Pierfect Catch
Jutting 600 feet into the shimmering Gulf of Mexico, the Ft. Myers Beach fishing pier offers anglers access to deepwater fish — catfish, sharks and snapper — without chartering a boat or getting wet. The 1930s pier, which is currently being revamped, is also a great place for the rest of us to spy a dolphin or watch a sunset.
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REDFISH MACKEREL CATFISH
DEPTH WHERE YOU'LL FIND IT 3-4 feet
WHAT BAIT TO USE Root-beer colored curl-tail plastic
WHERE ON THE PIER TO FIND IT Beginning
AVERAGE SIZE 22”
WHERE TO EAT IT Not served
REDFISH
DEPTH WHERE YOU'LL FIND IT 8+ feet
WHAT BAIT TO USE Spoon, or another shiny lure
WHERE ON THE PIER TO FIND IT Beginning
AVERAGE SIZE 13”
WHERE TO EAT IT BLU Sushi 13451 McGregor Blvd; 239-489-1500; www.blusushi.com
CATFISH
DEPTH WHERE YOU'LL FIND IT 12+ feet
WHAT BAIT TO USE Cut bait (anchovy, sardines, mackerel or silverside minnows) that you rest on the ocean floor
WHERE ON THE PIER TO FIND IT Middle
AVERAGE SIZE 14”
WHERE TO EAT IT Nervous Nellie’s 1131 First St; 239-463-8077; www.nervousnellies.net
SHARK SNAPPER
DEPTH WHERE YOU'LL FIND IT 15+ feet
WHAT BAIT TO USE Bonita, sliced into smaller pieces
WHERE ON THE PIER TO FIND IT Middle
AVERAGE SIZE 5’
WHERE TO EAT IT Not served
SNAPPER
DEPTH WHERE YOU'LL FIND IT 30+ feet
WHAT BAIT TO USE Small live shrimp
WHERE ON THE PIER TO FIND IT End
AVERAGE SIZE 11”
WHERE TO EAT IT The Fishmonger 19030 San Carlos Blvd; 239-765-5544; www.thefishmongerrestaurant.com
GRIFF THURSTON
Co-owner of Pelican's Pitstop, on the pier at 10 Old San Carlos Blvd, Ft. Myers Beach; 239-463-0671
Do you have any equipment for visitors?
“We rent fishing poles, we sell lures and we have bait: squid and shrimp.”
What will people catch here on the pier?
“Mackerel is predominant. People catch sheepshead, spotted sea trout, flounder, bluefish, snook and sometimes snapper.” What’s the most sought-after fish? “Snook. Snook typically have to be at least 28” to keep, but this year there’s a moratorium on keeping them, so they’re just catch-and-release for now.”
Is anything besides snook on catchand-release?
“You have to cut the lines on sharks and stingrays. You can’t bring them onto the pier.”
How big do the snook get?
“The biggest one I’ve seen is three feet. They’re huge.”
What’s a telltale sign there are fish nearby?
“Look for birds. If you see a lot of birds, there are baitfish. Then you can drop sabiki — little shiny hooks — in the water to catch baitfish. Then you use those fish to catch bigger ones.”
When’s the best time to fish?
“When the fish are biting!”
BOB JOHNSON
Avid angler and clerk at Bait ‘n Wait, 17885 San Carlos Blvd, Ft. Myers Beach; 239-466-8737
Which deep-water fish can you catch from the pier?
“You go for mackerel at five feet of water or deeper, but they will stay on the surface. They’re not bottom feeders, so flashy [bait] like shiners or spoons will get them at the surface.”
What about in the shallow water close to the beach?
“Sometimes you’ll find snook at the base of the pier.”
What’s the best time of day to catch snook?
“Early in the morning or late in the evening.” Why are they so close to the shore? “They hang close, in about two feet of water, to catch baitfish.”
What else can you catch here?
“Ladyfish, jacks, snapper, catfish and tarpon.”
Where’s your favorite place to eat fresh local seafood?
“Pincher’s Crab Shack” (15271 McGregor Blvd; 239-415-4009; www.pincherscrabshack.com).
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