Quick Cast:
 Area Reports
 Find-a-Guide
 Forums
 Tides

Departments:
 Articles
 Books
 Clubs & Orgs.
 Fishing Reports
 Feedback
 Forums
 Fly Fishing
 Guides & Charters
 Links
 Photo Gallery
 Reef Locator
 Regulations
 Software
 Survey
 Tournaments
 Travel
 Weather
 Home

Administration:
 About Us
 Advertising
 Contact
 Privacy
 Terms of Use
 Web Development

Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
October 27, 2000
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Backcountry Fishing saves the day for Offshore Plans.

Gusty winds have kept most of the anglers that I know off balance. High winds make the water get muddy off Marco Island and the winds don’t help any when you are trying to hunt tailing redfish in Pine Island Sound. That doesn’t mean that your fishing trip is going to be a bust just because the winds are gusting a 20 miles per hour. It just means that you have fewer options to choose from. The backcountry has been providing constant action when the weather has been tough. The few days that it has been calm has produced good action on the flats and offshore.

A couple of days I got on the outside early last week before the winds kicked up on Monday. I fished with a buddy of mine and we decided to hit a couple of near-shore wrecks and see if any tarpon were hanging around on them. The tarpon didn’t show but the kings did. We boated about 30 kingfish in just over two hours. Too bad the kings weren’t smokers. Most of them were under the 24- inch limit. Other species that we encountered were 30lb barracudas and spinner sharks that I estimate were in the 150-pound class.

On the flats south of Cape Romano the redfish have taken a break. The word is out about a few of the good holes and when the winds were calm last weekend the boats were all over them. After that the winds kicked up and I haven’t fished them since. There is still a good bite of redfish around the outer island of the 10,000 Islands. Charlotte Harbor has also been producing a few redfish on the bars just north of Pirate Harbor Channel. Jigs and top water lures are producing the good results.

On the windy days we have been hiding in the backcountry and throwing jigs tipped with shrimp and small sardines fished under popping corks. This method of fishing produces very good numbers of fish, but usually gets more small fish that trophy sized ones. We have been catching hoards of jacks under 5-pounds and lots of ladyfish and snapper. On good days we have been adding a dozen or so small snook and a redfish and flounder or two. The low falling tides are the best. Try to find deep holes that concentrate the fish.

The weekend outlook is good because the winds are decreasing and the temperatures will be mild. Remember that this is the last weekend to keep trout for 2000.

Good Luck!

Capt. Scott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

863-946-9171

More Fishing Reports:

 

I specialize in light tackle saltwater, and fly fishing from the backcountry of the 10,000 Islands to flats of Pine Island Sound and the bay system of Charlotte Harbor. I have pick-up locations out of Ft Myers, Marco Island, Pine Island, Punta Gorda and Boca Grande. I like to target big fish. During warm months, tarpon, sharks, snook, redfish, cobia, king mackerel and big jacks are the main species sought after. Most of the winter months are devoted to redfish, trout, snook and grouper. Whether

Contact Info:

Blackwater Charters
12571 Burnt Store Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Phone: 941-575-2389
Alt. Phone: 941-628-4247
Email the Captain
Visit his Web Site
Display Find-a-Guide Listing


Copyright © 1997-2024, CyberAngler - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy :: Terms of Use
For Questions and comments please use our Feedback Form
Back to the Top