This is tarpon country in mid-June, and the silver kings are stacked in and around the passes near Fort Myers and Sanibel. Boca Grande Pass to the north continues to draw the crowds, but fish are also rolling along the beaches and through Captiva and Redfish passes. Pass crabs on the strong tides have been the standout, with the falling tide producing the most consistent action.
Snook are thick along the beaches, around the passes, and in the river mouths, offering excellent catch-and-release sport — the Gulf snook season is closed through the end of August. Whitebait and small swimbaits at first light draw aggressive eats from fish in the troughs.
Inside, redfish are working the mangrove shorelines and oyster bars of Pine Island Sound and the backcountry on the higher tides, and spotted seatrout are holding on the deeper grass flats. Live shrimp and gold spoons remain the dependable inshore choices.
Nearshore, the artificial reefs and structure are giving up mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, and the occasional cobia. Goliath grouper around the passes and wrecks offer heavy-tackle catch-and-release battles.
With the heat and afternoon storms in full summer mode, early starts pay. The tarpon bite around the passes should remain excellent through June — time your trip to the moving water and keep the snook gear handy for release fishing on the beaches.