Florida Sportsman Forums - Southwest Fishing Reports http://forums.floridasportsman.com/ Fishing, Diving and Hunting Reports Only. en Thu, 23 May 2013 13:37:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/images/misc/rss.png Florida Sportsman Forums - Southwest Fishing Reports http://forums.floridasportsman.com/ 18 LB RED GROUPER TO WHALE SHARK!! OFFSHORE NAPLES 5/18 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112595-18-LB-RED-GROUPER-TO-WHALE-SHARK!!-OFFSHORE-NAPLES-5-18&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 01:10:28 GMT Sorry for the late report but here we go. Have come to terms that if we want to shoot 50+ lb black grouper and what not, that we are going to have to... Sorry for the late report but here we go. Have come to terms that if we want to shoot 50+ lb black grouper and what not, that we are going to have to start diving deeper. The trip was intended to be just a dive trip out 50-60 miles in 120-130ft of water, bu turned into a fish/dive full out assault. Got an early start and made it to the first area by 9am. First drop, 3 lines go down, 3 rods bend over at the same time... I looked at my buddy and we gave each other the look as if the bite was going to be hot today. We decided to dive this spot since we knew fish were home. The divers produced 3 more nice grouper in the 28-30" range. Moved around and found new area, dropped a line, nothing.... new area, drop down, nothing.... repeat throughout the day and couldnt produce a bite and or a fish!! What the heck!!?? So we go to some grounds we know have big fish and we have done well in the past, drop down divers, nothing home. Ended up finding a new ledge out in 120ft which pay off big come gag season. All in all the fishing was horrible for us, and i have read other reports that were completely opposite. Ended up doing ok on the grouper with the divers saving the day. 14 grouper and 1 hog. BUUUUUTTTT i almost forgot the best part. I had a whale shark encounter 30 miles out in 75ft of water. It was our last dive on the way in and this massive thing came right up to the boat as we are about to jump in!! Here is some footage we did manage to scamble and get. Also a video of some diving/spearing. Till ARS season, Tight Lines!!

130ft grouper.jpg125ft grouper.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJAchC_NbNM ........spearing/diving

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater ....... whale shark footage
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]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Naples Spearo http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112595-18-LB-RED-GROUPER-TO-WHALE-SHARK!!-OFFSHORE-NAPLES-5-18 Cobia for Dinner http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112540-Cobia-for-Dinner&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 20:12:29 GMT Headed out to a new reef (public number) with a bucket full of fresh greenies (dead). My main objective was to check out the gag grouper situation on... Headed out to a new reef (public number) with a bucket full of fresh greenies (dead). My main objective was to check out the gag grouper situation on this new to me location, but the Cobia wanted to play. first fish 34 to the fork was caught on free-lined greenback, and on 10lb test/Stradic 4000/ G-Loomis. Second fish 36" to the fork was caught on bottom rod/speedmaster/30lb mono. Lost two more while I was fighting the first fish, and today the biggest fish eluded me. ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Permit53 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112540-Cobia-for-Dinner Pine Island Sound 5/19 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112139-Pine-Island-Sound-5-19&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 18:19:32 GMT Really it was more of a boat ride day with the wife with a few fishing stops while out. Bait was as far as you could see at the Jug Creek Shoal,... Really it was more of a boat ride day with the wife with a few fishing stops while out. Bait was as far as you could see at the Jug Creek Shoal, didn't have to chum any so that was easy. Caught about 4 Spanish Macks and one decent Snook just to the North of Cabbage Key. Speaking of which.. A Cabbage Key cheeseburger sounded good to the wife so off we went. We left after an hour or so and caught another Mack and when I went to the cooler. Someone took my damn fish..are you kidding me!!! Well forum buddy Ptrshenry shared this link with me.

I'd like to read their report...Got another dummy today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpk1Ai4zQlA ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports SJC http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112139-Pine-Island-Sound-5-19 Anyone been getting kings on the troll lately? http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112028-Anyone-been-getting-kings-on-the-troll-lately&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 02:30:28 GMT Anyone had any luck trolling for kings lately? If so how far offshore are you getting them? I'm sure there are plenty of big spanish out now but I am really in the mood to get some kings. Preferably in the boca/Sanibel area. Naked or skirted hoos? ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Finsfan http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?112028-Anyone-been-getting-kings-on-the-troll-lately Skunked :( http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111783-Skunked-(&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 03:17:31 GMT Spent 5 hrs with diabetodan at blackburn pt bridge... got loaded with large jumbo shrimp and large pinfish... saw lots of large snook in the light,... Spent 5 hrs with diabetodan at blackburn pt bridge... got loaded with large jumbo shrimp and large pinfish... saw lots of large snook in the light, but could only hook a couple...

We were using 30 lb flouro with spiderwire, and various sized circle and J hooks... any suggestions? ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Sculler http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111783-Skunked-( Punta Gorda tarp http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111779-Punta-Gorda-tarp&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 02:50:14 GMT Threads were all over the harbor today. Spent most of my limited time down by Bookelia. There were some happy fish rolling, but no bites. After... Threads were all over the harbor today. Spent most of my limited time down by Bookelia. There were some happy fish rolling, but no bites. After the sea breeze came up I headed back and decided to make a drift across one of the deep holes. I put out a giant pinfish and missed a fish right away. Immediately after got a 100-110 on a thread. Unfortunately the dinner bell rang and I had to go in. ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports BlueRacer http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111779-Punta-Gorda-tarp A good week of fishing! http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111716-A-good-week-of-fishing!&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 19:25:22 GMT I've been lucky enough to fish most of the week. Starting off in Port Canaveral, the wife and I went out with Capt. Scott Lum in search of Triple Tail. We were able to find a few monsters before wind and waves put us into port. If you're ever in the Canaveral/Cocoa Beach area and want to fish with a great guide, Capt. Scott Lum is the man. Central Florida Charters | with Capt. Scott Lum

My parents came down to watch our 15mo old daughter while we went and played. As a gift to my father, we hit up the beach tarpon this morning and found plenty of willing participants. We went 1 for 2 in short order and burned through our limited bait supply with the stupid little sharks out there. Oh well, had to be back in the office by 10:30 and had a bit of poon smell on me. Sounds like a great Friday morning to me.









Some of the triple tail cooked up in Cocoa Beach and Sanibel Island





]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Captain Ross http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111716-A-good-week-of-fishing! <![CDATA[5-15-2013 13 miles off sanibel AJ's, Kings, Gags, Bonita....]]> http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111455-5-15-2013-13-miles-off-sanibel-AJ-s-Kings-Gags-Bonita&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 12:49:50 GMT Headed out of Weeks at 7ish...they are closing down and being developed so dont know how much longer the ramp will be open but the bait shop is... Headed out of Weeks at 7ish...they are closing down and being developed so dont know how much longer the ramp will be open but the bait shop is closing soon....Tried Big carlos for bait but there was no current so we headed off to the tripod and loaded up with a few casts of the net. Cruised past the group of boat off Knapps point and headed out to some wrecks about 12 miles offshore. It was a nasty ride out on the pathfinder but worth it. Constant action all day. Big kings, released Gags, Bonita, Amberjack, probably 30-40 lost fish (probably kings) but some took us in the wreck so you never know. we used white bait all day and had times when we had three rods going off all at once!! It was a great day. The ride back we went through redfish back and made it back to weeks by 6pm.


big grouper small pic.jpgIMG_3173.jpgIMG_3175.jpgIMG_3180.jpgIMG_3188.jpgsmaLL GROUP.jpgsmall pic.jpg
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]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Gamekilla http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111455-5-15-2013-13-miles-off-sanibel-AJ-s-Kings-Gags-Bonita Exploring Big Pass http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111156-Exploring-Big-Pass&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 16:19:06 GMT Heading offshore this past Sunday to fish for mangos and other reef fish, the wind started to freshen out of the west with whitecaps beginning to... Heading offshore this past Sunday to fish for mangos and other reef fish, the wind started to freshen out of the west with whitecaps beginning to develop. Not really in the mood for getting beat up in my 21’ boat, I reversed course and decided to explore Big Pass.

Drifting the top of the incoming, and the start of the outgoing with a red jig head and live shrimp, I started fishing at the mouth of the pass, and worked my way in. It turned out to be a pick off a fish here and there type of day, with no sustained action.

Small to medium sized Spanish were available throughout the pass with sporadic hits (and somehow no cutoffs of the light fluoro leader). Anticipating flounder on the bottom, only two shorts were landed. These were found along the drop off on the north side of the cut, near marker 11. An undersized (15”) redfish and two small bonnethead sharks were caught in the same area. Near some docks on the south side, mangrove snapper were hitting. After one cast, I was retrieving the jig fairly rapidly and was surprised to get a hit from one of the snapper since I usually catch them still fishing. Likewise, along some of the rocks on the south side, a few barely keeper sized (released) sheepshead were still around and they also hit the moving jig. Further in towards the bay, lots of ladyfish were available.

So that was about it. Instead of getting beat up offshore, it was a nice and easy (other than dodging the Sunday boat traffic) type of day. Two macks and two snapper were kept for the grill. ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Bluefin http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111156-Exploring-Big-Pass 5/11: Knapps point http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111075-5-11-Knapps-point&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 01:45:02 GMT My buddy and his girlfriend got to the house at 6:45am and we headed to the gas station for some petro. Got to week's around 7:15 and headed out of Big Carlos pass on a heading towards Knapps (for our first tarpon trip of the season) looking for bait. We came across bait schools everywhere and loaded up with 1 throw of the net. We arrived off knapps and setup our drift in 26' (south of the group of boats) of water free lining large threads. In 2 hours time we caught 4 shark, got cut off a handful of times and jumped 1 tarpon (not the results we were looking for). 11am rolled around and to try and salvage our day we headed back to Estero Bay to catch the last half of the incoming tide. On our way back in we stopped off at a spot close to may reef and quickly caught a nice size flounder, snook and got broke off 3 times by what we think were snook. A boat decides to try and anchor up 30' from us dropping anchor, pulling it up, dropping anchor, pulling it up (5 attempts later) so we head in to fish some mangroves. We arrived to mound key with a hour left of the incoming and managed a large jack and a huge sail cat (I hate catfish). Headed in around 2 thinking about what we could of done differently. Oh well, there's always next weekend to get the first tarpon of the season. ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Binder http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111075-5-11-Knapps-point second trip to sanibel http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111052-second-trip-to-sanibel&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 23:25:01 GMT Well my second trip went better than my first (see when all heck breaks loose). I got to the causeway at 7:30am and managed to catch two bait fish... Well my second trip went better than my first (see when all heck breaks loose). I got to the causeway at 7:30am and managed to catch two bait fish on a sabiki rig. I then went to the boat ramp on the west end of the causeway and managed to catch a small lady fish. I then proceeded to tarpon bay explorers and paddled across tarpon bay to pine island sound the wind had kicked up so I drifted back across the bay throwing assorted jigs. I managed to catch a garbage can slam (ladyfish, catfish and two jacks). I was able to put two trout in the cooler 1st was 18" and the second was just over 15" (I measured it three times to make sure). I was off the water at about 3:30pm and headed back to west palm beach. It was a good day but I think I'll give up on my tarpon quest unless I catch one by accident then I'll cross it off my bucket list. My canoe may not be able to handle a big one and I am still eating humble pie after my last attempt. Having a cold one with four nice fillets in the freezer. ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports paddleharder http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111052-second-trip-to-sanibel Red grouper, slow but fun! http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111046-Red-grouper-slow-but-fun!&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 23:02:48 GMT Left new pass in Sarasota on Saturday 5/11, Went out and left the camera at home!:banghead Oh well! We headed out to 100 feet and got 4 keeper... Left new pass in Sarasota on Saturday 5/11, Went out and left the camera at home!:banghead Oh well! We headed out to 100 feet and got 4 keeper grouper total. The snapper bite was insane as we kept our fix of mangs, lanes, and vermillion. All around the 12-16 inch range except for the occ. mang that would tip the 20 inch range. We used cut threadfins and live pinfish for the red grouper and the biggest was 30 inches (shown in the photo) which was a fun fight. The red grouper bite was slow, but snapper were a consistant option. We also were kept busy by bar jacks, and a 6 foot bull shark that took a blue runner. :fishingWe saw some blackfin tuna jumping behind the boat and casted at them but had no luck. Anyways, got home late and didn't feel like taking many pictures. I will have a better report when I take my next run, going to pre fish some red snapper spots soon to be ready for June 1st! 5112013 001.jpg5112013 003.jpg
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]]> Southwest Fishing Reports surferjs01 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?111046-Red-grouper-slow-but-fun! SW FL-Bonita Beach: Red Grouper Offshore; Redfish Inshore http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?110962-SW-FL-Bonita-Beach-Red-Grouper-Offshore-Redfish-Inshore&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 16:15:41 GMT :cool:Monday, 4/29/13, seas were supposed to be two-to three feet, out to sixty miles, when I headed offshore with Scott Savaraid and four of his... :cool:Monday, 4/29/13, seas were supposed to be two-to three feet, out to sixty miles, when I headed offshore with Scott Savaraid and four of his friends. But it was a lot rougher than that, in windy conditions, and we ventured out to 18 miles, where the group used live shrimp to catch fifteen keeper lane snapper, nine whitebone porgies, and a mess of grunts. All in all, they caught about thirty fish, so they had plenty to eat. They released lots of red grouper shorts and two amberjack at 16 and 18 inches. Scott plans to fish with me again on Wednesday, and seas are predicted to be calm that day.

Tuesday morning, the only rain showing up on radar was way south of us, around Marco Island. But, as I headed out with Ron Musick, Eddie Alfonso, Bob Mayer and friend, Ray, a light rain had begun. It got heavier too, but we idled out for a while so as not to get soaked, and finally got through it to clearer skies. We fished between 19 and 22 miles west of New Pass. One of my favorite red grouper spots was invaded by dolphins, which put a quick end to fishing there. But Eddie caught two gag grouper, 23 inches and 28 inches, which we released due to closed season. He also released a 5-foot sandbar shark. The group caught twenty keeper lane snapper and a mess of grunts and porgies, using live shrimp.

Wednesday, I remained in port, due to a last minute cancellation. And, Thursday, it rained relentlessly all day long, causing me to reschedule a backwater trip planned for that day.

Friday morning, I fished Estero Bay with John & Carla Vepraskas. The couple used live shrimp to catch and release a brace of 17 ½-inch redfish, a couple of stingrays, and three 13-inch black drum. Keepers included a 15-inch sheepshead and a 12-inch mangrove snapper, all caught on shrimp.

I had planned a full-day offshore trip for Saturday, but winds and seas kicked back up, and with three-to-five foot seas well offshore, I deferred that trip to a later date this month.

Monday morning, 5/6, I fished in windy conditions in Estero Bay with Gerry and Jane Loftus. Fishing was a little slow at first, but picked up a little later and we had a productive morning. Jane caught a 24-inch redfish, and Gerry caught a 22-inch red. The couple also caught four keeper sheepshead, all on shrimp. They released some mangrove snapper shorts and two stingrays.

Tuesday morning, I fished inshore again, this time with Bob and Katie Sawyer and friend, Shannon Carpenter. The group used live shrimp to catch and release two 17 3/4-inch redfish (just 1/4 inch short of legal size), some mangrove snapper to 12 inches, sheepshead shorts, and five stingrays.

Thursday, 5/9, I headed out 22 miles west of New Pass with John Stauffer and Joe Colecki. John caught a beautiful, 27-inch red grouper on a pinfish. The guys used live shrimp for the rest of their catches, which included thirty-four keeper lane snapper to 13 inches, and a mess of grunts. They released lots of red grouper shorts, mangrove snapper shorts, and an 18-inch gag grouper short.

Saturday, 5/11, I fished offshore with Randy Buster, his girlfriend, Zeny, and friend, Rodney Drenning. We fished spots between 28 and 35 miles west of New Pass, using bait-fish for grouper and live shrimp for everything else. The group would have had seven red grouper in all, but the sandbar sharks were a nuisance, and they ate four of the seven grouper. Still, we managed to cull three keepers, two at 22 inches and one at 21 inches. One of the shark-bitten groupers was 18-inches even without its back end, so it was probably a nice one! The group also caught fifteen keeper lane snapper, an 18-inch Spanish mackerel, and a half dozen whitebone porgies to 15 inches. They released lots of red grouper shorts, two short gag grouper, some yellowtail snapper shorts, and two 35-inch sharp-nose sharks.

The photo shown below is of angler Eddie Alfonso, with a 28-inch gag grouper caught on bait-fish and released on a recent offshore trip.


The photo shown below is of angler Gerry Loftus, with a 22-inch redfish, one of two keeper reds caught on shrimp on a recent inshore trip.


You can check out all of our shark and goliath grouper action videos at the following link:
http://fishbustercharters.com/fishing%20videos.htm ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Fishbuster Dave http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?110962-SW-FL-Bonita-Beach-Red-Grouper-Offshore-Redfish-Inshore Near shore trip for snapper 7 to 10mile out of red fish pass http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?110935-Near-shore-trip-for-snapper-7-to-10mile-out-of-red-fish-pass&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 14:04:37 GMT One of Marys favorite eating fish are snapper.grunts,porgys..Mothers day so it is what we will fish for ,spin rods will our tackle choice 20lb test... One of Marys favorite eating fish are snapper.grunts,porgys..Mothers day so it is what we will fish for ,spin rods will our tackle choice 20lb test small hooks light leaders..One can of home made chum shrimp based,
First stop only 7 miles out plenty of grunts all to small to keep ,no chum used red shorts.
Second spot 11 miles out bottom looks active set out chum..
These are both spot that i catch keeper reds at on a regular basis.
Frozen shrimp squid for bait Grunts ,lanes ,triggers, were on the feed but to small for our liking..Drop down a tomtate Mary just caught it gets hammered its the one in the picture..Mary drops down a pin fish it get hammered after a short fun to watch fight line breaks .. Caught a amall cigar minnow in the chum slick,drop it down,short wait fish on pulled the hook..We were happy to have fresh grouper for dinner..On the way in there were TARPON rolling in Red fish pass.DSCF0988.jpgDSCF0990.jpg
All the trigger fish were 12 inch just could not find a 14 inch-er fun to catch on spin rods they were hitting on the shrimp..
Well it looks like near shore will start to heat up.
:fishing
larrywitt
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]]> Southwest Fishing Reports larrywitt http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?110935-Near-shore-trip-for-snapper-7-to-10mile-out-of-red-fish-pass My (slow) Weekend Report - 5/10-5/12 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?110930-My-(slow)-Weekend-Report-5-10-5-12&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 13:46:38 GMT Well, it was a slow weekend of fishing for me. Highlights were getting out on the boat with my father, my dog, some much needed R&R, a few beers and some sunshine.

Friday-5/10- Got out of work on the early side at 5pm. Grabbed my dog and headed out of new pass to look for some tarpon off the beach. Tide was outgoing, didn't see any crabs coming out of the pass. Breezy on the beach side, saw about 10 boats anchored up on the sandbar outside of big pass, but nobody was hooked-up. Plenty of threadfins around. Slowly putted up Lido Beach back towards New Pass, saw 3 Tarpon total, no takers. A great evening w/ my favorite fishing friend, a 9month old Brittany pup. Tarpon are definately around and catchable, just need to put the time in.

Saturday-5/11- Had plans to fish with my father in Boca Grande. Got a very late start around 11am. The Ladies Day Tarpon tourney was going on in the pass. Heading towards the pass ran into a school of 50+ tarpon, just rolling and not moving very fast. Casted crabs on them for about 30 minutes before giving-up. Pass was loaded with boats and the also on the "hill". With the high tide we went into Bull Bay and caught a few trout to 20", jacks, a redfish and a small snook. It was fun to scout some new territory in the flats boat with Dad.

Sunday - 5/12- Had a few hours before Mothers day obligations. Left New Pass at noon and fished the flats off Longboat Key. I've been catching alot of big trout over there on Lil Johns in Golden Bream color. It's my go-to lure at this point. A few trouts to 18", ladyfish, jacks, bluefish and a mackeral.

The highlight was a nature report. A small trout completely swallowed a Lil John and unfortunately didn't make it. It floated-up right after the release and splashed around on the surface. I heard a "swoosh" and turned in time to see a Bald Eagle swoop down and grab it out of the water. Very cool and I felt slightly better about the trout situation...though I wish it didn't happen. ]]> Southwest Fishing Reports Jirvin70 http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?110930-My-(slow)-Weekend-Report-5-10-5-12