Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
January 20, 2004
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Cold Water Trout and Reds

Since my last report the weather has turned extremely cold for our area. This is not abnormal for this time of year though. This is when my little 17 tunnel hull flats boat comes into it's own. I have been using this boat to get way back into the creeks and coves to find deeper water which will hold fish due to slightly warmer water temperatures.

This week we have found good numbers of keeper size speckled trout in 5-6 foot deep holes in coves in Pine Island Sound. Fishing with a shrimp on a jighead has produced the best but soft plastic swim bodies have caught plenty also. Marco Island is also producing some good trout action. The fishing has been slightly different there, however. Most the trout down there are comming from deeper grassflats on Cape Romano Shoals and in front of the outside islands south of Goodland. Agian, shrimp on a jighead has been the best bait.

Redfish will also seek deeper runs in between the islands and in depressions of backbays. We have had catches of up to 25 redfish at times this month. Usually when you catch one there are more around so work the are throughly when a red is found. Fish jig and shrimp combo's very slowly on the bottom for the best results. In Pine Island Sound big slot size reds are still roaming the flats on low tide. The extremely clear water has made them very spooky and stealth is in order. Toss a hand picked shrimp to tailers and you should get hooked up. On high tide fish the bushes near where you found the tailers and pitch a shrimp and splitshot rig in the holes.

For more info on winter creek fishing check out an article I've written in the winter edition of " South Florida Sport Fishing Magazine". Its titled " Sensational Skinny Water Action" The magazine can be found at most grocery stores and major book stores. It will be in the same section as "Florida Sportsman" and "Saltwater Sportsman"

Good Luck!

Capt. Scott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

941-575-2389

941-628-4247 cell

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