Estero Bay Advice

Shindigger

Looking to see if anyone can give me some advice on getting my two boys 8 & 10 into some fish in Estero Bay this coming week.  While I am an avid angler and can catch fish, I am smart enough to realize with all the variable fishing the gulf, if you are not here full time it’s tough to keep on top of a pattern.  It would be cheaper, easier and more productive to hire a guide each time I come down, but I enjoy trying to do it myself.  I grew up visiting/fishing with my grandfather in Southwest Florida and wanted my boys to have the same experiences.  We only get down a few times a year.  I do have a boat that can get me pretty much anywhere in the bay or a few miles out.  Gave it a shot today...  pretty slow.  Hit a couple sheep’s head spots.  No bite.  Tried a trout spot or two.  Same result.  Piddled around at Big Carlos and New Pass.  Not much to speak of.  Ended up with a catfish and a few undersized snapper.  Fishing shrimp.  Paddle tale, but can throw a net to catch bait or fish most any artificial.  

Not asking for all of your secrets but any advise on what might be biting and some general guidance would be greatly appreciated.  Don’t post here often as I usually don’t have much to offer.  I usually have to live vicariously through you all.  Thanks for all the great post!

Thank you again!

Lostconch

If you have a boat drift live shrimp over grass in 5ft of water. Unless it is storming they will catch something

Shindigger

Thank you!!!

NoreastSalt3295

There's usually snapper and smaller grouper around the bridges, as well as pompano and trout, wit macks, jacks and ladyfish around the gulf side of the passes. Sheepshead are starting to bite on the docks and oyster bars.

dodger31

Find 3-5 feet with turtle grass and you will find trout.  You can throw a paddle tail in new penny or white/glow and the kids can throw a popping cork and live shrimp.  More than two casting tails can get a little crazy.  Should catch ladyfish, jacks, etc. too.  Try to keep the shrimp up off the bottom to avoid too many catfish.  But they usually find it anyway. 

Good luck!

Shindigger

Thank you both for the advice!  Hoping to make it out tomorrow and give it another shot.  I really do appreciate your help.

Thanks again!

Shindigger

Thanks again for the advice!  Managed a few small snook inside of New Pass.  A couple of blue fish on the flats (not something I am used to catching) and as many lady fish as you cared to catch.  Glad to keep the rods bent for the kids! 

Thanks again!

dodger31

Sounds like a fun day.  Glad you found some fish.  How was the water in Estero Bay?

Shindigger

Water was nice and clear in many parts, a little cloudy where it was coming in from the gulf.   No sign of dead fish or red tide as of yesterday!

NoreastSalt3295

Still waiting on the trout to show up, not looking like a good season for them. Glad you found some fish, nothing better for a kid than a bluefish.

austjj

Glad you had the kids enjoy catching fish. I have grandkids here at Easter time and will scout Estero Bay some. I usually hang around San Carlos Bay and Bowditch, but not so good last year. I usually arrive middle of  March for 7 weeks. Will have 5 grand kids eager to fish.

One Drop

Great memories and great advice from fellow forum members.  Forum working as intended. 

Shindigger

Found some sheepshead today!  Kept a few for a fish dinner and threw the rest back.   

mtbrider85

For Estero, the colder it gets, the further back into the bay the fish move. You may catch less in the way backbay parts but it’s typically much higher quality fish. This is especially true with snook.

I wouldn’t target trout in EB, they got hit really hard this summer with the red tide.