InshoreMangroves · passes · beaches
Common Snook
- Season
- Open Sep 1 – Nov 30 & Mar 1 – May 31
- Tactic
- Live pilchards or D.O.A. shrimp under mangrove points on outgoing tide.
- State Record
- FL record 44 lb 3 oz
Species
Know what you're chasing.
Identification, peak seasons, proven tactics and current FWC regulations for Southwest Florida's signature gamefish.
Inshore / NearshoreBoca Grande Pass · beaches · Caloosahatchee
Tarpon
- Season
- Migration peak: Apr – Jul
- Tactic
- Threadfin herring or pass crabs on 60 lb fluoro circle hooks in the passes.
- State Record
- FL record 243 lb
InshorePine Island Sound · Matlacha · Estero Bay
Redfish
- Season
- Year-round; best Sep – Nov
- Tactic
- Gold spoons or cut ladyfish on grass flats; sight-fish tailing pods at dawn.
- State Record
- FL record 52 lb 5 oz
InshoreGrass flats 3–6 ft · Estero & Pine Island
Spotted Seatrout
- Season
- Year-round; topwater bite Mar – Jun
- Tactic
- Soft plastics under popping corks at first light over turtle grass.
- State Record
- FL record 17 lb 7 oz
Nearshore / OffshorePasses · ledges · artificial reefs
Mangrove Snapper
- Season
- Best Jun – Sep on the full moon
- Tactic
- Light fluoro leader with cut threadfin or live shrimp on structure.
- State Record
- FL record 17 lb
OffshoreHard bottom 60–120 ft west of Sanibel
Red Grouper
- Season
- Open seasons per FWC; best fall
- Tactic
- Squid or pinfish on knocker rigs over live bottom and ledges.
- State Record
- FL record 42 lb 4 oz