General Fishing Discussion
Fort Myers Florida
The Goofy jigs have been used infresh water for a long time. They just added the teaser for flash. I bought the mold, so I pour my own. I also tie flies, so the teasers are nothing more than a P-Nut fly, that I use for Coho Salmon. A 20# florocarbon leader is good to use. A teaser can be tied about a foot above the Goofy jig.
The Goofy jig is useless for Sheepshead. They eat crustations. Fiddler crabs, shrimp etc. A drop shot rig is a good rig. Size #1 octopus hooks. You cannot use trebles for Sheepies.
I have fished the Bokeelia pier many times. They have rods, and bait on the pier. Tell the attendant that you are new to saltwater fishing and they will help you out. Generally, the Northwest corner is best, but not always. There are"regulars" out there. Watch them closely. They will help you out, if asked nicely.
The Gotcha plug is handy for Snook, Trout and Spanish Mackerel. There is so much to learn. If you stop at a bait shop, buy a Sibiki rig. It's only a couple of bucks, but if the fishing is tough, you can catch bait fish...Greenbacks, Pinfish, Glass minnows...
You can pack a fillet knike in your checked bags, to clean your catch, or cut bait. Bring a couple of gallon baggies to get your catch home to cook.
I have not hired a charter, yet. But I will. I have been going to Capt' Rob's bait shop. Rob and Rich are very helpful. Rob is from Michigan.
Those Goofy Jigs look like they'd be good around here in the rivers for walleyes and white bass, I'll have to bring some home with me. I spoke to the folks at Bokeelia fishing pier and it sounds like they'll be able to set me up with rods and I would assume tackle and bait. Do you know anything about them? Good place to fish? They said sheepshead and trout would be what we'd be catching. They recommended Maxed Out Charters for getting out on the water. Do you know anything about their operation or any other charters? Thanks again for the help!
Chrome and gold Kastmasters, the smallest I would use is 1ounce. The luresi have pictures of, are Doc's Goofy jigs. I make mine because I am cheap! Another one is called a Gotcha plug. Chrome with an orange head, up to 1 ounce.
Do NOT retrieve any of these with a straight retrieve. It's a jerky, twitchy retrieve that will get fish. Another method, with the Goofy jigs, is to put a chunk of shrimp on, cast, let sink to the bottom, and twitch it along the bottom. Shrimp down south, is like nightcrawlers up here. Everything eats it.. almost.
I call fill you in with all sorts of things. 715-570-8718
I'm going to be in Cape Coral at the end of next month visiting an old friend and plan on doing as much fishing as possible. I'd like to do an offshore trip, some pier fishing, and maybe an nearshore trip. I won't be able to bring rods along so we will have to rent them at whatever pier we fish but can probably find some room in my suitcase for tackle. I know pretty much nothing about fishing down there so could use any help you can give me. Are there any charters or fishing piers you'd recommend? What tackle would you suggest I stuff in my suitcase for pier fishing? I have almost no experience saltwater fishing so I'm open to fishing for pretty much anything that swims.
Thank you so much for the recipe. I will give that a try the next time I get down there. I know the Red Tide made a mess of things, but they will come back. I have to recertify for shore shark fishing before I return also.
I was on the ice after a severe cold snap and it made the Walleyes sit tight and not move at all. I only marked six fish. That's just the way it is!
I know! And I found out that they hit like White Bass! You just need to crank 'em in before Flipper eats it off your line. I made up a few jigs to try when I go back this spring. I used a swimming jig mold to make Doc's Goofy jigs, tied up some Coho peanut flies and colored the jigs with powder paint. I also have a few new tricks for those Sheepshead ??