The deep sea fishing Fort Myers Beach offers will put you to the test. The idyllic inshore waters offer outstanding fishing for the better part of the year, but if you want seriously big game, you’ll need to head offshore. This means you will be able to do proper deep sea fishing once you make it past the 20 mile line, where the Gulf’s sea floor starts sliding down, only to reach depths of 90 feet about 30 miles from the coast.
What fish to target
The Gulf offshore fisheries are home to an incredibly wide selection of fish. You will likely encounter Mangrove and Lane Snapper first, as well as Amberjack. They are synonymous with excellent bottom fishing, no matter how many times you have fished before.
As you move further offshore, scout out massive bottom fish such as Gag, Red, Scamp, and Black Grouper, Red Snapper, and more Amberjack. The Gulf is dotted with numerous wrecks and reefs offshore and these areas offer epic fishing opportunities.
Bottom fisheries are only part of the equation though. If you want to land an apex predator, including Mahi, Wahoo, King and Cero Mackerel, you absolutely can. From 35 to 75 miles from the coast, these fish are a regular option, but it’s a matter of skill and patience to tire them out.
If you like long trips and monster fish, then you can also find a charter to take you on a multi-day adventure, all the way to the Bahamas on a real Billfish crusade. There you can try to outfight White and Blue Marlin. Sailfish are another possibility once you make it past the Florida Keys.
How to catch these fish?
If you want to make your deep sea fishing trip rewarding, you’ll need all the heavy armour you can get. We mean tackle. Heavy tackle. Grouper are known to snatch your bait and swim right towards their hiding holes, often cutting your line on nearby rocks and reef edges. You want to be fishing with someone who will outwit them. Dropping pinfish to the right depth should be a good start, but then you’ll need electric reels to get these huge brutes off the seafloor. Or if you’re up for a workout - have a go with manual reels. Fishing for Amberjack and Snapper is tense but super rewarding as their flaky flesh is heavenly.
Anglers who would rather trade punches with topwater pelagics can make the most out of their trip by trolling with either fresh or frozen bait. It largely depends on the fish you’re aiming for. Use outriggers and spread the lines to fish in the most efficient manner. Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna get excited by bait, so you can chum with pinfish and do some fast trolling once the fishery is lit up. Another way to get both Tuna and Sailfish is by kite fishing.
What you need to bring
Licensed fishing charters out of Fort Myers Beach usually supply all the rods, tackle, and bait/lures you need. As with most Florida charters, the fishing license is included in the trip. What you should bring is sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, an extra layer of clothing, Dramamine in case of sea sickness, and food and drinks. Most of the time, there will be a cooler onboard to keep your catch fresh while you’re on the water, but it might be a good idea to leave a cooler in your car so that you can transport the fish home.
