March delivered. From Fort Myers Beach all the way through Pine Island Sound and Estero Bay, the bite stayed active across multiple species and every trip told its own story. Water temps have been climbing after what many locals are calling the toughest winter Southwest Florida has seen in 15 years, and the fish are responding. Here is a look at everything that happened on the water this month from Sea N Red Charters.
Sheepshead Limits, Redfish and Trout From Fort Myers Beach to Pine Island
We kicked March off the right way. Running from Fort Myers Beach up through the Pine Island corridor, the sheepshead fishing was as good as we have seen all season. The black-and-white striped fish were holding tight to structure and eating well, and we pushed limits on multiple trips.
Redfish and trout were mixed in throughout the day, which made things interesting. You never quite knew what was going to come up next. One moment you are pulling a fat sheepshead off a dock piling, and the next you have a nice trout or a red on the other rod.
The combination of species on these trips is one of the things that makes inshore fishing in this part of Florida so much fun. There is almost always something eating, and on the right tide and structure, you can load the box in a hurry.
Doubles All Day: Trout, Rat Reds and Small Snook in Pine Island Sound
Water temperatures have been slowly climbing after SWFL’s harshest winter in over a decade, and you could feel the shift happening on this run through Pine Island Sound. Every stop produced something. Doubles were happening regularly and the anglers barely had a chance to catch their breath between fish.
Trout were the main course, with plenty of rat reds and small snook showing up as bonus fish at nearly every spot we hit. This is exactly the kind of mixed bag that gets us excited about what the next few months are going to look like as things really heat up.
If you have been sitting on the fence about booking a trip, this update should push you toward the phone. The water is only going to keep warming up from here and the fishing is only going to get better. Spring is coming fast and the calendar fills up quickly.
Baby Shark, Doo Doo Doo: A 5th Birthday to Remember
Not every trip is about putting species in the box. Some trips are about making memories that kids will talk about for years. This one was a perfect example.
The request came in ahead of time: sharks for a 5th birthday. Challenge accepted. We headed out to open water and delivered exactly what was asked for. Atlantic sharpnose sharks were cooperative and every single person on the boat, including the birthday girl herself, got in on the action. Seeing a little one hold a shark for the first time, with that mix of wonder and pure excitement on her face, is exactly why we do this job.
Our shark fishing charters are some of the most popular family trips we run. Kids absolutely love it. If your little one has a specific request for their birthday, reach out and we will make it happen. This is what family fishing in Southwest Florida is all about.
Trout Action on the Flats Near Sanibel Island
Sanibel delivered on the trout front this month. Working the flats around the island, the spotted seatrout were stacked up and feeding. These were quality fish too, not just numbers. A couple of trips produced some of the better trout we have seen out of Sanibel in a while.
With water temps rising, the trout bite around Sanibel is only going to pick up. If trout is your target species this spring, get in touch early because these trips book out fast once the word gets around about how the fishing is going.
Jacks and Trout Lighting Up Pine Island Sound
Jack crevalle were on the move in Pine Island Sound this month, and they brought plenty of entertainment with them. These fish fight hard and they do not quit, which makes them a ton of fun whether you are a seasoned angler or just getting into fishing. We had multiple people on these trips get their first taste of a jack, and they were not disappointed.
Trout filled in the gaps between the jack action, making for a well-rounded day on the water every time out.
Pine Island Sound continues to be one of the most productive bodies of water in Southwest Florida this time of year. If you are planning an inshore trip and have not fished this area before, you are in for a treat.
Jacks and Snook in Estero Bay
The final stretch of March took us into Estero Bay, where vacationers got to experience some of the best light-tackle fishing the area has to offer. Jacks were schooling and jumping on nearly every presentation, which kept things exciting from start to finish.
The real highlight, though, was the snook action. Snook are starting to push back into their feeding patterns as the water warms, and getting these fish on light tackle in the backcountry is as fun as fishing gets. Our snook fishing trips around Estero Bay are building toward what should be a fantastic late-spring and summer season.
If you are vacationing in the Estero Bay or Fort Myers area and want to spend a morning on the water, this is the time to do it. The variety is outstanding and the action has been consistent across every trip we have run through the bay this month.
What to Expect Going Into April
March showed us exactly where things are headed, and the outlook going into April is strong. Water temperatures are climbing steadily, snook are becoming more aggressive, tarpon season is right around the corner, and the mixed-bag inshore fishing across Pine Island Sound, Estero Bay and the waters around Sanibel and Captiva is going to keep producing.
Here is a quick look at what is biting right now across the region:
- Sheepshead – Still around structure, tapering slightly but still worth targeting
- Spotted Seatrout – Active on the flats, especially near Sanibel
- Redfish – Showing up in the backcountry as water warms
- Snook – Waking up along mangrove lines in Estero Bay and beyond
- Jack Crevalle – Schools moving through Pine Island Sound and Estero Bay
- Sharks – Available on nearshore trips, perfect for families and first-timers
- Tarpon – Beginning to move into the area, with prime season coming fast
Spring bookings are filling up fast. If you want to get on the water before the calendar locks up, now is the time to reach out. You can learn more about what we offer and book your trip directly through Sea N Red Charters.
Let’s go fishing.
Sea N Red Charters serves Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Estero Bay and surrounding Southwest Florida waters. Follow along on social media for real-time trip updates and fishing reports.
