Fort Myers Fishing Report

Early November continued to be a good month for snook fishing with slot fish mixed in with short and over slot snook, with live bait continuing to be plentiful live bait chumming was meet with fair success. The red fishing is all but non existent with very limited numbers of redfish to be found. Trout fishing has been great with 60-100 fish days not unusual. Tarpon were scarcely available early in the month, and with two major cold fronts past and one lingering, I can say that most if not all giant tarpon will be hard to come by until spring.

I have been booking a few new clients for tarpon season 2010. I expect with the amount of inquiries that after the holidays everyone will be getting their plans together since the majority of trips are booked over the next 6-8 weeks. Also in the my newsletter I made everyone aware of a new custom charter that is available for the upcoming tarpon season, if you did not see it I will be sending out another shortly. Newsletters are sent about 7-8 times per year to keep everyone up to date with the fishing in the area.

I hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving as did I it was spent in the Mountains of North Carolina with my lovely Tammy and son Trevor at our camp. I would also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006
www.gofishcharters.com
www.tarponcharters.com

Snook fishing has continued to be the best I have seen in the last 10 years. Most of the usual hangouts have been filled up with all size ranges including slot and over slot size snook. Live bait chumming has been easy with an abundance of perfect size bait through out Charlotte Harbor. Red fishing as been scattered at best and when you happened to find a school of reds it takes a short amount of time before every passing boat stops. Seems the new method of fishing in Florida is the bent rod method, see a bent rod stop and fish. I guess I am crazy I believe in the old tried and true method put in you home work and scout an area to locate fish and respect what others on the water are doing. driving up to a anchored boat on a bar that is fishing scares the fish away and not only takes away any chance of success it ruins it for the person that was already their.

Boca Grande and the pass seen some great snapper action as all summer for those looking for a good dinner. There was also some fast action on Bonita schools for anyone looking to bend a rod. The tarpon where also available when you but their pattern together and timed your trip correctly. Along with some nice early kingfish action in the 30-40lb range Boca Grande Pass as usual gave its best in Early October.

The unusual early arrival of cold weather in the area should push the king fish further south and the grouper closer in. The redfish should continue to school up for the next few weeks and trout fish should begin to improve. Snook fishing should also continue as they are migrating back to winter hang outs. The winter tides should begin empting some flats that have been fished all summer and make them less accessible to the average boater. This year I have added a extremely shallow running skiff to my business and I am looking forward to fishing the winter negative tides. A rigged a 21.5′ Texas Shallow Spot with a 150 four stroke engine for quite reliability and a tall tower for sight, and have increased my flats fishing ability 10 fold.

The new boat allows ample room for a max of 4 anglers and can access some of the shallowest water you have ever fished in. This will be a plus as the water temps drop and fish seek out shallow flats to warm up in the winter. If you would like to see some fishing grounds that you have never seen call me and get on my book for some exciting shallow water winter fishing.

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006
www.gofishcharters.com
www.tarponcharters.com

Well it as been sometime since I wrote a fishing report. If you look back over the years I have reported you will notice that my reports drop off in the summer. Reason because I am busy catching tarpon.

For the past 6-7years I have been booked solid for the peak season April, May, June, July. By this time of the year I begin to slow down and get some down time. I am still fishing and yes tarpon is still on the menu. I have had several days this week with as many as 6 tarpon over 150lbs tarpon. The Season Is Not Over. The flip side to that is you can get burned by the weather or just the fact the fish will not cooperate. This season has and continues to be the most difficult season of my 10+ year guiding career. With so many issues to deal with in the tarpon game, from the largest Shark population I have ever seen to, the dreaded beach renourishment on Boca Grande, that as about 70% washed away, causing a silt water quality problem, compounded by the never ending winds. My season was filled with really great days to some just plain old bad days, with almost no day to day consistency. Plenty of tarpon to catch all season just no rhyme or reason why one day was good and one day was bad. But hey, tarpon are prehistoric so if you put it into there perspective and the amount of time they have swam the ocean, maybe the last 10 years of my career was not normal and this year is the norm. Who knows but I will never quit chasing them I love it to much.

I will be continuing to fish for tarpon as long as they are available, but am beginning to migrate back on to the flats where the redfish schools are beginning to show up. Also the snook fishing was the best this year I seen in a long time and should continue. I have openings in August if you want to catch a tarpon call me cause no matter what any body else says they are still available. I have also been booking some snook trips for September when the season opens as well as some fall kingfish trips in October, but I have plenty of openings.

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006
www.gofishcharters.com
www.tarponcharters.com

Tarpon Fishing has been on now for about the past 3 weeks in the Boca Grande area. Although the weather has been less than cooperative to say the least. I have fished further up Charlotte Harbor over the past few weeks than at any time in my career. With several days spent about 15 miles up river. The technique has been to locate free jumping tarpon and set up long drifts in the area. Typically finding the bait pods and birds and putting that together with a free jumper would result in a couple of bites per day. Believe me when I tell you it takes a lot of mental fortitude to fish all day for 1 or 2 bites. There has been a big school of tarpon numbering about 5000 that have been moving in and out of the pass. A combination of factors including bull sharks, gin clear water, low water temps and untypical weather, have contributed to these tarpon not holding long in the Boca Grande Pass. However like magic these fish will get in there and stay and that could happen any day including tomorrow.

I have a couple of openings left in May and a Couple left in June so if you want to go tarpon fishing call me, and I will give you the short list of available dates.

Snook fishing this spring from Fort Myers, Pine Island, and into Charlotte Harbor was off the charts. This was the best fishing I have seen in at least 7 years. I had several days that felt like I was in a time warp and fishing back in the 80’s. There was one day particularly where I spent a good 2 hours with a couple of clients who stayed doubled up on snook. We caught 12 fish over 10 pounds and another 20 or so inside the slot, with not one undersized fish. The best thing about that day was fishing a spot I had never fished in my life because of all the boats in the area and the late start I got with my clients. Moral to the story sometimes you should take the blinders off and take a look around instead of just running straight to your favorite fishing spot. These snook where obviously migrating to the passes and we chanced up on them in a pot on an island.

Look for me to be tarpon fishing only for the next 3-4 months, and for everyone who is interested tarpon fishing continues well into the summer months when the tarpon move back into the harbor and feed until the first hint of winter. Some of the best tarpon fishing of the year is July-September

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006
www.gofishcharters.com
www.tarponcharters.com

Spring may have finally arrived. With the weather patten improving daily the fishing has steadily improved the only variable was the cold mornings scattered throughout March that made fishing conditions tough. These mornings made for some seriously tough fishing and on some of my trips we sat on several schools of red fish with lock jaw. On the other end of the spectrum was the nearly 90 degree days where I experienced red fish catches up to 6 lbs with the majority being cookie cutter 22 inch red fish. These red fish where hungry and scattered all in the Pine Island Sound area. Mixed in where some very nice trout and my clients caught numerous trout over the 5lb mark.

The bait population is beginning to show up and can be caught in various places bring a 1/4 inch mesh net since it is on the small side and gilling will occur. But with the bait the snook fishing has been turning on and great action can be had for those who spend the time it takes to net bait.

Tarpon fishing is already beginning I personally seen free jumpers in the lower Pine Island Sound and Ft Myers Area. The major tarpon season runs April-July and these dates are beginning to fill up. The economic turn down in the area is more like a correction in the market place as far as rentals are concerned. This is a windfall for visitors who are finding the rental market more in line with reality, with rentals at 1/2 or in some cases a 1/3 of the cost than in the previous 3-4 years. This has been a plus to my booking with most of my clients delighted that they are no longer having to overpay for a place to stay.

My rates have remained the same for the past 6 years and I credit that to good management and my continued search for unconventional ways to cut my cost and pass these savings on to my clients in the form of no rate hikes, even when the cost of fuel surged to over $4. Last week I added a second boat to my business a light shallow running skiff capable of carrying the same four passengers I carry on my bigger boat. The Shallow Sport with a 150hp four stoke is 2 feet shorter and 100hp less than the Ranger Boat. I should once again be able to save fuel dollars and be able to maintain. As a promise to all of my annual clients who fish with me every year and to those looking for a guide, I will continue to search to for ways to keep my cost at minimum and balance that out with a fair cost of a fishing charter to insure the future of my success as I celebrate my 11th year as a fishing guide.

I have some dates still available in April as well as May and June, however I have a lot of days that are unavailable so give me call and lets go catch some Tarpon, I expect another great season.

Capt Andy Boyette
Tarpon Fishing
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With the cold fronts that past over the past week and low temps the coldest they have been in recent years, I took a cold run around the flats and back-country waters yesterday. Fortunately the water temps have been low enough from previous cold weather as far back as November our snook population was prepared and unaffected. I looked at several schools of red fish with the smallest about 20 fish to one school with over a 100 fish. Once the water temps come up a few degrees this has the potential for some great red fishing action. The trout bite as been fair but the fish are in shallower water than you might expect. Hard baits are working good when the fish are feeding while jig and plastic combinations worked slow on the bottom will produce when the bite slows.

There should be an abundance of bait as spring approaches with the grass flats in the area in the best shape I have seen in several years. The east side of Charlotte Harbor has grass in areas that lost 80-100% 4 years ago to the hurricanes. The hard hit mangroves are also beginning to show new life. This should in turn help filter the water and further improving the overall quality.

Tarpon season is shaping up nicely with about 50% of my book filled already. With the nearly 15 hours of day light in the summer I manage to do 2 tarpon fishing trips a day so I still have about 50 openings so it is not to late. Last season saw numerous tarpon caught and released over 200lbs and I directly attribute this to the catch and release practice as well as a few years of no red tide to kill the baitfish these tarpon are here to eat. I expect to have another large tarpon run, and eventually with the tarpon tournaments in Boca Grande Pass, and the fish being weighed, that there will be a record tarpon caught out of this area.

Deciding On A Fishing Guide. For those of you who have recently contacted me and are considering my services and comparing, please do you homework. I started, and have operated, Go Fish Charters over 10 years ago. If you hire me, I can produce all the necessary documents to run a legal charter business by request, and You Can Be Assured That You Are Hiring A Full Time Professional Guide Who Has Years Of Experience Successfully Guiding Clients.

With the new fishing regulations coming into effect for grouper, I decided to take a quick fun trip offshore over the holidays. I accompanied Dr Dan Moenning and his father and father-in-law in search of dinner. we traveled west for over 12 miles before we ever found bait a stark contrast to my last offshore trip when bait was thick as molasses. After a few stops we had a couple of dozen squirrel fish and about a dozen hand size blue runners. On the first grouper hole we managed 1nice keeper red grouper, we moved to another and picked some under size gag grouper. On the third and final stop of the day 2 more short gag's and 3 nice keeper red grouper. We also caught around 15 nice lane snapper up to about 2 pounds.

On a side note to any on out there with some old TD numbers they have held on to, Dan had acquired a new program to convert TD numbers , having tried this on a number of occasions, without success, we reluctantly fished some spots we converted with the new program. This new program converted our numbers dead on the money. At the moment the program is unavailable to the public, but will be coming as an update to certain manufactures GPS systems in the first part of 2009. I will report the names after the release, so anyone looking for it will know how to get it.

Also tarpon season is around the corner I have been booking trips already, but have a lot of availability. Give me a call to discuss any dates the end of May is already pretty jammed up. But the beginning of May and June is mostly open.

Hope Every One Had A Great Christmas And Looking Forward to A Prosperous New Year

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006

Every year at this time, after spending some great fishing days inside the backcountry flats and tarpon filled holes of Charlotte Harbor, I take a annual trek offshore. With a break in charter action and the right weather conditions Capt Scot Hughes and myself took a break and headed offshore in search of the annual kingfish action. With light winds and warm air temps and water temps in the low 70s we headed about 12 miles west of Boca Grande to an undisclosed wreck. With no bait in sight in the harbor we figured we could sabiki some bait offshore and slow troll it near the wreck and pickup some Kingfish. About halfway we found a nice pod of threadfins about the size of two football fields and proceeded to fill the live well. Once on the wreck we immediately marked plenty of suspend fish on the color machine and deployed some frisky baits behind the boat. First fish to the boat was a small king about 7 lbs. Not exactly the kingfish we where hoping for but kingfish none the less. Next couple of drifts bring the same size king fish, when suddenly another hookup looks to be much bigger fish. Not running like a kingfish, after about a 20-minute, fight and some imaginative guesses about what could be on the end of the line, we boat a 25lb Amberjack Really great action on the light tackle we where using with multiple fish landed over the next hour, the largest about 40lbs.

Kingfish should hold in the area for another few weeks and the Amberjack we encountered will stay on these near shore wrecks until the warm weather returns in the spring. The grouper bite has been fair close to shore along with the snapper and like the amberjack should stay close as long as the weather stays cool.

Inshore fishing will be in a transition until water temps stabilize. With the bait supply drying up your favorite plastic and jig combination should bring plenty of trout action. Big redfish should start showing in the potholes where chumming with cut bait like ladyfish will pay off. Snook fishing in the canals and in the rivers should be good. After cold mornings warming afternoons will be the best time to be on the water.

A short video of our amberjack action can be seen at AmberJack Fishing Video

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006

For those who think they have to wait till next year to fish for tarpon you better think again. Just like years past the tarpon fishing is as red-hot as it gets. Tarpon ranging anywhere from 20 lbs to well over a 100 are scattered throughout the area. The key to success is patterning these fish daily since they are moving and switching diet from day to day. Any weather change puts these fish on the bottom sight unseen. So confidence in the area will likely determine success. Ladyfish, threadfin herring, and swim baits are bait of choice.

Redfish are in schools now and can also be found under just about any mangrove on high-water. Cut bait works best for under the bushes, for those who just can't fish without live bait you can throw the net just about anywhere and catch enough livey's to fish all day.

Snook fishing is ok if you are looking for keepers you have to catch a lot shorts. Live bait definitely will keep their attention as they fatten up for the winter.

Kingfish are showing in decent numbers and the run should last well in to December or a the least until our first severe cold snap.

Booking for 2009 tarpon season has already started for me. My clients as well as new comers to the sport are finding out that booking early increases your chances of securing the date or dates you want. I have personally booked quite a few new clients this year through the TV coverage this area is receiving. Check It Out On Video Tarpon Fishing Video
Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006

Tarpon have continued well into July with the only variable being the weather. Heavy rains that backed up in Charlotte Harbor made tide changes and currents more difficult to predict. The tarpon fishing becomes very tidal at this time of the year with most of these fish moving from inshore to off shore as the tide comes and goes. Fishing for tarpon has been a lot like turkey hunting you see them in an area and you move in and set up and with a little luck you get a few shots. Then you move to the next area stage up and wait for another couple of shots. Most of the trips I done early in July where hit or miss the fish where there but not very cooperative the opportunities where far and few between and those who capitalized on a opportunity had success.

The upcoming month of August should be much better as the morning rains and afternoon showers will be less numerous and weather patterns will stabilize. Boca Grande and specifically Charlotte Harbor will continue to host large schools of tarpon for those anglers looking to score a late season tarpon on light spinning tackle or possibly a fly. I personally continue to fish for tarpon well into September with great success. This style of fishing truly is more like hunting since these fish will move on a daily basics and stalking them requires a level of skill acquired through patience and virtue.

Redfish should also begin to school up in some well known traditional community holes. Snook are still on the beaches and the mangrove snapper fishing will be good in and around the docks and bridges and canals. Look for a good run of mackerel with all the bait that is in the area and a very healthy fall fishing season.

For Charter and other information please visit my website send me a email or call me on the phone.

Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006

Prior to the cold front that past by first of the week where temps dropped into the 40s Pine Island Sound was stating to show some decent action with Snook and Trout with the occasional Redfish. Bait fish was making a good showing but unlike the past few years it is not in the usual spots. Tarpon began showing in small numbers on the beaches and I have heard from other guides they have been catching a couple a week. I went in to the big Pass today and marked a handful of tarpon and there where several boats drifting live bait.

Bull and Turtle Bay have been fairly reliable with a mixed bag, but I struggled to put fish in the boat today. Several of the trout we caught did not even fight, indicating that the cold must have affected them more than I thought.

Upper Charlotte Harbor has a steady supply of bait in and around the two bridges. Snook fishing continues to be good in the rivers and canals, and I expect until we get a week or longer of warm days they will be in no hurry to leave.

I have been steady booking tarpon trips and have very limited availability for May. I stll have openings in June so if you are planning a tarpon trip this year you should be getting your plans together. I expect another phenomenal season

Prior to the cold front that past by first of the week where temps dropped into the 40s Pine Island Sound was stating to show some decent action with Snook and Trout with the occasional Redfish. Bait fish was making a good showing but unlike the past few years it is not in the usual spots. Tarpon began showing in small numbers on the beaches and I have heard from other guides they have been catching a couple a week. I went in to the big Pass today and marked a handful of tarpon and there where several boats drifting live bait.

Bull and Turtle Bay have been fairly reliable with a mixed bag, but I struggled to put fish in the boat today. Several of the trout we caught did not even fight, indicating that the cold must have affected them more than I thought.

Upper Charlotte Harbor has a steady supply of bait in and around the two bridges. Snook fishing continues to be good in the rivers and canals, and I expect until we get a week or longer of warm days they will be in no hurry to leave.

I have been steady booking tarpon trips and have very limited availability for May. I stll have openings in June so if you are planning a tarpon trip this year you should be getting your plans together. I expect another phenomenal season.

Capt Andy
1-888-880-0006

Spring like weather patterns continue, with the mildest winter I can remember in recent history. Red fish fishing is not as good as it should be with reds being a hit or miss, however big redfish are showing in the potholes. The slot-sized reds are harder to find and not in good numbers. Cut bait and scented plastic are still the best. Snook season opened and some slot fish are being taken in the upper Myaka as well as the Peace River. Smaller snook are more abundant on the flats and deeper cuts. Trout fishing is pretty hot with plenty of gator trout mixed with slot size, a good day well consist of 30-50 fish. Non-stop action can be found drifting and casting 1/8-1/4 ounce jigs with jerk baits or gulp shrimp.

Grouper fishing continues to be good close to shore as well as the snapper. Drifting cut or live bait will take home plenty of dinner. I also hear a lot of success trolling plugs near good bottom or structure. Interesting fact the there could be new regulations on the horizon for offshore fishing so it is a good idea to get involved and be vocal on your position. If not no complaining when the season is closed for half the year like is being proposed.

As always tarpon fishing is a subject I bring up. With the tarpon that where being caught in December and the amount of tarpon up the rivers now, the upcoming season I expect to be phenomenal. I have been booking steady and have more on the books at this time than any other year in the past; I hear the same from many other veteran tarpon guides, I still have a lot of room on my book, but at the pace I am booking, timing will become an issue if you are planning to fish with me. I have stressed this in the past and this year is no exception good tarpon guides book up early and become very limited. So if you are thinking about fishing there is no better time than now. It allows you to secure the date that works best for you.

Capt Andy Boyette


1-888-880-0006

Spring like weather patterns continue, with the mildest winter I can remember in recent history. Red fish fishing is not as good as it should be with reds being a hit or miss, however big redfish are showing in the potholes. The slot-sized reds are harder to find and not in good numbers. Cut bait and scented plastic are still the best. Snook season opened and some slot fish are being taken in the upper Myaka as well as the Peace River. Smaller snook are more abundant on the flats and deeper cuts. Trout fishing is pretty hot with plenty of gator trout mixed with slot size, a good day well consist of 30-50 fish. Non-stop action can be found drifting and casting 1/8-1/4 ounce jigs with jerk baits or gulp shrimp.

Grouper fishing continues to be good close to shore as well as the snapper. Drifting cut or live bait will take home plenty of dinner. I also hear a lot of success trolling plugs near good bottom or structure. Interesting fact the there could be new regulations on the horizon for offshore fishing so it is a good idea to get involved and be vocal on your position. If not no complaining when the season is closed for half the year like is being proposed.

As always tarpon fishing is a subject I bring up. With the tarpon that where being caught in December and the amount of tarpon up the rivers now, the upcoming season I expect to be phenomenal. I have been booking steady and have more on the books at this time than any other year in the past; I hear the same from many other veteran tarpon guides, I still have a lot of room on my book, but at the pace I am booking, timing will become an issue if you are planning to fish with me. I have stressed this in the past and this year is no exception good tarpon guides book up early and become very limited. So if you are thinking about fishing there is no better time than now. It allows you to secure the date that works best for you.

Capt Andy Boyette


1-888-880-0006

The New Year and winter arrived at the same time with mid 20 degree low temps and highs only in the 50’s. Water temptures fell quickly by more than 15-20 degrees in less than 24 hours. There where numerous areas that snook got caught off guard and small juvenile to mature snook where killed by the freeze. Fishing fell off as fast as the temptures and has only recently picked back up.

Redfish are starting to move back on to the flats after quickly fleeing the cold weather. Live shrimp and cut bait will work in the potholes on deeper flats. Trout are holding in good numbers in 4-6 feet with 1/8-1/4 ounce jig heads with scented plastics worked slow and on the bottom. Snook that escaped the cold are hold up in the rivers and canals and will readily take a live shrimp free lined.

The grouper and snapper bite is on fire off shore and is the best prior to a front or just after. Ledges and wrecks in the 80-foot range will give up a limit in a short time. Make sure to take frozen baits and a mixture of live baits. These fish change mood and can be seriously frustrating not to have live bait when they want or frozen if that is the case. A lot of times you can turn the bite back on by switching between the two.

Tarpon fishing is getting closer and I have been booking trips for the prime season with regular clients as well as some new clients. I expect to have another banner season since the harbor is still full of bait despite the recent freeze.

Capt Andy Boyette

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