Each year, as Gulf waters around Sanibel and Captiva begin to cool, an extraordinary transformation takes place. The milky turbidity of summer tides fades, and suddenly the water clears to a glasslike sheen. Inshore, seagrass meadows and sandy potholes become visible again, while nearshore reefs take on the teal vibrancy found in postcards. This marks what many experienced fishermen know as the clear water season, a time when sight fishing becomes not only possible but deeply rewarding.

Fall on the Southwest Florida coast brings change to the tides, the weather, and the fishing. Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island, and Captiva sit at the center of this shift, where the Gulf of Mexico meets a maze of backwaters, mangroves, and grass flats. For fishermen, this season is a time when bait schools flood into bays, predator fish feed heavily to prepare for cooler waters, and the opportunities range from sight casting to redfish in the shallows to chasing grouper on offshore ledges. This overview explores the species available during the fall months and the conditions that shape their behavior, with each category of habitat covered in detail: inshore, nearshore, and offshore.

Late summer shifts tarpon activity inside the Fort Myers, Sanibel, and Captiva region. The fish leave the open beach lanes and gather in interior waters where depth, structure, and bait align. Productive places include San Carlos Bay and the Causeway corridor, Pine Island Sound edges from St. James City to Captiva, Matlacha Pass and its feeder creeks, and the Caloosahatchee River from the river mouth to downtown Fort Myers. Depth across these targets commonly spans 8 to 30 feet depending on the feature. That range fits the fall pattern and the forage that stacks in lanes, eddies, and shadow lines.

Late summer brings a distinct shift across the inshore waters of Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers. Water levels stay high throughout most of the day, grasslines remain submerged longer, and tidal flow intensifies with the incoming influence of storm season. This is a stretch of time where resident fish feed more aggressively in condensed windows, and visitors to the fishery, both human and finned, converge around current, bait, and cover.

Florida’s southwest coast is a hotbed of marine activity in the summer months. The nearshore zone, from the surf line out to roughly nine miles offshore, is alive with fish, feeding frenzies, spawning activity, and fast-moving predator-prey interactions.

When summer arrives on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the waters around Fort Myers, Sanibel, and Captiva come alive with fishing and coastal exploration opportunities. Warm temperatures, calm seas, and a wide range of migratory and resident fish make this season one of the most productive and enjoyable times to be on the water. Some guests plan to chase redfish on the flats. Others prefer to hook into big tarpon along the passes or unwind on a private sightseeing tour. Each option provides a different summer experience on the water. This variety of options creates a distinct summer experience for each guest. Captain Pat’s summer charters offer a tailored experience for every kind of coastal adventurer.