Ft Myers Beach_1st visit since Hurricane Ian: Thought I’d share a few observations on the current condition of things on the island of Ft. Myers Beach for anyone interested. Much...

MNMudminnow Loc: MN (MSP metro/Alexandria) & FL (Ft.Myers)

Thought I’d share a few observations on the current condition of things on the island of Ft. Myers Beach for anyone interested.

Much progress has been made in many locations on the island in terms of construction/repairs but there is still massive devastation everywhere you look along the main road. Generally speaking, any structure built on the ground within 2 blocks of the Gulf is gone. Some high-rise resorts/hotels are standing but still have heavy damage & are in various stages of repair.
The most surprising thing to me is the amount of vegetation_I was sure being submerged in seawater would kill most of the trees & other greenery that was not a Mangrove, but everything looks to be alive and growing. That’s not to say there was no loss of plant life. The island is quite different in appearance to those who were familiar with its former ambiance, obviously, yet there is much remaining.
The most peculiar experience is the complete lack or absence of all the wildlife that used to be so prevalent…not a single Anole lizard(Chameleon) scurries into the shrubbery along the sidewalks, no Geckos stalking insects on the exterior walls after dark and no rabbits rustling about in the undergrowth like there was. I did catch sight of one Squirrel sprinting across the street this afternoon but don’t ask me how it came to reside on the island that was washed over with 8 to 18 feet of storm surge. The only animal life around is of the feathered type, but even they are not here in the numbers they had been previously. Am guessing less to eat means less to attract them.

Seeing as how this is a Fishing Forum, let me share my take on the local condition of the near shore area of the south end of Estero Island just inside of Big Carlos Pass(Bridge) as best I’m able based on what I can see from shore.
The water clarity is better than it has been in several years allowing one to see bottom to depths close to 3 feet or more. That enabled me to see a large number of fish the last couple days. Snook are thick under and near the Mangrove shoreline with Sheepshead/Sheephead of varying size tagging along nearby. The snook are between 15 and 25 inches & most of the “Sheep” are keeper size and larger. Baitfish are everywhere and of every size, keeping the diving and wading birds occupied. Saw some Spadefish, a Grouper, schools of Mullet, a large Blue Crab & a couple Dolphins. These are all good signs, to me. There has been a steady flow of fishermen passing by my location and they have been catching high numbers of fish, based on my observations. As far as any fish being kept for the table, I do not know…I will not be eating any catches from this region for at least another year due to the unknown effects of damage & contamination potential from Hurricane Ian.

That’s what I have seen so far over my first visit since the storm remodeled the area. Planning to drop a line tomorrow, so will be sure to let everyone know the result(s).

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Great report. It takes time to recover from an event like that. With the plant life relatively intact, the natural progression would be for animal life to follow.. if not too strongly inhibited by human activity.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

MNMudminnow wrote:

Thought I’d share a few observations on the current condition of things on the island of Ft. Myers Beach for anyone interested.

Much progress has been made in many locations on the island in terms of construction/repairs but there is still massive devastation everywhere you look along the main road. Generally speaking, any structure built on the ground within 2 blocks of the Gulf is gone. Some high-rise resorts/hotels are standing but still have heavy damage & are in various stages of repair.
The most surprising thing to me is the amount of vegetation_I was sure being submerged in seawater would kill most of the trees & other greenery that was not a Mangrove, but everything looks to be alive and growing. That’s not to say there was no loss of plant life. The island is quite different in appearance to those who were familiar with its former ambiance, obviously, yet there is much remaining.
The most peculiar experience is the complete lack or absence of all the wildlife that used to be so prevalent…not a single Anole lizard(Chameleon) scurries into the shrubbery along the sidewalks, no Geckos stalking insects on the exterior walls after dark and no rabbits rustling about in the undergrowth like there was. I did catch sight of one Squirrel sprinting across the street this afternoon but don’t ask me how it came to reside on the island that was washed over with 8 to 18 feet of storm surge. The only animal life around is of the feathered type, but even they are not here in the numbers they had been previously. Am guessing less to eat means less to attract them.

Seeing as how this is a Fishing Forum, let me share my take on the local condition of the near shore area of the south end of Estero Island just inside of Big Carlos Pass(Bridge) as best I’m able based on what I can see from shore.
The water clarity is better than it has been in several years allowing one to see bottom to depths close to 3 feet or more. That enabled me to see a large number of fish the last couple days. Snook are thick under and near the Mangrove shoreline with Sheepshead/Sheephead of varying size tagging along nearby. The snook are between 15 and 25 inches & most of the “Sheep” are keeper size and larger. Baitfish are everywhere and of every size, keeping the diving and wading birds occupied. Saw some Spadefish, a Grouper, schools of Mullet, a large Blue Crab & a couple Dolphins. These are all good signs, to me. There has been a steady flow of fishermen passing by my location and they have been catching high numbers of fish, based on my observations. As far as any fish being kept for the table, I do not know…I will not be eating any catches from this region for at least another year due to the unknown effects of damage & contamination potential from Hurricane Ian.

That’s what I have seen so far over my first visit since the storm remodeled the area. Planning to drop a line tomorrow, so will be sure to let everyone know the result(s).

Thought I’d share a few observations on the curren... (show quote)

Great report Mud. Very much appreciated. I didn't know it had that much damage.

JackM Loc: North East Florida

Thanks for the report. It is interesting to hear about the wildlife and fish. I have an acquaintance who lives in Wisconsin but has a condo in Ft. Meyers. The condo building needed a generator to keep the lights on and dry out. He has access to commercial generators, so he took several down to save his building $$$$ rental fees. I don't know how long the generators were used.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

JackM wrote:

Thanks for the report. It is interesting to hear about the wildlife and fish. I have an acquaintance who lives in Wisconsin but has a condo in Ft. Meyers. The condo building needed a generator to keep the lights on and dry out. He has access to commercial generators, so he took several down to save his building $$$$ rental fees. I don't know how long the generators were used.

Smart man Jack.

JackM Loc: North East Florida

Before and After Ian from Google Earth. The same spot.

Norman Havens Loc: Port Charlotte Florida

There were many people that lost their lives in the trailer park that is gone.
They were piled up on top of each other from the storm surge 16 foot high.

fishfinder Loc: Phila , no, eastern shore va

Great review of your area. I was in the area a few weeks after the storm and couldn’t believe the amount of devastation. I’m glad to see the great news regarding the fish and marine conditions.
I’m further north in Sarasota but sometime in the future will seek out the fish in your area.
Once again thanx for the report