Southwest Florida Fishing Report
Cape Coral to Thousand Islands - July 16, 2025
Upcoming Sea Conditions & Weather Outlook
The week ahead looks promising for recreational anglers throughout Southwest Florida. Current marine forecasts show southeast winds at 10-15 knots with seas around 2 feet, making for comfortable fishing conditions. Water temperatures are holding steady between 80-86°F, with numerous scattered thunderstorms typical for this time of year - so keep an eye on those afternoon buildups!Key conditions for the week:
- Winds: SE 10-15 knots, becoming more southerly mid-week
- Seas: 2-3 feet, occasionally to 4 feet offshore
- Water temperature: 82-86°F
- Tides: Moderate to strong tidal movement
- Weather pattern: Scattered afternoon thunderstorms
Cape Coral & Caloosahatchee River
The Cape Coral area has been absolutely firing this past week! Water temps climbing into the mid-80s have triggered increased activity across multiple species. Live pilchards have been the key to success, with guides reporting consistent action in the backcountry.Notable catches this week:
- Snook: Strong numbers around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River on both Fort Myers and Cape Coral sides
- Redfish: Smaller but active fish responding well to shrimp-tipped jig heads around mangroves
- Tarpon: Juvenile tarpon (4-30 lb range) showing up consistently
- Mangrove Snapper: Solid numbers on cut bait
Top techniques: Live pilchards, shrimp tails, and cut bait around structure
Wiggins Pass - Special Report for Paulie Tuna
Wiggins Pass continues to be a premier destination for both shore and boat anglers. The pass has been particularly productive this week, with water temperatures on the rise leading to increased activity across numerous species.Current conditions at Wiggins:
- Water clarity: Good to excellent
- Bait presence: Strong pilchard schools in the area
- Structure fishing: Productive around the pass mouth and adjacent flats
- Snook: Active around the pass structure, particularly on moving tides
- Redfish: Scattered throughout the grass flats
- Tarpon: Rolling fish visible in the deeper sections
- Mangrove Snapper: Consistent action on bottom rigs
Marco Island & Naples Area
Marco Island fishing has been phenomenal, with guides calling June "one of our favorite months of the year for a reason." The trend is continuing strong into July with hot temps, scattered thunderstorms, and hungry fish.Standout species:
- Permit: Epic fishing with large specimens being targeted successfully
- Tarpon: Peak season continues with both inshore and offshore opportunities
- Snook: Congregating in passes for spawning activity
- Redfish: Steady action on the flats
Local insight: "This is the best time of year to target bucket list game fish, and primetime to catch both permit and tarpon in the same day."
Ten Thousand Islands - Everglades Backcountry
The Ten Thousand Islands region has been largely unaffected by any water quality issues and continues to provide excellent fishing opportunities. Summer bite is described as "hot" with water temperatures ranging between 80-82 degrees.Current conditions:
- Water temperature: 80-82°F
- Clarity: Good, with some wind-pushed tides affecting certain areas
- Bait activity: Strong throughout the backcountry
- Snook, Redfish, and Trout: All cooperating well in the backcountry
- Juvenile Tarpon: Active in the deeper channels
- Mangrove Snapper: Consistent on structure
- Jack Crevalle and Ladyfish: Providing action between target species
Nearshore & Offshore Action
Nearshore fishing (2-9 miles out) has been particularly strong this week, with notable reports of big snook being caught using threadfin herring around rock piles. This has been one of the standout nearshore patterns.Offshore highlights:
- Grouper and Snapper: Solid numbers in the gulf
- Amberjack: Active around structure
- Barracuda: Aggressive and willing
Notable Catches & Success Stories
This week's standouts:- 10-foot nurse shark landed by the Oliver C. family on July 8th
- Multiple goliath grouper in the 30-185 lb range reported by several charters
- Trophy-sized snook consistently reported from Cape Coral to Marco Island
- Permit and tarpon double-headers becoming more common
Week Ahead Forecast
Conditions look excellent for the upcoming week with:- Stable weather pattern with typical afternoon storms
- Good water conditions throughout the region
- Strong bait presence continuing
- Multiple species active across all areas
- Cape Coral canals and river mouth - Early morning snook and tarpon
- Wiggins Pass - All-around action on moving tides
- Marco Island backcountry - Permit and tarpon opportunities
- Ten Thousand Islands - Consistent mixed-bag fishing
This report covers fishing conditions from July 9-16, 2025, based on guide reports, charter feedback, and current marine forecasts. Always check local conditions and regulations before heading out.
Sources:
- Captain Experiences Fishing Reports
- National Weather Service Marine Forecasts
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Florida Sportsman Southwest Forecast
Date: July 16, 2025