Captain Tony Price out of Pinelands Tarpon Lodge with a big gag grouper and American red snapper. He was fishing west of Captiva Pass in depths around 150 feet. PHOTO PROVIDED

Despite a hot week, as we would expect for the last week of July, fishing wasn’t too bad.  

Over the stronger tides, reports of good snook fishing came from in and around the Gulf passes, including Blind, Captiva and Redfish. Snook over 30 inches were caught and released fishing areas around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River and under docks at Sanibel’s Tarpon Bay. Over the incoming tides snook were running in small schools in Charlotte Harbor along the eastern side up to Pirates Harbor and outside Bull Bay.

Redfish up to 28 inches were caught from many of the same areas as snook, plus under the mangroves on the eastern side of Pine Island Sound over the higher tide stage.

For eating fish or table fare, it’s been hard to beat mangrove snapper. Snapper were caught inshore under mangrove overhangs, around oyster bars, and under docks, piers and bridges. Rock ledges in the Gulf passes over the slower tides and offshore on ledges and artificial reefs were also good. Best baits included shrimp, pilchards, small pinfish and cut bait, including pinfish, ballyhoo and sardines. If the water is clear, they get can picky. Lighten up the leader and going with a smaller hook often results in a better bite. 

Anglers found small pods of tarpon rolling early in the mornings with a few hook-ups. They were located off the Cayo Costa beach and from the north end of Charlotte Harbor from the Cape Haze point to the U.S. 41 bridge. Bull and blacktip sharks were hooked around the tarpon in the harbor.

Charlotte Harbor and north Pine Island Sound gave action with a variety of fish in depths from 5 to 8 feet. Seatrout, grey trout, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, snapper, jack crevalle and small sharks were often hooked together over areas with a mottled or sand/grass mix bottom.

At times, the bite started slow, but once the action got going it continually attracted more fish into the activity. This is great fishing for kids with lots of action and possibly a different species every cast. Plus, the possibility of hooking a shark is icing on the cake for kids.  

For all fishing rules and regulations go to www.myfwc.com or download the Fish Rules app on your phone. 

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fishpineisland.com; or via email at gcl2fish@live.com.

Have a safe week and good fishin’.

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.

On July 21, a lively group of 13 players gathered at St. James City Civic Association for mahjongg. We were happy ...

Copyright © Pineisland Eagle | https://www.pineisland-eagle.com | 10700 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922 | 239-283-2022