Offshore Gulf Fishing
Ft.
Myers Beach, the Gulf of Mexico offers many styles of fishing as well as a
large number of different species to choose from. Though it may be fished
the year around, the "Gulf" comes into its own during February and
only gets better during March, April, and May. Large tarpon, permit, cobia
and kingfish are some of the first to show during this time frame. In fall,
September, October, and November we catch the reverse migration of a wide
number of pelagic fish again.
Big
Goliath Grouper
Live
bait or top water lures are a favorite of light tackle enthusiasts for these
gamesters. During March, large permit (40# plus) begin their annual migration
into our area. I have had trips where we have caught and released over 20
permit . As the Gulf" and fishing starts to fade, that is the signal
to start looking for the tunas and little tunny behind the shrimp boats. When the right shrimp boat is found, it will be nonstop action
on large blackfin tuna and little tunny. Do not mistake " little tunny"
for little fish. These are called bonito by the locals, and albies by the
New Englanders. These "little" gamesters often grow to 18# or more.
They will stretch your muscles until you can not lift your arms to make another
cast.
This is a highly visual type of Gulf Fishing, where you may see a hundred or more fish at a time. You are often left soaking wet from the spray caused by a vicious surface strike. On our way home it is common to stop by a wreck and catch some grouper and snapper for dinner. You will most certainly lose some of these to the giant jewfish that inhabit the wrecks, and often exceed 300#. Those that are seeking non stop action and light seas should mark the months of April to November for lots of pelagic action in the Gulf.
Scott Drew (head coach Baylor Basketball) with a BIG Gulf Cuda!
