There is excellent fishing from both sides of the causeway islands Goliath grouper have been caught under the bridges by the pilings There are very strong rip currents near the base of the causeway bridges and they can be extremely dangerous You may launch unmotorized vessels or wade into the water Other Sanibel Fishing Spots There are 15 hours and 17 minutes until high tide. The Endeavor out of Ventura Harbor Sportfishing returned from an Overnight trip with 18 passengers. Fishing around Sanibel and Captivahas been steadily goodsince last week! benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov, Unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds have been less than stellar lately but the bite has been persistent to those that have been diligent in their pursut of fish! For this trip we scratched away every day and caught enough fish for everyone to take home. Shrimp are great winter-time baits around SWFL. Captiva Island Fishing Charter regulars Gary and Carole with a nice Redfish in Ding Darling. Let's get started! 2: Blind Pass for mixed bags including sheepshead and snook. Catches over the past week have been all over the map. The southwest winds at the beginning of this week should have been good for shelling. Shrimp, live baitfish, spoons, and jigs with soft plastics will catch everything that swims. Told Ya So Blind pass is on fire all year long! If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us by phone email at citymanager@mysanibel.com or by phone at 239-472-3700. Keep it simple with a small circle hook and a split shot. You've come to the right spot! 1: Northern Matlacha Pass for trout and ladyfish. Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com. Book your family friendly fishing charter trip to Sanibel/Captiva Isla, Red Snapper Season is in full swing Our eta for tomorrow will be 7:30 am and then Drew will take out the next one which is the 2nd annual Let's Talk Hook-up Charter. They are eating live and dead bait and a variety of lures. The post SEEING REDS IN FALL FOR FISHING SAN, Memorable Day Fishing Sanibel Island We also caught some smaller grade bluefin and a nice grade of yellowfin. View full Sanibel Fishing Forecast to see all species and best lures and colors to use. And Kentuckian Joey Koch used a popping cork rig to catch a 23-inch trout near Starvation Key on Wednesday. The Sanibel Causeway toll booths are now cashless, and this has caused some confusion, here is information about your payment options! Shrimp and white swimbaits were the go-to baits. Florida as the temperature slowly subdues. What are some "kid-friendly" activities to do? This time of year I'd try shrimp under a float and let the tide carry it on the outside edge of grass or over deeper holes. If you can make it happen.have them turn the light on about a week before you come down. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction in southwest Florida, trapping people in flooded homes, knocking out power and . A lot of the locals refer to October as "Red October" as many of our upper and over slot Redfish No wasted time getting started.Every minute counts when your having this much fun. Mangrove Snapper along with Redfish, Snook, Jacks, and Juvenile Tarpon can be found along most of the culverts. Using freelined shrimp at the culverts, and bait fish such as greenbacks, or Pinfish fished on the bottom along the banks, many species are being caught throughout the preserve. Snook are also biting on cut baits such as frozen Threadfins and Ladyfish and Mullet in the early morning and at dusk. Capt. 2022. Now we're going to catch our yellows. Commissioners approved a $285.3 million resiliency plan for a reconstructed Sanibel Causeway. Canals are great this time of year. However it was short lived. We managed some fish each trip but it gottough towards theend of the month with extensive fresh water discharges coming from Lake Okeechobee. Currently search and rescue missions are underway. Best Fishing Spots in the greater Sanibel area. Fishing is improving. After the new year fishing took a pretty good hit with cold temperatures dropping the water temp to the low 60's. A few schools of bait around the pier, birds diving on fish now and then. When you can see it, aim for the outside edge of the grass, its a highway and feeding trough for fish. A t-shaped, free-entry boardwalk can be found lively at all hours of the day. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Sanibel, Florida for the first time. Minimum size is 12 inches fork length, with a daily bag of 15. Both islands offer an opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, picnicking, canoeing/kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, shelling, and sunbathing. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is Tarpon Bay, where more than 200 species can be found in the salt- and -freshwater ecosystem. Another 1/2 hour later and so on and so on. 6/4/2012 11:37:16 PM - About 6 miles south of Sanibel, the Doc Kline reef sits in approximately 30 feet of water. The snook and redfish bite are also on fire as they ramp up their summer spawn. Jessica Jones of Pottstown, Pa., and Matt King of San Diego both released nice gag grouper pulled off a ledge in 55 feet of water Monday. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.The island, also known as Sanibel Island, constitutes the entire city.It is a barrier islanda collection of sand on the leeward side of the more solid coral-rock of Pine Island. A t-shaped, free-entry boardwalk can be found lively at all hours of the day. Double and triple hookups are always fun. Our next couple trips are SOLD OUT but please call Seaforth Landing at (619) 224-3383 to get in on the action. Sand fleas or shrimp a distant 2nd choice. Jaxon, thanks for the most helpful information. All in all, the water is clear and the fish are here! Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. | fishing in Tarpon Bay (Sanibel Island) (4 mi.) A few Tarpon hitting whole and cut Ladyfish and Mullet! 19931 Sanibel Causeway . And while their isn't a bait shop on the pier, you can gear up with all your fishing needs at our Sanibel bait shop before you head over. 2022. Any other advise I can pass on to him would be greatly appreciated! SANIBEL, Fla. - Two weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida, causing billions of dollars in damage, temporary repairs have been made to Sanibel Causeway, allowing power restoration crews and other emergency workers to reach the hard-hit barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva. CNN values your feedback 1. Hurricane Ian has had far-reaching effects throughout the greater Fort Myers area. helpnull@nullfishingstatusnull.com. bewl water Fishing Report courier mail Fishing Report hoover Fishing Report Weather has been nothing short of fantastic for the first part of October here on Sanibel and Captiva. dean.charles@flsenate.gov. Upon the recent announcement that the Sanibel Causeway will reopen to all vehicles on January 2, 2023, I'll bring you up to speed on the status of tourism on my home island of Sanibel. All rights reserved. Below is a list of popular places we can guarantee a fish or two be caught! If the tide is running real high, the fish will actually move to the inside of the grass in low light conditions. If there is a wood dock with a lightwatch out. CAUSEWAY ISLANDS Mangrove Snapper and Redfish are being caught as well as Snook, and Pompano. No. Check out our current fishing report for what we've seen there lately or stop in to talk to Whitney & crew! Lots of fun. Unfortunately, so has red tide. Among fake baits, metal spoons and nylon jigs hold up best against their razor dentition, and leaders of steel or relatively heavy monofilament help to prevent cutoffs. Sanibel Fishing Forecast Target Species of Fish Based on historical data for fishing Sanibel, you should target one of the following species for this time of year: Spotted Seatrout There is a 15.36% catch rate for Spotted Seatrout, based on 3612 Spotted Seatrout counted. A A. SANIBEL, Fla. The Sanibel Causeway is expected to be repaired and accessible by the end of October, according to a statement from the Florida Department . We have a full line of tasty baits for Sharks including fresh caught Mullet, Ladyfish, and Spanish Mackerel. Some people who frequent the causeway are upset by the changes, including the lack of shade without the large trees. Fishing has been nearly the same when the tides cooperate! But now my favorite time of year has come! Matzui (sp?) Fishing has been good across the board from redfish all over Pine Island Sound,to snook up the river. Seasons - Knowing your seasons will often determine where and what you are fishing for. Sanibel Causeway originally opened to travelers in 1963 effectively replacing the ferry crossing service that had been in place since 1912. Access to Sanibel is via the 3-mile-long Sanibel Causeway, which remains closed to anyone who isn't a worker or property owner. And Wednesday morning, also baiting with shrimp in the bays southern reaches, Ron Roelfs and Mike Brown released a black drum, two sheepshead, two mangrove snapper and a whopping 31-inch crevalle jack. And, if you'd rather follow our lead in person, book one of our Sanibel fishing charters by inquiring online! Fishing has started to pick up in Pine Island Sound. Drone footage shows Hurricane Ian's damage to Sanibel Causeway 01:29. 5/22/2022 6:14:56 PM - Naples Deep Sea Fishing Charters is one of the oldest charter fishing businesses in Naples and all of Florida. Sanibel Reef 20 Sanibel is a populated place in US with an estimated population of 6469 and an average elevation of 8 meters above sea level, located in the America/New_York timezone. An aerial picture taken on Sept. 30, 2022, shows the collapsed Sanibel Causeway in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Sanibel, Fla. Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images More before-and-after satellite images show the neighborhood surrounding the Fort Myers Pier -- with the pier and homes nearby completely obliterated by the storm. Visit MyFWC.com/PierFinder to search for a location by county, city, feature name and type of feature (such as a bridge or pier). Niko the fish slayer with two more red fish fishing near Captiva Island. Anyhow, we did manage to scratch up a couple of Bluefin late in the day but before we could get a beat on 'em, darkness fell and we had to turn downswell again so that everyones dinner plates stayed on their table. Snook season is slated to reopen in March after four years of closure in Southwest Florida. SANIBEL, Fla. - Five months ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida, leaving widespread damage in its wake. altman.thad@flsenate.gov, Trout, Flounder, Ladyfish, and the occasional Red and Snook will come and go with the tides. All were released for another day! Lots of Shark activity much like Bowmans Beach, and Turner Beach this area has been a staple for large shark fishing for a long time. These structures give anglers who enjoy fishing from shore or do not have a boat an opportunity to catch a variety of species. The ones we did run were productive though! Greenbacks and Pinfish have been spotted at a few of the culverts, so keep your cast nets ready! more. Polaris Supreme Crew. Spanish are true pelagics that feed on the move, chasing down natural baits including squid and shrimp, as well as a variety of artificials. Large Z-Man swimbaits and some jigs are getting the Tarpon this week. There is a 4.91% catch rate for Thread Herring, based on 1155 Thread Herring counted. OK Jaxon 9500don't go away now! Snook season is officially open and we'll be doing a lot of catch and release snook fishing this month! Its hard to beat a live shimp simply rigged with a small circle hook and 1/4oz split shot, but artificials will save you $$ and keep you from feeding the pinfish. These last two weeks have been extremely hot as soon as the sun comes up above the horizon. Another bull Redfish released near Captiva Island aboard a fishing charter. Fishing reports for sanibel causeway are updated each week, usually by The bait has been thick and easy to get. | fishing in Iona Shores (6 mi.) Most areas of water on the left side of Wildlife Drive are closed to the public. Trout have also been mixed in and are open season till May 11. Featured Listings for your fishing business. We are used to fishing high mountain lakes in Colorado. Pompano are biting pink or chartreuse jigs! Released this beautiful 27 inch redfish. The fishing bite tends to heat up for us here in S.W. The causeway connecting Sanibel to the mainland has a pair of small islands that are a good place for casting. Hurricane Ian has left a path of destruction in southwest Florida,. Mullet, Spanish Mackerel, Threadfins, and chunks of Stingray are what the shark are biting. 9:06 PM EDT, Thu October 06, 2022. 6: Well offshore for red grouper and mixed snappers. Hanson reports, Red tide was abundant in the bay, and we did spot a few dead fish.. Water temperatures were threatening the mid-70s, and there were no signs of red tide anywhere. Another slob Redfish! 20 knots of breeze and a heavy, rolling swell just would not allow us to safely go where we would've liked to once we found the right water structure. We had to stay out a little longer so this young lady could catch her first fish. The fare is $200. 1. Sanibel and Southwest Florida Fishing Reports. This guide has been spending some time in the woods and having some upgrades done to the Pathfinder! We have water temps in the 60s still but that should pick up as Spring kicks in. We even have rod & reel rentals for those traveling without their own equipment. There is a 8.33% catch rate for Gray Snapper, based on 1959 Gray Snapper counted. These areas are posted Area beyond this sign closed.. Salt water fishing is popular along Wildlife Drive, in Tarpon Bay, and in the backwaters of the Refuge. Snapper and Grouper are here much of the year. | fishing in Matlacha (13 mi.) Captiva Fishing Charters does it again! The daily bag limit is one snook, 28-33 inches total length. The go to bait has been live pinfish on a 2/0 circle hook. FORT MYERS, Fla. - Hurricane Ian swamped southwest Florida, leaving behind a damaged power infrastructure in two counties, turning streets into rivers, and damaging two bridges, including the Sanibel Causeway. There was a lot of activism about the water quality this month. We give free lessons on casting a net, fly fishing casting techniques, tying knots and anything else you can think of! There is no fee for Florida residents, There is excellent fishing from both sides of the causeway islands, Goliath grouper have been caught under the bridges by the pilings, There are very strong rip currents near the base of the causeway bridges and they can be extremely dangerous, You may launch unmotorized vessels or wade into the water. The causeway consists of three separate two-lane bridge spans, and two-man-made causeway islands between them. Stay tuned for some crazy days of fishing! You've come to the right spot! Video below: Timelapse video shows storm surge in Sanibel Island caused by Hurricane Ian Get answers to your questions about Sanibel Island. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". Fishing has been picking up steadily with warming trends around Sanibel and Captiva. Tarpon are crushing Ladyfish near the west end. CNN Sanibel Island residents on Wednesday were crossing the causeway for the first time since Hurricane Ian damaged the only road onto the popular Gulf Coast destination. The bugs can be bad. I can't say I had the highest of hopes for this morning. It is best viewed using a computer or tablet with a larger screen. Fishing around docks, structure, and mangroves produces the best sheepshead bite, although they can also be caught on oyster bars at high tide. Deer season was rewarding, yet again. Even with Corona virus, Blind Pass is still open for fishing and the bite is on! We have had record highs sprinkled throughout the month, affording us warm waters far longer than we usually have had them in the past. Two big sharks, an estimated 10-foot bull and a seven-foot sandbar broke their lines at boatside. | fishing in North Captiva Island (16 mi. Not to mention putting up some numbers on snook daily! The reports are compiled by an outside contractor who receives the Spanish are high in flavorful and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and are best eaten fresh: grilled, sauteed, baked or smoked with skin on. The Sanibel Causeway, which connects the island to the mainland, and the Matlacha Pass Bridge, which connects nearby Pine Island to the mainland in Cape Coral, were destroyed and will both need rebuilds, Gov. Perhaps the best fishing can be found on the numerous artificial and natural reefs nearshore of Sanibel. Look for diving birds and throw with the wind! With the right fishing setup and bait, you can pretty much catch fish from the comfort of your vacation accommodation's beach or bay location. A saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore. Fishing reports for sanibel causeway are updated each week, usually by Thursday morning. Bowmans and Turner beaches are starting to show signs of life. Take care and wish us luck. The two-lane Causeway. Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel being caught along with some Blues on the beach as well. With the Fall pattern approaching I expect the redfish bite to only get better and better. Prior to stay out at night was, or shelling charter remember your display settings s beach blvd or. Areas within Lee County, including Sanibel Island and Fort Myers, are facing major . Ding Darling is a national wildlife refuge with many activities but for those looking to fish, there are some things you'll need to know before heading over to land your next big catch. Tarpon Bay. 12/10/2016 10:24:05 PM - This is the east end of one of the best ledges off Marco. Ideally our water temp should climb another 2 or 3 degrees which will helpIMO. So we bailed on our yellowtail spot after 8:00 am and went kelping. Book Crushin' It Fishing Charters. Chumming is NOT prohibited from ANY Florida beaches! Plan a full day and spend the money! Best live baits include pinfish, pilchards, threadfins, shrimp and Wanna see what we're catching right now? Pompano jigs in assorted colors are hot right now! 2023 we be no different with all new tackle and a motivated captain! The freezers are full and everything is ready for the busy season. Please encourage them to be mindful of what they are destroying. Get Hooked Charter Capt. White likes black-and-blue swim jigs, Gambler Big EZs rigged for topwater, and Senkos. 4/7/2016 7:51:38 PM - This hole is one of the most popular spots to catch Tarpon around Boca Grande. Never fished out on the causeway but now I feel like I can get it done. A chunk of the Sanibel Causeway fell into the sea, cutting off access to the barrier island where 6,300 people live. The pier at, Handicapped accessible (free handicapped parking), Before heading to this top Sanibel fishing spot, make sure to come in to Whitney's Bait & Tackle for your FL fishing license or purchase it online, Admission: $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian, $1 per bicycle, Indigo trail & Bailey Tract are open year round from dawn to dusk. It's very important to stay hydrated andreapply sunscreen often (but don't touch the bait if you have it on your hands!). Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, February 24 fishing report from Byron Stout, 10 people rescued from Caloosahatchee River after boat sinks, One dead in head-on crash in Glades County, New Florida bill would imposes restrictions on gender-affirmative care, North Port man crashed through FHP homicide investigation, Motorcyclist dead after crash at Fort Myers shopping center. "This has not been a decision we have taken lightly," he said, noting that he and Sanibel Police Chief William "Bill" Dalton have had lengthy conversations about when it would be possible to do . "It washed away roads, it washed away . Ron DeSantis at a briefing at the base of the first bridge segment. Full special report: Alex Murdaugh found guilty in murders of wife and son 13:02. There has been a marked improvement in water quality each week! Cleaning them is a different story. Use localtides.net and look for Punta Rassa for the closest tide charts for that area. THANKS!! I have had zero success surf fishing. 1/13/2018 11:04:05 PM -. Fishing Status is the world's largest provider of fishing spots and data for the fishing community. Have a safe week and good fishin'. I have never fished from the causeway islands, but your post tells me that I have been missing an excellent opportunity. Lee County, home to Sanibel and the battered cities of Fort Myers Beach and Fort Myers, has confirmed at least 42 deaths after the storm. The fresh water has fish congregated around the river mouth, as it's too fresh up-river. Howdy partners. Fisherman can expect to catch snapper, redfish, snook, sheepshead and more. The post 2022 was one for the books on, Hurrican Ian Barrier Islands Update Fish Haven Fishbuster Charters Capt. Frustrating. | fishing in Estero Island (Estero Bay) (6 mi.) The weather has been ideal and the fishing sensational. Click here for fishing regulations and to purchase a license online. An 11 a.m. opening of the "rebuilt" causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. No. In his report, City Manager Dana Souza explained that staff is expecting the causeway can be reopened to non-pass holders starting on Jan. 2. Im finding most of my snapper mixed in with my snook so its a great opportunity to catch dinner and have fun battling snook. ENLARGE SANIBEL SCALED SARDINE COUNTS CHART. Lots of posts, none current, no real info, so I'm posting this for those looking. This facility, approximately 10-acres, is located on SR/CR 867, consists of the road sides of two spoil islands built and used to link the mainland to Sanibel Island. There is a 8.06% catch rate for Scaled Sardine, based on 1895 Scaled Sardine counted. Which Island Should I Visit- Sanibel or Captiva? For detailed information on this very popular Sanibel fishing spot, click here to view or download an informative brochure on all things fishing at Ding. The post Red Snapper Season is in full swing appeared, May Fishing has been awesome! Sanibel is an island and city in Lee County, Florida, United States.The population was 6,382 at the 2020 census. Whiting and Flounder are being caught. Learn what's biting and how to catch it! lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information. Captain Mike Pritchard called in from the Tribute last night updating us about the 1.5 day trip returning this AM. The Sanibel Causeway is a causeway in Southwest Florida that spans San Carlos Bay, connecting Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Rassa. The water quality is rebounding daily from lack of rain and cutbacks on the discharges from the lake. Evening has shown good action here for Snook and Shark too. Sea Turtle Nesting Season is May through October, How do I help? | fishing in Cape Coral (9 mi.) Now is the time to get in on some of the best redfishing of the year so book your trip with confidence because the bite is redhot. 2022 was one for the books onOffshoreBocaGrande! The Sanibel Causeway is severely damaged. Contact us to book Catching Barracudas in Sanibel Island Fisherman can be found out on the beach or beneath the bridge along the pilings. . 7/19/2022 10:17:36 AM - What a memorable day for the Jacob family! Bennett Wong caught this toothy beauty with Capt. Average snapper have been 12inches with some fish in the 15-16 inch range. Sanibel Live = Intersections with cameras Use two fingers to pinch, stretch and pan the map on a mobile device. Come in for a few dozen Shrimp or some frozen Threadfins, they are irresistible! Horse Island, Worm Cove and Tin House Cove were the hottest areas to find big spawning fish in clean water, with hard edges of emergent vegetation. Told Ya So West The Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island to mainland Florida, "is devastated," Florida Rep. Byron Donalds said Thursday on MSNBC, as the destruction left behind by Ian started coming . ), TIDES4FISHING | WEATHER FORECAST IN SANIBEL | NEXT 7 DAYS, Plan now and enjoy your activities at sea with the tides4fishing app, fishing in Galt Island (Pine Island Sound), fishing in Tropical Homesites Landing (Pine Island), fishing in Captiva Island (Pine Island Sound), fishing in Redfish Pass (Captiva Island, North End). Sanibel Causeway Toll (2022) - The Sanibel Captiva Guide The Sanibel Causeway toll booths are now cashless, and this has caused some confusion, here is information about your payment options! Thanks again for taking the time to post. Despite some shop days we put a hurting on some fish! And NO JOKE, use a piece of hotdog the size of your thumbnail. As you know, no current = no fish. SD card of all fishing spots in the Sanibel. No. This is a very narrow window of opportunity, maybe the first two hours of an incoming and the last two of an outgoing tide will be the best. A lot of good sized, but under slot snook in the sound and there are still plenty of keeperredfish around the bayous and bush lines. Photo: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. We're going to head into the coast for tomorrow and try and get a bunch of those. The changes to the Sanibel Causeway is an $8.5 million project that includes a . Many reports of Snook and some Reds hitting shrimp, frozen Ladyfish, threadfins, and pinfish. The bait has been great on the flats so live chumming and live bait fishing has been the ticket to a successful day. The 2nd island closest to Sanibel has/had some nice grass flats that can hold some really nice fish, but are slowly disappearing from the lack of respect by boaters. Sheepshead bite is hot lately using shrimp on a 3/8oz rootbeer coloredcircle hook jig head. Tuesday was adventurous for the Polkinghomes, Jeff, Andrea, and daughters Madison and Emily on their Fishbuster trip. Captiva Fishing Charters has been doing very well with Snook and Redfish lately using cut pinfish for bait. Another Great Day of Offshore Fishing in Sanibel Island! Florida Gov. Check our photo gallery! They couldnt get them in fast enough! Redfish have really started to show up in larger numbers and schooling fish are appearing in our area. Niko holding a nice snook caught near Sanibel! The bait will tell you where the fish will be. Sanibel Causeway. Secret is the fish are in the grass they are walking though! Are they near each other? I by no means am the best out there, but catch my share of fish. KEEWAYDIN 3 MILE C AND D REEF 01 We had an excellent day of catching Redfish up north on Sunday andMonday proved to be equally as good. Email: Spotted Seatrout being caught out in the grass flats using shrimp fished under a float. Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. Take the opportunity to work with the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce to create a unique advertising experience for your business. We started off with a good morning bite where Jeff Hoover pull in a 78 lb. Hopefully I keep them short.