Had a nice day at Edison Reef, mostly grunts, blue runners, and undersized Gag Groupers. A large school of King Mackeral cruised by on the surface (about 30 of them). We chased 'em and hooked two, but only landed one. Trolled using a deep diving blue Yoshiri at 5 kts.

Pound for pound they are terrific fighters. As you say, no good to eat, and they break off a lot of expensive lures and straighten hooks, but hey, that's part of the fun of fishing! I don't fish for food, though it's nice when I bring home a nice Grouper or Red Snapper, it's the thrill of the ziinnnngggg as the line is peeled off and the skill needed to overpower the fish and bring it in, that's the fun...for me!

Not sure, I just kissed it on the head and sent it back. Felt like 10-15. It was about 24".

Why I always put out a line with a spoon or Yozuri behind the boat as I slowly drive out to the river from the Cape Coral canals! Hard fighting jacks are plentiful.

For my Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Sanibel friends. I was out yesterday at the large artificial reef a few miles due south of Sanibel, and WNW of Ft. Myers Beach when I came across a few hundred floating dead fish in dark, reddish water (I assume red tide). I wasn't fishing, just checking out the area. It appeared to be getting larger. I reported it to the Florida Authorities, just wanted to let this group know that it may be moving nearer shore depending on the winds and will have a bad impact on any fishing or boating plans in this area. Be careful out there, it isn't good to be breathing that stuff for too long, I left quickly after finding myself in the discolored water. Google red tide forecast before heading out (though it hasn't been updated in about a week, it didn't show the red tide I discovered). I also came across two floating pilings, but not much other debris. Be careful out there!

I don't really know of any, it's fairly dense with houses. I haven't lived there in decades, hopefully someone else will chime in with updated info.

I'd try Dr's Lake.

Thanks again. Went boat looking today and found a 2017 Hurricane 2690 with a Merc 350 Verado with 275 hours. My wife loves it, I can probably make it do for fishing. It has two fishing chairs aft, open bow with plenty of room to cast, extended Bimini top, GPS/Fishfinder. Not much for livewells, but I'm sure I can jerry-rig something up. Priced in the high $80s, don't know if there is any wiggle room there....Still looking, but that one definitely has my attention.

Damn Norman...not a bad life for you. Nice stringer today! You have a beautiful boat. I'm going to need a little more entertaining room when folks come down to enjoy the Florida sunshine. The other 40 weeks, I'm going to be fishing!!

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Thanks Genoboca! I agree you get what you pay for. I had a 22' Searay and it ran beautifully for 10 years with fairly minimal maintenance costs. I think Gradys will be out of my price range, I'm going looking this weekend. I'll let you know what my first impressions are after I get back from Marine Max.

Thanks Flytier! The lift can handle 7500 lbs. I've completed the USCG Boating Course. Good point on maneuvering in the canals, I am leaning toward a 25 ft boat, but I'll research the canal widths before making a decision. No water sports, just cruising and stopping at beaches. Thanks again for your thoughts!

Hi all,

I just moved to Cape Coral, living on a canal with a pier and boat lift, but no boat yet. I am looking forward to fishing from the canals out into the river and over to Sanibel and near shore gulf waters. Can anyone give me recommendations on best "hybrid" boats out there? My wife wants to be able to entertain visiting guests in addition to my fishing. I'm leaning toward something used (2016-2021), outboard engine(s), budget between $60k-$80k.

Also, can you give me some pointers on seasonal fishing, when species arrive, depart, best months, etc. From what I've read so far I intend to primarily fish with live shrimp or bait fish, but I enjoy throwing or trolling lures as well. I will also be visiting local tackle shops to talk with those experienced folks. Any feedback you can provide wouldbe much appreciated. Tight lines to everyone!