Fishing reports, local knowledge, species guides, fishing locations, trip planning tools, marine conditions and professional fishing services.
Latest reports and catches from Gulf Coast Fishing Charters — new posts appear automatically.
Jul 16, 2026 · Capt. Captain Dan Medina
An unforgettable Fort Myers fishing report featuring giant Goliath grouper, gag grouper, and an incredible offshore adventure 40 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.
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Mar 29, 2026 · Capt. Tyler F
A successful Southwest Florida fishing trip featuring strong snook action and multiple cobia caught in nearshore waters.
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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.
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Mar 3, 2026 · Capt. Tyler F
Premium 6-hour nearshore fishing charter off Fort Myers and Sanibel with federal permits, twin engines, and steady action.
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Feb 27, 2026 · Capt. Daniel Medina
Spending 4-6 hours on a Gulf Coast inshore fishing charter offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and the thrill of the catch. Whether you are a seasoned angler or a first-timer, making the most of your time on the water means focusing on what matters most: having fun.
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Jan 13, 2026 · Capt. Daniel Medina
Preparing for Winter Nearshore Fishing Fishing nearshore in winter requires some preparation to ensure safety and success. The weather can be unpredictable, and water temperatures drop, affecting fish behavior.
Read ReportHot, steady and building species across Southwest Florida this week.
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
Migration peak — silver kings rolling the passes and beaches on every tide.
Best Areas
Boca Grande Pass · Captiva beaches · Caloosahatchee
Tailing pods on the flats at first light with schools building for the fall run.
Best Areas
Pine Island Sound · Matlacha Pass · Estero Bay
Topwater bite at sunrise, soft plastics under corks over grass through the day.
Best Areas
Estero Bay potholes · Pine Island Sound flats
Full-moon bite firing on the nearshore reefs and ledges — light fluoro required.
Best Areas
Nearshore reefs 30–80 ft · Sanibel ledges
Steady on hard bottom when the wind lays down enough to make the run.
Best Areas
Hard bottom 60–120 ft west of Sanibel
Pick a Southwest Florida destination for conditions, target species and launch points.
Cape Coral
Caloosahatchee River · 400+ miles of canals
Canal-front fishing city on the Caloosahatchee.
Fort Myers Beach
Estero Island · Matanzas Pass
Pass fishing, pier action, and quick offshore runs.
Sanibel
Sanibel Island · Causeway · Lighthouse
Beach, pass, and causeway fishing within sight of the lighthouse.
Captiva
Captiva Island · Redfish Pass
Pass tides, beach snook, and back-bay redfish.
Pine Island Sound
Lee County · Aquatic Preserve
Mangrove-lined backcountry between Sanibel and Pine Island.
Boca Grande
Charlotte Harbor / Gasparilla Sound
The Tarpon Capital of the World.
WMDan is Southwest Florida's marine planning platform — built by a local charter captain for local anglers.
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.
Fishing Regulations
Current seasons, slot sizes and bag limits from FWC and NOAA.
Fishing Licenses
Buy or renew a Florida saltwater license through the official FWC portal.
Boat Ramps & Marinas
Public launches, marinas, fuel and dockage from Boca Grande to Bonita.
Bait & Tackle Shops
Live shrimp, pilchards, ice and tackle from trusted local shops.
Restaurants by Water
Lee County waterfront spots you can reach by boat, with dockage notes.
Where to Fish
Flats, passes, bridges, reefs and offshore grounds across SWFL.
Targeted offshore trips for snapper, grouper, kingfish and pelagics out of Cape Coral and Sanibel.
Learn MoreFamily-friendly nearshore and offshore charters from Fort Myers, Captiva and Bokeelia — great for first-timers and kids.
Learn MoreA licensed captain comes aboard YOUR vessel for fishing instruction, electronics & navigation training, new-owner orientation and SWFL local knowledge.
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