Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
December 6, 2003
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Tailing reds and Duck Hunting Report

Tis the season for hunting, both on the water and off. Most of the fishing that I have been doing is sightfishing in shallow water for tailing redfish snook and trout and sheephead. On days when I haven't been fishing i've been guiding duck hunting trips and getting plenty of hunting on my own as well.

It's definitely winter and with winter comes hard northeast winds and very low tides. I have been using my 17ft tunnel hull poling skiff to sneak into the shallow flats to stalk tailing redfish. I have been finding the reds in heavy grass in about 10-16 inches of water. Fish the last of the falling and start of the rising tide. Pitch baits into any potholes that you see. The potloles have been producing decent catches of snook, trout and sheephead. We have been using soft plastic jerk baits and live hand-picked shrimp.

The second phase of duck season opened today and we are finally starting to get some good numbers of ducks. Most of the duck this year are way back in the marsh and getting to them has not been possible with a jon boat so I have purchased a new airboat to get into the shallow pockets in the sawgrass. Ringnecks have been the most consistent kill with mottled, blue and green winged teal, and bluebill possiblities also. Nows a good time to go because we're just starting to get new arrivails with every cold front. At $100.00 per gun ist's a deal to get out and go hunting without the hassel.

Good luck!

Capt. SCott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

941-575-2389

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