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Captain Dave’s Fishing Tips

By Staff | Jun 23, 2020
Angler Paul Kovach with a 14-inch sheepshead caught on shrimp in southern Estero Bay on a recent inshore Fishbuster Charter. PHOTO PROVIDED
Angler Robert Hedgepath with a 17-inch redfish, caught on shrimp and released in southern Estero Bay on a recent inshore Fishbuster Charter. PHOTO PROVIDED
Angler Cameron Ketchum with a small snook, caught on shrimp and released in southern Estero Bay on a recent inshore Fishbuster Charter. PHOTO PROVIDED
Angler Mike Connealy, with a 13-inch sheepshead, caught on shrimp in southern Estero Bay on a recent inshore Fishbuster Charter. PHOTO PROVIDED

Captain Dave’s Fishing Tip #1: Catching crevalle jacks is always fun. Pound for pound, they are one of the toughest fighters. Their strength has earned them the title of, “bulldogs of the bay.” Large schools of jacks roam the beaches, passes, rivers and creeks, and they will eat most anything. Any top-water plug is likely to bring success. Using live-baits for chum can stir up a feeding frenzy, making jacks easy targets. Most crevalle jacks weigh between one and seven pounds, but some exceed that. Most people don’t eat jacks because their dark red meat is strong in flavor; besides, releasing them assures more fun to come by catching them all over again.

Captain Dave’s Fishing Tip #2: If you are looking for some good inshore fishing, try out some floating docks, such as those behind the beach, close to Big Carlos Pass. Lots of species seek cover there, including black drum, redfish, sheepshead and trout. Particularly when there is good water-flow, these spots are very productive. Try dropping anchor up-current and chumming to lure fish from the length of the dock system. Once you are hooked-up, hold your rod tip low to the water to prevent being cut-off by oysters on the bottom of the docks. Remember, redfish, snook, and trout currently must be released until further notice from Fish & Wildlife.