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Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
December 25, 2001
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Christmas Cool
It is Christmas day and there is a cold front passing through the state as I write. It is dreary, cold, and raining outside. However, that didn’t stop most of us from having a great holiday. Prior to the front, fishing was good, as the action remained steady. The weather remained warm with moderate wind. Baitfish is around and the tides were perfect for flyfishing too.
I spent most of the week with clients pitching bait. We caught snook and redfish as we poked along. I won’t say that it was red hot this week. Water temperatures are cooling down somewhat so, that meant that you might have to move around to find fish. I haven’t noticed any particular pattern but there are enough fish of varying sizes to keep you busy. We caught several redfish of all sizes with the largest being thirty inches or so. Most of the fish were caught on live bait. Small to large jacks mixed in with ladyfish kept the rods bent too.
Flyrodder Gordon Hill and father in law Larry went on the little boat Pinocchio with me during a shallow tide phase this week. Both caught wrist breaking jacks on the fly. We had several redfish sniff the fly but they wouldn’t take it. Not to be discouraged, we pressed on. I poled into a small cove with barely enough water to float the boat. I spied a redfish and the stalk was on. It isn’t hard for a redfish to “make” you in water that shallow. This one did and started pulling away at a nervous pace. I knew we were had but kept up the chase. I explained to Gordy that these fish could let greed take over their sense of self-preservation. At the last possible moment, Gordy threw the fly and it landed perfectly. Sure enough, the red turned and sucked the fly in. Gordy landed the fish, we took pictures and all was right with the world. Sightfishing is the pinnacle of fishing. You have to hunt and then manage to keep your composure when you present your offering.
I have been told that there are mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish in front of the islands. Birds will show you where the schools are feeding. These fish can be loads of fun as well as easy to catch.
This cold front may change the fishing that we have been enjoying. We are overdue for colder weather. Tactics for catching fish will have to change. I will discuss some of the methods that I use to catch more fish when the water temperature drops in the future. I hope that you have a safe and happy holiday season. I will see you on the water.
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