Fishing Reports by Captain Dave Hanson
About The Author: Captain
Company: Fish Buster Charters
Area Reporting: Bonita Beach
Bio: Captain Dave Hanson is a native of southwest Florida. He has been fishing local waters since childhood, and has been fishing professionally for over fifteen years. He is Coast Guard licensed, and is a member in good standing of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce. He has been featured in several national fishing magazines, and he also appears weekly in the fishing reports sections of the Bonita, Ft. Myers, Ft. Myers Beach, and Naples, FL newspapers.
239-947-1688
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
S FL-Bonita Beach: Fishing good but pandemics are no fun (5/13/2020)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Been getting out occasionally during these tough times--Fishing is good offshore when winds and seas allow. Inshore, the sheepshead bite is lessening, but catch-and-release redfish, snook, and trout are still fun.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Been getting out occasionally during these tough times--Fishing is good offshore when winds and seas allow. Inshore, the sheepshead bite is lessening, but catch-and-release redfish, snook, and trout are still fun.
Big Sheepshead Inshore; Triggerfish Offshore (3/18/2020)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for big triggerfish, which just came back into season, in the gulf. In the bay, large winter-time sheepshead predominate.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for big triggerfish, which just came back into season, in the gulf. In the bay, large winter-time sheepshead predominate.
SWFL-Bonita Beach: Busy season here, and the fish are cooperating!v (2/11/2020)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for redfish, trout, sheepshead and such on favorable tides in the backwaters. Offshore is producing lots of red grouper, snapper varieties, shark, and more.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for redfish, trout, sheepshead and such on favorable tides in the backwaters. Offshore is producing lots of red grouper, snapper varieties, shark, and more.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Triggers, Shark, Cuda, Grouper, Redfish, Sheeps & More! (1/04/2020)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent, both offshore and inshore, depending upon tides inshore and seas offshore. Lots of variety is to be found in both the gulf and the bay.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent, both offshore and inshore, depending upon tides inshore and seas offshore. Lots of variety is to be found in both the gulf and the bay.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Fishing Action good offshore and inshore (11/23/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Tides have been pretty good in the bay, for winter season, so far, and conditions in the gulf have been variable, but with plenty of calm enough days to get well offshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Tides have been pretty good in the bay, for winter season, so far, and conditions in the gulf have been variable, but with plenty of calm enough days to get well offshore.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Lots of rain, but fishing good when you can go (8/09/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Among a lot of stormy days and drenchings, I managed a few inshore and offshore trips, most of which yielded good results.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Among a lot of stormy days and drenchings, I managed a few inshore and offshore trips, most of which yielded good results.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Fishing is great again! (7/03/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing inshore has yielded some nice redfish catches, along with some drum, sheepshead and snapper. Offshore has been good for cobia, triggerfish, snapper, porgies, shark and cobia.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing inshore has yielded some nice redfish catches, along with some drum, sheepshead and snapper. Offshore has been good for cobia, triggerfish, snapper, porgies, shark and cobia.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Slow season, but the fishing is good (5/24/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been a big issue this year so far, but on days when the gulf isn't too choppy, the fishing has been good for grouper, snapper, cobia, and other bottom species. Inshore, snook, redfish and trout have been biting, but must be released,, due to a current moratorium on harvesting.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been a big issue this year so far, but on days when the gulf isn't too choppy, the fishing has been good for grouper, snapper, cobia, and other bottom species. Inshore, snook, redfish and trout have been biting, but must be released,, due to a current moratorium on harvesting.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Fighting winds and seas, but it's worth it! (4/20/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless the past couple of weeks, but over the past month, we have managed some good days of fishing both offshore and inshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless the past couple of weeks, but over the past month, we have managed some good days of fishing both offshore and inshore.
SW FL-Bonita beach-Good action & fun with amberjacks! (3/23/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent the past couple of weeks, with big sheepshead inshore, and lots of variety offshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent the past couple of weeks, with big sheepshead inshore, and lots of variety offshore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: great action offshore and inshore (2/25/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing rallied back in SW FL recently, with great sheepshead action, along with some pompano inshore, and with big cobia, snapper, porgies and porkfish offshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing rallied back in SW FL recently, with great sheepshead action, along with some pompano inshore, and with big cobia, snapper, porgies and porkfish offshore.
SW FL-Bonita beach: January Wrap-up (2/04/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Big sheepshead are biting well in the bay, and offshore has yielded a few nice catches of snapper, as well as other bottom varieties.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Big sheepshead are biting well in the bay, and offshore has yielded a few nice catches of snapper, as well as other bottom varieties.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Fishing improving now that red tide is gone (1/04/2019)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fish populations were effected by the prolonged red tide we experienced last year, but things seem to be improving now, both offshore and inshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fish populations were effected by the prolonged red tide we experienced last year, but things seem to be improving now, both offshore and inshore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Gulf & Bay Catching (12/04/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good offshore and inshore, now that red tide has diminished. We have had high winds the past few days, and another cold front approaching, so offshore waves might be rough for a couple of days, but fishing the bay is a good option.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good offshore and inshore, now that red tide has diminished. We have had high winds the past few days, and another cold front approaching, so offshore waves might be rough for a couple of days, but fishing the bay is a good option.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Good Riddance to Red Tide! (10/14/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Finally, the red tide seems to have left our area, and fishing is starting to revive.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Finally, the red tide seems to have left our area, and fishing is starting to revive.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Red tide hasn't stopped offshore fishing (8/11/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Local anglers have been avoiding the inshore and near-shore waters, due to a bad bout of red tide. But out about 20 miles or more, there is no sign of red tide, and fishing is good.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Local anglers have been avoiding the inshore and near-shore waters, due to a bad bout of red tide. But out about 20 miles or more, there is no sign of red tide, and fishing is good.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: June wrap-up (7/01/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Seas have been calm, and summer tides are here, so fishing has been good offshore and inshore, although rainy season is upon us here in SW FL, so there is always the possibility of a thunderstorm or two.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Seas have been calm, and summer tides are here, so fishing has been good offshore and inshore, although rainy season is upon us here in SW FL, so there is always the possibility of a thunderstorm or two.
Shark, grouper, lanes & rains! (6/01/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] We have lost several fishing trips over the past couple of rainy weeks, thanks to Tropical Storm Alberto hanging over our area. But the fishing we got to do was good!
[Bonita Beach,FL] We have lost several fishing trips over the past couple of rainy weeks, thanks to Tropical Storm Alberto hanging over our area. But the fishing we got to do was good!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Snapper bite is hot; red tide is a bummer (4/28/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore when calm enough has been very productive for all kinds of snapper, as well as red grouper (shorts0 and many other bottom varieties. Inshore fishing was good until red tide intruded on our bays and estuaries.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore when calm enough has been very productive for all kinds of snapper, as well as red grouper (shorts0 and many other bottom varieties. Inshore fishing was good until red tide intruded on our bays and estuaries.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Big game and Tablefare (4/08/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been tricky, due to lots of windy days, but juggling inshore with offshore days, depending upon conditions, has yielded good catches in both places.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been tricky, due to lots of windy days, but juggling inshore with offshore days, depending upon conditions, has yielded good catches in both places.
Nice catches offshore and inshore (3/17/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good when weather has cooperated. On good tides inshore, big sheepshead, permit, pompano, and drum have been prevelant, along with occasional snook. Off shore, red grouper action is good, but keepers are occasional. Lane snapper, mangrove snapper, and occasional mutton snapper and yellowtails are around, along with grunts, porgies, porkfish, and shark.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good when weather has cooperated. On good tides inshore, big sheepshead, permit, pompano, and drum have been prevelant, along with occasional snook. Off shore, red grouper action is good, but keepers are occasional. Lane snapper, mangrove snapper, and occasional mutton snapper and yellowtails are around, along with grunts, porgies, porkfish, and shark.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Still windy, still fishing! (2/23/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless lately, but we have managed to get offshore in tolerable seas. Fishing inshore has been good on incoming/favorable tides.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless lately, but we have managed to get offshore in tolerable seas. Fishing inshore has been good on incoming/favorable tides.
SW FL-Bonita beach: battling winds and tides, but catches good! (2/05/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been howling much of the past couple of weeks, and low tides in the backwaters were exacerbated by the super-moon. But we have managed to catch plenty of fish most days.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been howling much of the past couple of weeks, and low tides in the backwaters were exacerbated by the super-moon. But we have managed to catch plenty of fish most days.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: weather isn't helping, but we're catching fish anyway! (1/18/2018)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather has been challenging, with successive cold fronts bringing chilly temps, high winds, and rough seas. Tides inshore have been low, but on a good tide, fishing has been productive there for sheepshead and drum.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather has been challenging, with successive cold fronts bringing chilly temps, high winds, and rough seas. Tides inshore have been low, but on a good tide, fishing has been productive there for sheepshead and drum.
Christmas Time Fishing in Bonita Beach, SWFL (12/30/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather cooperated for this busy couple of weeks of holiday fishing. But the New Year is predicted to kick off with a weather front bringing high winds and seas. We'll hope that is short-lived!
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather cooperated for this busy couple of weeks of holiday fishing. But the New Year is predicted to kick off with a weather front bringing high winds and seas. We'll hope that is short-lived!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Sharks, Grouper, Snapper, Reds, Sheepshead, Drum (12/16/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent offshore for grouper and snapper, as well as a variety of sharks. Inshore, nice sheepshead and drum, along with an occasional redfish have been biting well.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent offshore for grouper and snapper, as well as a variety of sharks. Inshore, nice sheepshead and drum, along with an occasional redfish have been biting well.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Sharks, Grouper, Snapper; Sheepshead, Drum, Bream (11/30/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has produced red grouper, though few keepers, along with lots of nice-sized lane snapper, and some good shark action for blacknose. Inshore, larger sheepshead and drum have been biting well.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has produced red grouper, though few keepers, along with lots of nice-sized lane snapper, and some good shark action for blacknose. Inshore, larger sheepshead and drum have been biting well.
Nice Trout Inshore; Keeper Mutton Offshore (11/09/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing inshore has been good, with cooler water temps bringing larger sheepshead, along with some trout and pompano. Offshore, grouper and snapper have been biting well, along with other bottom species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing inshore has been good, with cooler water temps bringing larger sheepshead, along with some trout and pompano. Offshore, grouper and snapper have been biting well, along with other bottom species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Fishing pre and post Hurricane Irma (10/07/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] The storm, paired with the after effects adding to the slowness of an already slow time for fishing clients in SWFL put a damper on business. But a few trips pre and post-Irma were productive for grouper offshore and redfish inshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] The storm, paired with the after effects adding to the slowness of an already slow time for fishing clients in SWFL put a damper on business. But a few trips pre and post-Irma were productive for grouper offshore and redfish inshore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Reds & Snook inshore; Shark, Grouper, & Snapper Offshore (8/19/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive both offshore and inshore. Despite heavy rains and fresh water influx, some decent redfish, under-sized snook, and sheepshead have been found aroung the backwater islands. Red grouper and lane snapper predominate offshore, with a few sharks in the mix.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive both offshore and inshore. Despite heavy rains and fresh water influx, some decent redfish, under-sized snook, and sheepshead have been found aroung the backwater islands. Red grouper and lane snapper predominate offshore, with a few sharks in the mix.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Grouper, snapper, redfish, black drum, sheepshead (7/20/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent for lane snapper and red grouper offshore, and for redfish, sheepshead, and black drum inshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent for lane snapper and red grouper offshore, and for redfish, sheepshead, and black drum inshore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: June wrap-up-Grouper, Snapper, Shark (7/01/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] We have had LOTS of rain this month, and a few heavy storms. But, when able to get out, fishing has been excellent for red grouper, lane snapper, and other bottom species, as well as a few shark battles.
[Bonita Beach,FL] We have had LOTS of rain this month, and a few heavy storms. But, when able to get out, fishing has been excellent for red grouper, lane snapper, and other bottom species, as well as a few shark battles.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Cobia, Shark, Grouper & Snapper (6/03/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Offshore fishing has been productive for various species, including cobia, shark, red grouper, lane snapper and porgies. Inshore, sand bream, snook and sheepshead have been biting.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Offshore fishing has been productive for various species, including cobia, shark, red grouper, lane snapper and porgies. Inshore, sand bream, snook and sheepshead have been biting.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Summertime Shark Action, Grouper & Snapper (5/11/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Seas are calm right now, and fishing offshore has been good for various sharks, as well as grouper, snapper, and other bbottom species. Inshore, redfish, whiting, some trout, and a few leftover sheepshead have been biting.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Seas are calm right now, and fishing offshore has been good for various sharks, as well as grouper, snapper, and other bbottom species. Inshore, redfish, whiting, some trout, and a few leftover sheepshead have been biting.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Shark, Grouper, Snapper, Drum (4/22/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] When winds and seas lay down enough, grouper and snapper fishing has been great offshore. Tides in the backwaters have been tricky but, on a good tide, nice black drum are predominant.
[Bonita Beach,FL] When winds and seas lay down enough, grouper and snapper fishing has been great offshore. Tides in the backwaters have been tricky but, on a good tide, nice black drum are predominant.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Bull Red; Grouper Offshore When Calm (4/09/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds and seas have been tricky, but fishing for grouper and snapper has been good on the calm days. Inshore, low tides and muddy conditions have been a challenge, but redfish, sheepshead and black drum are biting well on favorable tides.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds and seas have been tricky, but fishing for grouper and snapper has been good on the calm days. Inshore, low tides and muddy conditions have been a challenge, but redfish, sheepshead and black drum are biting well on favorable tides.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Offshore or Inshore-great Fishing! (3/25/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Lots of windy days precluded offshore fishing, but backwater catches of drum and sheepshead were productive. When able to get offshore,red grouper and snapper were predominant.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Lots of windy days precluded offshore fishing, but backwater catches of drum and sheepshead were productive. When able to get offshore,red grouper and snapper were predominant.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Reds & Drum Inshore; Grouper & Snapper Offshore (3/05/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive for lots of lane snapper and red grouper offshore, as well as black drum and redfish in the bay. Winds disrupted things the past few days, with high seas and low tides.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive for lots of lane snapper and red grouper offshore, as well as black drum and redfish in the bay. Winds disrupted things the past few days, with high seas and low tides.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: two weeks of excellent fishing offshore (2/16/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent offshore for lane snapper, red grouper, occasional mangrove snapper and black sea bass, porgies, grunts, out-of-season-catch-release triggerfish, and more.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent offshore for lane snapper, red grouper, occasional mangrove snapper and black sea bass, porgies, grunts, out-of-season-catch-release triggerfish, and more.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: All kinds of bottom fish offshore; Drum & sheepshead inshore (1/27/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great offshore when seas are calm, productive for red grouper, lane and mangrove snapper, and other bottom varieties. The bays, on favorable tides,have been producing big black drum and sheepshead.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great offshore when seas are calm, productive for red grouper, lane and mangrove snapper, and other bottom varieties. The bays, on favorable tides,have been producing big black drum and sheepshead.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Lane snapper, red grouper, black drum & more (1/07/2017)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has been great for lots of keeper lanes, lots of red grouper with occasional keepers as close in as 20-23 miles, and for other bottom varieties. Inshore, the black drum have been hitting hard, along with some winter sheepshead.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has been great for lots of keeper lanes, lots of red grouper with occasional keepers as close in as 20-23 miles, and for other bottom varieties. Inshore, the black drum have been hitting hard, along with some winter sheepshead.
Inshore on a good tide; offshore in calm seas-Fishing is great! (12/16/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Drum have been biting on good tides inshore, some as big as 32 inches, which are fun to catch and release. Offshore, the red grouper have moved further out, but we still caught a few within 25 miles of shore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Drum have been biting on good tides inshore, some as big as 32 inches, which are fun to catch and release. Offshore, the red grouper have moved further out, but we still caught a few within 25 miles of shore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Black Drum Invasion! red grouper too (12/01/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent this month, both inshore and offshore, with lots of red grouper, lane snapper, redfish, black drum, and sheepshead.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent this month, both inshore and offshore, with lots of red grouper, lane snapper, redfish, black drum, and sheepshead.
SW FL-Bopnita beach: october: Mostly back-bay--Reds, Sheepshead, Black drum (10/29/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless for the past few weeks, and offshore fishing has been rough. But back-bay anglers have enjoyed success with redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum and more.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless for the past few weeks, and offshore fishing has been rough. But back-bay anglers have enjoyed success with redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum and more.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Grouper, Snapper, Goliaths, Shark, Redfish, Black Drum (9/23/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] It is slow season here in SW FL, but the several trips i have had so far this month have been productive, both offshore and inshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] It is slow season here in SW FL, but the several trips i have had so far this month have been productive, both offshore and inshore.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Lanes, grouper, flounder, shark, goliaths & more (8/22/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] It is slow season in SW FL,but what trips I have taken have been productive, especially for grouper and snapper, as well as for some fun battles with shark and goliaths.
[Bonita Beach,FL] It is slow season in SW FL,but what trips I have taken have been productive, especially for grouper and snapper, as well as for some fun battles with shark and goliaths.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Lots of Grouper & Snapper (7/25/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper and lane snapper are the predominant catches right now, along with some other bottom varieties. Smaller snapper and crevalle jacks bit well in the backwaters.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper and lane snapper are the predominant catches right now, along with some other bottom varieties. Smaller snapper and crevalle jacks bit well in the backwaters.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Bull-red inshore; Nice grouper, snapper, hog offshore (7/02/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Seas have been smooth all this past week, and the fishing has been excellent for a variety of offshore species. Inshore, tides have been good, and fishing is good when there isn't too much fresh water influx from seasonal rains.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Seas have been smooth all this past week, and the fishing has been excellent for a variety of offshore species. Inshore, tides have been good, and fishing is good when there isn't too much fresh water influx from seasonal rains.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Shark, grouper, big lane snapper (6/12/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good on the days it wasn't storming--red grouper continue to bite well, and the size and number of lane snapper has been great.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good on the days it wasn't storming--red grouper continue to bite well, and the size and number of lane snapper has been great.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Some Big Game this week (5/21/2016)
[Bonita Beach,FL] A 400-pound goliath grouper and a 10-foot tiger shark topped the list of big-game this week. Food-fish included keeper red grouper, lane and mangrove snapper, porgies, and grunts.
[Bonita Beach,FL] A 400-pound goliath grouper and a 10-foot tiger shark topped the list of big-game this week. Food-fish included keeper red grouper, lane and mangrove snapper, porgies, and grunts.