Naples, Ft. Myers, and Bonita Beach

September 8th, 2008

Fishing Report

Fishbuster Charters’ Captain Dave Hanson reported, “We no sooner got rid of Tropical Storm Fay’s effects when Hurricane Gustav threatened the Gulf coast. We were again fortunate, much more so than the folks in New Orleans were…although, they too are counting their blessings after a small, last minute change in course saved them from the worst case scenario.

But our offshore waters felt the effects even here in SW FL, with lots of wind, some rain, heavy surf and high seas.

Fishing was not an option for another week or so, into the Labor Day weekend. Monday, skies cleared, but seas remained rough, even into Tuesday, 9/2, so I fished the backwaters Tuesday with Bill & Terry Major, their daughter and son-in-law. Fishing was fair in the bay but with so much fresh water, probably not as good as it would usually be this time of year. We released a 22 inch snook and sheepshead, all caught on live shrimp. Even live shrimp were in short supply, due to the shrimp boats being unable to get out in rough seas. But we had a good time catching and releasing.

Angler Bill Justice with an 18 inch trout, caught on shrimp on a recent inshore Fishbuster Charter in Estero Bay

Angler Bill Justice again with a 24 1/2 inch redfish also caught on shrimp on an Estero Bay Fishbuster Charter.