Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
December 23, 2002
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Multi-species fishing is at it's best

If you want to catch just about everything in the sea then this is the time of year to fish. The size isn't what it is in the spring or fall but you can't argue with numbers like we have been getting the past two weeks. It's been common to catch 40-50 fish per half-day. Most of the fish are less than two pounds but action has been nonstop once you locate the fish. With the water in the low 60's fish are holding tight togather in deeper water. The low tide of the full and new moons also contribute to the fish concentrations.

Trout have been the main catches in both the 10,000 Islands and Pine Island Sound. The 10,000 Islands are producing very large trout in the deeper runs of the outer islands. Grass flats in 4-6 feet of water are also holding trout. Pine Island sounds full of juvenile trout. A few slot sized fish are mixed in but keepers are far less in the sound than in the Everglades. Jigs and shrimp below popping corks is the best way to catch them.

Gag groupers have migrated from offshore and are holding on hard bottom in Pine Island Sound. Most of these little gags are less than the 22-inch minimum size limit. We have been catching them on shrimp tipped jigs.

Pompano are starting to make their run in near the passes and on the outside of the upper 10,000 Islands. Shrimp tipped jigs have been producing a few but I have been "jumping" way more than we have been catching. By "jumping" I mean scaring them with the boat when we run in shallow water. When they get spooked they will jump out of the water to get away from preditors. Usually if you find them shut down the engine and after 5 minutes they will feed agian. This has not been the case lately though.

Other common catches are the winter mainstays like ladyfish, jacks, lizard fish, various snappers, and a few spanish mackerel.

Duck hunting on Lake Okeechobee has been excellent. I ran a couple of guided hunts last week and went on my own a couple of days and we limited every day. Ringneck ducks and bluebills are the main type of duck that I have been targeting. These type of ducks like the water at least 4 feet deep. If you go shallower then Florida mottled ducks, and teal are more common. It's not been uncommon the get a few shots at fulvous whistlers also.

Good Luck!

Capt. Scott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

941-628-4247

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