Fort Myers?

[RyneB]

I will be heading down to Fort Myers in December. Just wondering if its worth bringing my travel rod and Revo (flying down)? This vacation is my wifes idea, so im just along for the ride. I might only get an hour or 2 to fish a day. Would I surf fish? Or find freshwater canals? Anything I do will have to be in walking distance. I have surf fished in NC, im a caster though, not a throw a bait out and wait guy..Also, anyone know of any good food/beer places down there?

[basscrusher]

 It's definitely worth it.  The surf on the gulf coast is calm enough in many spots that you don't need a surf rod to cast out past the breakers...there really aren't any!  I caught lots of fish (mostly small) tossing small bucktails in one small bay there years ago.  I waded out to about 3 feet, and was casting into maybe 6 or so with a spinning setup geared toward bass.  I saw some large reds and one big tarpon near the adjacent docks, but they were too smart for us.

 

As for the the food & drinks...I was there in 1999, so I don't know if these places are still around, but there was a great burger place called the Barking Shark -- lots of different kinds of burgers with interesting topping combinations.  Good beer selection too.  There was a really cool bar...the name had something to do with a Whale...anyway they had $1 Jaeger shots one day during happy hour...I was 21 on Spring break...need I say more?  There was a cool seafood place right by the bridge leading into town.  Not a restaurant...they would prepare/steam fresh shrimp or shellfish, you took it to go.  Awesome.

[etommy28]

I live in ft myers, yes bring tackle. there are bass in literally every pond and you can cast flukes, buck tails and top water on the beaches and in the bays for reds, trout snook, ect. as far as food and drink it depends if you are more towards sanibel there is totally different stuff then if you are in the Estero/FGCU area. If you provide more info I can give you some places.

[SirSnookalot]

Many of the species in the Florida surf are caught within 50' of shore, snook can be caught in knee deep water.  Unlike the northeast coast surf rods and reels are not needed.  

[etommy28]

Sir snook, i dont know how it is over there, but we catch snook in about 6 inches of water with there noses litterally out of the water first thing in the morning when its calm waiting on green backs..... away from the dolphin and sharks

[SirSnookalot]

Sir snook, i dont know how it is over there, but we catch snook in about 6 inches of water with there noses litterally out of the water first thing in the morning when its calm waiting on green backs..... away from the dolphin and sharks

Snook move out to the beaches when the water warms to about 80 degrees.  Snook hang out in the trough and rougher water is best, if bait is present they will be in flat ankle deep water for sure.  Once some of these fish are within just a couple of feet of shore they feel like they plant themselves like they were in cement, real hard to move them, you'll see the more experienced fishermen walking them back rather than pulling them in with the rod.  Awesome catch in shallow beach water using a mirrolure twitchbait or top water lure.

[RyneB]

thanks for the replies. Im definitely going to be bringing down the rod/reel and a small tackle box. All will fit in my luggage. So far what im bringing will be

 

-Pop A Dog

-Live Target swimming mullet

-jig heads and twister tails

-white bucktails

-small reaction strike swimbaits

-Mirro Lure twitchbait

-DOA shrimp

 

Good selection?

[SirSnookalot]

I would add a silver spoon for the beach and a pack of flukes in case you need to fish weedless for bass.

[0119]

December wont find you much on the beach.  Flounder maybe, the macs wont be here yet. Snook will be up river or near to them in back bays.  Trout will probably be your best bet.  If you have one a spinning outfit will be more versatile here, keep your lure choices at and below 1/4oz..  Wade or rent a yak in the backwaters of Matlacha and Pine Island.  Wherever you go the water will be clear, low and you'll need to cast long with light subtle baits.