Hello,
My family and I are headed to Fort Meters area at the end of March. I am looking for guide recommendations.
I am looking to go shark fishing one day and then another day go near shore or offshore the next.
Does anyone have personal experience with a guide that they can recommend?
Last year I took the resorts advice and booked with their service and it was terrible. More of a high paid launch vs personal service.
Thanks in advance!
Bo johnson tenacity guide service. He fishes just about everything. Everybody knows him. He teams up with a large group of guides and they share information so you will get a great experience. He is a talker so makes for a fun day. I go down every year last year took the Ranger down. Fishing a good all over. Most guides just stick with Sea trout which are good table but not the best fighters. Bo Fishes shark quite often.
I’ll be fishing there in May with Danny Latham, Reel Fishing Charters.
My father-in-law and I fished with Paul Hobby (http://www.fishinghobby.com/) a couple years ago based on a recommendation of a friend of his who fishes with Paul often and had a great time. I don’t think he does much in the way of shark fishing or off-shore but he was excellent for in-shore near shore targeting of redfish, snook, and grouper.
Will
he was excellent for in-shore near shore targeting of redfish, snook, and grouper.
Is that in late march? Family and I used to get down there for Twins spring training just about every year but we had heard that we were a little early for the snook/redfish bite. I did luck into a small snook once, but usually ended up targeting sea trout.
Just so you’re aware, that area was hit severely by the red tides. I can’t confirm if it’s still present at this time, however.
Just so you’re aware, that area was hit severely by the red tides. I can’t confirm if it’s still present at this time, however.
Just got back from down there and water was nice clean,no red tide at all.
now not sure if hurt the fishery, didnt fish. Did swim in the gulf and did some boating though.
Thanks for the replies. I will check these all out.
holstc:
Bo would be a good one for the shark deal… Watched him fish in a shark tourney, he’ll getcha on some…
Personally I’d fish with one of the Ozzies… Lessinger or Fischer… Both are good in shore and I personally would start to try to get Fischer, as he fishes inshore and offshore as well…
The red tide was there and was there for a long time!!! It probably has hurt the fishing inshore to some degree, but those fish that survived I’ve heard are doing well…
if you send me a private message, I might have some phone numbers for some of these guys and may some others as well…
Mark
…heard that we were a little early for the snook/redfish bite.
Someone is giving you bad information. Unless they are talking bull reds and aren’t will to go into canals and up creeks and rivers for snook.
Don’t worry about the red tide. It disappeared for a short time and came back spottily in recent months. It shouldn’t be an issues until next summer again, if it is an issue at all, fingers crossed for the latter.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Will Roseberg wrote:</div>
he was excellent for in-shore near shore targeting of redfish, snook, and grouper.Is that in late march? Family and I used to get down there for Twins spring training just about every year but we had heard that we were a little early for the snook/redfish bite. I did luck into a small snook once, but usually ended up targeting sea trout.
The trip I had with Paul was in April but I have also caught fish shore casting in January, February, and March. Fishing during the winter is definitely more challenging but a good guide should be able to put you on fish.
Here is a link to the report from my trip:
Some YouTube videos to give you an idea about Bo Johnson & Ozzie Fischer. If you watch FL/Salt Fishing shows you’ve probably seen them already.
I have fished with at least 10 different guys over the years. All were decent for targeting trout which is what is happening at the time you will be down. The reds don’t move in till may there are resident reds but far a few between. Snook are around all year but they like hot water so not easily caught end of March. I have a snook light on our dock they are there every day in large numbers but don’t bite too often. The off shore wreck fishing in March isn’t easy either. It is much better south in the keys. Not a lot of good structure close to ft Myers and a lot of wind in march typically. The shark fishing is good just outside the sound off of sanibel etc. we beach fish for them and a blast. Talk to capt rob at capt rob bait shop in Cape Coral he will set you up with a great guide. I will be down sometime in March as well and can let you know what’s happening. Not sure if I’m bringing my boat or just go out with neighbor or guide.
Thanks again everyone. Lots of research to do
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