Sanibel Island Lighthouse at sunset over the Gulf of Mexico
Fort Myers · Sanibel · Captiva · Pine Island · Boca Grande · Estero Bay

Everything Fishing in Southwest Florida

Fishing reports, local knowledge, species guides, fishing locations, trip planning tools, marine conditions and professional fishing services.

From The Water

Latest fishing reports.

Latest reports and catches from Gulf Coast Fishing Charters — new posts appear automatically.

Fort Myers Fishing Report | Sheepshead, Cobia & Snapper Action

Fort Myers Fishing Report | Sheepshead, Cobia & Snapper Action

Mar 17, 2026 · Capt. Captain Dan Medina

Fort Myers Fishing Report – Sheepshead, Cobia, Snapper & Spring Action Heating Up Fishing has been heating up across the board here in Fort Myers and the surrounding waters, with solid action on our inshore, nearshore, and offshore trips over the past couple of weeks. Nearshore Fishing – Cobia Bite Strong Our 6-hour nearshore trips have been the best bet lately , with a strong cobia bite around structure, wrecks, and reefs off Fort Myers and Sanibel.

Read Report
Right Now

What's biting.

Hot, steady and building species across Southwest Florida this week.

All species →
Excellent

Snook

Post-spawn fish stacked on the beaches and in the passes chasing bait through late summer.

Best Areas

Sanibel beaches · Boca Grande Pass · Estero Bay

Learn More
Excellent

Tarpon

Migration peak — silver kings rolling the passes and beaches on every tide.

Best Areas

Boca Grande Pass · Captiva beaches · Caloosahatchee

Learn More
Good

Redfish

Tailing pods on the flats at first light with schools building for the fall run.

Best Areas

Pine Island Sound · Matlacha Pass · Estero Bay

Learn More
Good

Spotted Seatrout

Topwater bite at sunrise, soft plastics under corks over grass through the day.

Best Areas

Estero Bay potholes · Pine Island Sound flats

Learn More
Excellent

Mangrove Snapper

Full-moon bite firing on the nearshore reefs and ledges — light fluoro required.

Best Areas

Nearshore reefs 30–80 ft · Sanibel ledges

Learn More
Fair

Red Grouper

Steady on hard bottom when the wind lays down enough to make the run.

Best Areas

Hard bottom 60–120 ft west of Sanibel

Learn More
Local Knowledge

Explore where to fish.

Pick a Southwest Florida destination for conditions, target species and launch points.

WMDan — Marine Weather · Southwest Florida Fishing Intelligence

Before You Leave the Dock…

WMDan is Southwest Florida's marine planning platform — built by a local charter captain for local anglers.

  • Captain's Daily Call
  • Marine Forecast
  • Radar
  • Tide Charts
  • Moon Calendar
  • Major & Minor Feeding Times
Trip Planning Resources

Trip Planning Resources

Everything you need to plan a successful fishing trip in Southwest Florida—from fishing regulations and licenses to boat ramps, marinas and local fishing resources.

Professional Fishing Services

Professional fishing services.

All charters →

Salty Fishing Charters

Targeted offshore trips for snapper, grouper, kingfish and pelagics out of Cape Coral and Sanibel.

Learn More

Gulf Coast Fishing Charters

Family-friendly nearshore and offshore charters from Fort Myers, Captiva and Bokeelia — great for first-timers and kids.

Learn More

Hire A Captain

A licensed captain comes aboard YOUR vessel for fishing instruction, electronics & navigation training, new-owner orientation and SWFL local knowledge.

Learn More