Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
January 11, 2003
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Trout and Tunny!

Trout and litle tunny made the head lines for us this week. The trout have been a staple for the past month but the tunny were a nice surprise. Usually they are offshore a good bit but this week they have been schooling in 14ft of water eating glass minnows. It's very important to "match the hatch" because these fish have been very picky. We caught some with live spanish sardines but didn't have any luck with a variety of jigs and spoons. I believe that glass minnow flies would have done the trick.

Trout are being caught in a variety of places with a variety of lures. Grass flats, creeks and oyster bars are all producing catches of keeper sized fish. Jigs and live shrimp are the best baits this time of year.

Sheephead are also spawning in the passes from Caxambas north to Boca Grande. Shrimp are excellent choices. Some good sized fish are also being found in the backwater creeks.

Ladyfish, jacks, snapper, and small gag grouper are also common catches while jigging the backcountry. Some redfish are usually caught around midday when the water warms up. Creeks are the best place to find the reds. I like low tide in the Sanibel area and a rising tide in the 10,000 Islands.

Pompano are making appearance when they want to. Some days we catch plenty and others nothing. They have been running big however. Next month should excellent in the passes around Marco Island.

Some spanish mackerel are running offshore with the little tunny. Spoons and diamond jigs have been catching them.

The forecast for the next few weeks should be more of the same. Fish the backcountry of trout, reds, snapper and shephead. Offshore you'll find snapper, sheadhead, tunny and mackerel.

Good Luck!

Capt. Scott Hughes

863-946-9171

941-628-4147 cell

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