If you want to chase redfish in Estero Bay, few know the water better than Captain Jon Fetter of Catching the Cure Charters. With decades of local knowledge, Jon specializes in light-tackle inshore fishing, where redfish are the star of the show.
The Experience
A day with Captain Jon usually begins at first light. He’ll throw the net for fresh pilchards or shrimp, then ease his skiff across the bay’s grass flats and mangrove shorelines. He knows every oyster bar, every creek mouth, and every hidden pocket where redfish feed.
Once on the fish, the tactics are simple but deadly:
- Live bait: free-lined pilchards, shrimp, or pinfish pitched tight to the mangroves.
- Artificial lures: gold spoons, paddle-tail plastics, or topwater plugs worked across the flats.
- Sight-fishing: when the tide and light are right, Jon poles the boat quietly so you can cast to tailing reds in skinny water.
The Seasons
- Spring & Summer: Reds tuck under mangroves for shade — precision casting counts.
- Fall: Prime time — schools of redfish roam oyster bars and flats, feeding aggressively.
- Winter: Deeper creeks and channels hold steady action with shrimp and cut bait.
Why Fish with Jon?
What sets Captain Jon apart isn’t just putting anglers on fish — it’s his teaching. He explains why the tide matters, how to read the mangroves, and how to spot the subtle “push” of a cruising red. Whether you’re an experienced angler or new to inshore fishing, you walk away sharper and more confident.
By the end of the trip, you’ll likely have tangled with redfish, snook, trout, and maybe even a tarpon or jack. But it’s the image of a copper-colored redfish tailing in the shallows — and the smile on your face when you hook up — that makes fishing with Captain Jon Fetter unforgettable.
