Monday’s scheduled 4 hour charter on Estero Bay in South West Florida started right on time with a couple of avid fisherman from Minnesota. We met at 9am at the Carl Johnson Boat Ramp at Lover’s Key and had the dolphins join us almost immediately as we headed for Big Carlos pass to look for bait to gather with the net. We looked inside the bay as well for bait and dropped a line in an area of grass flats where some pelicans were diving and finding some kind of small fish to eat. After a couple throws of the cast net confirmed the birds were eating glass minnows, too small for us to net and use for bait, and no bites on the casted shrimp, we headed farther back into the bay. We found some good current in one of my favorite areas and Dylan started the day off with a nice spotted sea trout.



Jeff was next with a beautiful golden redfish around the top of the slot limit.



Both of the guys had other chances at good fish, with Dylan battling a big fish with drag screaming runs that just couldn’t be stopped from breaking the line deep under the mangroves, before the bite died and we were off to do something different. We finished the day catching a bunch of sheepshead with a couple of nice big ones to add to the livewell for dinner.



The 4 hour trips go fast when the fishing is good, and it was quickly time to head back to the ramp to clean and bag the day’s catch and say our goodbyes after another great day in Estero bay.