoming a successful fisherman or fisherwoman in our area is something most people don’t want to hear … and that’s time on the water.
On higher tides, many of the game fish we seek will find their own hideouts in the mangrove root systems that hang below the surface. These predator fish will sit in the tightly wound roots just waiting for their next meal to swim by, or in many cases, flow through with the current.
When targeting snook, snapper and redfish, I look for these areas around the mangrove islands as a sure-fire spot that a fish will be hiding.
Fish choose their areas of ambush based on what the tide allows. On lower tides, many game species come to deeper pockets, sand holes off the grass or channels with good structure like docks, rocks or sunken debris to keep them safe.
If you can get inside the mind of an inshore species and think of the most opportune places for them to be safe while also being able to ambush and eat, you’ll find that your day on the water will have overwhelmingly more success.
For more info: www.floridazefishing.com
239-558-1231
Success day after day doesn’t come from luck or even just good gear. It comes from putting in the hours and truly paying attention to the fisheries’ surroundings. Ask yourself: What’s the tide doing? What level is it at? Which way is the wind blowing and how is that affecting the water movement? What season is it and which species are most active right now?
You need to stop thinking of yourself solely as a fisherman. Start thinking like a hunter. If you’re new to the area, your mission should be to cover ground – drift the grass flats, work down the mangrove lines and observe everything.
Over time, you’ll start to find those productive “fishing spots.” But here’s the catch: Those spots will be tide-dependent and seasonal. What works today might be dead tomorrow. Fish move. Conditions change weekly, sometimes daily. That’s why it always comes back to time on the water and your willingness to observe, adapt and learn.
For more info: 239-645-6080, captaintannersllc@gmail.com
SALTWATER FISHING
Captain Enzo Cerqua
Enzo Outdoors, Cape Coral
Florida is known as the fishing capital of the world, offering incredible opportunities for both seasoned pros and beginners. Here in Southwest Florida, saltwater fishing can be enjoyed in the gulf, passes, sounds and estuaries.
The biggest difference between saltwater and freshwater fishing is the gear… and the size of the fish. Saltwater equipment must be corrosion-resistant, with heavier rods, hooks and leaders to handle larger species. Handling these fish safely is essential, not just for the angler but for the fish as well.
Weather also plays a big role in determining what species are active and where to find them.
If you are new to saltwater fishing, consider hiring a local captain. They can teach proper techniques, help you choose the right gear and show you how to land and release various species. In the long run it will save you money and set you up for success.
Have fun, be safe and tight lines! For more info: www.enzooutdoors.com, 248-343-3193
“If you are new to saltwater fishing, consider hiring a local captain.”
- Captain Enzo Cerqua
Captain Nate Sklorenko
Cape Coral
Fishing around Cape Coral is really firing off right now. And there’s a ton of action for anyone getting out on the water. Tarpon are showing up strong along the beaches and passes, big fish rolling, giving you solid shots at hook-ups.
Snook are on the move too, staging around the mangroves, docks and bridges, getting ready to spawn. They are feeding heavy and hitting bigger baits. We’re also seeing some nice bonus action with free-swimming cobia and permit cruising the beaches, especially on those calm sunny mornings when you can spot them clear as day.
Inshore is loaded with bait – lots of medium threadfins, pilchards and pinfish. If you’ve got a little time, anchor up and chum a grass flat. You will pull in a solid mix of bait that will keep your live-well full and your lines tight.
From Matlacha Pass to Pine Island Sound and out to the gulf, it’s game on!
For more info: 239-896-7807
-Compiled by Craig Garrett
By Craig Garrett • For Hook, Line & Sinker
Run of bad luck fishing?
Mother Nature’s bag of tricks could help, according to sources that include The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has published so-called solunar charts for more than 200 years.
Solunar, which blends the word Sol for sun and Lunar for the moon, is a theory that, combined with tides and weather, certain moon/sun phases ring the dinner bell. This affects all living creatures, including us. Moon phases and gravity affect mood and sleep, almost certainly a woman’s menstrual cycle, some experts agree.
One hour before or after high or low tides during moon phases – so-called morning or evening rises – reportedly prompt wildlife feeding, for instance, and puts your lure in the
middle of that frenzy.
Storms, calmer conditions and other factors also figure into solunar theories, advocates of the inexact science insist.
Solunar periods classify as major or minor. Solunar tables or calendars list these predicted activity periods. Hunters for centuries had also used such information, a folklore based on certain truths over time. The Almanac includes the best fishing days, typically the beginning and ending of each month.
The term “solunar theory” originated with a former banker turned naturalist/fishing guru named John Alden Knight, who published his theory in 1936. Knight wrote “Moon Up, Moon Down,” detailing his research in 162 pages. He wrote several books on fishing, as well.
“A falling barometer, fish are going to eat…those are the best days.”
The goal of solunar theory, Knight said, was understanding fish behavior and life cycles, knowing which gear to choose, every angle for “gaining greater insight into all facets of the sport (that) will ultimately make for more successful and enjoyable fishing trips,” he wrote.
Native Americans used lunar and solar cycles for thousands of years, historians agree, some accepting the sun and moon as spiritual entities. Moon phases determined the best hunting times, certain moons with types of game.
Solunar in modern fishing works, to a point, said Don Norton, a Sebring author and fishing guide who studies every aspect to succeed. Water temperature, wind, time of year and the color of water all play bigger roles in when fish bite, have a “much stronger bearing” than solunar tables, he insisted.
Inland, the times for high tides correspond with when the moon is due south. Low tides are halfway between high tides.
• During the “morning rise” (after sunup for a spell) and the “evening rise” (just before sundown and the hour or so after).
The big enchilada in success on the water, however, is barometric pressure, Norton said, or a fish’s “internal warning system. A falling barometer, fish are going to eat…those are the best days.”
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac solunar calendar, the best fishing times are:
• One hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides.
During the rise and set of the moon.
Just before the arrival of a storm, although the falling barometric pressure will eventually slow down the rate at which fish feed (but even during stormy periods, the fish aren’t going to give up feeding. The smart fisherman will find just the right bait). Angling can also be good when the pressure is either steady or on the rise 1 to 2 days after a storm. High pressure accompanying clear weather can bring on sluggishness and reduced activity.
• When there is a hatch of flies – caddis flies or mayflies, commonly. (The fisherman will have to match his fly with the hatching flies or go fishless.)
• When the breeze is from a westerly quarter rather than from the north or east.
• When the water is still or slightly rippled, rather than during a wind.
Good Knight
John Alden Knight’s solunar calendar ran in hundreds of publications. A summary of his work in a 1947 Time magazine article noted that, “scientists can scoff, but he believes – and several thousand sportsmen who follow his tables will swear – that at certain times of day all nature seems to wake up. Fish bite, ducks and pheasants abound, field dogs are alert and easy to train, and even human beings suddenly feel good for no apparent reason. The solunar tables chart the times of day when everything starts to hum.”
Said Knight, who died in 1966: “We don’t know what causes that activity, but it applies to all life. The sun and the moon seem to have something to do with it. Fishermen and hunters who follow the solunar tables will have the best luck –other things being equal.”
Summer brings warm waters and peak fishing.
Here’s a breakdown of the best fishing opportunities in Southwest Florida for each season, based on the region’s unique climate and fish behavior:
Spring (March-May)
Spring is an exciting time in SWFL as water temperatures rise and fish become more active. The best fishing is for tarpon, which begin their migration northward along the coast, particularly around areas like Boca Grande Pass, Sanibel and Fort Myers. Known as the “Silver King,” tarpon offer thrilling fights and acrobatic leaps, making them a top target. Inshore, snook fishing heats up as they prepare to spawn, feeding aggressively near beaches, passes and mangroves. Offshore, cobia start their northward migration, providing excellent opportunities nearshore and around wrecks.
Summer (June-August)
peaks during summer, with species like blacktip and bull sharks active in both nearshore and deeper waters – perfect for anglers seeking a challenge during the day or evening.
Fall (September-November)
Fall is a fantastic season for inshore fishing, with redfish taking the spotlight. As they spawn near inlets and flats (like the Caloosahatchee River mouth), big “bull” redfish become abundant, offering hard fights and rewarding catches. Offshore, king mackerel (kingfish) start their southward migration, making them a prime target for anglers trolling along the coast. The cooling waters also bring trout into focus inshore, feeding actively on grass flats.
Summer brings warm waters and peak fishing action. Red Snapper dominate offshore fishing, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, where their season is typically open (check regulations for exact dates). These tasty bottom-dwellers are found around reefs and wrecks. Inshore, snook remain a strong contender, thriving in the warm shallows and under docks. Shark fishing also
Winter (December-February)
Winter fishing in SWFL shines with sheepshead and trout. Sheepshead congregate around structures like docks, bridges, and oyster bars, feeding on crustaceans in the cooler waters – great for anglers looking for a tasty catch. Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) thrive in the chilly conditions, preferring deeper holes and grass flats, making them the main attraction inshore. Offshore, mangrove snapper remain active around reefs and wrecks, providing consistent action.
