get a glove to filet with... will help with grip and somewhat protect from cuts,

Did you do anything special with the filtration?

Has anyone been successful making an aquarium type holding tank for live bait shrimp? I know it can be done, but at what cost? Would love to be able to purchase bait the day before so I can get an earlier start to the day.

I live on a canal in Cape Coral. About a 55 minute slow ride to the river, and then 20 more minutes in the tidal Caloosahatchie River / ICW until the Gulf proper. Not always, but many times, I can't keep shrimp alive in the livewell. I am assuming it is probably water quality and temp. I have two ideas to try for next trip, but was looking for other suggestions as well. First thing is to throw in some frozen water bottles to reduce the temp. My second idea was to run an aerator in the livewell, and maybe try a second trip with the circulating pump off. Anyone got any other ideas?

Everglades makes a whole line of seasonings... I use the Everglades Heat when grilling fish. Has a good bite. Everything I have tried of theirs has been great.

We have been catching some Spanish and King off of Sanibel/Captiva for the last few weeks. I would think they will be showing up sooner than later up there.

thanks guys

Does anyone know what kind of fish this is? About 6" long, so I am assuming it is a juvenile. Caught in the Gulf off of Captiva/Sanibel.

Take some live shrimp out to one of the nearer artificial reefs and "practice"! There are generally plenty of smaller fish that will keep you busy as you learn the "feel" of the bite. I suggest light tackle with a chicken rig. If you are lucky and have a fishfinder, study the bottom when you are getting bites and learn where the fish are... then move on to other reefs and wrecks and apply what you have learned.

One thing I did to learn my depthfinder was to go to the "overfished" public reefs and just cruise around studying the bottom. Once you get to where you can identify structure at a place you know it should be... it makes it easier to identify bottom conditions at new places. And also, every time I catch a fish, my first glance is to the screen to see what bottom it is showing. I learned more watching and doing, than by people trying to explain to me.

The other thing is searching for structure "near" the reefs. I look for changes in depth near the public numbers, and then search in those areas for structure. Have had pretty good luck this year, although I am still very new at the saltwater thing. We have caught good snapper in about 45 ft this month, and sheepshead are still prevalent at the wrecks. Grouper and larger fish tend to be in 100' or more for now.

You can still make out the coast from that distance, but it is not a bad trip. Water was a little rougher than my wife would have liked, but not too bad as to not go.... work too hard during the week to let a few waves cancel my plans on the weekend.

It is about 10 miles SW of Sanibel Island... roughly 45' deep. It's one of several artificial reefs in SWFL.

Wife caught a nice sheepshead at Edison Reef Saturday. PB for her, 19 1/2" and 3 lbs 11 oz.

Another idea is to hire a guide. Find someone that has reviews from families with children. A guide that can keep a 10 year old entertained can probably put you on fish consistently (*but not always). At least that way you can test the waters to see if it is for you or not. Fishing to me is about the hunt... trying to learn how to catch bigger and faster has gotten my full attention. I am fortunate to live near the coast, and I curse the weatherman every weekend that isn't fishable! I am definitely hooked. If you have the opportunity for a saltwater/offshore charter, they can be well worth the money for the experience they can offer as well.

Thanks for the info! Great stuff.