Good Time Charters

Capt. Mike Denegre of Good Time Charters reports another week of great back bay action.  The spotted sea trout were on in Estero Bay,  hitting live shrimp both free lining when the winds were down or on a jig head in windier conditions.  These fish were found feeding in areas of fast moving water and at depths between 4 to 6 feet.  Fishing deep edges of mangrove islands seemed to be the most productive either bouncing the bait with a jig head or letting it drift along the bottom popping it occasionally.  Mixed in with the trout were an abundandce of big lady fish just a blast on the light tackle.  These fish hit so hard they practically hook them selves.  Once the current slowed up so did the trout bite and it was on to the sheepies.  Live shrimp weighted down by no more than an 1/8th ounce sinker and a little patience is all it took to hook into some nice 3 to 4 pound sheepshead.  Recommend if targeting sheepshead using a egg sinker placed above the swivel.  this allows the bait to move away from the sinker as the line passes through it.  this will also help you feel the sheepsheads light bite even if the sinkers is obstructed.

My Jr Naturalists found this huge horse conch along with hermit and calico crab, and a variety of other species on this recent Coastal Sealife and shelling wildlife cruise. The horse conch was safely returned and they also found some nice sand dollars to keep. We also observed a dolphin playing with a stick along the way. On the way in we spotted this beautiful yellow crowned night heron. What a fun cruise!

Another great week for spotted sea trout.  Mike was finding these fish to be most active on the morning incoming tide.  Early in the tide before the water reached the mangrove roots these fish were found feeding out from many of the Estero Bay mangrove shorelines.  Mike reports these fish are inhaling live shrimp many caught simply free lining the bait or bouncing them off the bottom on a jig.  Several pompano were found amongst the trout all legal size and ready to fight.  These fish are awsome on light tackle.  If the trout aren’t hitting out from the trees Mike recommends casting off some of the deeper mangrove banks and letting your bait lay on the bottom.  There’s lots of hungry sheepshead out there and if  you just let it lay for a minute or two one is bound to pick it up.  Remember to be patient with the sheeps as they will chew and crush your bait, wait for the big pull then let em have it.   Smaller shrimp or even chunks of bigger shrimp work great for this fish using a smaller hook, preferrably a jay hook as they are easier to remove from their toothy mouth.   Capt. Mike also reports the blue fish are starting to get active in big Carlos pass.  These fish will hit just about anything you throw at them and there great fun especialy for the junior anglers.

“We are the Gricus family and have been a customer of capt. Mike’s since he opened for business. We have been on numerous adventures with the family, and with the “boys”. On all occasions we have had the greatest times, weather its fishing or just sight seeing. Mike is a great captain with a great sense of humor and is knowledgeable of the back bay and surrounding waters. I would recommend him and his wife for any and all outings that they offer.”

January 08, 2009 by The Gricus family in Chicago, IL

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Good.Time.Charters.And.Tours.239-463-0686/review/read?cid=503938

“The Marine Life Explorers Adventure is worth every cent. Captain Mike and Christina know a lot about the creatures they introduce you too. They are both knowledgable and friendly. Showed us wonderful places and listened carefully made the adventure personal to our family. If you’re looking for a great place to have fun and support go with Good times.”

January 19, 2009 by Kelly in Beverly Hills, CA

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Good.Time.Charters.And.Tours.239-463-0686/review/read?cid=503938

With the conditions at the best we’ve seen in a while the fish were hungry and plentiful.  Fishing the mangrove islands of Estero Bay yielded plenty of sheepshead the majority of which averaged out between 3 and 4 pounds with a few topping 5.  lots of fun on the light tackle.  We were hooking these notorious bait steelers with # 2 aberdeen jay hooks, a small almost wire like hook that the sheeps literally hook them selves on.  I highly recommend when targeting these fish to use the medium to small shrimp, they take small bites and this will lead to quicker hook ups. The sea trout were abundant on the grass flats again using shrimp and a popping cork.  while fishing the flats we had a couple nice run ins with pompano and jacks.  Lots of jacks out there and they’re hitting anything moving. We also found the sea trout to be active in areas of 4 to 6 feet with good moving water.  bouncing the bait off the bottom with 1/8th ounce sinker or jig head was all it took.  Just keep in mind these trout got a weak mouth so once you hook one keep steady tension on the line but don’t wrench it in.  The warmer water this week finally woke some of the reds up.  we were finding small slot and rat reds mixed in with the sheeps along the  mangroves where there was adequate current.