Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
May 25, 2003
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Fish the wrecks!

Wreck fishing has been the keys to most of my good days lately. Offshore wrecks are still holding grouper, jewfish, kings and bonito. Nearshore wrecks are holding snook, trout, cobia, grouper and jewfish. Spanish mackerel are mixed in and around both areas.

The snook are in full spawn in the 10,000 Islands. Most of the big snook are offshore. We have been catching 20+ pound snook on most days that we can get out to the nearshore wrecks. Losts of trout are there also. The chance cobia or two has been common as is grouper and jewfish. We have been using live sardines for all of the above. The outside points are also holding fair numbers of small to medium sized snook up to 32 inches. Threadfin herring or sardines have been working best. Deep runs in the middle bays are holding grouper, jewfish and big jack crevelles. Use the threads or sardines for them also. For the large spanish mackerel use diamond jigs or top water popper lures.

In Charlotte Harbor, snook and redfish have provided the most consistent fishing. Backcountry creeks are holding the reds and small snook. Most of the big snook are near the passes. There have been reports of scattered tarpon in the harbor and on the beaches. Boca Grande pass has produced good numbers on some days but the overall tarpon fishing has been off. I'm going to go back to night fishing for the poons. I will report in a week or so.

Good Luck !

Capt. Scott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

941-575-2389

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Scott Hughes
• Fort Myers Fishing Reports
• Southwest Florida (Cape Sable to Boca Grande) Reports
• Florida Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports