Does Fort Myers Have Good Fishing? (A Complete Guide)
Fort Myers is one of the most popular fishing locations in Florida. Many anglers want to know how Fort Myers compares to other major fishing destinations.
Fort Myers is a world-class fishery offering great fishing for permit, amberjack, mahi-mahi, grouper, jack crevalle, blue marlin, sailfish, barracuda, snapper, sharks, yellowfin tuna as well as wahoo.
Fort Myers has a lot to offer to fishermen of any skill level. The fishing here is truly special if you enjoy nearshore and offshore fishing.
Fort Myers Fishing: Species Breakdown
1. Snook
Snook fishing is excellent in the waters around Fort Myers. It’s possible to target snook in the region year-round. A season to target snook in the area starts in the late winter and ends in the late fall. A Fort Myers fishing season is high between April and August.
Snook fishing in Fort Myers is less productive between December and January. Tarpon Street Pier and Midpoint Bridge are great fishing spots to target snook in the area.
2. Redfish
Oftentimes, anglers catch redfish during their Fort Myers fishing adventures. Redfish is active in the region between the early spring and the early winter. The best months to target redfish in the area are: May and between September and November.
Redfish is inactive in the region between January and February. The mangroves and grass flats in the local waters attract plenty of redfish in the region.
3. Tarpon
Fort Myers offers excellent tarpon fishing trips. The best time of the year to fish for tarpon in the region is between the early spring and the early fall. Tarpon fishing in Fort Myers is the most productive between May and July.
The worst times of the year to fish for tarpon in the region are: January – February and October – December. Tarpon fishing is excellent in such places as Tarpon Street Pier and Midpoint Bridge.
4. Snapper
It’s possible to target mangrove snapper, mutton snapper as well as yellowtail snapper in the waters of Fort Myers. Snapper fishing is good in the region year-round. The best time of the year to fish for snapper in the region is between April and November. It’s a great idea to target snapper in the Gulf waters.
5. Trout
Trout fishing is great in the region. Anglers can target trout in Fort Myers at any time of the year. A trout fishing season in Fort Myers starts in January and ends in October. The best time of the year to fish for trout in the area is between April and June.
The worst time of the year to experience trout in the region is between November and December. Trout can be found near Midpoint Bridge and Tarpon Street Pier.
6. Jack crevalle
Jack crevalle is one of the top targeted species in Fort Myers. Fishing for jack crevalle is good in the region year-round. However, the best time of the year to target jack crevalle in the area is between April and November. Jack crevalle fishing is less productive in Fort Myers between January and March and in December.
7. Cobia
Cobia is one of the main targets in Fort Myers. A cobia fishing season starts in Fort Myers in the late winter and ends in the late fall. The best months to catch cobia in the area are: April, September and October. The worst time of the year to fish for cobia in the region is between December and January.
8. Grouper
Fort Myers is the perfect place to experience grouper fishing. Black grouper, gag grouper, goliath grouper as well as red grouper can be caught in the waters of Fort Myers.
Groupers are the most active in the region between April and September. The worst times of the year to experience grouper fishing in Fort Myers is between November and December. Grouper fishing is often successful in the Gulf waters.
9. Permit
Fishing enthusiasts often catch permit in Fort Myers. Permit gets active in the area between March and August. The best time of the year to experience permit fishing in Fort Myers is between May and July.
On the other hand, the worst times of the year to target permit in the area are between January and February and between September and December. It’s a good idea to target permit in nearshore waters of Fort Myers.
10. Bull shark
Fort Myers is also known as a shark fishing destination. Many anglers choose to target bull shark in the area. Fishing for bull shark is excellent in the region year-round.
So, there is no bad time to target bull shark in Fort Myers. It makes a lot of sense for anglers to target bull sharks on the flats.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Fort Myers
These Fort Myers-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Capt Charlies Fishing Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
| Sanibel Saltwater Adventures | Fort Myers, FL |
| Gulf Coast Charter Service | Fort Myers, FL |
| SWFL Premier Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
| Captain Jack’s Fishing Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
| Indigenous Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
| Never 2 Nauti Fishing – Punta Rassa | Fort Myers, FL |
| Maxed Out Charters – Fort Myers | Fort Myers, FL |
| Tarpon Magic Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
| Capt. Bill Walker’s Fishing Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
| Make A Wake – Sanibel Island | Fort Myers, FL |
| Saltwater Excursions | Fort Myers, FL |
| Thrill Of It All Fishing Charters | Fort Myers, FL |
Fort Myers & Fishing Charters
– Is it a good idea?
There are many reasons why anglers prefer to fish in Fort Myers. Good weather and fish-rich waters create the ideal fishing conditions in the region. So, anglers achieve excellent results year-round. Fort Myers is a good choice for anglers, who want to find a good place to experience fishing during the winter months.
– Is it a good place for charters?
Booking a charter makes it possible for anglers to explore many great spots and experience fantastic fishing in the region. There are always a lot of fishing charters available in Fort Myers and its surrounding areas. So, anglers find it easy to book a charter that meets their needs and budgets.
Fort Myers always has something to offer to every angler. It all depends on what fish species you are targeting, where, and how long you are going to fish in the area. Beginners should consider booking short fishing charters. Professional anglers, who are interested in catching bigger fish, should book longer trips.
Different types of fishing trips are available for fishermen in the region. Anglers can consider booking half-day fishing trips, full-day fishing trips, or even longer trips in Fort Myers. There are also specialized fishing trips. For example, anglers can consider booking Fort Myers fishing charters that specialize in targeting tarpon or sharks. Explore all of your options and book a charter that works best for you,
Does Fort Myers Offer Good Fishing?
1. Inshore
According to the opinions of many fishing experts, Fort Myers is a paradise for inshore fishermen. Inshore fishing trips in Fort Myers are recommended for beginners, families, children, and anglers who can’t spend too much time on the water.
Traditionally, anglers book half-day trips when they go fishing in inshore waters. Matlacha Pass and the Pine Island Sound are the best places for anglers, who are interested in inshore fishing. Inshore anglers can target such species as snook, redfish, speckled trout, and tarpon. Sharks can be found in inshore waters as well.
2. Nearshore
Nearshore waters of Fort Myers also provide fishing enthusiasts with great opportunities. Anglers can catch cobia, and gag grouper as well as permit when fishing in nearshore waters.
3. Offshore
Traditionally, many anglers choose to go fishing in the Gulf waters and in deeper waters around Pine Island and Sanibel. It takes anglers some time to get to their fishing spots in offshore waters. That’s why it’s recommended to book full-day trips if you would like to fish in offshore waters.
Offshore fishing in Fort Myers allows anglers to target amberjack, cobia, grouper, mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, snapper, and other species.
Best Species to Fish for in Fort Myers
Fort Myers is home to a great variety of fish species. The top targeted species in the region include amberjack, great barracuda, black drum, cobia, black grouper, gag grouper, goliath grouper, red grouper, hogfish, jack crevalle, king mackerel, ladyfish, permit, redfish, bull shark, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon as well as tripletail.
We’ve just described the top species of fish to target in the local waters. However, the list of the best species to fish for in Fort Myers could go on and on.
How Does Fort Myers Fishing Compare to the Rest of Florida
Fort Myers is a beautiful town in Florida. It’s a good place to have a vacation and enjoy recreational fishing. Fishing has been always the number one activity in the region. However, the destination is not only about fishing.
In addition to fishing, people can enjoy many other interesting activities such as hiking and kayaking in the area. While visiting Fort Myers, you can also explore the rich history of the town. If you visit the town, you’ll have an adventure that you won’t forget.
Best Season & Times to Fish Fort Myers
Fort Myers is known for its subtropical climate and great weather conditions. It’s the perfect place to fish during the winter months. Fishing in the area is good at any time of the year. Some fish species are active in the local waters year-round. Also, anglers can target seasonal fish species in the region. Such fish species are active during certain times of the year only.
Anglers should plan their Fort Myers fishing adventures in advance. Initially, fishermen need to study the bite times of their favorite fish species and select the best time of the year to fish in the area. And of course, fishermen should go fishing in Fort Myers when their target fish species are the most active.
Spring is a great time of the year to target such species as barracuda, cobia, black drum, groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, ladyfish, permit, bull shark, mangrove snapper, redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, tripletail, and others.
Such species as barracuda, groupers, jack crevalle, ladyfish, permit, sharks, snappers, snook, tarpon, and tripletail are active in summer.
It’s possible to fish for barracuda, black drum, cobia, groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, ladyfish, redfish, sharks, snappers, and other fish species in the fall.
Anglers can target such species as amberjack, black drum, groupers, king mackerel, ladyfish as well as bull shark during the winter months. Generally speaking, a peak fishing season in Fort Myers starts in the late spring and ends in the early fall. It’s the time of the year when the vast majority of fish species bite well.
Hot Fishing Spots in Fort Myers
The big question is – where to go fishing in Fort Myers? Now, let’s try to get the answer. The reality is that the destination provides angling enthusiasts with easy access to numerous fishing spots. The most popular fishing spots in Fort Myers include Riverside Park, North Shore Park, Tarpon Street Pier, Manatee Park, Lakes Park, Billy Creek, Midpoint Bridge as well as the nearby bays which are closer to the Gulf.
It’s worth noting that fishing in these places is very productive. And of course, anglers should explore these fishing spots during their fishing adventures in Fort Myers.
Is Nightfishing Good in Fort Myers?
Fort Myers night fishing charters are also available. It’s worth noting that night fishing trips provide anglers with a great experience.
Anglers choose to fish near artificial sources of light during night trips. Traditionally, such places attract plenty of fish. That’s why fishermen find it easy to get fish to bite in the places around the lights. When fishing at night, anglers usually catch such species as ladyfish, tarpon, snook, speckled trout, and others.
Is Beach Fishing Good in Fort Myers?
Many anglers give a preference to shore fishing in the area. Beaches give anglers an opportunity to experience shore fishing in Fort Myers. Fishing on beaches allows angling enthusiasts to catch snook, pompano, and other species.
Fort Myers & Fishing Charters
– Is it a good idea?
There are many reasons why anglers prefer to fish in Fort Myers. Good weather and fish-rich waters create the ideal fishing conditions in the region. So, anglers achieve excellent results year-round. Fort Myers is a good choice for anglers, who want to find a good place to experience fishing during the winter months.
– Is it a good place for charters?
Booking a charter makes it possible for anglers to explore many great spots and experience fantastic fishing in the region. There are always a lot of fishing charters available in Fort Myers and its surrounding areas. So, anglers find it easy to book a charter that meets their needs and budgets.
Fort Myers always has something to offer to every angler. It all depends on what fish species you are targeting, where, and how long you are going to fish in the area. Beginners should consider booking short fishing charters. Professional anglers, who are interested in catching bigger fish, should book longer trips.
Different types of fishing trips are available for fishermen in the region. Anglers can consider booking half-day fishing trips, full-day fishing trips, or even longer trips in Fort Myers. There are also specialized fishing trips. For example, anglers can consider booking Fort Myers fishing charters that specialize in targeting tarpon or sharks.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Fort Myers, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Islamorada, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Marathon, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown if fishing is good in St. Augustine, please check out this article. For a list of the best charters in Fort Myers, check out this guide.
