I spoke with Ken at Master Bait & Tackle in Bonita Springs this afternoon. He was telling me that fishing is excellent in and around Bonita Springs. Recent rains have cooled the water temperature slightly and dumped enough freshwater into the Gulf to bring the schools of pinfish back in full force. The annual run of bull redfish has made its way into the area. Estero Bay is holding the largest concentrations, but they can also be caught around docks and other structure. Pinfish, shrimp, cut mullet or ladyfish, and gold spoons are all good baits. Lots of snook are being caught all over from docks, to the beach, and even on near shore reefs. Ken was telling me that the local paper is claiming that only 9.5% are within the new slot limit. Large pinfish, jumbo shrimp, and various plugs are all good baits. Gator trout (25"+), have shown up on grass flats and around docks. Pinfish, select shrimp, and D.O.A. or Berkley Saltwater shrimp are all excellent baits. Float them over sand holes in the grass under a popping cork or Cajun Thunder float. Jigs, slug baits, and plugs also work well for large trout in the grass or around docks at night. Mangrove snapper fishing is excellent. look for them inshore and offshore around structure. Small white bait and pinfish are the best baits. Good numbers of tarpon are also in the bays and on the beach. Crabs, greenbacks and pinfish are all good baits. Permit are starting to show offshore and Ken expects the cobia will move into the area soon. For more information contact;
Master Bait & Tackle
239-992-2553
4465 Bonita Beach Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
www.masterbaitonline.com/
