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
SWFL-Bonita Beach: Big Sheepies Rule! (3/03/2014)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good offshore and inshore. And the big, winter sheepshead have dominated in both places.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good offshore and inshore. And the big, winter sheepshead have dominated in both places.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Big Sheepies, Bull Red, & 8-Foot Shark (2/17/2014)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing was good inshore and offshore for most of this past two weeks, except for a couple of days foiled by weather. Redfish, Black Drum and Sheepshead are the primary inshore catches. Grouper, snapper, hogfish, and porgies offshore--and a shark battle too!
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing was good inshore and offshore for most of this past two weeks, except for a couple of days foiled by weather. Redfish, Black Drum and Sheepshead are the primary inshore catches. Grouper, snapper, hogfish, and porgies offshore--and a shark battle too!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Grouper & Hogs, Sheepshead & Drum (2/03/2014)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather has been tricky over the past couple of weeks, and we lost several fishing days, but fishing offshore and inshore has been productive when weather allows.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather has been tricky over the past couple of weeks, and we lost several fishing days, but fishing offshore and inshore has been productive when weather allows.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Inshore the only place to be (1/20/2014)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds and rough seas have put a damper on offshore fishing lately. But, when the tide is right in the backwaters, fishing there has been very productive for big black drum, along with some nice sheepshead, and occasional pompano, and a few mangrove snapper.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds and rough seas have put a damper on offshore fishing lately. But, when the tide is right in the backwaters, fishing there has been very productive for big black drum, along with some nice sheepshead, and occasional pompano, and a few mangrove snapper.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Pompano, Sheepshead, Drum (1/06/2014)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been a problem offshore, so i have had mostly inshore and near-shore trips over the past couple of weeks. Red and black drum, pompano, sheepshead, and snapper have been our primary catches.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been a problem offshore, so i have had mostly inshore and near-shore trips over the past couple of weeks. Red and black drum, pompano, sheepshead, and snapper have been our primary catches.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: 30-inch gag best catch (and release!) (12/20/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been strong, and seas sloppy all but a few days recently. Fishing has been great for grouper and snapper when it is calm enough to head offshore a ways. Near-shore and inshore has been okay for sheepshead, drum, and smaller snapper.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been strong, and seas sloppy all but a few days recently. Fishing has been great for grouper and snapper when it is calm enough to head offshore a ways. Near-shore and inshore has been okay for sheepshead, drum, and smaller snapper.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: So now that gag season closed... (12/09/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive offshore for many varieties of snapper. Now that gag grouper season closed on December 1st, keeper-sized gags are biting...oh well, still red grouper to keep!Inshore fishing has been good for drum and sheepshead.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive offshore for many varieties of snapper. Now that gag grouper season closed on December 1st, keeper-sized gags are biting...oh well, still red grouper to keep!Inshore fishing has been good for drum and sheepshead.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Grouper, Snapper, Hogs, Shark, Drum, Sheepies (11/25/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing was great last week, with smooth seas several days in a row. This week is a different story!
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing was great last week, with smooth seas several days in a row. This week is a different story!
SW FL-Bonita beach: Red grouper, Hogfish, Shark, Redfish & Sheepshead (11/11/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has bveen good for redfish in the backwaters and great for red grouper offshore, with a few hogs and flounder and shark thrown into the mix.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has bveen good for redfish in the backwaters and great for red grouper offshore, with a few hogs and flounder and shark thrown into the mix.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: 22-inch Hogfish, Red Grouper & Snapper (10/21/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing inshore has been very good for slot-sized redfish. Offshore has been great for all local varieties of snapper, keeper red grouper, and a few nice hogfish, along with a few sharks.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing inshore has been very good for slot-sized redfish. Offshore has been great for all local varieties of snapper, keeper red grouper, and a few nice hogfish, along with a few sharks.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Inshore & Near-shore Report-Reds! (10/09/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Bay fishing has been great for keeper reds, a few throw-back snook, and some snapper. Winds and rains have precluded offshore expeditions, but a near-shore reefs trip produced keeper snapper and some throw-back grouper.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Bay fishing has been great for keeper reds, a few throw-back snook, and some snapper. Winds and rains have precluded offshore expeditions, but a near-shore reefs trip produced keeper snapper and some throw-back grouper.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: September Backwater Trips & a Goliath Adventure (9/23/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] It is slow season here, but I did get out several times in the backwaters and had good success with keeper redfish and a few throw-back snook. One goliath grouper trip offshore yielded three monsters, caught on bait fish, photographed, videoed, and released.
[Bonita Beach,FL] It is slow season here, but I did get out several times in the backwaters and had good success with keeper redfish and a few throw-back snook. One goliath grouper trip offshore yielded three monsters, caught on bait fish, photographed, videoed, and released.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: August Grouper & Snapper Fishing Good (9/02/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper are biting well, as are all varieties of snapper, along with several other bottom species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper are biting well, as are all varieties of snapper, along with several other bottom species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Fishing Awesome Offshore! (8/12/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper have been abundant and nice-sized, within 30 miles of shore. Gags are a little harder to fine, and are mostly in deeper waters. Snappewr fishing has been great for hogs, yellowtail lanes, and mangrove snapper.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper have been abundant and nice-sized, within 30 miles of shore. Gags are a little harder to fine, and are mostly in deeper waters. Snappewr fishing has been great for hogs, yellowtail lanes, and mangrove snapper.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Hogfish, Red Grouper, Gag, Snapper, Redfish (7/29/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for grouper, snapper, and a few nice hogfish offshore, with some keeper redfish inshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for grouper, snapper, and a few nice hogfish offshore, with some keeper redfish inshore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Grouper & Yellowtail Bite Hot! (7/15/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Keeper red grouper have been biting both closer in and further out recently. Yellowtail snapper have been abundant and good-sized.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Keeper red grouper have been biting both closer in and further out recently. Yellowtail snapper have been abundant and good-sized.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Stormy Conditions 1st Day of Gag Season (7/01/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive inshore and offshore. Summer tides are good for bay fishing, with redfish and snook and sheepshead. Offshore has been good for grouper, snapper and other bottom species, but stormy conditions have made opportunities to get offshore less frequent.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive inshore and offshore. Summer tides are good for bay fishing, with redfish and snook and sheepshead. Offshore has been good for grouper, snapper and other bottom species, but stormy conditions have made opportunities to get offshore less frequent.
SWFL Bonita Beach Red Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, Shark, Redfish, Pompano (6/17/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been very good, both inshore and offshore this month, so far, with a nice variety of catches.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been very good, both inshore and offshore this month, so far, with a nice variety of catches.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Kingfish, grouper, Snapper, Shark (5/25/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been very good, both offshore, when seas allow, as well as inshore, now that higher summer tides are in place.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been very good, both offshore, when seas allow, as well as inshore, now that higher summer tides are in place.
SW FL Bonita Beach Red Grouper Offshore-Redfish Inshore (5/13/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for grouper offshore, along with a kingfish or two, shark and other bottom species. Inshore has been good for keeper redfish and black drum.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great for grouper offshore, along with a kingfish or two, shark and other bottom species. Inshore has been good for keeper redfish and black drum.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Red Grouper, Hogfish, Kingfish & Snapper (4/29/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather foiled me a few times over the past couple of weeks but, when conditions were good to get out, fishing was very productive for lots of nice sized red grouper, kingfish, a couple of hogfish, a shark or two, and more.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Weather foiled me a few times over the past couple of weeks but, when conditions were good to get out, fishing was very productive for lots of nice sized red grouper, kingfish, a couple of hogfish, a shark or two, and more.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Red Grouper Season is On! (4/15/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper season opened April 1st, and fishing has been productive for those, along with lots of other species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Red grouper season opened April 1st, and fishing has been productive for those, along with lots of other species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Redfish Inshore; Grouper & Snapper Offshore (4/01/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent in the gulf, that is, when seas have been calm enough, which has not been often enough this winter! Inshore fishing on a good, incoming tide has been productive for some nice redfish and sheepshead.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent in the gulf, that is, when seas have been calm enough, which has not been often enough this winter! Inshore fishing on a good, incoming tide has been productive for some nice redfish and sheepshead.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Big Drum, Grouper, Plentiful Snapper (3/18/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] When winds and seas allowed offshore adventures, fishing was very productive for grouper, drum, snapper, porgies, triggerfish and more. Inshore, redfish and sheepshead are biting well.
[Bonita Beach,FL] When winds and seas allowed offshore adventures, fishing was very productive for grouper, drum, snapper, porgies, triggerfish and more. Inshore, redfish and sheepshead are biting well.
SW FL Bonita Beach Near Shore Reefs Productive (3/04/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Had to work around winds and seas, so fished mostly near-shore these past couple of weeks. The reefs off Bonita Beach were good for catch-and-release grouper, along with some nice mangrove snappers and sheepshead.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Had to work around winds and seas, so fished mostly near-shore these past couple of weeks. The reefs off Bonita Beach were good for catch-and-release grouper, along with some nice mangrove snappers and sheepshead.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: If only the winds would stop... (2/18/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been tough around successive weather fronts, but we have managed a few good catches.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been tough around successive weather fronts, but we have managed a few good catches.
SW FL-Bonita Beach Plenty of Grouper in Closed Season! (2/04/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless, with back-to-back weather fronts hitting our area. But this week, things are looking up, with calmer winds and seas, and fishing should be good, both inshore and offshore.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless, with back-to-back weather fronts hitting our area. But this week, things are looking up, with calmer winds and seas, and fishing should be good, both inshore and offshore.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Lots of Action & a 20-inch Hogfish! (1/21/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great offshore, but not too good inshore lately, due to low tides and some red tide action in bays and estuaries.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been great offshore, but not too good inshore lately, due to low tides and some red tide action in bays and estuaries.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Winter Fishing Lookin' Good! (1/07/2013)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing incoming tides in the backwaters and fishing near-shore reefs as well as offshore have all been productive recently.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing incoming tides in the backwaters and fishing near-shore reefs as well as offshore have all been productive recently.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Winter Sheepshead are Back...and Big! (12/21/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Estero Bay's backwaters have been very productive for sheepshead, with a few catches of snapper, permit, pompano, and more.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Estero Bay's backwaters have been very productive for sheepshead, with a few catches of snapper, permit, pompano, and more.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Red Grouper Gulfside; Big Sheepshead Inshore (12/03/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive for red grouper, snapper of all varieties and large sheepshead, along with various other bottom species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive for red grouper, snapper of all varieties and large sheepshead, along with various other bottom species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Good Action & Variety Inshore & Offshore (11/20/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Grouper and hogfish and snapper have been biting well offshore, and the backbay has been good for redfish.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Grouper and hogfish and snapper have been biting well offshore, and the backbay has been good for redfish.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Grouper, Snapper, Shark, Sheep, Reds, Snook (11/05/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive, inshore and offshore, since Hurricane Sandy left the coastline.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive, inshore and offshore, since Hurricane Sandy left the coastline.
SW FL Bonita Beach Red Grouper and Snapper (10/15/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good offshore for red grouper, snapper varieties and other bottom species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good offshore for red grouper, snapper varieties and other bottom species.
SW FL Bonita Beach Good Variety, even caught a scamp! (9/24/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been pretty good, both inside and outside, though low tides have caused a few headaches this past week.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been pretty good, both inside and outside, though low tides have caused a few headaches this past week.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Gag Grouper, Goliaths, Shark, Snapper (9/03/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Once Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac got past us, and the angry seas calmed down, fishing was excellent, especially for nice grouper.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Once Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac got past us, and the angry seas calmed down, fishing was excellent, especially for nice grouper.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Goliaths, Gags & Snapper (8/20/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Goliath grouper battles have been fun and exhausting! Keeper gag grouper have made for great table-fare.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Goliath grouper battles have been fun and exhausting! Keeper gag grouper have made for great table-fare.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Goliaths, Gags & Snapper (8/20/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Goliath battles have been fun, exciting and exhausting! Keeper gag grouper have been the table-fare of choice recently.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Goliath battles have been fun, exciting and exhausting! Keeper gag grouper have been the table-fare of choice recently.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Abundant Hogfish, Mangs, Lanes, Grouper and more (8/06/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive offshore. Chances of rain are increasing, with a depression offshore, but so far, so good!
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive offshore. Chances of rain are increasing, with a depression offshore, but so far, so good!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Recent trips, before the rains came (7/16/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Family reunions and rain have limited my time on the water recently. But, I did have a couple of inshore and near-shore trips.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Family reunions and rain have limited my time on the water recently. But, I did have a couple of inshore and near-shore trips.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Great Offshore Fishing & a 500-lb. Goliath Battle! (6/18/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has been great over the past two weeks, with lots of variety and abundance. We also had a few big-game experiences with large cobia and monster goliath grouper battles.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has been great over the past two weeks, with lots of variety and abundance. We also had a few big-game experiences with large cobia and monster goliath grouper battles.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Cobia, Shark, Snapper, Goliaths & Grouper (5/28/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive offshore for many species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been productive offshore for many species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Grouper, Snapper, & lots of rough seas (5/07/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good when winds and seas have permitted getting offshore. We had a couple of back-to-back weather-fronts that cancelled out a few trips.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been good when winds and seas have permitted getting offshore. We had a couple of back-to-back weather-fronts that cancelled out a few trips.
SW FL-Bonita beach: Lane Snapper Plentiful, Red Grouper, Shark & Golia (4/23/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless the past week, with rough seas offshore and muddy bay conditions. Prior to that, though, fishing was good off shore for snapper and grouper, as well as other bottom-species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Winds have been relentless the past week, with rough seas offshore and muddy bay conditions. Prior to that, though, fishing was good off shore for snapper and grouper, as well as other bottom-species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Red Grouper are Back! (4/09/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] The weekend was lost to rough seas, but red grouper season opened April 1st, and the fishing is on this week!
[Bonita Beach,FL] The weekend was lost to rough seas, but red grouper season opened April 1st, and the fishing is on this week!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: 20lb. Kingfish, Shark, Mangs, Hogs, Spanish (3/26/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent offshore for many different species.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has been excellent offshore for many different species.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Grouper & Snapper, Hogfish & Trout (3/12/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has been great, when winds and seas allow.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has been great, when winds and seas allow.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Shark-Battles, Big Snapper, Sheepshead, Hogs (2/27/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has yielded good-sized, abundant snapper and sheepshead offshore, along with mackerel, hogfish, shark, and grouper.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing has yielded good-sized, abundant snapper and sheepshead offshore, along with mackerel, hogfish, shark, and grouper.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Shark, Hogs, Mutton, Mangs & Mackerel (2/14/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has produced big mangrove snapper and an occasional nice mutton snapper, along with mackerel, porgies, and shark battles!
[Bonita Beach,FL] Fishing offshore has produced big mangrove snapper and an occasional nice mutton snapper, along with mackerel, porgies, and shark battles!
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Excellent Grouper Action; Hogs & Mangs Too (1/30/2012)
[Bonita Beach,FL] Gag grouper have been biting like crazy. They must be released, due to closed season, but they are still fun to catch. Big mangrove snapper and hogfish have been providing fun fights and good meals for Fishbuster clients.
[Bonita Beach,FL] Gag grouper have been biting like crazy. They must be released, due to closed season, but they are still fun to catch. Big mangrove snapper and hogfish have been providing fun fights and good meals for Fishbuster clients.