When you think of Fort Myers, you probably imagine rich backcountry waterways, or winding up the Caloosahatchee, right? You wouldn’t be wrong, but this corner of Florida has much more to offer than that. The Gulf of Mexico is right on your doorstep, meaning that deep sea fishing in Fort Myers is well worth exploring.
Head out beyond the barrier islands and discover rich reefs right away. And the further you go, the better it gets. Fancy getting your hands on a big, dazzling Red Snapper? How about Mahi Mahi? Deepwater Groupers more your thing? They’re all available, along with many more of the world’s most sought-after fish. Read on to find out how you could land the fish of your dreams.
Top Deep Sea Fishing Targets in Fort Myers
We’ll start our guide to deep sea fishing by introducing you to the stars of the show. There’s no shortage of prized fish out in the Gulf, and most of them are available on a journey out of the “Paradise Coast.”
Snappers
Any angler worth their salt knows about Red Snapper. But you’ll need to book early to get your chance to land one, as spots fill up fast when the season hits. These creatures are photogenic, incredibly fun to catch, and grow to massive sizes – especially the further out you go. Come from early June through most of July to take advantage of the season. There’s also often the chance to target them in October and November.
Reds aren’t the only Snappers you can find on a trip out of Fort Myers. Inshore and nearshore, Mangrove and Yellowtail Snappers are popular targets, and out in the Gulf, there’s always the chance of a larger Lane Snapper. Each of these creatures promises an exciting battle once hooked and a tasty reward at the end of the day.
Amberjack
If you had to draw a fish, you’d probably draw something similar to an Amberjack. These unremarkable-looking creatures are by no means average, especially in the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of the best places in the world to target them, as they come in their thousands and grow to massive sizes. Don’t just take our word for it, check out what this captain had to say:
“Big fish – big fight. To say that Amberjack are a tough fighting fish is an understatement!”
Just like Red Snapper, they get bigger the further out you go, and offer up plenty of excitement and lots of delicious meat! They go for any kind of bait, which might go some way to explaining how they grow so big! Try anything – real or artificial – and chances are, these fish will bite. With that in mind, you can also try a range of different techniques to land them from trolling, to bottom fishing, to jigging. But more on all of that a little later.
Cobia
In general, where there are Amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll also find Cobia. These close friends go hand-in-hand (or should that be “fin-in fin”), inhibiting the same waters. And you can also target them in the same manner as Amberjack, but you won’t need such heavy gear. Cobia fishing is all about light tackle action, as they grow up to around 30 pounds – although judging by their length, you’d expect a lot more!
These creatures mainly feed near structure, so try and head out to buoys or around reefs for the best result. If you’ve spotted a Cobia and fancy casting your line, try and drop the bait just above your target’s nose. But they’re not particularly fussy eaters either, so trolling with artificials can be just as effective as bottom fishing with live bait.
Kingfish
If trolling sounds like your thing, then you’ll love the next creature on our list. Kingfish are some of the biggest creatures you can catch while deep sea fishing in Fort Myers without going too far. They like the year-round mild-to-warm waters, so there’s always the chance of finding one here, too, and they respond brilliantly to a little bit of chum and then some slow trolling lines.
While these fish can reach up to 6 feet in length, you’ll most likely be going after species in the 3 foot range, which isn’t bad. Just beware, though, the fight doesn’t end once your fish is hooked aboard. Be careful when handling your catch, as the Kingfish’s sharp teeth can cause damage to you and your gear – especially bigger ones.
Groupers
We mentioned that where there’s Amberjack, there’s usually Cobia, but that also goes for Groupers. However, deep sea fishing in Fort Myers for Groupers offers some of the best action in the entire Gulf. While you may think you’ve spotted a Grouper nearshore before, we can assure you, you’ve never met beasts like the ones you’ll encounter in the deep. These fish head out to the deep when they mature, growing to impressive sizes and offering up plenty of fun.
Bottom fish on the reefs on the way out for juveniles to get your fill, before heading out to other structure, where they’ll be feeding. The further out you go, you’ll be wanting to do some deep dropping to reach the sea bed, where Gag, Red, Black, and Scamp Groupers will be hiding, among others. Get ready to work your muscles to lift these bad boys from the ocean floor.
Mahi Mahi and More
So far, we’ve focused on creatures that you can usually also find in some shallower waters, but now we’re getting to some serious pelagic creatures. Mahi Mahi are a favorite all over the world, wherever they can be found. And for good reason too. Not only are these fish incredibly photogenic (just look at those colors!), but they also offer up a serious fight – and they’re delicious to boot!
Head out at least 35 miles from Fort Myers Beach to reach the Mahi’s favorite hunting grounds. Wahoo and Tuna are also available here, and you can land them all with the same technique. Chum to get their attention and then troll. If you’re feeling seriously adventurous, then you can also head over 100 miles out. That’s Billfish country. But beware, this kind of action is not for the faint of heart.
How to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Fort Myers
Now you know that you’ll need to go offshore to try your hand at deep sea fishing. That means you’ll probably be heading out with a Fort Myers fishing charter. Heading out with a reputable guide will give you the benefit of local knowledge, along with plenty of experience, giving you a hand to land that dream catch. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know what you’re doing.
Bottom Fishing
While bottom fishing is often associated with reefs, it’s also popular along the wrecks that lie out in the heart of the Gulf. It’s a tried and tested way to land Snappers, Jacks, Cobia, and Groupers, and could entice plenty more fish onto the end of your line. But what exactly is it?
Well, it’s exactly what it says. Fishing along the bottom. That means dropping your line to the ocean bed or structure beneath and dragging your lure to mimic the action of the bait fish your prey usually hunts. Different techniques work with different fish, as we mentioned above with Cobia, so you can also try jigging. That means carefully pulling your rod up and down. This will give the impression of something floating and easy to catch for your target fish.
Deep Dropping
So you’ve heard about bottom fishing, but what about those spots where a regular line simply won’t do? There’s equipment for everything these days, with specialist reels and lines to get you to those spots where some of the most elusive fish hide. We’re talking deepwater Groupers and other prized species like Swordfish and Tilefish.
A lot of the Gulf is new territory for deep droppers, so there are still plenty of fish to catch. Make use of lines as long as 2,000 feet and electric reels to give you the chance of hooking what you want. Of course, you can get back to basics and reel ‘em in manually, but you’ll want to be sure you can handle the long fight.
Trolling
Possibly the most common way of deep sea fishing, trolling gives you multiple opportunities at the same time. This technique involves trailing bait behind or alongside the boat, with captains often opting for six different lines at once. As you cruise the open waters, the bait will be dragged along, mimicking the prey of topwater feeders.
You sit back, enjoy the ride, and then bang. When you see a rod bend and hear the reels screech, get ready to leap into action as there’s probably something big ready to be reeled in. Even if it’s not your turn to do battle, you can help the captain pull in all the other lines to avoid tangling up with the one the fish has taken. Just be sure to ask first.
Fly Fishing
Now, we’re going from the most popular to a more rare way of deep sea fishing. Fly fishing is certainly more commonly associated with freshwater fishing, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be effective offshore. As we’ve already mentioned, many of the best deep sea fishing species out of Fort Myers love to feed on the top. And flies are also a popular snack.
You’ll need some serious skill to entice the bite of creatures such as Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Sailfish, but it’s well worth trying if you know how to handle a fly rod. Beware that the fight you’ll have to put up will be nothing like anything you’ve experienced in freshwater. And, unlike the other angling gear, you’ll probably need to bring your own fly equipment.
Fort Myers Deep Sea Fishing Regulations
Before we wrap up and get you dreaming of that next angling adventure, we have to quickly mention some regulations. The good news is that, when fishing with a registered charter, you won’t need a license. That’s because your captain has you covered. If you’re heading out with your own vessel, make sure you’ve got the appropriate permit. Find out all the information you need here.
When it comes to the fish themselves, we’ve already told you that Red Snapper are subject to strict seasonality. But that’s not all. Amberjack also have restrictive seasons, as do certain Groupers. All species are usually subject to a size and bag limit, but these are all subject to change. Check with the FWC before heading out to make sure your desired fish is available.
Deep Sea Fishing in Fort Myers: Where Dreams Come True
You’re now ready to hit the waters. Hopefully, we’ve convinced you by now that Fort Myers has a lot more to offer than inshore fishing. Deep sea fishing in Fort Myers has everything any angler could ever want. And the best part is, the year-round warm waters of southwestern Florida mean there’s always something biting. But hey, if you’re in the area, why not try your luck both inshore and offshore?
Have you ever been deep sea fishing in Fort Myers? How was it? Have any stories to tell? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
