Bonita Springs

Blue_Heron · #1 10-17-2009, 12:30 AM

I will be in Bonita Springs November 11 through the 13th on business at the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort. Decided to have my wife join me on Friday and extend the trip through the weekend. Any suggestions on where to pick up a snook or two while we're in the neighborhood? Haven't decided whether I'll bring my 20 SF or my 18 Action Craft. Not familiar with Estero Bay. Suggestions?
Thanks,
Dave

76Red18 · #2 10-17-2009, 10:29 AM

Thats a little south of my area. Water is still mid 80 degrees. I'd bring the SeaCraft and fish the edges of the southern passes with hand sized white bait on an incoming tide. When the tide shifts, I'd take that bait to one of the many charted nearshore artifical reefs. All the snook on the reefs are over slot and hungry. Keep a bait near the surface on a short wire leader for the king fish that are arriveing. Estero Bay is hard to fish without knowing the area. Captian David Hanson of Fishbuster Charters is a well respected guide down there. He's set up for inshore and offshore as well. http://www.fishbustercharters.com/

Blue_Heron · #3 10-20-2009, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the tips, Red. Looking at a chart of Estero Bay, it looks pretty skinny. Not sure I want to try taking the SF across the bay from coconut point being unfamiliar with the area. My Action Craft has a hydraulic jack plate that's gotten me out of trouble in unfamiliar waters more than once.

eggsuckindog · #4 10-23-2009, 01:06 AM

bring the small boat for water depth although with some fronts coming through the SeaCraft might be nice - check the weather for a front before you make the call

McGillicuddy · #5 10-23-2009, 01:55 AM

I did some charts for Garmin contract a few years back and the bay waters were pretty skinny. Dave Hansen was my guide as was a guy named Ron LePree.

I think Ron fished more back-country toward 10,00 Islands, and Dave was more into reefs. If your primary goal is snook, I think the Action Craft might be your better choice as any active snook will likely be in the warmth of the shallow bays, especially if its cooling or cools down in the next few weeks maybe some snapper along the mangroves, too. Out of Wiggins and Gordon Passes there are several reefs within 5 miles or so of the passes (numbers are available from DFG or I can send you some if you like). Redfish should still be biting around the oyster bars and passes, and grouper and jacks should be feeding at the reefs and over live-bottom spots in about 30 feet. Lots of sharks and hogfish/triggerfish around there too. Keep an open eye for cobia around channel markers around and outside of the passes and as you approach any reef markers.

Good luck