Lures and tackle for SWFL vacation

JerseyBlue732

I'll be in southwest Florida on vacation in early November, hope to get in a lot of fishing.  

I'll be staying in the Cape Coral/Ft Myers area, and targeting anywhere between Pt Charlotte and Bonita Springs.  Maybe taking a ride to the Tampa Bay area.

Any recommendations on what kind of tackle and lures I will need?  I will have a 7ft M rod with a Daiwa BG 3000 w 20lb braid.  

So far, I know I will be going for redfish and trout on the west coast.  Open to other species recommendations.  Thanks!!!

Cap'n Mark

Bucktails in red and white, gold spoons, curly tail plastics in white, chartreuse and motor oil with 1/8 to 1/2 oz lead heads, a small selection of you favorite top water plugs. Many survivalist and the military agree that a red headed white bucktail jig and a gold spoon will keep you fed in most saltwater survival scenarios.

Dodger

Agree with everything Cap'Mark suggested.  I would add new penny and glitter tails.  Caught a ton of species on them.  Maybe a couple colors of DOA shrimp?  Vudu shrimp are awesome but they are pricey and they melt! 😒

2times

I fish all over Florida during my travel for work.  Most of it is just for few hours from shore or wading.
My travel rod is 7' medium action spinning rod with 3000 series Shimano Sedona reel with 10 lb. braid line.  My go-to lure is the DOA shrimp and it's what I used majority of the time but I also have some 1/8 to 3/8 oz red/white and red/yellow bucktail jigs, couple different plastic tails. Johnson gold spoon and Zara spook 

JerseyBlue732

Dodger said:

Agree with everything Cap'Mark suggested.  I would add new penny and glitter tails.  Caught a ton of species on them.  Maybe a couple colors of DOA shrimp?  Vudu shrimp are awesome but they are pricey and they melt! 😒

Thanks!  I have some pre-hooked DOA shrimp in a light gold color.  Also some pre-hooked tsunami shrimp.   How do you suggest rigging them?

limitless

You've gotten the absolute best advice on lures from the guys above.  On targets, in addition to Redfish and Trout you'll want to round out the inshore slam with Snook.  Arguably the most prized inshore species, the Snook is only found in Florida (and a few extreme S Texas} and is a great fighting adversary.

kellercl

Gold spoon is easy and works.  Same with soft plastics.

Lostconch

Snook are in coastal GA. now as well.  Son in law is a commercial diver and sees them quite often

plantmanrodeo

Lostconch said:

Snook are in coastal GA. now as well.  Son in law is a commercial diver and sees them quite often

Wow. Hadn't heard that ever. They can't survive much when the water stays 60-65 and below.

Lostconch

They are migratory up there only around in the summer but think of it this way they are commonly caught in Jacksonville so only a little ways north

Kayak_Pete

Heard of snook in S. Louisiana too.

I will also be in that area early to mid-November.

Here's my 3 best baits:  

shrimp,    SPRO 3/8oz white bucktail,    Zman Sexy Mullet.

Thanks!  I have some pre-hooked DOA shrimp in a light gold color.  Also some pre-hooked tsunami shrimp.   How do you suggest rigging them?

Same way you rig shrimp = 20# flourocarbon leader, 2-3' long, my go to knot is a fisherman's loop, but probably unnecessary with shrimp/DOA, put a #2 or #3 split shot about 18" up from the bait on your leader.  More important is your presentation.  Let it sink to the bottom and flick it up.  Go slowly.  If you're not catching, always SLOW DOWN.

For trout especially, rigging to a popper float is popular too.  If you haven't tried it, check at a bait shop.  They'll show you how to rig it and how to fish it.

JerseyBlue732

kellercl said:

Gold spoon is easy and works.  Same with soft plastics.

Thanks!   What size of each do you recommend?