With colder waters, inshore fish are gathering in deeper holes and channels in the back bays: a lot of species are available in a small area. Spotted Sea Trout, Pompano, Redfish, and Large Black Drum are just a few on offer.

The weather can be changeable. This makes flexibility key, with a lot on offer for those in the know. As well as Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, and Trout, warm water species like Snook and Redfish appear. 

The days start to get longer and strong east winds keep the water clean and clear. Tarpon starts to come into the coves, flats, and backcountry and Snook start to migrate to the passes. Trout is consistently good on the grass flats.

Warmer weather starts to settle in, with water temperatures in the mid 70s. This is a transition month, so the weather can be unpredictable. Get it right, and you'll have great fishing for Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Shark.

May sees large numbers of Snook getting ready to spawn around the shoreline and passes. Tarpon fishing is excellent in the early morning and late evening. The weather is warm and reliable this time of year. 

This is the peak time to sight fish for Snook, catching and releasing as per regulations. Tarpon fishing is good off the beaches and Sharks are caught in the shallow bays and nearshore. Daytime temperatures are high.

Early morning and late evening fishing remains the best option, with large numbers of Snook still congregating in the passes to spawn. You can also find exciting Shark fishing in the bays. 

Temperatures are very high in the daytime, so most fishing is limited to early morning and evenings. Offshore, seas are calm. This can be a good opportunity to put meat in the freezer: Kingfish, Snappers, and Groupers are biting well.

Hurricanes can potentially disrupt fishing as the weather starts to transition towards the fall. Nearshore, you will find King and Spanish Mackerel biting well, with large Bull Redfish also on the cards.

Water temperatures cool considerably, making the all-day bite better than it was in previous months. Fish start to move into the back bays and passes. The Redfish bite is on fire in October.

Speckled Trout migrate into the back bays and are caught in good numbers over shallow patchy grass areas. You can find Bluefish and Pompano in the same spots. King and Spanish Mackerel are around nearshore.

This is Southwest Florida's busiest time of year, with comfortable temperatures throughout the day and good fishing for Snook, Trout, Redfish, Pompano, and Jacks inshore. Offshore, there are Kingfish, Snapper, and Grouper.