Coastal Angler Magazine | Fort Myers / Cape Coral Charlotte Harbor March 2026 Edition

FORT MYERS/CAPE CORAL/CHARLOTTE HARBOR EDITION

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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 372 MAR 2026 F R A N C H I S E

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PLAN B TUNA T

he scene in front of us was chaotic. !ere were birds diving, porpoise rolling and hefty yellowfin tuna skyrocketing like Fourth of July fireworks. Both on the water and in the boat, the energy was palatable. With one angler on the bow ready to cast a top water plug into the fray and me in the stern with ready to deploy live bait, the boat throttled back. !e plug went flying, meanwhile I simply dropped my bait behind the boat and started freelining. Almost instantly the plug was blasted in the air but not connecting. Meanwhile, I tossed a handful of baits off the back of the boat. By now the fray had subsided but the fish were clearly still looking for an easy meal. 50 feet behind me one of the chummers was blasted overhead by a 150 pound yellowfin who was skyward bound after it. Just below I could see my bait franticly swimming as another engulfed it, leading to a great battle before releasing the 100 pound class fish.

While top water fishing for tuna is all the rave right now, it really makes sense to deploy multiple tactics to take advantage of these opportunities, as the school often retreats as the boat nears. Our back up plan is very simple and almost always produces fish. As the boat gets into casting range of the school, we drop live bait off the stern and free line them. We always keep a couple ready to go. !is way, if the school disappears there are other baits ready for those who have been plugging.

For bait google eyes or blue runners, rigging them on a 10/0 circle hook is ideal. Bridling the bait and using a non-slip loop knot presents the most natural movement as the baits flee. Also, tossing a handful of chummers in, as the surface activity disperses, usually brings fishing looking to pick up stragglers into the strike zone.

Chumming really helps keep the fish around, so make sure you have plenty of bait. When you get hit, give it a five count real tight and hang on!

I like to use a bit heavier tackle with the live bait, as we often seem to find bigger fish. My go to is Shimano Terez BW Roller Striper medium heavy with a Talica 25A. I use 80lb braid to 80lb mono. !is is a great set up that’s fun for fish from 40 to 140 and can handle the occasional really big one. the rod with a better fighting angle. It also helps to keep the line away from the gunnel as a spiraling fish ascends. !is is a great asset for many anglers on these tough fish.

By Will Schmidt

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for more than two decades. Follow Will on Instagram @saltynstrong.

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Florida’s Spawn Transition: Where the Giants Get Caught

tion. If they’re holding tighter to cover, slowing down with a Texas-rigged creature bait or a wacky-rigged stick worm can seal the deal. The key is not getting too shallow too fast; a lot of an-glers run straight to visible bedding areas n Florida, we don’t wait on spring the way and skip right past the best fish.

TYLER WOOLCOTT the rest of the country does. Our bass start Florida weather adds another layer to the thinking about the spawn early, and that lipless crankbaits are great for puzzle. A few warm, stable days can push fish in-between window when they’re moving covering water along staging forward in a hurry, while a stiff north wind can from winter patterns to-ward the beds is one edges, especially around submerged vegeta- reposition them just as quickly. The calendar of the most exciting times to be on the matters less than conditions. Watch water water. It’s not full-blown bed fishing yet, temperature trends, pay attention to wind and it’s not the deep winter grind either. direction, and look for areas that warm It’s the transition. And if you hit it right, first, especially protected shorelines with it’s when the biggest fish in the lake darker bottoms. Transition bass adjust are at their absolute heaviest and most daily, some-times hourly, and the anglers catchable. who adjust with them are the ones During this phase, big females holding up the heavy fish. don’t just rush the shallows. They stage For me, this window is one of the first. Think outside grass lines, ditch most exciting times of the year. You’re intersections, shell bars, canal mouths, not just sight-fishing beds, you’re hunting and hard-bottom spots just off spawning moving giants that are feeding and flats. They want easy access to both positioning with purpose. They’re thick, worlds shallow enough to move up when strong, and aggressive enough to commit. conditions warm and deep enough to When you connect with one during the slide back if a cold front rolls through. spawn transition, it’s not just another bite Instead of randomly covering water, it’s often the bite that defines the season. suc-cessful anglers focus on these “inAnd in Florida, that fish can show up on between” areas where bass pause before any cast. committing.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott is a professional The fun part about fishing the tournament angler, as well as owner/ transition is that these fish are still in operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, feeding mode. They’re fueling up before providing bass and saltwater guided fishing the hard work of spawning, which means trips: www.floridabigfishadventures.com. reaction baits can shine. Swimbaits and

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IN THE KITCHEN withJessica

Tropical Wahoo Street Tacos By: Jessica Hendrie

W

ahoo is one of the most prized fish in South Florida, and for good reason! It’s fast, powerful and when it hits the deck, everyone knows dinner will soon be something special. Most people keep it simple with grilled, blackened or sashimi but Wahoo is clean and its firm texture makes it perfect for dishes that go beyond usual dock side dishes.

One of my favorite things to make with wahoo are tropical street style tacos. After a long day on the water, the last thing I was is a complicated recipe. This dish comes together quickly, but they still feel like you put a lot of time and effort into them. The mild, buttery taste of the fillets takes on season beautifully, and when paired with a bright mango slaw and warm tortillas, it turns into a dish that’s equal parts fresh, sweet, and even savory.

Start with your fresh wahoo. Cut it into small, even strips and season them to your liking. I also recommend adding smoked paprika and brown sugar to your seasoning mixture. You can thank me later! Don’t forget to add a squeeze of lemon or lime. Heat your skillet with light olive oil and cook the wahoo for just a few minutes on each side. It doesn’t take long, once it’s flaky, it’s done. Overcooking is the only real mistake you can make here so be careful.

While that cooks, throw together a quick slaw with shredded cabbage, diced mango, thin slices of red onion, and chopped cilantro. Squeeze some more fresh lime over it and add a spoonful of mayonnaise or a dash of coconut milk for a light yet tropical dressing. The sweetness of the mango and brightness of the lime balance the richness of the fish nicely. Warm your tortillas however you like and start preparing them by layering your prepared foods. It’s a simple meal that feels like a celebration every time.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and use it as much as my family and I does! Take it, make it your own, change it, claim it. And as always, happy fishing!

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | MARCH 2026 | FORT MYERS 1

March Opportunities

By: Capt. Bart Marx

S

outhwest Florida had a record-breaking winter and The Gulf of America water temperature was below 50 degrees last month which puts a lot of stress on some of the fish species. North of our area there were reports of fish kills. One of the species that does not do well is our snook population. There may be some changes to the harvest of this species, therefore, it is important to keep your ears on the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to determine if they will make any rapid changes for snook fishing. During the month of March, we can look for some migratory species like the mackerel kings and Spanish mackerel, and on the near shore small ledges there should be sheepshead spawning in 30 to 50 foot of water. Around these areas where there is sand, you may find flounder on the sandy side of these ledges. Flounder will eat shrimp and you may even encounter a hogfish as they love crustations, small crabs and shrimp. There also should be plenty of white grunts and some porgies too. If you head out to 50 plus feet, lane snapper, yellow tails, and even a keeper red grouper are targets. Inshore there should be plenty of redfish along the edges of the mangroves and in the small tidal creeks. Trout will be scattered throughout the grass flats. They like to lay in the edges of the sand holes and wait for an unsuspecting bait to swim by and make it into a meal. I like to drift along the grass flats and cast an artificial shrimp with a cigar bobber to pop on the surface to get their attention. Trout are very good eating if you eat them fresh not frozen. If you would like to learn some of these techniques, Capt. Bart is available to go with you on your boat and show you where you can get safely without destroying the grass beds or your propeller! Call 941-979-6517 or e-mail me captbart@alphaomegacharters.com. Learning from an experienced fishing guide will help shorten your learning curve if you are new to the area!

Alpha Omega Charters | alphaomegacharters.com captbart@alphaomegacharters.com | 941-979-6517 2 FORT MYERS | MARCH 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

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SPRINGTIME

FISHING By: Capt. Terry Fisher

I

am thankful that spring is in the air, as January and February forced some colder than normal weather and winds. I did a couple of seminars over the last several weeks and most reported poor bites inshore and offshore during the cold spells. Hopefully, they are behind us and we can all get back to normal temperature averages and catch a lot of fish.

Springtime brings out the best in people and fish. The fish are less lethargic and more aggressive. Strikes become more aggressive on both artificial and live presentations. Artificial presentations include soft plastics, topwater, swim and twitch baits. Shrimp, pilchards, pinfish and threadfins some of the more effective live baits. Depending on the water temperatures, migratory species such as spanish mackerel, kingfish, tarpon and shark will open up the fishery making it worth-while to target just off the beaches and passes.

Sheepshead are both inshore and offshore. Large ones normally remain inshore around the docks, seawalls and mangroves throughout March. They are harvestable and provide some great angling and eating for those who like to target them.

The seatrout bite should be good this month with larger ones in the mix. I enjoy targeting them in the grass flats anywhere from three to five foot of water. The higher March tides will offer opportunities to fish deeper holes and areas around the mangrove islands that were not accessible to many anglers during previous winter months. Regardless of when or where one fishes for them, they will bite on artificial and live presentations.

Hopefully the spanish mackerel migration will be in full swing.

January and early February failed to provide the normal opportunities to catch them. When here, they will be found off the beaches, in the passes and inshore. Watch for diving birds and catch them on live or artificial presentations. I utilize a couple of methods to catch these fish.

1) I like to target them in the passes or off the beaches on incoming and outgoing tides. I freeline pilchards on light tackle with heavy monofilament leaders to prevent ‘bite-offs’. Other than for kingfish, I do not like to use wire line with or without ‘stinger’ hooks, although they are very effective. I have a good catch rate and more bites on 40lb. monofilament leaders with 1oz. silver spoons (slow troll or cast) in the passes.

2) In the grass flats while fishing for seatrout one may expect to catch a number of them on artificial or live bait presentations. I recommend and use a popping cork on most all occasions when fishing for seatrout in the deeper grassy flats. Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish, jack

4 FORT MYERS | MARCH 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

crevalle usually become part of the action.

The redfish action should start to pick-up for anglers as the higher tides allow boat access the shallower back-country locations in and around the mangroves. During the winter months we experience low water levels that prevent anglers from getting boats to these reclusive spots. Therefore, I spend a lot of time during the winter months working the high side of the tides in and around the passes, under and around docks, with a lot of current until the spring tide levels allow access to the shallows of the winter months. This can be a very rewarding and effective strategy. It’s just a matter of when they are there (time of day).

March fishing offers both options. I prefer live shrimp, live pilchards, live or cut pinfish. Sheepshead, mangrove snappers and snook are the other species feeding along with the redfish.

Springtime snook will be found at the mouth of creeks and up the rivers. They will also be in the shallows of the passes and under the docks.

Again, the higher March tides will allow anglers access to the same back-country locations that redfish will be found. Live presentations of pilchards for these fish will be the most productive.

Offshore locations should produce some nice size mangrove and lane snappers along with grunts for harvesting. These will be accessible for anglers not having vessels for long-range running (10 or more miles out).

I suggest one looks to 35-45 foot of water with bottom structure such as grass, rubble, etc. Medium heavy rods with small circle hooks (1/02/0) and light leaders of 15-20lb for best results. Recommended baits are squid, pilchards, silver side minnows and shrimps. Take more chum than beer for best results!

Long range offshore locations (35-40 miles) with depths from 85 to 110 ft. should produce some nice mangroves, lane snappers and grouper for harvesting. Baits of choice will include squid, pinfish, cigar minnows and shrimps. Upgrade your equipment to bigger circle hooks, medium to heavy rods with stronger line and leaders to handle the bigger fish.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters LLC wishing everyone good fishing. Check out my website at www. fishfacecharters.com, Instagram or Facebook for updates.

Email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com or call me at 239-357-6829 to book a charter. I am available as Captain for Hire on your vessel (by the hour) for navigation, fishing locations and techniques that insure you always catch fish.

Fish Face Charters | fishfacecharters.com | 239-357-6829

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March In the Sound By: Alex Baumann

M

arch fly fishing around Sanibel Island is not really about chasing one specific species. It is about understanding movement. As winter fades and spring starts to settle in, the shallow water ecosystem begins to shift all at once. Fish, bait, and predators are all on the move. Anglers who pay attention to where fish are going and why usually do better than those who stay locked into one target.

Water temperature is the biggest factor this time of year. March sunshine slowly warms the shallows, especially dark bottom flats, protected bays, and mangrove shorelines. These areas heat up first, pulling in baitfish and crustaceans, and the predators follow close behind. Instead of committing to one flat or shoreline, stay mobile and look for water that feels just a few degrees warmer and shows signs of life.

Tides matter just as much. As fish leave their winter holding areas and shift into spring feeding zones, they use changes in depth like travel routes.

The edges of flats, troughs, creek mouths, and small drains become natural stopping points where fish pause to feed as water moves. On low tides, fish stack along these edges. As the water rises, they spread out and push shallow to hunt. Knowing this rhythm helps fly anglers stay one step ahead instead of constantly reacting.

March often brings clearer water on calm days, which makes sight fishing a big part of the experience. A shadow sliding across sand, nervous bait, or a subtle push of water can give away a fish long before you see a fin. Instead of worrying about the species right away, smart anglers focus on behavior. Is the fish cruising, sitting still, or actively feeding? Those details matter more for fly choice and presentation than the name of the fish.

Wind and weather still play a role, but March is usually more forgiving than winter. Lighter winds and steadier conditions open up more water, especially in the backcountry of Pine Island Sound. When the breeze does pick up, deeper edges and protected mangrove shorelines continue to hold fish that are on the move. What makes March special on Sanibel is that patterns start to repeat. Fish move shallow with warmth, slide deeper when it cools off, and follow bait through predictable paths. Anglers who take the time to notice these movements, instead of chasing reports, start to see how the whole system works together.

March on Sanibel, fly fishing becomes less about what you are casting to and more about understanding the why and when happening beneath the surface. To learn my fly fishing techniques, contact me directly at 704-999-0571, @alextroutsets and let me show you how I do it!

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In Business

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fishfacecharters@ yahoo.com 239.357.6829

MATLACHA

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March/2026 • 26°39’N 81°52’W

Fort Myers, FL - Mar 2026

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1.5

10:26

0.4

11:37

-0.4

6:45

6:32

7

Sat

6:11

0.4

5:42

1.0

12:37

-0.2

11:33

-0.1

6:44

6:32

8

Sun

6:56

0.9

5:02

1.5

11:44

0.5

7:44

7:33

8

Sun

8:07

0.3

7:08

1.0

1:31

-0.2

12:53

-0.1

7:43

7:32

9

Mon

8:12

0.8

5:30

1.5

1:27

-0.3

12:02

0.5

7:43

7:33

9

Mon

9:26

0.2

7:38

1.0

3:36

-0.3

1:15

0.0

7:42

7:33

10

Tue

9:38

0.7

6:04

1.4

2:31

-0.3

12:23

0.6

7:42

7:34

10

Tue

11:18

0.1

8:15

1.0

4:58

-0.3

1:38

0.1

7:41

7:33

11

Wed

6:48

1.3

3:49

-0.2

7:41

7:34

11

Wed

9:04

0.9

6:34

-0.4

7:40

7:34

12

Thu

7:53

1.3

5:12

-0.2

7:40

7:35

12

Thu

10:14

0.8

7:44

-0.4

7:39

7:34

13

Fri

1:36

0.8

6:27

-0.2

3:39

0.8

7:39

7:36

13

Fri

2:59

0.4

8:34

-0.4

6:00

0.3

7:38

7:35

14

Sat

1:52

0.9

7:18

-0.2

5:51

0.7

7:38

7:36

14

Sat

3:22

0.5

9:14

-0.4

7:22

0.3

7:37

7:35

15

Sun

2:07

0.9

7:53

-0.2

6:57

0.6

7:37

7:37

15

Sun

1:21

0.9

3:44

0.6

9:47

-0.3

8:25

0.2

7:36

7:36

16

Mon

12:43

1.4

2:22

1.1

8:24

-0.1

7:48

0.4

7:36

7:37

16

Mon

2:26

0.9

4:04

0.7

10:14

-0.3

9:19

0.1

7:35

7:36

17

Tue

1:35

1.5

2:37

1.2

8:52

0.0

8:35

0.2

7:35

7:38

17

Tue

3:19

1.0

4:22

0.7

10:37

-0.2

10:08

0.0

7:34

7:37

18

Wed

2:24

1.6

2:53

1.4

9:20

0.1

9:25

0.0

7:33

7:38

18

Wed

4:06

1.0

4:40

0.9

10:57

-0.1

10:57

-0.1

7:33

7:37

19

Thu

3:14

1.5

3:10

1.5

9:47

0.3

10:16

-0.2

7:32

7:39

19

Thu

4:52

1.0

5:00

1.0

11:15

0.0

11:47

-0.1

7:32

7:38

20

Fri

4:09

1.4

3:30

1.7

10:12

0.4

11:07

-0.3

7:31

7:39

20

Fri

5:39

0.8

5:23

1.2

11:32

0.0

7:30

7:38

21

Sat

5:08

1.3

3:56

1.8

10:36

0.6

11:59

-0.5

7:30

7:40

21

Sat

6:29

0.7

5:52

1.3

12:41

-0.2

11:48

0.1

7:29

7:39

22

Sun

6:11

1.1

4:28

1.9

10:56

0.7

7:29

7:40

22

Sun

7:27

0.5

6:25

1.4

1:42

-0.2

12:03

0.1

7:28

7:39

23

Mon

7:29

0.9

5:05

1.9

12:55

-0.5

11:13

0.8

7:28

7:41

23

Mon

8:42

0.3

7:04

1.4

2:51

-0.3

12:17

0.1

7:27

7:40

24

Tue

9:20

0.8

5:47

1.8

2:02

-0.5

11:26

0.8

7:27

7:41

24

Tue

7:50

1.3

4:16

-0.3

7:26

7:40

25

Wed

6:39

1.7

3:17

-0.4

7:26

7:42

25

Wed

8:49

1.2

5:54

-0.3

7:25

7:41

26

Thu

8:21

1.5

4:33

-0.4

7:25

7:42

26

Thu

10:17

1.0

7:15

-0.3

7:24

7:41

27

Fri

1:33

0.9

5:46

-0.3

4:21

0.9

7:24

7:42

27

Fri

2:26

0.5

8:12

-0.3

5:40

0.4

7:23

7:42

28

Sat

1:24

1.0

6:44

-0.3

5:58

0.7

7:23

7:43

28

Sat

12:10

0.9

2:49

0.6

8:55

-0.3

7:17

0.3

7:22

7:42

29

Sun

1:36

1.1

7:26

-0.2

7:05

0.5

7:21

7:43

29

Sun

1:40

0.9

3:15

0.7

9:29

-0.2

8:33

0.2

7:21

7:43

30

Mon

1:05

1.5

1:51

1.3

8:00

0.0

7:58

0.3

7:20

7:44

30

Mon

2:42

0.9

3:41

0.9

9:54

-0.1

9:33

0.1

7:20

7:43

31

Tue

1:58

1.5

2:09

1.4

8:29

0.2

8:45

0.1

7:19

7:44

31

Tue

3:30

0.9

4:05

1.0

10:13

0.0

10:26

0.0

7:18

7:44

8 FORT MYERS | MARCH 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

Moon

10871 Kelly Rd Ft Myers, FL 33908 239.267.6857

SANIBEL/ CAPTIVA

www.USHarbors.com

March/2026 • 26°29’N 82°11’W

Captiva Island (outside), FL - Mar 2026 High

Date

PUNTA GORDA/ CHARLOTTE HABOR

7141 Gasparilla Rd. Port Charlotte, FL 33981 941.698.9902 www.USHarbors.com

March/2026 • 26°56’N 82°4’W

Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, FL - Mar 2026

Low

High

Date

Low PM

ft

Rise

Set

1

Sun

11:29

1.6

10:40

2.3

4:48

-0.5

4:32

0.7

6:51

6:30

1

Sun

12:41

1.7

3:28

1.0

8:44

-0.5

7:57

0.7

6:51

6:29

2

Mon

11:52

1.7

11:25

2.3

5:25

-0.3

5:17

0.4

6:50

6:30

2

Mon

1:38

1.7

3:33

1.1

9:15

-0.3

8:47

0.5

6:50

6:29

3

Tue

12:15

1.8

5:59

-0.1

6:01

0.3

6:50

6:31

3

Tue

2:27

1.6

3:40

1.2

9:41

-0.2

9:33

0.3

6:49

6:30

4

Wed

12:10

2.1

12:35

1.9

6:33

0.1

6:44

0.1

6:49

6:31

4

Wed

3:13

1.5

3:48

1.3

10:05

0.0

10:16

0.1

6:48

6:31

5

Thu

12:57

2.0

12:53

1.9

7:04

0.3

7:27

0.0

6:48

6:32

5

Thu

3:58

1.4

4:03

1.4

10:27

0.2

10:59

0.0

6:47

6:31

6

Fri

1:47

1.8

1:11

1.9

7:34

0.6

8:08

0.0

6:47

6:32

6

Fri

4:44

1.2

4:23

1.5

10:46

0.3

11:42

-0.1

6:46

6:32

7

Sat

2:35

1.6

1:32

1.9

7:58

0.8

8:50

0.0

6:45

6:33

7

Sat

5:34

1.0

4:47

1.6

11:00

0.5

6:45

6:32

8

Sun

4:25

1.4

2:59

1.9

9:12

0.9

10:37

0.1

7:44

7:33

8

Sun

7:31

0.9

6:14

1.6

12:29

-0.2

12:08

0.6

7:44

7:33

9

Mon

5:46

1.2

3:30

1.9

9:14

1.0

11:46

0.1

7:43

7:34

9

Mon

8:47

0.7

6:43

1.6

2:22

-0.2

12:04

0.7

7:43

7:33

10

Tue

4:10

1.8

7:42

7:34

10

Tue

7:19

1.6

3:28

-0.2

7:42

7:34

11

Wed

5:05

1.8

1:11

0.1

7:41

7:35

11

Wed

8:09

1.5

4:48

-0.2

7:41

7:34

12

Thu

6:42

1.8

2:19

0.1

7:40

7:35

12

Thu

9:36

1.4

6:14

-0.2

7:40

7:35

13

Fri

11:36

1.4

8:14

1.9

3:19

0.0

2:38

1.2

7:39

7:36

13

Fri

11:18

1.4

7:23

-0.3

7:39

7:35

14

Sat

11:35

1.5

9:33

2.0

4:12

0.0

3:39

1.1

7:38

7:37

14

Sat

3:41

1.1

8:13

-0.3

7:09

1.0

7:38

7:36

15

Sun

11:47

1.6

10:34

2.1

4:54

-0.1

4:33

0.9

7:37

7:37

15

Sun

12:37

1.5

3:40

1.1

8:51

-0.3

8:05

0.8

7:37

7:36

16

Mon

12:01

1.7

5:30

-0.1

5:17

0.7

7:36

7:38

16

Mon

1:37

1.6

3:44

1.1

9:22

-0.2

8:51

0.6

7:36

7:37

17

Tue

12:13

1.8

6:03

0.0

5:58

0.4

7:35

7:38

17

Tue

2:27

1.6

3:49

1.2

9:49

-0.1

9:34

0.4

7:35

7:38

18

Wed

12:04

2.3

12:26

1.9

6:34

0.2

6:38

0.1

7:34

7:39

18

Wed

3:14

1.6

3:56

1.3

10:14

0.1

10:17

0.2

7:33

7:38

19

Thu

12:49

2.2

12:42

2.1

7:04

0.4

7:22

-0.1

7:33

7:39

19

Thu

4:02

1.5

4:10

1.5

10:38

0.2

11:02

0.0

7:32

7:39

20

Fri

1:41

2.1

1:05

2.2

7:34

0.6

8:09

-0.3

7:32

7:40

20

Fri

4:53

1.4

4:30

1.7

10:59

0.4

11:50

-0.2

7:31

7:39

21

Sat

2:41

1.9

1:35

2.3

8:03

0.8

9:00

-0.4

7:31

7:40

21

Sat

5:49

1.2

4:56

1.8

11:15

0.6

7:30

7:40

22

Sun

3:44

1.7

2:12

2.4

8:28

1.0

9:54

-0.4

7:30

7:40

22

Sun

6:54

1.0

5:26

1.9

12:42

-0.4

11:25

0.7

7:29

7:40

23

Mon

4:58

1.5

2:56

2.3

8:50

1.1

10:57

-0.4

7:28

7:41

23

Mon

8:22

0.8

6:03

2.0

1:40

-0.4

11:18

0.8

7:28

7:41

24

Tue

6:55

1.3

3:45

2.3

9:09

1.3

7:27

7:41

24

Tue

6:47

1.9

2:48

-0.4

7:27

7:41

25

Wed

4:47

2.2

12:21

-0.3

7:26

7:42

25

Wed

7:47

1.8

4:09

-0.4

7:26

7:42

26

Thu

11:05

1.4

6:31

2.0

1:41

-0.2

1:06

1.4

7:25

7:42

26

Thu

9:18

1.7

5:37

-0.4

7:25

7:42

27

Fri

10:40

1.5

8:23

2.0

2:47

-0.1

2:30

1.2

7:24

7:43

27

Fri

11:10

1.6

6:54

-0.3

7:24

7:43

28

Sat

10:59

1.7

9:51

2.1

3:46

-0.1

3:38

1.0

7:23

7:43

28

Sat

3:09

1.2

7:50

-0.3

7:11

0.9

7:22

7:43

29

Sun

11:21

1.8

10:56

2.2

4:37

0.0

4:37

0.7

7:22

7:44

29

Sun

12:46

1.6

3:09

1.2

8:32

-0.2

8:15

0.7

7:21

7:44

30

Mon

11:43

1.9

11:45

2.2

5:17

0.2

5:25

0.5

7:21

7:44

30

Mon

1:54

1.6

3:16

1.3

9:04

0.0

9:05

0.5

7:20

7:44

31

Tue

12:03

2.0

5:52

0.3

6:05

0.2

7:20

7:45

31

Tue

2:47

1.5

3:23

1.4

9:29

0.2

9:47

0.3

7:19

7:45

AM

ft

PM

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

Moon

AM

ft

PM

ft

AM

ft

Moon

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S LARGEST CONTINENTAL BOAT TRAILER DEALER

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2026 WINTER FISH FREEZE By: Caitlyn Gatrell

W

inter has been a bit rough for our local waters during this 2026 season. Rough in the sense that it disrupted our marine environments, put a damper on fishing trips, and even killed off some of our wildlife. The temperatures have been pretty low a lot of the days, and the cold isn't something our area is used to too well. Here and there, yes, but this has been more intense, and our fisheries have been feeling it. Not to mention, there have been some pretty low tides displacing species as well.

The early February freeze brought chilling temperatures to Southwest Florida, some areas in the feels-like of the 20s. Water temperatures have also even hit the 50s at times, making it pretty uncomfortable for some species. Species such as catfish, snook, and tarpon have been found dead in various areas of Southwest Florida due to the cold. Some regions have even seen deeper wildlife like mutton snapper floating at the surface.

The freeze definitely has affected the fisheries, as it made lesser chances at hooking up to fish. Some are still biting, but others are hiding, moved to warmer areas, or unfortunately didn't pull through.

Two locations to serve you

Not to mention, the cold temperatures and windy conditions don't make for the best trips on the water. If you have the right gear it's doable, but as someone who's braced it before, it's not very enjoyable.

And for businesses that rely on fishing, like fishing charters, this time is a little harsh.

If anything, right now is a better time for sight-seeing trips, island walks, shell searching, and camping trips. Take time to immerse yourself in nature with a break from the heat (but make sure to stay warm!). It also will help maintain fish populations with their sudden impact by not further decreasing anything.

We haven't been out much this winter, especially right now, but I’m really looking forward to the warmer temperatures and fishing trips soon. I want the fisheries to bounce back and for marine life to thrive. I also think it'd be a good idea to monitor the populations if the freezes continue and more fish lives are lost. Perhaps even temporary regulations can be put in place to make sure they can repopulate before fishing is good again or people harvest hurting species. Time will only tell what will occur!

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FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | MARCH 2026 | FORT MYERS 11

Calusa Blueway

By: Mike Hammond

J

ust five miles south of Pine Island Center is a small Lee County park with excellent paddling opportunities. Tropical Point Park offers immediate access to Matlacha Pass, free parking and an easy beach launch. Its only drawback is limited space. Much like the Pineland Monument launch on the island to the north, this site has only a few parking spaces and fills up quickly. I highly recommend carpooling and/or having a backup plan.

To the north of Tropical Point Park, there are more than 5 miles of mangrove shoreline on both sides of the pass before reaching the town of Matlacha. Paddlers can turn into Pine Island Creek and Rock Creek along the way, where they’ll find several additional miles of mangroves and even smaller creeks accessible only by paddlecraft.

Be mindful of the tides, however, or be prepared to drag your boat through deep mud.

To the south, anglers need only paddle a little more than half a mile to reach Manatee Bay. While Manatee Bay is a popular fishing spot, it is also the northern access point to Saint James Creek.

Paddling the length of Saint James Creek from Manatee Bay south to the Dawson Canal is less than 4 miles; however, the distance can approach 10 miles if you explore all the hidden lakes and side creeks.

I recommend using Google Earth to zoom in and check out all the possibilities. While these miles of mangroves provide critical habitat for fish and other marine life, they also offer excellent protection from the wind, making this a great option on gusty days.

There are several oyster bars within a mile of the launch, both to the north and south.

For paddlers who enjoy wildlife, on my last outing I saw a pair of bald eagles being harassed by an osprey, dolphins chasing fish, noisy kingfishers, numerous wading birds and picturesque pelicans.

After your paddle, the park offers picnic tables and a grill to enjoy.

Pine Island also has several fantastic restaurant options. Much like the hidden lakes in the mangroves, I suggest trying them all and discovering your own favorite.

CalusaBlueway.com

12 FORT MYERS | MARCH 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

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FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | MARCH 2026 | FORT MYERS 13

Winter Fishing By: Capt. Dave Stephens

A

s we bring in March, we also bring in the spring warmer weather.

After some seriously cold days during the beginning of February, and during those cooler times our game fish will migrate to warmer locations making it more difficult to locate fish. We look for areas with deep water with dark bottoms, as the deeper water provides a warmer bottom since the water cools from the surface down. The darker bottom absorbs the heat to provide warmth on sunny days. Charlotte Harbor is very fortunate to have many areas that offer this type of sanctuary, and there are two main rivers that flow into the north end of the harbor. We have the Myakka River and the Peace River, both offering depth for winter fishing. We also have many miles of man-made canals that offer depth and warmth for fish to migrate to. As we head into spring and the waters begin to warm these fish

14 FORT MYERS | MARCH 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

will become more active and start to feed heavier. The key to targeting fish that have been dormant for a period of time is patience. Slow down your presentation and the size of your bait if possible. While looking for fish that are beginning to transition to the flats, look where there is access to deep water.

These fish will stay close to these areas for a short while, just in case we have a cool front move in. Cooler water does not mean the fishery shuts down, it simply means you have to adapt and change your technique. Instead of a live well of pilchards, visit the local bait and tackle shop in your area and get a few dozen shrimp. Slow your approach down and try fishing some deeper water. You may just be surprised how well it goes!

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ght this son cau ach. r e t e P George y in Bonita Be beaut

Gregory had a fun day snookin’ in Turtle Bay.

A great day fishing in Marco Island, submitted by Linda Ferguson.

Allie Selvog, 8yo, eventually pulled in this grouper her same size off Sarasota.

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Diane c au seatrou ght this good t off of Burnt S sized tore.

Hank Belligan, age 9 with a Big Triple Tail he caught on shrimp off shore.

Let us Show off Your Catch Next Month!

Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265

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NEW SPOTTED SEATROUT REGS TAKE EFFECT APRIL 1

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t its February meeting, the Florida Fish BAG LIMITS and Wildlife Conservation Commission Recreational (FWC) approved new management regions » Big Band: Five (5) fish per person. and regulations for spotted seatrout fishing in » Panhandle, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, the State of Florida. The rule changes establish Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, nine management regions for spotted seatrout as Northeast: Four (3) fish per person. well as regional regulations for recreational and » Indian River Lagoon: Two (2) fish per commercial fishing. person.

These new regulations will go into effect on Commercial April 1, 2026: » 50 fish (1 SPL);100 (≥2 SPLs) in all regions.

OPEN/CLOSED SEASONS

Recreational » Panhandle: Open March 1–Jan. 31; Closed February. » Big Band, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast: Open year-round. » Indian River Lagoon: Open Jan.1–Oct. 31; Closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.

Commercial » Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: Open Jun. 1–Oct. 31; Closed Nov. 1–May 31. » Indian River Lagoon: Open May 1–Sept. 30; Closed Oct. 1-Apr. 30. » Northeast: Open June 1–Nov. 30; closed Dec. 1–May 31

approach for Florida’s most popular inshore fisheries.

SLOT LIMITS This approach takes a » Recreational - 15-19 inches more holistic view of the fishery by evaluating » Commercial - 15-24 inches multiple metrics, including fishing, stakeholder experiences and environmental factors, at a smaller OVERSLOT ALLOWANCE regional scale. It improves our understanding of Recreational regional differences in environmental conditions » Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota and stakeholder experiences and provides greater Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: One (1) fish over-slot allowed per flexibility to address localized concerns. vessel or per person if fishing from shore For the full FWC commission meeting » Indian River Lagoon, Northeast: None agenda and links to background reports, Commercial go to myfwc.com/about/commission/commission» All Regions: None. meetings/. For current spotted seatrout annual

This regional management strategy has been implemented for some of Florida’s most popular inshore species, including redfish and snook, and now spotted seatrout. These regions and regulations are part of the FWC’s holistic management

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reviews, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Spotted Seatrout.”

These documents provide a summary of the management metrics in each new management region.

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PREDICTING THE RUN

NEVER COUNT ON THE FISH— BUT NEVER COUNT THEM OUT!

By Capt. Jim Ross

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s a charter captain, as well as a regular contributor to the Brevard County, Florida edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, every year there are certain events that happen that I try to predict in advance so that clients and readers can catch more !sh. However, there are many times that even we so called “professionals” don’t get it exactly right. Obviously, my crystal ball isn’t 100 percent correct all of the time...maybe it needs a tune up. LOL! Things like the giant black drum schooling up, spring cobia run, June tarpon run, fall mullet run, and winter pompano run aren’t things you can pin down to a certain day of the month, but most of the time we can at least predict the month. Hopefully, I can achieve at least a 90 percent efficiency rating after doing this report for the past 25 years.

I was just telling my clients one day last week, after catching a bunch of small trout and a couple of lady!sh, that the big uglies were probably going to show up in a few weeks and if they had a chance to come back out with me then that they may have a shot at catching some much larger !sh than the ones we had landed that morning. Just !ve minutes after saying this I spotted something unusual about 500 yards up the flat. It was exactly what I had just been talking about- a 300 !sh school of 30 to 50-pound black drum.

The !sh in this big school were happy-tailing and waking as they pushed their way down the flat. We eased up to them, cast our shrimp in their direction, and as you !gured, the battles were on. All three anglers were hooked up to huge drum that had absolutely no respect for them. Drags screamed, rods doubled over, and dozens of yards of line dumped off their reels. Grunts and groans were heard between laughter and smiles as they worked to tire these beasts. The boat deck looked like a country bar dance floor as anglers shuffled and two-stepped under and over each other in an effort not to lose their prized catches.

We ended up extending the trip from a 3/4 day to a full day outing because each !sh took 15 to 25-minutes to land.

The moral of the story? Don’t ever count on !sh to be there and don’t ever think that it’s not quite the right time to catch them. The bottom line is just go !shing every chance you get. That is the only way that you can be sure to catch your next memory.

Capt. Jim Ross is owner/operator of Fineline Fishing Charters on Florida’s Space Coast and host of “Catch a Memory Outdoors” live radio show and podcast. www.finelinefishingcharters.com • www.catchamemoryoutdoors.com

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CAPT. MIKE SMITH

o many anglers have a “go-to” color lure that they swear by. What they do not understand is that the color of your lure barely makes the top three most important factors for catching tons of !sh.

Mistake #1 - The number one mistake anglers make is ignoring the importance of the size and pro!le of the lures they use. When snook, tarpon, red!sh, speckled trout or flounder are feeding, they often become laser focused on that particular forage species. In other words, if they are feeding on a 6-inch mullet your 3-inch paddletail or shrimp lure will probably be ignored.

PRO TIP: Have a few of your rods rigged up with various sizes and pro!les of lures on them. I like to have a 3-inch paddletail, an arti!cial shrimp and a 4- to 5.5-inch jerk bait (fluke) rigged up when I can’t determine what bait is around. Try all three sizes and pro!les of lures until you !gure out what the !sh in the area are feeding upon.

Mistake #2 - The number two mistake most anglers make is thinking one retrieve style works best for all of the !sh all of the time.

There are so many different factors to consider when retrieving your lures. Here are a few to consider: • Is the water cold or hot? Fish are cold blooded and move more slowly in cold water. This means that you have to slow down your retrieve when the water is cold.

Conversely, you want to move your lure faster when the water is hot.

• What species are you targeting? Different !sh species like different retrieves. For instance, the best retrieve for a red!sh is slowly bouncing your lure off of the bottom. A tarpon likes a low and steady retrieve. A flounder likes a very slow bounce/dragging retrieve no higher than 12 inches from the bottom. A speckled trout likes a vertical jig and will usually hit the lure as it falls through the water column.

Snook like a fast and erratic retrieve most of the time.

• Is the water clear or murky? Low light, cloudy skies and murky water scenarios makes it harder to get a !sh’s attention. Use a retrieve or lure that creates vibrations and flashes in the water. You also want to fan cast the area keeping your lure placement close together because they are less apt to seek out your lure. When it is sunny and the water is clear it is easier to get the !sh’s attention. You can make your casts further apart and make the !sh come to your lure.

Mistake #3 - The third biggest mistake is thinking !sh care about lure colors. A saltwater tackle box with white lures and something dark like root beer or purple is all that you need to catch any !sh. PERIOD. The bottom line is that if you want to catch more !sh, switch up your sizes and pro!les and vary your retrieves for different species and conditions. I GUARANTEE that you will catch more !sh.

Capt. Mike Smith is owner of Fish Your Ass Off Charters.Reach him at (561) 339-2317, contact@fishyourassoff.com or fishyourassoff.com.

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