If you're looking for a Sanibel fishing report from a local and trusted source, you've come to the right spot! The 5" bass assassins or DOA is my choice rigged on a 1/4oz jig head. Reports of tarpon will become more common as well as sharks and other species moving into our waters. Doc Kline Artificial Reef 30 SEEING REDS IN FALL FOR FISHING SANIBEL ISLAND FLORIDA! Blacktip sharks have been caught using Spanish mackerel. Get answers to your questions about Sanibel Island. Never fished out on the causeway but now I feel like I can get it done. Tarpon are here now and then and they are biting Threadfins, Ladyfish and Mullet along with Catfish tails, and Spanish Mackerel. The fishing bite tends to heat up for us here in S.W. Whitney & our Sanibel fishing store crew are always happy to help prepare you for fishing on land. 6/4/2012 11:37:16 PM - About 6 miles south of Sanibel, the Doc Kline reef sits in approximately 30 feet of water. When I am not shell collecting, I do enjoy fishing. Stop in to our Sanibel fishing store for more details on any of these locations or for pro-tips from our award-winning fishing captains! The post Red Snapper Season is in full swing appeared, May Fishing has been awesome! Snook fishing on a Captiva Fishing Charter. Be flexible and Let the captain do his thing! Dave Hanson reports Mike and Patrick Conneally released a 23-inch gag grouper and 18 short reds, while boxing four grunts, four vermilion snapper, 15 lane snapper, and releasing 15 more lanes on Monday. Another Great Day of Offshore Fishing in Sanibel Island! There is a 5.21% catch rate for Red Grouper, based on 1225 Red Grouper counted. These last two weeks have been extremely hot as soon as the sun comes up above the horizon. Both islands offer an opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, picnicking, canoeing/kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, shelling, and sunbathing. ENLARGE SANIBEL GRAY SNAPPER COUNTS CHART. An 11 a.m. opening of the "rebuilt" causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. Bowmans and Turner beaches are starting to show signs of life. Download GPS filesof fishing spots. Think 15 ft from shore instead of 150! I believe we found our first winner ohhh around 10:00 or so. Hurricane Ian has had far-reaching effects throughout the greater Fort Myers area. Video below: Timelapse video shows storm surge in Sanibel Island caused by Hurricane Ian The pier at, Handicapped accessible (free handicapped parking), Before heading to this top Sanibel fishing spot, make sure to come in to Whitney's Bait & Tackle for your FL fishing license or purchase it online, Admission: $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian, $1 per bicycle, Indigo trail & Bailey Tract are open year round from dawn to dusk. One thing you should know is that there's a $6 toll for entering the bridge, but not when going back. Sport cast netting is also permitted (only personal use of bait fish and 50 mullet per person, per day). ENLARGE SANIBEL THREAD HERRING COUNTS CHART. Both islands have reasonable parking and offer good opportunities to catch fish. What is the best part of the island to stay-eat-shop? New posts will not be retrieved. Top ways to experience Sanibel Causeway and nearby attractions Sanibel Island Shuffle Scavenger Hunt Self-guided Tours from $27.00 per adult Sunset Sail 190 Recommended Sailing from $70.00 per adult Sunset Dolphin Cruise 13 Recommended Water Tours from $399.00 per group (up to 6) Dolphin Cruise Water Tours from $399.00 per group (up to 6) Spanish are true pelagics that feed on the move, chasing down natural baits including squid and shrimp, as well as a variety of artificials. A saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore. 10/4/2022 12:24:09 PM - SWFL has severely been impacted by hurricane Ian. Ideally our water temp should climb another 2 or 3 degrees which will helpIMO. Fisherman can be found out on the beach or beneath the bridge along the pilings. A section of the causeway leading to Sanibel, Fla., in Lee County was knocked out by Hurricane Ian Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Tonight will be surf and turf, steak and lobster. Good luck. Inshore fishing around Sanibel provides excellent Redfish, Snook, and Tarpon fishing year round. There are 15 hours and 17 minutes until high tide. Check out our Photo Gallery! 6/7/2022 10:11:25 AM - Capt. dean.charles@flsenate.gov. altman.thad@flsenate.gov, I by no means am the best out there, but catch my share of fish. Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions (FWC) Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. The snapper and Redfish bite over the last few weeks has continued to be great. Chumming is NOT prohibited from ANY Florida beaches! Trout have also been mixed in and are open season till May 11. Evening has shown good action here for Snook and Shark too. After dinner, we're going to have to kick her up to get ourselves in position at the local tuna area tomorrow. Fishing reports for sanibel causeway are updated each week, usually by Some Pompano are being caught as well. benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov, Florida as the temperature slowly subdues. We gave it our all today and the gang hung tough even with the lousy weather. Tarpon are crushing Ladyfish near the west end. We have water temps in the 60s still but that should pick up as Spring kicks in. Artificial baits are hot too! Snook season is officially open and we'll be doing a lot of catch and release snook fishing this month! Tony and Linda Lombardi used spinning tackle in Tuesdays winds to catch and release more than a dozen slot-size trout and uncounted ladyfish in several spots in northern Matlacha Pass, where Gulp! Most of our passengers on board have never been in a dorado bite before today. Stay tuned. Are you looking for a place to fish from shore? Redfish are hitting big shrimp and cut baits like Mullet. We managed some fish each trip but it gottough towards theend of the month with extensive fresh water discharges coming from Lake Okeechobee. Deadly Combo have been super effective throughout the refuge. Sanibel Live = Intersections with cameras Use two fingers to pinch, stretch and pan the map on a mobile device. Check out our recent Sanibel fishing charter pics below: Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. Weather patterns have been normal for summer with rain in the afternoons mostly. FORT MYERS, Fla. - Hurricane Ian swamped southwest Florida, leaving behind a damaged power infrastructure in two counties, turning streets into rivers, and damaging two bridges, including the Sanibel Causeway. 1: Horse Island to Tin House Cove for bass. Fishing reports for sanibel causeway are updated each week, usually by Thursday morning. There's supposed to be a strong cold front coming at the end of this week (week 3), so we'll see how week 4 and the first week of the newyear go! We have had to go way farther than normal to get to good fishable country but we are scratching away today. Join us on a Captiva Fishing Charter when you're in town! Fishing has been good across the board from redfish all over Pine Island Sound,to snook up the river. A new motor and new flooring makes the old girl look just like new! | fishing in Estero Island (Estero Bay) (6 mi.) | fishing in Iona Shores (6 mi.) 6/4/2012 11:37:15 PM - Started on 15-Jun-77 Concrete Rubble artificial reef. The best bite has come on the incoming tide along mangrove shorelines and on the lower stages of the tide I have been finding fish along deeper potholes on the edges of flats and oyster beds. Available Stream Results See All Streams Causeway They were dunking squid, 35 miles west of New Pass, with no red tide discernible; but they ran through significant red tide, out to 13 miles.. | fishing in Captiva Island (Pine Island Sound) (12 mi.) As Red October approaches we should have some really great schools of fish move into the sound. There is a 15.36% catch rate for Spotted Seatrout, based on 3612 Spotted Seatrout counted. The Sanibel Causeway, which connects the island to the mainland, and the Matlacha Pass Bridge, which connects nearby Pine Island to the mainland in Cape Coral, were destroyed and will both need rebuilds, Gov. The pier at Ligthouse Beach Park provides residents and visitors with sights of enthusiastic boaters circling the island, dolphins jumping in the waves, birds diving for their next meal and the area's most popular species of fish. 9:06 PM EDT, Thu October 06, 2022. 6 hours was perfect for our trip, we caught a a lot of fish and still had time to enjoy dolphins and other wildlife. No. It means the county will pick up $46 million of the cost, with the Federal Highway Administration . www.saltystrikesfishing.com - Apparel & Charter bookingsCircle Hooks 3/0 Mustad Inlinepurchase here https://amzn.to/38eERwM--PENN SPINFISHER 4500-- purcha. Unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds have been less than stellar lately but the bite has been persistent to those that have been diligent in their pursut of fish! Common fish include sheepshead, snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout. Goliath grouper, redfish, snook, sharks and more! We're going to head into the coast for tomorrow and try and get a bunch of those. These structures give anglers who enjoy fishing from shore or do not have a boat an opportunity to catch a variety of species. These areas are posted Area beyond this sign closed.. Matt DeAngelis sent in shots from all over the bay, while fishing all kinds of systems. The post 2022 was one for the books on, Hurrican Ian Barrier Islands Update Wade fishing from the causeway north on the sanibel side I've caught small grouper, trout, and snook. Jordan with a pretty decent sanibel snook. lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information. Prior to stay out at night was, or shelling charter remember your display settings s beach blvd or. The move paid off, somewhat. The current Sanibel Causeway toll is $6.00 for automobiles and motorcycles traveling from Punta Rassa to the island. There is a 4.91% catch rate for Thread Herring, based on 1155 Thread Herring counted. The 3-mile . Some fishable structures extend a few feet into the water, while others extend 2,000 or more feet into the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. Our recent trips have been great! Another 1/2 hour later and so on and so on. No. "This has not been a decision we have taken lightly," he said, noting that he and Sanibel Police Chief William "Bill" Dalton have had lengthy conversations about when it would be possible to do . There is a 4.07% catch rate for Pinfish, based on 956 Pinfish counted. Captiva Fishing Charter regulars Gary and Carole always have a good time! Customers should choose one transponder and remove all other from the vehicle. Florida Gov. Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish, and some small Trout! There is no fee for Florida residents, There is excellent fishing from both sides of the causeway islands, Goliath grouper have been caught under the bridges by the pilings, There are very strong rip currents near the base of the causeway bridges and they can be extremely dangerous, You may launch unmotorized vessels or wade into the water. A rather large Captiva stingray (don't worry, barb was removed). No. In the high tide and low tide chart, we can see that the low tide was at 4:32 am and the high tide will be at 8:24 pm. Snapper are inshore and biting if your looking for table fare! Paying it forward! Water temperatures were threatening the mid-70s, and there were no signs of red tide anywhere. You've come to the right spot! The Sanibel Causeway is a causeway in Southwest Florida that spans San Carlos Bay, connecting Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Rassa. Makes a great one with red eyes. Upon the recent announcement that the Sanibel Causeway will reopen to all vehicles on January 2, 2023, I'll bring you up to speed on the status of tourism on my home island of Sanibel. Bill offshore fishing in Sanibel Island! We'd love to display your fishing pictures! With excellent inshore fishing, and plentiful nearshore/offshore reefs and ledges, Sanibel makes a top destination for many anglers. 2022. The daily bag limit is one snook, 28-33 inches total length. Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. Fishing reports coming soon! lee.tom@flsenate.gov, This guide has been spending some time in the woods and having some upgrades done to the Pathfinder! Fresh Sanibel Fishing Reports Weather Forecast, Sanibel FRIDAY 3/3 26kts 75 /69F Wind (kts) Waves (ft) Tide (ft) SAT 3/4 76 F 70 17kts SUN 3/5 76 F 72 10kts MON 3/6 76 F 72 12kts TUE 3/7 74 F 70 11kts WED 3/8 74 F 66 15kts THU 3/9 73 F 68 17kts Fishing Seasons & Latest Fishing Photos and Videos March OK Jaxon 9500don't go away now! Tripletail are around the crab traps and they are biting Shrimp. FISHING FORECAST Sanibel Forecast in Sanibel for the next 7 days FORECAST 7 DAYS FISHING ACTIVITY OF FISH SANIBEL NEXT 7 DAYS 10 FEB Friday Fish activity in Sanibel ACTIVITY OF FISH AVERAGE + INFO 11 FEB Saturday Fish activity in Sanibel ACTIVITY OF FISH HIGH + INFO 12 FEB Sunday Fish activity in Sanibel ACTIVITY OF FISH HIGH + INFO 13 FEB Snook fishing has been great over the last couple months. Our summer time rain patterns have been pretty steady with the occasional storm system moving in to mess things up for us for a few days. We will be staying on East Gulf Drive on the east side of the island. Im finding most of my snapper mixed in with my snook so its a great opportunity to catch dinner and have fun battling snook. As you know, no current = no fish. We even have rod & reel rentals for those traveling without their own equipment. Hoping for warmer weather and for the return of the bait! Sand fleas or shrimp a distant 2nd choice. | fishing in Matanzas Pass (fixed bridge) (4 mi.) Parts of the landscape may look different right now, but the way our area makes people feel hasn't changed. Sanibel Island residents and those with businesses on the island were granted access Wednesday with the reopening of the causeway. The flats between Picnic Island and the Causeway have been fishing especially well in 3-5ft pockets. Hopefully I keep them short. The Sanibel Causeway is severely damaged. 6) Sanibel & Captiva Fishing Spots. Fishing has been nearly the same when the tides cooperate! Jim Rinckey sent in shots of potentially delicious, but out-of-season catches on full and half-day charters, all made on live pinfish. Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update Thursday morning, saying the electric grid for Lee and Charlotte counties will likely need to be reconstructed, and described Hurricane Ian's . The Seabass are biting and the Apollo is online for LIMITED LOAD trips. 4: Estero Bay for sheepshead and trout. If you have one that is loaded with wooden docks even better. It was jaw dropping for them. Fish Haven The bait will tell you where the fish will be. ), TIDES4FISHING | WEATHER FORECAST IN SANIBEL | NEXT 7 DAYS, Plan now and enjoy your activities at sea with the tides4fishing app, fishing in Galt Island (Pine Island Sound), fishing in Tropical Homesites Landing (Pine Island), fishing in Captiva Island (Pine Island Sound), fishing in Redfish Pass (Captiva Island, North End). Told Ya So West We're often asked what the best Sanibel fishing spots are for those looking to fish from land while on vacation. This biggest miss I see here by most anglres is they are fishing way to far out. We also caught some smaller grade bluefin and a nice grade of yellowfin. November continues with the warm weather trend, with near record highs daily. So we bailed on our yellowtail spot after 8:00 am and went kelping. Tarpon Bay. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us by phone email at citymanager@mysanibel.com or by phone at 239-472-3700. Redfish are starting to show up and are biting pinfish and grunts, Shrimp on a popping cork as well as cut bait, such as Ladyfish, and spoons. WHITNEY'S BAIT & TACKLE, SANIBEL, FL | WEBSITE DESIGNED & MAINTAINED BY HILLGATE MARKETING SERVICES, Sanibel's historic lighthouse shares the grounds with one of the Island's most popular fishing spots, the Sanibel Pier. | fishing in Cape Coral (9 mi.) Capt. Told Ya So ESTERO BAY: Last Friday on an inshore Fishbuster Charter, Dave Knoll and family and friends combined for 11 sheepshead, three black drum and a puffer on an all release trip. Visit MyFWC.com/PierFinder to search for a location by county, city, feature name and type of feature (such as a bridge or pier). Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that access to Sanibel Island has been restored for all vehicular traffic after Hurricane Ian wiped out several sections of the Sanibel. Polaris Supreme Crew. By 9am we were off scratching for small, medium and nice grade albacore for the rest of the day. We're feeling better. Fishing Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Ft Myers, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Pine Island Sound, Bokeelia, St James City, Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande, Captain Jason Mash . We are again under tons of fresh water from Lake O this month however, fishing seems to be picking up on the warming trends right before the next cold front! Minimum size is 12 inches fork length, with a daily bag of 15. The Sanibel Causeway was temporarily repaired after Hurricane Ian ripped through the area. Another slob Redfish! Boating is allowed in the Refuge in designated areas; however, the Refuge has some restricted access areas including a No Motor Zone and a Pole/Troll Zone. In this. Lots of Shark activity much like Bowmans Beach, and Turner Beach this area has been a staple for large shark fishing for a long time. Anglers fishing the beaches have been catching whiting and a few snook. 10/3/2022 1:53:29 PM - As you know Hurricane Ian has devastated SWFL's barrier Islands of Ft Myers Beach Sanibel Captiva St James City and Matlacha. Tide Reports, Fishing Reports & Fishing License Information, Hurricane Ian Recovery Resources For Residents and Businesses, Hurricane Ian Updates From The Town of Fort Myers Beach, Town of FMB 'Key Questions With Key Staffers' Video Series, Hurricane Ian Relief Other Ways You Can Help, Fort Myers Beach Chamber Water Foundation, FMB Chamber Board of Directors and Staff Directory, 2023 Spring Break Schedule for Major Universities, Web Support & Maintenance by Island IT Pros. Jacks, and Seatrout can also be caught fishing near the sandbar. A boater throwing a Cotton Cordell Spoon caught a 24-inch Spanish mackerel and a couple of trout at the Sanibel. We had a good time, all fish were released un-harmed. #2 hooks with a bulky design are perfect for this. Tight lines! Despite some shop days we put a hurting on some fish! Your best bet is on a high tide under the bushes or near oyster bars when they're covered up. MORE: Multiple deaths reported after Hurricane Ian slams into Florida It's very important to stay hydrated andreapply sunscreen often (but don't touch the bait if you have it on your hands!). The causeway Islands are open from 7am to dusk, seven days a week. We hit a few kelps for some action on some Yellowtails and a crazy Mahi-Mahi, but the weather made it tough to go any direction but downswell. 4/13/2011 4:20:32 PM - Name NAPLES PIER REEF County COLLIER Depth (in feet) 22 Relief (in feet) 3 Description "WIDELY SCATTERED PILES CONFIRMED BY RBF GRANT FWCC-01002" Date of Deployment June 17 19, Eugenes Ledge Stay tuned for some crazy days of fishing! We had 72 Yellowtail (up to 40 pounds), 13 Bluefin Tuna (up to 30 pounds), and 7 Dorado. Pompano jigs in assorted colors are hot right now! December has been great fishing so far! As of 10/3/22 search and rescue is still underway, SEEING REDS IN FALL FOR FISHING SANIBEL ISLAND FLORIDA! Horse Island, Worm Cove and Tin House Cove were the hottest areas to find big spawning fish in clean water, with hard edges of emergent vegetation. The wrinkle is, boaters are reporting the lake has been alive with grass shrimp and shad, on which its denizens including crappie, bluegill and bass have been dining exclusively. Many reports of large Snook and Reds hitting cut bait as well as live Pinfish and shrimp. This is why Lee County must support the bridges and islands through enforcement of the Sanibel Causeway toll. We have had record highs sprinkled throughout the month, affording us warm waters far longer than we usually have had them in the past. Look for diving birds and throw with the wind! A section of the causeway leading to Sanibel, Fla., in Lee County was knocked out by Hurricane Ian Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. And Pablo Denoso of Naples caught a big amberjack by dropping a pinnie to a wreck in 80 feet. Niko holding a nice snook caught near Sanibel! Bruce Churton used cut bait to waylay a snook on the East Wall on Tuesday. 12/10/2016 10:31:17 PM - Good ledge for snapper and gags, Wiggins Pass 3 Mile - ECA Reef One of the best times of year to fish in swfl! Blind pass is on fire all year long! Ron DeSantis said temporary repairs have been made to the . The deeper you go offshore the better the deep bottom fishing gets for many varieties of Snapper and Grouper. The bait has been thick and easy to get. Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel being caught along with some Blues on the beach as well. No. SD card of all fishing spots in the Sanibel. Spanish are high in flavorful and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and are best eaten fresh: grilled, sauteed, baked or smoked with skin on. While the popular spots listed above are known favorites, anyone looking to fish on Island can have great luck on any of our beautiful beaches. Snook mixed in on occasion along with snapper and some trout. Flounder, Jack Crevalle, and Mangrove Snapper have all been caught under the bridge using shrimp or cut greenbacks. For those fishing piers where a fee is required, almost all have a pier license that covers anglers, resident and non-resident, that fish on the pier. We started off with a good morning bite where Jeff Hoover pull in a 78 lb. I broke the morning and evening fishing sessions into two videos. Live Shrimp and Pinfish get the fish going! 7"Feeling Better" A t-shaped, free-entry boardwalk can be found lively at all hours of the day. The water level is rising. Ding Darling is a national wildlife refuge with many activities but for those looking to fish, there are some things you'll need to know before heading over to land your next big catch. Ron DeSantis said in a news conference Thursday afternoon, adding the area was hit with a "biblical storm surge.". CNN values your feedback 1. The two-lane Causeway. We have been operating offshore fishing charters in Naples Flori, Catch More Fish Download GPS Files Create Custom Maps Future Predictions Featured Listings. Offshore fishing Sanibel can produce Blackfin Tuna, Mahi-mahi (Dolphinfish), Wahoo, and occasionally some billfish. 1/6/2023 12:59:35 PM - Captain Brad Hickman consistently produced quality fish all year. | fishing in Galt Island (Pine Island Sound) (7 mi.) Snapper and Grouper are here much of the year. Check out our photo gallery for pics of the latest catches! Hurricane Ian has left a path of destruction in southwest Florida . Captiva Island Fishing Charter regulars Gary and Carole with a nice Redfish in Ding Darling. Angler's Choice Outfitters Phone :(239) 246.3579. A wide brimmed hat helps too, as dumb as they look! Get Hooked Charter Capt. There was a lot of activism about the water quality this month. Fishing is improving. If your fishing the east side its more like fishing the bay. Full special report: Alex Murdaugh found guilty in murders of wife and son 13:02. Many reports of Sharks being caught here. Access to Sanibel is via the 3-mile-long Sanibel Causeway, which remains closed to anyone who isn't a worker or property owner. They are eating live and dead bait and a variety of lures. CJ guided them to a great day of fishing off Sanibel Island. 20 knots of breeze and a heavy, rolling swell just would not allow us to safely go where we would've liked to once we found the right water structure. Most water here is 3' or less. 5) Know your seasons. Average fish have been in the 22-26 inch range with a few fish passing the 35 inch mark. Hunting season is the main focus right now, so I haven't been doing much by way of charters. Lee County, home to Sanibel and the battered cities of Fort Myers Beach and Fort Myers, has confirmed at least 42 deaths after the storm. The conditions are improving! Give Southwest Florida anglers some decent weather, and fish beware! Sanibel Island causeway bridge ripped apart by Ian. We had an excellent day of catching Redfish up north on Sunday andMonday proved to be equally as good. Click here for fishing regulations and to purchase a license online. Phone: (252) 515-0574 We had to stay out a little longer so this young lady could catch her first fish.