Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
February 13, 2003
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Trout Anyone?

Most of my fishing this week was split between Pine Island Sound and Marco Island. Fishing was good in both areas but trout fishing in Pine Island Sound is about as good as it gets. Half-day trips have been boating 60-70 and full-day trips are catching around 90. They haven't been huge. But limits of good sized 16-18 inch keepers have been common. Jig and shrimp combo's and a variety of soft plastics are all working wonders. It has been the type of days where you almost can't do anything wrong. All types of areas are producing. Channels near the passes, open grassflats and backcountry mangroves were areas that gave up keeper trout.

I have heard reports that the sheephead run is just offshore of the barrier islands in Pine Island Sound. I suspect that as the full moon nears the fish will move into the major passes for spawning.

Snapper and grouper are keeping my anglers busy in the upper 10,000 Islands. Fishing out of Marco Island is producing around 30 mangrove snapper and a dozen gag grouper per trip. About half of the snappers have been keepers and most of the grouper are just short of the 22-inch limit. We even caught a couple of red grouper inshore also.

Trout in the 10,000 Islands has been spotty. Some days we will get into a bunch and other days we just catch a couple. On the up side however, almost all have been legal with at least one per day over 20-inches. Dozens ladyfish, and jack crevelle are taking up the slack time between gamefish which keeps everyone happy

The forecast is good. If the weather continues to warm up, it will be time to catch live sardines and start fishing for snook near the outside. If the cold hangs around, fishing for trout shouldn't be disappointing.

Good Luck!

Capt. Scott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

941-628-4247

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