Well fishing followers... It's my first report since hurricanes Helene and Milton. Yes, two storms in succession ravaged our area of Manasota Key, Englewood Beach, Palm Island, and Don Pedro Island. 

We are still in recovery mode. As most you know, both our areas of operation were severely damaged by storm surge. Our Palm Island/Don Pedro clients with elevated residence, got whacked with sand and estimated 5'-6' of water under their homes. Any enclosed structures under the homes were destroyed. All pools and equipment were filled with water and sand/much or washed away. But, it's the amount of debris in the waterways around the island that will take the most time to remediate. 

Manasota Key and Englewood Beach got the same treatment. The difference was, there is more population density, and a higher percentage of ground based units under FEMA flood elevation. These ground based homes were destroyed. Some, with severe structural damage and the inability to rebuild. This area has the longest road back in recovery. 

So, "we" a collective of fishing guides have been helping during this recovery process where we can. Weather it's moving sand to the beach, hauling trash to the curb, doing flood cuts and demolition on the units. Wherever we can be of service, we are going. We are operating under our "Banyan Breeze Builders" LLC that was started after hurricane Ian in 2022.

The outlook for timeline as I see it is this. It's possible by March, that we will have boats running. The reality is, business is going to be slow until the units dedicated to our travel clientele come back online. That timeline will be on a individual owners basis and could take years to make whole again. So for fishing guides that rely on visitors and travel income, next season will be a tough one. 

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946
www.palmislandoutfitters.com
www.charlotteharborchronicles.com

Fishing around Manasota Key, Boca Grande, and Palm Island has been great this July!!! The summer time inshore bite has been fairly consistent. Getting out early has been working well for us. Snook fishing on the early morning incoming tides, is producing good consistent "catch and release" action. For keeper fish, we are targeting our inshore mangrove snapper. Most snapper caught are within 10-16" and with full bag limits for your party, it's a fun way to catch some really good tasting fish for dinner.

Tarpon are still lingering about... Some days there are fish in "Big pass". Some days there are scattered fish on the beach, and fish scattered in the harbor.  It's a go to know scenario at this point in the season. But, there are definitely still plenty of shots out there to be had.  It's a fantastic time to go fishing in South West Florida.

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

Summer time fishing is getting hot! "Pun" intended there. The warm weather has the fish moving into a summer time trend. That means some great snook fishing is to be had throughout the fishery.

Snook stack up in and around most of the passes or inlets. Snook can be found tight to heavy cover, or in close proximity to anything that can block or slow the current flow. Fishing for snook on crystal clear, early morning tides can be some of the most fun fishing we do all summer time.

If you aren't into the Tarpon thing, summer time snook fishing is the next best thing! With all fish pictured in this report being caught in the last 7 days... It's a fantastic time to go fishing in South West Florida!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

With rising temperatures, we have entered the "Goldilocks Zone"!!! From now, until the summer heats and rains set in, is the best time to #spring fish in #SWFL!!! #Snook, #redfish, and #trout are being caught on every trip; both morning and afternoon tides!!! With two owned boats available to book, and two #Native Captains at the helm!!! It's a great time to go fishing in #SWFL!!!


Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

Our spring fishing has kicked off with a bang!!! This years relentless winter, has given way to an "Oven baked" spring!!! We had temperatures this week, that started in the low 50's, and rose to nearly 90 degrees!!! Those rising temperatures, have made the fish respond positively!!! 

Morning half days are producing a good bite for keeper trout, and snook on deeper shorelines, because the tides are still in the winter solstice... But, the afternoons... with the turn and help from the westerly winds, and a healthy incoming tide, have been producing redfish, snook, and trout... with incredible consistency!!!

It's a fun time to go fishing in South West Florida!!!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

The pompano fishing throughout the bay has been as good as I've seen this winter, in my 15 years of professional guiding!!! For that, I'm continuing to ride them through the remainder of this trend. 

As we progress into spring, our water temperature will rise, bait will move in from offshore, and we will start our "bread at butter" snook, trout, and redfish routine. Until then, it's pompano and fresh fish dinners for our respective guests. It's a fantastic time to go fishing in South West Florida!!!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

Happy New Year fishing followers!!! 

Our 2023 season ended with some incredibly cool and unusual weather. We had a low pressure system move into the Gulf the week before Christmas, and it was followed by the coolest temperatures of 2023.  That set us up for some winter time conditions.  

When our water temperature falls under 68°, we turn our attention to some "off brand" species.  Pompano are available throughout the bay, during these cold temperatures of the winter season.  Working diligently to jig the deep water flats, produces a high rate of by-catch, and the value of the target species is worth the hunt. 

With the right guide service, winter time can be a fun and tasty time to fish in South West Florida!!!


Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

With our first real cold front of the year on our front door step, the fall fishing has been excellent thus far. Bait has been abundant and available for most days to catch on your leisure. 

Inshore, redfish have starting their spawning routine and can be found in massive schools throughout the harbor system. Snook, are always fun to target this time of year, and it's been hard to find a shoreline that doesn't have a few sitting on it. 

Trout are being caught on the deeper edges of grass and oyster bars throughout the region. The winter months seem to be the best season for finding big trout in shallow water. Look for the "Gators" sunning in shallow sand holes near those same oyster bars, in which you like to fish the deep grasses. 

As always, it's a fantastic time to go fishing in South West Florida!!!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

With September rains, the inland and harbor water temperature have started to fall. This triggers all of our inshore gamefish, to start moving into a fantastic fall trend. Trout can be found in abundance, over the deep water grasses on the bar edges throughout the harbor.

Snook have started to move from the passes and beaches, into traditional trends heading for warm water refuge for a fall feed looking forward to winter time. Redfish can be found scattered throughout the harbor and bays, most fish caught on shorelines are under slot... But, big schools of over slot breeding fish are starting to pop up throughout the fishery on moon tides. Like most fall seasons, it's a fantastic time to be fishing in South West Florida!!!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

We have had beautiful weather here in South West Florida the last week or so. But, the last cold front brought some Red Tide to our shores and in our bays. We are optimistic that another week of warm temperatures and East winds with help the red tide move out in the Gulf, and off of the beaches. 

Meanwhile... We have been fishing South in the harbor system where the red tide has not been able to get. Trout, Snook, and Redfish are our target species, and we are finding plenty of them. The water is warming up daily, and with more warm temperatures in the weeks forecast, it a fantastic time to go Fishing in South West Florida.

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946