Southwest Florida Fishing Report: Eclipse had no effect on fish

Did the fish bite during the historic eclipse of 2017? Absolutely, for those wetting a line both shallow and deep. Slightly shadowed from the blazing August sun, snook were foraging on sardines, pompano were snapping up crustaceans, and red grouper were biting nearly everything dropped to depth.

It’s safe to say the action was business as usual during the event yet unique for those prospecting the local waters. Swapping out those expensive polarized fishing glasses for a pair of certified safe cardboard viewing glasses certainly had to feel a bit odd. Nevertheless, plenty of fish came over the rail during a day the nation will soon not forget.

Southwest Florida Fishing Report: Redfish, Spanish mackerel, red grouper action strong

Playing or timing the tides has been crucial to redfish, snook and pompano success. Large tidal fluctuations coupled with tremendous amounts of continuous freshwater runoff are forcing anglers and guides to ply their trade during moderate portions of the ebb and flow. Clean green water has also assisted in keeping the lines tight, especially in the passes, along the beaches and within the middle bay systems.

Out on the Gulf grounds, the pelagic and reef fish bites have been solid. Large schools of ravenous Spanish mackerel continue to stack up over and around the many nearshore fish havens. Located within eight miles of the coastline or in water depths less than 38 feet most locations are producing plenty of action early and late in the fishing day.

Out beyond the 8-mile mark, red grouper can be fooled with a variety of baits both live and dead. However, the big ones often possess a fickle appetite. Therefore, it is best to arrive on the scene well-prepared with a complete arsenal of offerings.

Here in our region, legal-sized grouper catches can be achieved using large pinfish, blue runners, spottail grunts and a myriad of dead baits. Aggressively moving from spot to spot also will increase the chances of enjoying a fresh grouper dinner.

While it is not how far you go, and more about where you go, deeper runs will indeed result in more robust and vibrant fish box.

Offshore: Capt. Stephen Iannotta, aboard the Port of Naples Marina-based Miss B. Haven II has enjoyed excellent Gulf conditions and active early morning action plying the numerous wrecks and artificial reefs in the 2- to 8-mile range.

Early departures from the dock coupled with a solid game plan and approach techniques have facilitated excellent results for Iannotta and crew with a variety of game fish, pelagic and reef species coming over the rail.

Prior to arrival at his chosen destination, Iannotta has been ensuring his live well contains ample live shrimp, live scaled sardines and enough frozen chum on board to trigger the action if needed.

On the scene and anchored up, Iannotta and his anglers have been casting and free- lining their bait presentations upcurrent, over and around the periphery of the submerged structure.

The result of the Miss B. Haven II’s angling tactics have included mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, permit, snook, barracuda and gag grouper. Bonus catches of Goliath grouper in the 100- to 250-pound class have been routine for several of his angling clientele fit enough to tangle with the sea beasts.

Naples/Estero Bay: Recently, timing the tide has been as critical as an early departure aboard the Grand Slam. By the mid-morning hour, the heat of the day can be felt above and below the water line, and water quality/ movement has dictated strategy within the passes and middle bays.

Despite being late in the summer pattern, pompano continues to be a reliable target for my crew wishing to tangle with the tastiest and perhaps trickiest member of the jack family. Short windows of opportunity have allowed for good catches during the first quarter and last quarter of the incoming tidal phase.

Casting shrimp-tipped tube jigs in a pink or chartreuse color scheme has led to solid hook-ups along sand bar/channel edges and deeper runs along the beach and passes. A slow, methodical retrieve has been necessary to attract the attention of the pompano, which naturally forage on crustaceans and bi-valves.

Southwest Florida Fishing Report: Early, late best bets for anglers

Throughout the passes and middle bays, areas of current and structure have been holding snook, redfish and jack crevalle. My anglers have enjoyed success casting scaled sardines rigged on a 2/0 circle hook/40-pound fluorocarbon leader combination. The largest snook of the week measured 36 inches and the largest redfish stretched the tape to an impressive 34 ½ inches.

Ten Thousand Islands: “Inshore and deep backcountry fishing has been inconsistent throughout the Ten Thousand Island region due to very high water temperatures,” Goodland-based Capt. Paul Nocifora said. “However, the outside islands and beaches have been excellent early in the day.”

Nocifora has been keeping his anglers tight with snook, along the shallows of the beaches possessing clear water conditions and a presence of bait. Often spooky when schooling along the white sand, precision casting with small white-colored baitfish imitation flies has resulted in solid rod-bending action.

Also along the beaches, Nocifora has been crossing paths with ravenous and eager blacktip sharks foraging on shoals of scaled sardines. Casting large chunky flies rigged on 60-pound wire bite tippet has resulted in shark catches up to 50 pounds.

Nocifora reports that tarpon have been around in their usual August haunts, yet picky when presented a fly offering.

If you have a report to share, email captwill@naplessportfishing.com.

Anglers, email your photos to news@naplesnews.com or post them at www.naplesnews.com/participate and we will compile your images into an online gallery that’s featured each Thursday morning at www.naplesnews.com. Please do not submit photos of fish caught illegally.