Fishing Reports by Captain Butch Rickey
About The Author: Captain
Company: The Bar Hopp'R
Area Reporting: Backcountry fishing and flats fishing in the waters of Pine Island around Sanibel Island, Captiva Is
Bio: Capt. Butch Rickey spent much of his youth growing up on Sanibel and Captiva, near Ft. Myers, and has fished the waters of Pine Island Sound for much of his 60-plus years. Capt. Butch specializes in light tackle live-bait fishing for snook, redfish, tarpon, and trout in Pine Island Sound, but will be happy to accomodate any other type of fishing you want to do. You'll enjoy fishing the beautiful clear water of the shallow grass flats, mangrove keys, potholes, and oyster bars. You'll marvel at the wildlife on, in, and above the water. You'll see Florida as you always imagined it would be. A Barhopp'R trip will satisfy the fisherman, hunter, and sightseer in you. Capt. Butch is an instructional guide, and gives you only the best Shimano Stella reels and St. Croix Legend and G. Loomis rods to use. Butch is U.S. Coast Guard licensed, insured, experienced, and provides fishing license, bait, ice, digital camera, cell phone, and lots of advice and coaching when needed. He will work hard to put you on the fish.
239-633-5851
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
Report for the Week Ending 4/26/08 (4/29/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] Tough tides made for tough fishing, but great customers made for great times!
[Sanibel,FL] Tough tides made for tough fishing, but great customers made for great times!
Report for the Week Ending 4/19/08 (4/20/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] Weather claimed most of the week, but I got in a couple of good days with an old friend.
[Sanibel,FL] Weather claimed most of the week, but I got in a couple of good days with an old friend.
Report for the Week Ending 4/12/08 (4/16/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] It was a great week full of redfish and snook!
[Sanibel,FL] It was a great week full of redfish and snook!
Report for the Week Ending 3/29/08 (4/06/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] Winter, spring. Winter, spring. Winter, summer!
[Sanibel,FL] Winter, spring. Winter, spring. Winter, summer!
Week Ending 3/22/08 (3/22/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] A week of big winds, nice fish, and big numbers!
[Sanibel,FL] A week of big winds, nice fish, and big numbers!
Week Ending 3/15/08 (3/19/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] A very tough week of fishing, but with numerous Slams and big redfish!
[Sanibel,FL] A very tough week of fishing, but with numerous Slams and big redfish!
Fishing Heats Up For Big Bite With Strong Winds in Pine Island Sound (3/09/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] A big wind on the front made for a big bite in Pine Island Sound! I did make it out on Friday. What a day! A big front was scheduled to come through during the night on Friday. As Friday dawned, the forecast was for south winds 15 to 20 with gusts as high as 30! I figured we could handle 15 to 20, and fully expected a good bite on the south wind.
[Sanibel,FL] A big wind on the front made for a big bite in Pine Island Sound! I did make it out on Friday. What a day! A big front was scheduled to come through during the night on Friday. As Friday dawned, the forecast was for south winds 15 to 20 with gusts as high as 30! I figured we could handle 15 to 20, and fully expected a good bite on the south wind.
Report for the Week Ending 3/1/08 (3/02/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] A week of tough weather, lost trips, and tough fishing. But, fun!
[Sanibel,FL] A week of tough weather, lost trips, and tough fishing. But, fun!
Report for Week Ending 2/23/08 (3/01/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] A pretty busy week full of snook, trout, and redfish.
[Sanibel,FL] A pretty busy week full of snook, trout, and redfish.
Report for Week Ending 2/16/08 (2/16/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] Great customers combine with not so great tides to make it a great week of fishing.
[Sanibel,FL] Great customers combine with not so great tides to make it a great week of fishing.
Week Ending 02-09-08 (2/13/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] A week of two instructional trips fishing lure, and one trip fishing shiners.
[Sanibel,FL] A week of two instructional trips fishing lure, and one trip fishing shiners.
Week Ending 2/02/08 (2/09/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] Catching nice trout and puppy drum on lures in Pine Island Sound
[Sanibel,FL] Catching nice trout and puppy drum on lures in Pine Island Sound
Report for the Week Ending 1/26/08 (1/30/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] The Big Trout Are Coming Back, and jigs are all you need to catch them!
[Sanibel,FL] The Big Trout Are Coming Back, and jigs are all you need to catch them!
Report for the Week Ending 1/12/08 (1/12/2008)
[Sanibel,FL] Hard, but fun fishing chasing tailing redfish!
[Sanibel,FL] Hard, but fun fishing chasing tailing redfish!
Report for the Week Ending 12/29/07 (12/30/2007)
[Sanibel,FL] Snook, speckled trout, and gag grouper fishing is good. Bait is still in.
[Sanibel,FL] Snook, speckled trout, and gag grouper fishing is good. Bait is still in.
Pine Island Sound Fishing Week Ending 12/22/07 (12/23/2007)
[Sanibel,FL] Winter trout fishing in Pine Island Sound is hot!
[Sanibel,FL] Winter trout fishing in Pine Island Sound is hot!
Report for the Week Ending 12/15/07 (12/17/2007)
[Fort Myers,FL] Fishing Continues Good in Pine Island Sound!
[Fort Myers,FL] Fishing Continues Good in Pine Island Sound!
Customer Reports (12/04/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] There's no Florida fishing report this week, as I wasn't on the water. So, this is a great opportunity for me to bring you some more customer reports and pictures from near and far.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] There's no Florida fishing report this week, as I wasn't on the water. So, this is a great opportunity for me to bring you some more customer reports and pictures from near and far.
Fall Is In The Air (10/18/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The first hint of fall in the air combined with great new moon tides to make for an awesome week of fishing. In fact, the best fishing I've seen in a long time.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The first hint of fall in the air combined with great new moon tides to make for an awesome week of fishing. In fact, the best fishing I've seen in a long time.
Good Redfish and Snook Fishing (10/03/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] First up on Monday, was my old friend Willy Van Der Vorst, who vacations here this time of year on most years. This year Willy brought his lovely new wife Corene. Willy is a blast to have in the boat, as he's a natural comedian, and he has plenty of jokes to tell, too.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] First up on Monday, was my old friend Willy Van Der Vorst, who vacations here this time of year on most years. This year Willy brought his lovely new wife Corene. Willy is a blast to have in the boat, as he's a natural comedian, and he has plenty of jokes to tell, too.
Port Sanibel Fishing (9/08/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I had only one trip for the week, and it was a tough but fun one. It fell on the Tuesday after a three day holiday weekend. Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest of the year on the water. It often takes our shallow water fish a couple of days to settle down and let you get close enough to catch one.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I had only one trip for the week, and it was a tough but fun one. It fell on the Tuesday after a three day holiday weekend. Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest of the year on the water. It often takes our shallow water fish a couple of days to settle down and let you get close enough to catch one.
Fishing Has Been Good (9/02/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I was on the water two days this week; Monday and Friday. With a descent but very uncharacteristic breeze on Monday, it actually wasn't bad out there. But, yesterday, with hardly any air moving, it was just miserable. Fortunately, the fishing was pretty good.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I was on the water two days this week; Monday and Friday. With a descent but very uncharacteristic breeze on Monday, it actually wasn't bad out there. But, yesterday, with hardly any air moving, it was just miserable. Fortunately, the fishing was pretty good.
Fort Myers Area Inshore Fishing (8/23/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] What was to be a four day work week, rare for August, wound up being a two day week. Monday, I attended what was the most beautiful funeral service celebrating the life of Capt. Sean Middleton's mother, Lynda. There were a ton of folks there, including lots of fishermen and fishing guides. Lynda was a water baby, and finally succumbed to a long, six year battle with cancer.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] What was to be a four day work week, rare for August, wound up being a two day week. Monday, I attended what was the most beautiful funeral service celebrating the life of Capt. Sean Middleton's mother, Lynda. There were a ton of folks there, including lots of fishermen and fishing guides. Lynda was a water baby, and finally succumbed to a long, six year battle with cancer.
Florida Fishing Guides Report (8/11/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I'm trying to take some time off during August, as I usually do. I had no trips this week, so in keeping with the feature I started last week, I have included some great catches submitted by some of my friends.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I'm trying to take some time off during August, as I usually do. I had no trips this week, so in keeping with the feature I started last week, I have included some great catches submitted by some of my friends.
Trophy Speckled Trout (4/24/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] First up on Monday were Jeff Falk, his wife Pat, and daughter Courtney, down from Englewood, Florida. I liked them as soon as I met them and knew we were going to have a great time regardless of how the fishing went. We were laughing and cutting up before they even stepped foot on the Talon.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] First up on Monday were Jeff Falk, his wife Pat, and daughter Courtney, down from Englewood, Florida. I liked them as soon as I met them and knew we were going to have a great time regardless of how the fishing went. We were laughing and cutting up before they even stepped foot on the Talon.
Sanibel Island Fishing For Snook (4/08/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The week began with a rare Sunday trip. I know. I know! I don't do weekends. Actually, I will gladly do weekend days for my regular customers if I don't have a weekday open.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The week began with a rare Sunday trip. I know. I know! I don't do weekends. Actually, I will gladly do weekend days for my regular customers if I don't have a weekday open.
Another Late Season Front? (3/24/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The tides this week were generally poor for most of the week. I always tell my prospective customers about how the tide affects the fishing, and how I see the catching prospects for their chosen day.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The tides this week were generally poor for most of the week. I always tell my prospective customers about how the tide affects the fishing, and how I see the catching prospects for their chosen day.
Bloom and Gloom? (3/13/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] There was no fishing report last week, but one important thing did happen. I reluctantly sold my Maverick 17 Master Angler backup boat to a great father-son team of Gary and Garret Parker.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] There was no fishing report last week, but one important thing did happen. I reluctantly sold my Maverick 17 Master Angler backup boat to a great father-son team of Gary and Garret Parker.
Fishy, Can I Buy A Bite? (2/26/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I know we've had periods of hard fishing in years past, but boy I'll tell you, this past week or so has erased the memories of previous episodes of lockjawed fish.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I know we've had periods of hard fishing in years past, but boy I'll tell you, this past week or so has erased the memories of previous episodes of lockjawed fish.
Fishing Between Cold Fronts For Snook (1/30/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] That's what winter fishing often gets down to; fishing between the fronts. And, that's what it was this week.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] That's what winter fishing often gets down to; fishing between the fronts. And, that's what it was this week.
Light Tackle Gag Grouper! (1/14/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I stopped at Shack Baits Monday morning and bought a few dozen hand-picked shrimp, just in case the fish didn't want to eat plastic, again. I also decided to see if I could catch a few shiners at the causeway, even though I wasn't carrying the right net for the job.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I stopped at Shack Baits Monday morning and bought a few dozen hand-picked shrimp, just in case the fish didn't want to eat plastic, again. I also decided to see if I could catch a few shiners at the causeway, even though I wasn't carrying the right net for the job.
Exude RT Slug and Shrimp Usually Best (1/10/2007)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] We were tossing the shrimp and the trust Exude RT Slug, which is usually all you need. But, on this day they weren't interested in anything but those shrimp. I tried rigging them for surface, suspended, and bottom fishing, but we just couldn't get anything to eat them.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] We were tossing the shrimp and the trust Exude RT Slug, which is usually all you need. But, on this day they weren't interested in anything but those shrimp. I tried rigging them for surface, suspended, and bottom fishing, but we just couldn't get anything to eat them.
Sanibel Fishing For Schools Of Bluefish & Mackeral (12/30/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I managed to run two trips this week. We had two days of wet weather at the beginning of the week, including Christmas Day. I knew Wednesday would be a tough day even if the weather cleared out, because the fronts always shut down the bite.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I managed to run two trips this week. We had two days of wet weather at the beginning of the week, including Christmas Day. I knew Wednesday would be a tough day even if the weather cleared out, because the fronts always shut down the bite.
Casting Rattletraps At The Mangrove Shorelines (12/02/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] After a major cold front last week, we were now on the front side of another one, which meant warm, moist air pulling up out of the south, and very moderate temperatures. We were looking at a high in the mid 80's.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] After a major cold front last week, we were now on the front side of another one, which meant warm, moist air pulling up out of the south, and very moderate temperatures. We were looking at a high in the mid 80's.
Pine Island Redfish (11/26/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Geez! This is getting tedious. This was to be a busy week. but in typical November fashion, big cold fronts and big winds claimed most of the week. I managed to get out Friday, only. And, what I though would probably be a stinker of a day turned out to be a good one.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Geez! This is getting tedious. This was to be a busy week. but in typical November fashion, big cold fronts and big winds claimed most of the week. I managed to get out Friday, only. And, what I though would probably be a stinker of a day turned out to be a good one.
Pine Island Sound Snook Are Biting (10/21/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The week began with two trips on the books, but ended with one. The week was a crazy one, as my father-in-law passed away. The funeral was scheduled for Thursday, which was my day with Peter Karas. We were able to move the trip to Wednesday.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The week began with two trips on the books, but ended with one. The week was a crazy one, as my father-in-law passed away. The funeral was scheduled for Thursday, which was my day with Peter Karas. We were able to move the trip to Wednesday.
Another Short Week Of Fishing (10/08/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The first day on the water was Thursday, with Capt. Cliff Young, who owns Box Canyon Cabins, and charters out of Eagle River, Alaska. We first fished together last year around this time, along with his good friend Dewayne Brantley, and had a great trip.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The first day on the water was Thursday, with Capt. Cliff Young, who owns Box Canyon Cabins, and charters out of Eagle River, Alaska. We first fished together last year around this time, along with his good friend Dewayne Brantley, and had a great trip.
Backcountry Florida Fishing Report (10/01/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Fishing was about as hard as it gets this week. For me, at least! The red tide lingered, the fresh water continues to come down the river, and I actually heard the media interviewing some business owners on Fort Myers Beach this week who said that this had been the slowest summer in memory.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Fishing was about as hard as it gets this week. For me, at least! The red tide lingered, the fresh water continues to come down the river, and I actually heard the media interviewing some business owners on Fort Myers Beach this week who said that this had been the slowest summer in memory.
Florida Snook Fishing Heating Up (9/24/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] With the tide already so high, there were lots of places to fish. I headed to a favorite southerly wind spot for redfish to see if we couldn't start right off with some fast redfish action.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] With the tide already so high, there were lots of places to fish. I headed to a favorite southerly wind spot for redfish to see if we couldn't start right off with some fast redfish action.
Operation Open Arms Fishing (9/17/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I headed straight up to the flats south of the power lines, where I had gotten great bait the week before. But, boy were things different, now. We chummed and threw, moved, chummed and threw, moved, and chummed and threw, and had maybe three dozen shiners of assorted sizes.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] I headed straight up to the flats south of the power lines, where I had gotten great bait the week before. But, boy were things different, now. We chummed and threw, moved, chummed and threw, moved, and chummed and threw, and had maybe three dozen shiners of assorted sizes.
Backcountry Fishing Pine Island Florida (9/11/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] As I mentioned in the previous report, I had only one trip on the books again this week. It was a trip with my old friend of many years now, Marty Dietz, and his beautiful girlfriend, Janice. We had a blast, and wound up fishing Thursday and Friday.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] As I mentioned in the previous report, I had only one trip on the books again this week. It was a trip with my old friend of many years now, Marty Dietz, and his beautiful girlfriend, Janice. We had a blast, and wound up fishing Thursday and Friday.
Snook Fishing Summer Fun (9/02/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] We were chumming before the sun came up. As it began to get light, I began tossing the net. The first half dozen throws netted us nothing but a few pins and small shiners. Certainly nothing to get excited about. We had a hard outgoing tide and a west wind. Basically, both were running in the same direction.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] We were chumming before the sun came up. As it began to get light, I began tossing the net. The first half dozen throws netted us nothing but a few pins and small shiners. Certainly nothing to get excited about. We had a hard outgoing tide and a west wind. Basically, both were running in the same direction.
Captiva Island and Pine Island Fishing (8/27/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] We moved on to the flats at marker 32. There was a lot of small bait spraying there, but most of it could swim right through the net. I tried several spots in the area, but was never able to get descent bait. I was getting weary in the heat.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] We moved on to the flats at marker 32. There was a lot of small bait spraying there, but most of it could swim right through the net. I tried several spots in the area, but was never able to get descent bait. I was getting weary in the heat.
Backcountry Fishing Report In Florida (8/20/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Rey had been on a hot ladyfish and trout bite the day before, and was heading back there. We followed.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Rey had been on a hot ladyfish and trout bite the day before, and was heading back there. We followed.
Red Tide Is Behind Us (8/06/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The red tide seems to be behind us now. And, even on some pretty poor tides, the fishing was pretty good this week.
[Pine Island Sound,FL] The red tide seems to be behind us now. And, even on some pretty poor tides, the fishing was pretty good this week.
Fishing Reports for Pine Island Sound (7/31/2006)
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Pine Island Sound, Sanibel, and Captiva Island Fishing Report for Week Ending July 29..
[Pine Island Sound,FL] Pine Island Sound, Sanibel, and Captiva Island Fishing Report for Week Ending July 29..