Good Time Charters

I periodically go out to try and clean up much of the fishing tackle and line that gets left tangled on the mangrove islands, though it is tough and there is only so much ground I can cover in one day. The fishing line can entangle birds, and manatee can accidently ingest it as they are foraging on the flats. I have come across two pelicans so far this year that were entangled in fishing line and hanging from trees. Unfortunately, I found them too late and they were already dead. The pictures are of line and tackle I pulled off just one island in about 3 hours.

Hi Christina,
 Ah, we had a fabulous time! Between my son Luke (9) and I, we caught 8 different species of fish in the morning, and lots of them.  The Jack I landed was a blast to catch.  Luke caught the bigest sheepshead – he was thrilled.  He also took a liking to biting the shrimps tail’s off and baiting his hooks. Mike was a great guide, and man, he REALLY knew where to go.  The sheepshead on the grill was awesome.  Liked your operation, its very well run.  Thanks for a great time, hope to return someday.

-Rich Clough

Captain Mike of Good Time Charters reports a productive week in Estero Bay.  Lots of fish caught on live shrimp.   Trout were found feeding on the grass flats in about 4 feet of water caught under a popping cork.  The trout were especially active in times of good tidal movement.  Mixed in with the trout were some hungry ladyfish and a couple pompano.  The sheepshead have about wrapped up their anual spawn but a bunch of nice 3 to 4 pounders out and about.  Baiting live shrimp on small 2/o jay hooks and a little wait works great.  Lots of mangrove snapper ranging from just legal 10″ on up to 14″ were found under dead mangrove branches draped in the water.  Catching the snapper using practically the same setup for sheepshead.