Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande
Capt. Scott Hughes
July 1, 2002
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
In Shore & Offshore, the fish are biting!
I've been in a truck almost as much as I've been on the water for the past three weeks. Most of my fishing has been in the Ft Myers area but I have also been chartering out of Jupiter on the east coast and I have run a few trips out of Marco Island. The fishing has been solid everywhere except out of Marco Island where getting good bait has been tough at times.
In Ft Myers snook fishing has been excellent in the passes where the spawn is at its peak. It's not uncommon to catch over 20 snook in a few hours when the bite is on. Live baits are the best choice but buck tail jigs catch their share. Try white or yellow.
Also, the are large numbers of sharks on the flats in Pine Island Sound. We have been fishing for them with live baits in about waist deep water. They are feeding in sand holes. Most are 5-8 feet long.
Tarpon fishing has been a little slow for me the past week. Most of the fish are in Boca Grande Pass. I'm waiting for them to move out of the pass and feed on schools of baitfish to fatten up for the migration in the fall.
Out of Jupiter we have been catching Mahi Mahi, false albacore tuna, various types of jacks, barracuda, and snook. All of the fish above have been caught offshore in about 150 feet of water except for the snook which are spawning in the inlets from Stuart and Jupiter. We have been targeting most of these fish with flies but live sardines have been used in a pinch.
Out of Marco Island, live baits have tough to come by. When they are available the snook, trout and redfish have been biting. Try the trout and snook on the outside because they are spawning in the salty water of the passes. Redfish will be holding near bars.
Good Luck!
Capt. Scott Hughes
Blackwater Charters
941-628-4247 cell
863-946-9171 home
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