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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Fort Myers fishing guide
Fort Myers anglers fish the mouth of the Caloosahatchee, Matlacha Pass and the big estuary of Pine Island Sound, with its mangrove islands, oyster bars and deep channels. Sanibel and Captiva add Gulf beaches, Blind Pass and the Tarpon Bay and Ding Darling backcountry for snook, redfish, trout and sheepshead. Tarpon move through from mid April into July, kings and black drum run in spring and fall, and the nearshore Gulf and Lee County artificial reefs hold snapper and grouper.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
NOAA tides, Fort Myers, Caloosahatchee River, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Fort Myers. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Pompano | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Mangrove snapper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Black drum | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow |
Snook
Peak: March, April, May, June
Fish Blind Pass, Lighthouse Beach and mangrove shorelines in Pine Island Sound with live bait on moving tides.
Redfish
Peak: June, July, August, September, October, November
Work oyster bars and mangrove edges in Tarpon Bay, Ding Darling and Pine Island Sound with shrimp or soft plastics.
Spotted seatrout
Popping corks with shrimp on the grass flats and around Blind Pass on the Captiva side.
Tarpon
Peak: May, June
Fish move along Lighthouse Beach and into Tarpon Bay and Pine Island Sound from mid April into July.
Pompano
Peak: June, July, August
Sand fleas and shrimp in the surf at Bowman's and Bailey beaches, best on a rising tide.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March, April, May, December
Shrimp around oyster beds, docks and bridge rocks in winter and spring.
King mackerel
Peak: March, April, May, September, October, November
Nearshore Gulf fish on the spring and fall runs.
Spanish mackerel
Silver spoons and Got-Cha plugs off Turner Beach and the West Gulf beaches when birds and bait show.
Mangrove snapper
Live shrimp around Blind Pass rocks, Lighthouse Beach and mangrove edges in Tarpon Bay.
Black drum
Peak: March, April, May, September, October, November
Shrimp on the bottom along mangroves and oyster beds in the Ding Darling area.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), summer
Summer season ran May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) through July 31. Private-vessel anglers must hold the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
Open Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, then every day Oct. 9 to 22 (eight days added in September), Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Recreational season was open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Opened 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Recreational season open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. Closed June 1 to July 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Charlotte Harbor region
Harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30. In 2026 harvest closed May 1 and reopened Oct. 1. Keeping one also requires a snook permit.
FWC, 2026 (standing rule) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Charlotte Harbor region
Open year-round. Bag and slot vary by region, check FWC.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Charlotte Harbor zone
Open year-round with no seasonal closure.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon
Catch and release only statewide. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Bay
Pine Island Sound
A big estuary of mangrove islands, oyster bars and deep channels known for inshore species like snook, redfish and trout.
- Pass
Blind Pass (Sanibel and Captiva)
Snook, redfish, flounder, snapper and jacks around the bridge and rocks, best on moving tides.
- Beach
Lighthouse Beach (Point Ybel)
Strong tidal flow near the pass with snook, tarpon in summer, mangrove snapper and jacks.
- Flats
Tarpon Bay and Ding Darling refuge
Shallow backcountry for redfish, snook, sheepshead and seasonal tarpon, fished tight to mangroves and oyster beds.
- Beach
Bowman's Beach
Surf fishing for whiting, pompano, sheepshead and trout, best early and at dusk.
- Bridge
Sanibel Causeway beaches
Walk-in fishing for ladyfish, jacks, trout and the odd snook, best on tide changes and after sunrise.
- Channel
Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River
Inshore water local guides run for snook, redfish and tarpon.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineland Marina ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 13921 Waterfront Dr., Pineland, FL 33922 |
| Lavender's Landing (Bokeelia Boat Ramp) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 7290 Barrancas Ave., Bokeelia, FL 33922 |
| Burnt Store Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 230 Burnt Store Rd. S, Cape Coral, FL 33991 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| The Historic Bait Box (opens in a new tab) | 1041 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 239-472-1618 |
| Whitney's Bait & Tackle (opens in a new tab) | 1554 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 239-579-0399 |
| Lehr's Economy Tackle (opens in a new tab) | 1366 N. Tamiami Trail N., Fort Myers, FL 33903 | 239-995-2280 |
| Pineland Marina ship store (opens in a new tab) | 13921 Waterfront Dr., Pineland, FL 33922 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Captain Shawn Kelly's Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Capt. Ozzie Lessinger (Fish Sanibel Captiva) (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
| The Historic Bait Box charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Endless Summer Charters (Port Sanibel Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Ask when you book |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
World's Richest Tarpon Tournament (Boca Grande, Lee County) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid to late May
2027: May 20 and 21
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Fort Myers, asked and answered
When do tarpon come through Fort Myers and Sanibel?
The migration starts around mid April and runs into July. Look along Lighthouse Beach, Tarpon Bay and Pine Island Sound.
Can I keep a snook around Fort Myers?
Lee County waters are in FWC's Charlotte Harbor snook region, closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Sept. 30. In 2026 harvest reopened Oct. 1, and you need a snook permit with your saltwater license.
Is the Sanibel Fishing Pier open?
No. It has been closed since Hurricane Ian, and as of August 2026 the target for reopening was the fourth quarter of 2026.
Where can I fish from the beach on Sanibel?
Bowman's and Bailey beaches are good for pompano and whiting, Lighthouse Beach and Blind Pass for snook and snapper, and the causeway beaches for ladyfish, jacks and trout.
What is biting in winter around Fort Myers?
Sheepshead are best in winter and spring around oyster beds, docks and rocks, and snook, redfish and trout are around all year in the sound and back bays.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Fort Myers
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-26
- fishsanibelcaptiva.com (opens in a new tab)
- tarponsnookredfish.com (opens in a new tab)
- bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/boat_ramps/Bokeelia/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/boat_ramps/burnt_store/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/boat_ramps/pineland_marina/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- sanibel-island.sanibel-captiva.org/list/category/fishing-guides-charters-709 (opens in a new tab)
- thebaitbox.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- thebaitbox.com/charter-services/ (opens in a new tab)
- thebaitbox.com/fishing-spots/ (opens in a new tab)
- thebaitbox.com/sanibel-pier/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- lehrseconomytackle.com/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Fort Myers
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.