Place by place, Fishin' Report
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This report is updated most
(but not all) weeks on Saturday.
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the little circle thing — if nothing changes, we ain't done it yet
Peace River Harbor Heights & upriver along with Shell Creek "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Redonkulously slow. Reports of two little snook, from half a dozen people fishing.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Extremely slow. One Mayan cichlid, one baby redfish, and one baby snook in two days of fishing.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A couple small snook and a couple rolling tarpon.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — A few small snook and a bunch of Mayan cichlids in Shell Creek.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A few snook and a lot of Mayan cichlids on Shell Creek.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Some smaller snook and very small redfish are in the river. Shell Creek has been busier than most other areas. Despite the fresh water flow, shrimp are still a great bait.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Darst Park boat ramp — I-75 bridges "boat only"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says it will be slow or slower.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests very slow action for a couple months.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests very slow action.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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41 bridges - ..... Live Oak Point park "Fishin' History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Snook at night and just before sunrise, but only one keeper reported this week. Small bull sharks, mangrove snapper, a couple sheepshead. Not too incredible but not terrible.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Powerlines have had a few trout, also under the bridge. Some small mangs and a couple sheepshead. A few undersize snook and at least one over the slot, but no keepers reported. Baby bull sharks too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Lots of small snook, especially at night. A couple short cobia and baby bull sharks. Several trout reported, including some that were bare keepers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — A few trout and a couple undersize cobia. A few whiting have shown up in the area too, and we've also heard some silver trout and little mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Small mangrove snapper, a lot of small snook at or near dark, Several trout reports including some silver trout, one baby bull shark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Some small snook in the evenings, plus some mangrove snappers and a few trout.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A few small trout and redfish, plus at least one slot red. Heard about pompano as well (might be jacks) and some small bull sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some smaller trout and mangrove snapper. A couple juvenile black drum and small sheepshead too. No snook or juvie tarpon this week.
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Laishley Pier & Seawall "Fishin History River Side
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there are probably mangrove snapper and snook around the seawall.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests not enough information to make any kind of call.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests not enough information to make any kind of call.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — From the seawall, there have been some mangrove snapper, snook and trout. Not many people fishing here.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A few small mangrove snapper from the seawall.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 08/19/2023 — TV news reports indicate the pier might be closed for another 12 to 18 months.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/18/2023 — Closed until further notice due to hurricane damage.
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Bayshore Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Attempts at cobia fishing has produced only small bull sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there might be baby bull sharks and possibly a cobia if you're lucky.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — One short cobia and one small bull shark reported.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Lots of short snook and one legal one, plus one that might have been a keeper but came unhooked. A few trout by the boat ramp. Small mangrove snapper, of course.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A couple keeper snook reported this week, along with many short ones. Also a few trout, ladyfish and mangrove snapper. For as many people are fishing it, the reports have been slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Some small snook but at least one keeper. Small mangrove snapper in abundance. Lots of tiny bait, too small to really throw even a quarter-inch net.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Small mangrove snapper are biting. We've had reports of a few undersized trout. Lots of snook are around, and a couple of them have been nice ones (30 inches plus).
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Some snook, including one that was allegedly 42 inches. A couple small trout and mangrove snapper; they were not exciting.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A couple small trout, and some juvenile snook in the evenings.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A couple small snook, mangrove snapper and trout. Quiet, and nothing big.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A couple small trout and snook, plus a handful of small mangrove snapper.
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Port Charlotte canals salt/brackish
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A few small snook and a couple sheepshead. Lots of black drum sighted but I've only seen one caught in a pic. Jacks and rolling tarpon out in the middle.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A lot of small snook in here. Some juvenile tarpon are showing up but the bite is tough. A few sheepshead. Lots of small mangrove snapper. Black drum are moving around, schooling up in the "lakes," but not many have been caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Lots of small snook. Some jacks reported by anglers trolling small lipped plugs. Small mangrove snapper. A few black drum have shown up; more should be arriving soon. A lot of small tarpon have been rolling but not so much biting.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — A few small snook and the occasional sheepshead, short mangrove snapper and quite a few Mayan cichlids.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Small snook, a few trout and sheepshead in the Manchester and Ackerman waterways. Some snook are also in Spring Lake. Sand bream are less abundant. A few black drum have been sighted around the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Very slow. A few snook caught on the troll. Some mangrove snapper and sand bream. A few black drum scattered around. Some sheepshead up by the old Manchester locks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Lots of small snook and mangrove snapper. A few baby bull sharks in the mouths. Sand bream action has been picking up again. Very low water has made it impossible to get out some days.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Small mangrove snapper, a few black drum and sheepshead, and a couple very small snook.
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El Jobean Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A couple keeper snook after dark, plus lots of little ones. Juvenile tarpon have been seen regularly at night, but only heard about one caught. There may be trout, sheepshead and small black drum.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — The most consistent snook reports around. Shrimp and live freshwater shiners are working. A few small mangrove snapper and trout also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A few legal snook, all at night. Trolling the pier with shrimp or freshwater shiners has been working well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — A few trout have been caught here this week, and there was at least one sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Better this week. Several trout and mangrove snapper, a few snook, one baby tarpon jumped, and one juvenile bull shark caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Super quiet. Some small mangrove snapper and trout.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A few trout in the slot and lots of shorts. Black drum and some very small sheepshead scattered around. Some mangrove snapper as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A couple of small sheepshead and mangrove snapper, plus some black drum and smaller snook.
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Myakka River area (the bridge all the way to Marker 8) "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — The west end of the Cutoff has had a bunch of little snook, small trout and a couple slot redfish. Shrimp will catch them all.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — The west end of the Cutoff has had some redfish and snook, mostly smaller fish but at least one overslot red. A couple small trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A lot of little trout in the Cutoff, along with some dinky snook. Some redfish reports as well, mostly small but one over the slot.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Some trout and snook are in the west end of the Myakka Cutoff, and there are a few snook in Tippecanoe Bay.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some trout in the Myakka Cutoff, along with some smaller redfish and snook. Shallow tides have made access challenging.
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South Gulf Cove canals "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there are probably a couple small snook, and a couple bass way back in the back.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A couple small snook, and a couple bass way back in the back.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A couple small snook, and a couple bass way back in the back.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — A couple snook caught on trolled lures. A couple redfish caught on jigs near the lock.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Mayan cichlids and tilapia are in the canals, and there are snook and redfish closer to the lock.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Tilapia and a few random snook. Some slightly runty redfish around the mangroves inside the lock.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some tilapia and Mayan cichlids, maybe enough for a fish fry.
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The West Wall "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Lots of little snook and some smaller redfish. A couple pompano and small cobia cruising the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Small redfish and snook are abundant, all under the bushes and in the creeks. A few pompano and short cobia on the bar. Little bull sharks are around too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A lot of little redfish, but they've been well up under the bushes. You can fish creek mouths, but again, get it near the trees. A few smaller snook around. A couple pompano caught on top of the bar. Some short cobia on the bar as well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Lots of little redfish under the bushes, with an occasional slot fish. There are some pompano and short cobia on the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Lots of little redfish in the creeks and under the bushes. A few snook have also been caught. Several cobia have been spotted cruising the bar. A couple pompano were caught on the bar about halfway down the wall.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A lot of little redfish and a handful of snook, plus some pompano have been skipped on the bar.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Lots of little redfish, especially at the creek mouths. Just a handful of small snook reported. Some pompano were skipped inside the bar but not caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A few small redfish and lots of little snook. There are also some trout and reds outside the bar.
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Cape Haze Bar "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says it's slow.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — People are fishing here but not finding anything.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests Flipper has been busy, and a lot of the grass is gone. Mackerel and ladyfish should be here in a few weeks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A few bonnethead sharks and some small trout, but the dolphins have been bothersome.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A couple bonnethead sharks have been seen cruising the area.
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Turtle Bay & Bull Bay "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Probably the best choice for redfish. Lots under the bushes. Trout on the flats and out in front of the barrier islands in 3 to 5 feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A lot of redfish, but your bait needs to be under the bushes. A few trout, mostly small. A few sheepshead around the shacks and oyster areas.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A lot of redfish reports out of this area and mostly in the slot, but all under the bushes. Very few on the oyster bars. Some small snook. Sheepshead and trout around the oyster bars and fish shacks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — A lot of sheepshead in the back of Turtle Bay (past the shacks). Bull Bay has sheepshead under the shacks. Assorted redfish, mostly undersized, are scattered around the mangroves and oysters. Most are little, but there are some in the slot and at least a couple over the slot. Drift with shrimp or artificials for trout.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Lots and lots of little trout. Lots of sheepshead around the oyster bars and shacks in Bull Bay. Lots of little redfish and small snook around the mangrove edges.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A lot of trout, mostly small. Small redfish and snook under the bushes on shrimp in the afternoon. Some squirrelfish and lizardfish in here too.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Lots of trout in Turtle; had 60 reported in about 5 hours on soft plastics. A few bonnethead sharks have been cruising around, and there have been a couple redfish and snook reported too.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Lots of small snook and some rat redfish. Better trout inside and in front of Bull Bay. A few sheepshead reported as well.
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Cape Haze Reef & Danger Reef "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A couple Spanish mackerel, and something stealing baits on the bottom.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Several pompano reported at Danger Reef.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A couple pompano, small mangrove snapper, and a few Spanish mackerel in the area.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Gasparilla Sound "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Lots of trout scattered all around the area in 3 to 6 feet over grass. A handful of small sharks, also in the grassy areas. Redfish and peanut snook under the bushes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Trout are in 4 to 6 feet. Lots of redfish in the Whidden Creek area. Small snook and a few ladyfish also reported. Juvenile tarpon have been reported rolling around Sandfly Key.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Lots of trout, mostly small, in 3 to 6 feet of water. Lots of redfish along the bushes, and more than a few peanut snook. Some bluefish and Spanish mackerel out in that 5- to 8-foot range.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — The trout are biting in 4 to 8 feet early and a bit shallower later in the day. A few ladyfish are active too. Sheepshead and redfish are around the trees and oyster bars.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — In 6 feet near Three Sisters, there have been good trout on drifted paddletails. Whidden Creek also has trout in 5 to 7 feet. The oyster bar near Sandfly and the bushes going up into Whidden and Catfish creeks have been holding sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Lots of trout in this area, and more slot fish than in Turtle Bay. Ladyfish and random sharks out in the open areas. Some sheepshead around the clam leases. Small redfish around the mangroves.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — There's been a lot of slot trout around Three Sisters and Sandfly Key, with lots of shorts mixed in. Puffers are demolishing baits. Sheepshead are around the mangroves and oyster bars around the clam lease area. A few redfish reports from the area, but hardly and snook caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some very good trout reports from the Three Sisters area, and good sheepies on the docks nearby. Whidden Creek has had some ladyfish, redfish, snook and trout.
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Placida
"Fishin History"
Placida Pier
—
Placida
Trestle
—
Coral Creek Pier
—
Gasparilla Pass
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Sheepshead are still here, but thinning out a lot. A couple pompano, a couple trout, a few sharks of assorted sizes, a couple Spanish mackerel, and a handful of short snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Quite a few sheepshead from the trestle; numbers are dropping but quality is better. Small snook at night, plus a couple keepers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A whole lotta sheepshead, taking fiddler crabs and shrimp. Snook at night with the possibility of keepers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — The sheepshead are active around the pier, trestle and docks, but they've been hard to catch. At least a couple oversized redfish from the pier also. A few pompano reports. Some smaller mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — The docks near the pass have had sheepshead and the occasional redfish. The trestle is producing some sheepshead and pompano, plus some small mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Decent sheepshead around the trestle, along with mangrove snapper and some pompano. Random sharks in the area.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A few little tiny snook during the day, a couple pompano and sheepshead, some random sharks (sandbars, blacknose and sharpnose).
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — The pass has been producing sheepshead, mangrove snapper and some pompano. Some trout on the grassflats nearby. The bite at the trestle has been slow.
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Stump Pass — Lemon Bay Park — Indian Mound Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Bunches of small trout and a few sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there should be trout and redfish around, and the main channel should be holding some Spanish mackerel either now or in the near future.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Some trout in 3 to 6 feet on the grass and around the Tom Adams Bridge. A few sheepshead around the bridge as well.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Some pompano, smaller trout, dinky mangrove snapper and very small redfish have all been reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — The trout bite is OK along the dropoffs in about 5 feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A lot of trout here also, especially around Stump Pass and Indian Mound Park. Sheepshead around the docks. Some redfish around the mangroves.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Lots of trout reports from the Englewood Fishing Club, along with some sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A lot of sheepshead under the docks (your best bet for this week).
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Englewood Anger Pier
(next to Tom
Adams bridge) "Fishin
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says maybe Spanish mackerel, maybe snook at night.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there should be snook for nocturnal anglers.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Some snook, but all have been shorts.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A few trout, a couple sheepshead and some very tiny mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A couple sheepshead, small mangrove snapper, one bonnethead shark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A few sheepshead.
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Gulf of Mexico bottom
fishin' & trolling
Reefs & Wrecks
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A little bumpy this week, but we've heard red grouper in 90 to 110 feet of water and some big lane snapper in 50 to 75 feet. Grunts, porgies and sheepshead on the nearshore reefs. Kingfish are showing up from one mile off Boca Grande Pass out to about 15 miles, and also at the Venice Pier. Some Spanish mackerel have shown up as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Weird out here. In 80 to 105 feet, we've had some red grouper and small mangrove snapper. Lane snapper, plus the occasional grunt or porgy, have been on 50 to 80 feet. The nearshore reefs have had some larger sheepshead, but not in large numbers. There's a bunch of amberjack around the Mohawk. Mackerel and kingfish are in the near future.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Despite more wind than forecast, there are red grouper in 90 to 110 feet, plus a few mangrove snapper. In 50 to 60 feet, there have more mangrove snapper, lane snapper, porgies and grunts. A few Spanish mackerel have been seen jumping, and there are pods of bonita just starting to show up.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — The red grouper are in 80 to 105 feet of water. Some African pompano have been reported as shallow as 90 feet. Good mangrove snapper (up to 5 pounds) are in that same depth range. From 4 to 15 miles out, we're hearing lane snapper, grunts and sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — In 80 to 110 feet, there have been some red grouper. Some mangrove snapper, mostly small but keepers. Bunches of lane snapper. A few porgies and grunts, plus good numbers of sheepshead, in 30 to 60 feet. One keeper cobia was reported in 80 or 90 feet of water.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — It was lovely last weekend. Some African pompano at 150ish feet. In 80 to 110 feet of water, lots of red grouper up to 28 inches and mangrove snapper up to 5 pounds. At 15 miles, lane snapper, porgies, grunts and a few sheepshead, but the sheepshead are better on the nearshore reefs.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Nobody is back yet to report.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Very few boats have been out. A few legal red grouper were reported at 25 to 30 miles out, along with a bunch of lanes and a few mangroves. Lanes, grunts and porgies were also caught at 18 miles. Novak, Tremblay and the Palm Island Ferry reefs had some sheepshead.
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Venice Jetties and Venice Pier
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A couple kingfish at the pier. Some giant bluefish, a few Spanish mackerel, sheepshead and jacks at the jetties.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Sheepshead and a few pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Some Spanish mackerel and a cornucopia of sheepshead. They like crabs but shrimp are good too.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — The jetties have been producing lots of pompano, along with a few sheepshead and whiting.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Sheepshead at the jetties, and pompano and whiting in the adjacent surf.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Some sheepshead. A few pompano. Lots of whiting from the beach.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Some pompano and sheepshead, plus more than a few whiting. Some of the land-based shark boys have got into sandbars and at least one tiger shark.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A few sheepies from the jetties.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/04/2023 — No reports until further notice.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/16/2023 — No reports until further notice.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/09/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/02/2023 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Some Spanish mackerel and a handful of full-size tarpon. If you want a tarpon, try a live shrimp, a threadfin or a DOA Bait Buster.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A couple Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A couple Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper caught, plus a blacknose shark. A few tarpon spotted rolling.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Some sheepshead have been eating in the pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Some mangrove snapper, including a few decent keepers.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Boca Grande Pass "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A few tarpon, some Spanish mackerel, a couple mangrove snapper, and by the phosphate docks we've seen a few sheepshead caught.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Tarpon have been in and out and highly unpredictable. A few Spanish mackerel. A few mangrove snapper in 30ish feet of water on the south side. A few sheepshead from the phosphate dock and oil drums.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A few tarpon rolling or on the bottom, but it's very sporadic. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are good around the rocks. Some pompano on the dropoff at the north end of the channel.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — A few pompano are on Johnson Shoals and on the dropoff at the sandbar on the north end of the pass. Some mangrove snapper in 30 to 40 feet off Cayo Costa. Some sheepshead have been caught around the beach rocks and phosphate dock.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Mangrove snapper and sheepshead around the shore rocks and phosphate docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Mangrove snapper up to about 14 inches. Some sheepshead around the old phosphate dock.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Mangrove snapper out in 30 to 40 feet, with tiny baby gag and red grouper as bycatch. Sheepshead around the shoreline and phosphate docks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Sheepshead from the beach and around the phosphate docks. Some pompano and a few big goliath grouper from the beach.
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Walkin' the Gulf beaches,
from Sanibel
to Venice. Surf fishing anywhere along the Gulf shoreline.
17th
street,
Stump
Pass Park "Fishin'
History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — All the beaches have been producing. Reports have included small bluefish, whiting, jacks, Spanish mackerel, a few pompano and a few snook. Expect better action near the passes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Some whiting, pompano, bluefish, incidental sheepshead and random snook. Fishing is OK from Venice to Boca Grande, but hotspots will vary by the day.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Englewood Beach, Stump Pass and Boca Grande all have bluefish, juvenile black drum, whiting, pompano and a few flounder.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Pompano and whiting at Caspersen. Pompano, whiting, small black drum and trout at Manasota Key (Blind Pass and Stump Pass).
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Caspersen Beach, Manasota Key, Englewood Beach, Blind Pass and Stump Pass have a good potential for whiting, small black drum, short redfish, a few pompano, and sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Pompano, whiting, some small jacks, a couple flounder seen but not hooked.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Better closer to the passes. Whiting, a few pompano, and random sheepshead. Some bigger sharks from the shore also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some whiting and a couple pompano and sheepshead at Boca Grande Pass and Stump Pass.
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Indian Fields — Smokehouse Bay
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Still some sheepshead around the bridge area. Also, some trout and a few redfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Sheepshead and trout are all around this area. Sheepies are thinning out a bit, though.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Lots of sheepshead from the bridge. Smokehouse and Indian Fields are full of trout, but most are smallish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Sheepshead around the bridge, plus a few around the mangroves and docks nearby. Quite a few trout of assorted sizes from the grassy areas. Some small redfish up along the mangroves.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Sheepshead reports are good from this area, especially around the bridge. There are also trout in the grassy areas.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Lots of sheepshead around the bridge, and also some trout in the general area (look for the grass).
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A lot of sheepshead and some trout. Most of the trout are little but there have been a few decent ones. Shrimp is king.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Quite a few sheepshead from the Matlacha bridge.
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Pine Island Sound
"Fishin History"
Rat and Cat keys,
Mondongo & Patricio
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Reports are wonky. A few trout, a couple redfish, quite a few small snook, and some adult tarpon randomly popping up.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Some redfish of assorted sizes, right along and under the bushes. A couple smaller snook too, but nothing of significance. A few trout and Spanish mackerel over deeper grass and in the channels. A couple flounder reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests the bite should be pretty good in this area.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Patricio and Jug Creek are seeing trout of assorted sizes. Cover ground to find the bigger ones. Short redfish and the occasional slot fish are showing up. Some sharks are in the deeper areas nearby.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Lots of trout in 7 to 10 feet of water as far down as Captiva Rocks, although one angler reported lots of fish in 3 to 4 feet. Small redfish under the shrubbery, mostly on shrimp.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Some trout, quite a few short redfish, blacknose sharks and a couple bonnetheads.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Lots of trout, but most of them are small.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Jug Creek Shoal & Bokeelia "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there should be trout, and probably Spanish mackerel and smaller sharks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there should be trout, maybe pompano, and should be baitfish also.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Some small trout, a couple Spanish mackerel, small sharks and at least one pompano.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Some trout, but that's it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Trout reports are OK here in 4 to 8 feet.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Some trout, and that's it.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Burnt Store & Two Pines "Fishin report archive History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Some ladyfish and pompano on top of the bar. A barrage of little snook and smaller redfish under the bushes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Pompano on the outer edge of the bar. A few cobia are on the bar too. Some redfish and smaller snook under the bushes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Some redfish along the bushes. Small trout, ladyfish and jacks along the bar.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Trout, a few pompano, a couple ladyfish, a few short cobia. On the inside of the bar, some rat redfish and the random slot fish, along with some charter snook.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Some pompano and a few trout, plus some very small redfish and smaller sheepshead.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Some pompano and a few trout, plus some very small redfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Trout and a few ladyfish. A couple slot reds have been taken on shrimp under the mangroves.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some redfish and small snook along the bushes. A few trout on the grass, along with random ladyfish.
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East Side "keys" "Fishin History"
Cormorant Key — Bay Back Key — Sneaky Creek
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Small snook and a few redfish around the trees, and some trout outside the bar.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A few small snook and a handful of small redfish. Lots of algae in Pirate Harbor.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A few trout. A couple cobia cruising the bar. A handful of small redfish.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Lots of short cobia and a few keepers. A few trout and incidental pompano.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Pirate Harbor has a few smaller sheepshead and trout, and some bonnethead sharks were seen cruising the bar. A few snook and rat reds under the bushes around the islands.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A few trout and a lot of little redfish scattered around the islands. Lots of algae in here.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — A lot of rat redfish, a few small snook, and no trout reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Trout in front of Pirate Harbor, plus a few small ones inside. Redfish are way back in Winegourd and Sneaky creeks. Oddly, no snook reports.
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Alligator Creek "Fishin
History"
Poachers
Cut
&
The
Skating
Rink
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Small snook and a couple jacks in the creek.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A few jacks and short snook in the creek, caught while trolling with small lipped plugs.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Alligator Creek has produced some jacks, small snook and even trout on trolled lipped plugs.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A couple pompano at the mouth of the creek, but not much else.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Some mangrove snapper and short redfish in the creek, plus a few jacks.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — A few small redfish and mangrove snapper.
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Ponce de Leon Park "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Lots of no-see-ums. Some small mangrove snapper, one snook that was poached.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says there should be snook and jacks moving through the area.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Overall slow. A few black drum, some baby mangrove snapper, one slot redfish reported but not verified.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Some small mangrove snapper, a few small black drum, and that's it.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Small mangrove snapper.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Some small mangrove snapper, small snook and small black drum. One 5-foot sandbar shark reported as well.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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P.G.I. canals & Punta Gorda "Fishin History
Elizabeth Park — Barge Canal — P.G. Nature Park
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Lots of small snook in the canals, and some juvenile tarpon. A couple black drum caught but lots more seen. A few baby goliath grouper around the docks and non-moving boats.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A few jacks, some short snook, a few black drum, a few sheepshead (but bigger), and lots of juvenile tarpon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Lots of little snook and a whole lot of baby tarpon (not eating). Black drum are starting to gather up into little groups. Sheepshead randomly sprinkled about. Jacks cruising through also.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Small mangrove snapper. Some really good sheepshead up to 18 inches, but they're on the move constantly. A few black drum of mixed sizes.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Lots of smaller snook around the lights; some have been caught trolling or casting soft plastics. Some good big black drum have been seen but not yet heard. Lots of teeny mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Lots of small snook, some mangrove snapper and a couple black drum. No sheepshead reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Small snook and mangrove snapper in the canals. Small tarpon and big black drum have been seen but not hooked.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — The canals are holding black drum, which are easier to see than catch. The snook are in the same boat. Some decent mangrove snapper up to 13 inches. No sheepshead reported, but there must be some.
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Gilchrist Pier "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — One baby bull shark caught here.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests don't bother.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests don't bother.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Alligator Creek Reef
AKA Concrete
Reef, 1 Mile Reef,
Charlotte Harbor Reef, 41 Bridge Reef
"Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — A few Spanish mackerel in the area, but just a few.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball says to expect a slow bite.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Very slow. A few small mangrove snapper and small sheepshead, but not many. Too much algae.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Two bonita caught trolling small spoons around the reef. A couple sheepshead, but the bite has been tough.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Some small sheepshead and little mangrove snapper.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Deep holes in Charlotte Harbor — AKA the 20-foot holes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — An occasional tarpon, and one free-jumping king mackerel was reported.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — A couple tarpon seen rolling around, but nothing I would call fishable.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — No reports. Crystal ball suggests check back in 6 weeks.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — No reports.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Baitfish
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Some whitebait at Marker 2 and Devilfish, but there's more off the beaches. Lots of threadfins are around, but don't mistake them for whitebait because they aren't nearly as hardy and die quick in the livewell (look for the trailing thread off the dorsal fin).
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Whitebait is hard to find and mostly small. Better bait is out along the beaches. Threadfins are in open water and offshore.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Whitebait is scattered all over, but all small, probably too small to bother netting. Some threadfins in open water, also running a bit small.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — Minimal, and mostly small stuff. With a 1/4-inch mesh net, you might catch some. But the snook aren't ready to eat yet, so let's wait, OK?.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Some small schools of bait are in the center of the Harbor and around Jug Creek. More is expected soon.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — A little bit of little bait at the Port Charlotte Beach complex and around Bokeelia, but it's been hard work to catch.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — No reports.
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Freshwater canals, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes "Fishin History"
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — Crappie action is winding down as expected, but the bluegills are perking up a bit. Bass fishing is decent, but almost every fish has been caught on a shiner.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/16/2024 — Lots of bass in the local canals, 1 to 4 pounds, all on live shiners. Crappie are OK, but this is probably the last weekend to catch a mess.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — Bass are the big deal locally, almost all on the shiners. Decent crappie action still, but mostly on the bigger lakes in Central Florida.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 02/24/2024 — A lot of the crappie anglers are excited by the full moon. Most of the recent catches have been little, though. Bass fishing is good, but it's been pretty much all on shiners. Nobody seems to be doing well with any artificials lately.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/17/2024 — Tilapia and Mayan cichlids are hitting worms or minnows. Bass are hitting shiners.
Robert & Capt. Josh 02/10/2024 — Bass are hitting shiners locally. All the decent crappie we've heard about have been on the big lakes in central Florida.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 01/27/2024 — Any flowing culverts or spillways have crappie and good sunfish around. Most of the bass have been caught on shiners.
Robert & Capt. Josh 01/13/2024 — Some good bass up to 5 pounds on shiners. On soft plastics, it's mostly little guys (ditch pickles). Crappie are doing OK locally, but it's mostly small fish (10ish inches). For bigger crappie, try the bigger lakes (Placid, Trafford, Manatee, Okeechobee).
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Robert & Capt. Josh 03/23/2024 — There have been some fish in the 20-foot holes, Boca Grande Pass and the ICW side of Captiva Pass. Live shrimp are hot, live threadies are good, or try a DOA Bait Buster (trolling or deep runner model). It's far from a sure thing, but it's worth a shot.
Robert & Capt. Josh 03/09/2024 — A few fish have been showing up sporadically in the passes and even more sporadically elsewhere, but there's not much point trying to target them yet. Bring your tarpon rod if you want, but plan to catch something else.
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Robert & Capt. Josh 12/30/2023 — Not much point in targeting them, although you can always look in Boca Grande Pass.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/16/2023 — No reports.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/09/2023 — There are bunches in Boca Grande Pass. Shrimp would be Robert's top choice, followed by farm-raised pinfish (because they swim funny). You could also try a squirrelfish or even a lizardfish.
Robert & Capt. Josh 12/02/2023 — A few seen in Boca Grande Pass, and you could try dropping a vertical jig, pinfish or shrimp. But — and I can't emphasize this enough — don't expect much.
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In memory of Capt Angel 1975-2010
Angel remains here with us,
He was my friend, I miss him
Fishin Frank-----
It would be hard to picture life without fishing.
People who do not fish do
not understand the
therapeutic value of fishing, losing yourself to
the motion of the waves and
just relaxing.
The best things about fishing is where you do it,
and that you do not carry a score card.
Since 1984 when I first walked through the door
here at Fishin Franks,
I found the people / customers to be the best part of this job,
and all these decades later that is still true.
You all are the best part of the day.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives so many years
Fishin Frank