SUBJECT: # 39540: Shark, redfish, sand bream, sheepshead, Spanish: Bonita Beach, SW FL

Submitted by Captain Dave Hanson (68.85.71.42) from FLORIDA on 7/8/05 5:41:00 PM

I was off the water most of this past holiday weekend, with a family event to attend, but got out in Estero Bay with family on Sunday for about an hour, and caught two keeper redfish on live shrimp.

Tuesday, I fished Estero Bay again. We caught a 23 inch redfish, two keeper sheepshead, keeper mangrove snapper, and two sand bream, all on shrimp. We released a 19 inch barracuda and small snook.

I fished Wednesday in 35 feet off New Pass, with live shrimp. We caught keeper Spanish mackerel, porgies and porkfish, and released lots of small yellowtail snapper, along with a 45 inch bonnet-head shark. Seas were increasing some, perhaps in advance of tropical storm Dennis.

I fished Wednesday in 35 feet off New Pass, with live shrimp. We caught keeper Spanish mackerel, porgies and porkfish, and released lots of small yellowtail snapper, along with a 45 inch bonnet-head shark. Seas were increasing some, perhaps in advance of Hurricane Dennis. Preparations for Dennis kept me in port the remainder of the week and weekend.