Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
November 15, 2000
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Busness As Usual
This report may sound a bit like a repeat. That’s because fishing hasn’t changed much in the last week or so. That’s a good thing. Fishing has been good for the most part. The water temperature has remained consistent. We had a cold front pass through but it was of little consequence for those of us who are saddled with being in Southwest Florida this time of the year. What a shame!
Bait is still a no brainer. It has been the method of choice for most of the guides that I have talked to. You can find it on the beach and in certain areas of the islands. Usually the birds will show you the way. The Marco and Ten Thousand Islands area have been yielding a few keeper snook, but most of them have been on the small to medium size. Most of the fish have been in the middle and front of the islands. We are still catching a few redfish with each outing. Some of them have been over the twenty seven-inch slot limit.
A few of us have been doing some flyfishing on the lower phases of the tides and have not been seeing that many fish in the shallow water. The only guess that any of us can come up with is that we are in a transitional period. The seasons are changing and the fish are adjusting their pattern. That sounds like something a politician would say. How about this, we are either blind or we just don’t know why. That won’t get many votes, but it could be the truth.
Pompano are on the loose in the passes around Marco and the Ten Thousand Islands. Anglers are using tube jigs and yellow or pink Don’s Potbelly jigs. Bump your jig slowly on the bottom. When you feel a subtle tap. Set the hook. Pompano put up a good fight on light tackle and are excellent table fare.
Live bait and jigs have been taking trout, ladyfish and jacks on the grassflats on the Cape and in front of the islands. The trout have been large but the season is closed. Enjoy the fun of catch and release.
Fishing should remain business as usual until the cold fronts of winter come our way. Hopefully that won’t be for another month. I hope to see you on the water.
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