Bill Russell

No doubt about it, August is one hot month in Southwest Florida. Many locals and old timers don't even bother to fish this month or if they do only venture out early or late or on overcast days. Like the air the water temperature is also very warm, this can make fishing very challenging. With that said if you go without high expectations and don't get to focused on any one species chances are you will catch some fish.

We did have a couple days where the rains came about noon then the rest of the day remained overcast and cooler. We fished on a couple of these afternoons and caught a variety of species. With school out I have been fishing with kids a lot lately so we are generally looking for action, any kind of action.

With a live well full of shiners we have been pretty consistently chumming up a variety of species in Pine Island Sound near the Passes. Spotted sea trout, spanish mackerel, ladyfish, mangrove snapper and small sharks answered the dinner bell. Nothing really big but steady action for the kids. If you want dinner about one of three of the trout are keeper size and the snapper are running good size.

We are also catching sharks a little bigger late in the afternoons on the falling tides. Using the ladyfish and mackerel for bait we caught and released bull sharks up to five feet on the southeastern edge of Charlotte Harbor. These guys are real bulls on light tackle and really thrive in the warm summer water.

"Catch The Action " with Captain Bill Russell

For charter information contact us at (239)283-7960

Or visit us at www.fishpineisland.com

Pine Island Sound Fishing Forecast:

Mangrove snapper and sharks fishing should remain consistent and schools of large redfish should begin arriving in our inshore waters as the month progresses.

Fish Species: Sharks, Sea trout, mangrove Snapper, Spanish mackerel
Bait Used: live and cut
Tackle Used: light
Method Used:
Water Depth: four to eight feet
Water Temperature: very warm
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
small sharks offer great action for the junior anglers
small sharks offer great action for the junior anglers


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Bill Russell

About The Author: Captain Bill Russell

Company: Gulf Coast Limited Professional Guide Se

Area Reporting: southwest florida including Sanibel, Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Matlacha Pass

Bio: "Catch The Action" with Captain Bill Russell. As a native of Pine Island Bill has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding the Island and has been a professional fishing guide for fourteen years and loves to share the local knowledge and history of the waters. The waters surrounding Pine Island including Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, Charlotte Harbor, Sanibel, Captiva and Boca Grande are a true fishing Mecca that provide a wide choice of angling thrills. We specialize in light tackle fishing for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Sea Trout, Sharks and a variety of other species. Not only do our waters provide World Class fishing opportunities our Islands and waters are also abundant with a wide variety of wildlife and beautiful scenery, so bring a camera! We customize each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. From the small child to the novice to the most experienced angler we will make your trip a memorable one. Spend a day on the waters of Southwest Florida and "Catch The Action" with Captain Bill Russell

(239)283-7960
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Bill Russell