Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande
Capt. Scott Hughes
October 27, 2004
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
Snook, Reds and Mackerel!
The fishing the past two weeks has been solid but not quite as hot as the first half of October. We are still seeing a good baitfish migration thoughout the area and good catches of migratory fish can pop up at anytime. The mirgratory species that are abundant right now are spanish and king mackerel, bluefish, sharks, jacks, bull redfish, black drum and tarpon.
Snook fishing is still one of the main targets this month and the fishing has been pretty good. We are having to work a little harder to get a limit of keepers but there have been plenty of sublegals to keep us busy. Outside points in the upper 10,000 islands are the best places to start. Docks are also holding plenty of snook but I generally try to avoid dock fishing on charters.
Redfish are still providing good catches in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. The few days that I've been fishing that area we have done well with cut bait for reds under the bushes during high tide and we found some pretty decent sight fishing for "tailing" reds one morning while fishing a very low tide. The tailing reds ate both soft plastics and well presented flies.
Spanish mackerel have been an easy target when the fishing has been slow inshore. Just a short run offshore from just about anywhere has been all that was needed to find plenty of large 18 to 20 inch macks attacking glass minnows. Large ladyfish, bluefish and sharks are usually mixed in.
Hurricane recovery update: Unfortunately, I've been having to make the 1 1/2 hour drive south to Marco Island for most of my guide trips since Hurricane Charley on August 13th. By the way, these diesel prices are killing me($2.35 per gal). I have a number of "mom and pop" lodging and fish camps that are up and in working order on Pine Island. Most of the large resorts will not be up and running until spring. Give me a call and I'll give you the info if your having a problem with finding a place to stay. The fishing is fine and I'll be able to give more a report for the Pine Island area when I'm able to spend more time on my home waters,
Thanks,
Capt. Scott Hughes
Blackwater Charters
941-575-2389
941-628-4247 cell
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