Answering One Of The Most Common Questions I Get As A Fort Myers Fishing Guide: “When’s the best time to fish Fort Myers?”
One of the questions I get asked the most on the boat is, “When’s the best time to come back and fish Fort Myers again?” And the truth is, there’s no bad time to fish around here—but depending on what you’re after, some months are definitely better than others. I figured I’d break it down month by month for you, just like I would if we were chatting dockside after a charter.
Fishing Fort Myers In January
January’s usually the time we’re dialing in on sheepshead, black drum, and some good-sized seatrout. The water temps dip down, so the fish move into deeper, structure-heavy areas like bridges, docks, and the backwater creeks. It’s not flashy fishing, but it’s productive, and the eats are good.
Fishing Fort Myers In February
Come February, redfish start to school up a bit more, and we get into some nice pompano as they push through the passes. Seatrout are still hanging around the grass flats and oyster bars, and it’s a great month for fishing when the weather holds up.
Fishing Fort Myers In March
March is when things start getting spicy. Snook get more active, tripletail show up on floating debris and buoys, and Spanish mackerel start tearing through nearshore waters. I love this time of year—there’s just a buzz in the air, and you know spring fishing is coming alive.
Fishing Fort Myers In April
Then we hit April, and that’s when the big boys start rolling in. Tarpon start making their way up the coast, cobia cruise the beaches and wrecks, and the king mackerel bite offshore can be on fire. This is one of the most exciting times of year to fish here, hands down.
Fishing Fort Myers In May
If you’re dreaming about hooking into a tarpon, May is your month. We’re right in the heart of the migration, and you’ve got shots at silver kings every day if the weather plays nice. Snook fishing is also red hot around the mangroves and beach troughs, and permit are starting to stack up around the reefs.
Fishing Fort Myers In June
June brings the heat, and with it, the snapper and grouper start firing on the nearshore and offshore reefs. Tarpon are still around, but we also start doing a lot more bottom fishing this time of year. It’s a solid month if you want a mixed bag.
Fishing Fort Myers In July
July is full-on summer mode. It’s hot, no doubt, but the fishing is still strong—especially if you’re willing to get out there early or stay out later in the evening. Snook and redfish are still around, and if you want to tangle with a shark, this is a great time to do it.
Fishing Fort Myers In August
August feels a lot like July, just maybe a little slower mid-day with the heat. But if you hit the right tide early or late, you can still crush it. Snook are tight to structure, permit are thick on the wrecks, and snapper fishing stays reliable.
Fishing Fort Myers In September
September is one of my sleeper favorite months. Big schools of redfish start popping up on the flats, and that sight fishing bite gets real fun. You’ll still get into snook and the occasional kingfish, especially when the weather starts teasing us with hints of fall.
Fishing Fort Myers In October
By October, king mackerel are back in town, and tripletail fishing off floating debris or crab trap buoys can be a blast. Redfish are still doing their thing, and the pressure on the water starts to thin out just a bit, which I personally love.
Fishing Fort Myers In November
November is when we start seeing cooler temps again, and the fish respond. Snook start pushing into the creeks and estuaries, and the sheepshead bite starts to ramp up. If you want to mix in some seatrout action, this is a great month for that too.
Fishing Fort Myers In December
And then there’s December. We’re back in winter mode, but that doesn’t mean slow fishing. Black drum, sheepshead, pompano—all great table fare—are around and biting. It’s steady, predictable action, and the inshore bite is as solid as ever.
Hopefully This Helps
So there you have it—twelve months of what to expect when you’re fishing around Fort Myers. Whether you’re chasing tarpon in May or stacking sheepshead in January, there’s always something worth throwing a line at. And if you’re ever unsure when to come—or just want someone to take the guesswork out of it—give me a shout. I’d be happy to get you out there and into the action.
Fish With Capt. Jack Swedberg
Jackpot Fishing & Ecotours offers back bay trips for shallow water species, nearshore fishing for permit, snapper, sharks, & more, tarpon fishing charters, and night fishing charters for whatever’s biting!
Our charters start out of Sanibel/Fort Myers Beach area with convenient waterfront pickups also available. Captain Jack has poured 15 years of passion into these waters and loves putting his clients on fish!
Call/text Captain Jack Swedberg for daily availability.
