Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
July 5, 2000
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Summer Blast
This past week, mornings have been a hot and humid veil of tranquility. The throng of boat traffic is down considerably and you can actually get into the Ten Thousand Islands and here virtually nothing that is man made. It seems to sharpen ones senses. You can hear snook and other fish of prey crashing along the banks. Maybe it is just because the fish are here and they are active. This past week was very productive for those who pounded the bushes.
Snook, snapper, jacks, and redfish were the order of the day. It seems as if the redfish are starting to make more of a show. Folks on my boat managed to catch a couple every day. They weren’t particular about what they ate either. I had clients catch them with flies, bait, and jigs. Everything seemed to be working. Other guides and anglers were turning in similar reports as far as the redfish were concerned. Most of us have forgotten what they looked like. Maybe that is because we have turned our attention from tarpon back to snook and redfish. I won’t discount any other species of fish that comes along. I just like to see the rod get bent.
Snook have been no problem this week either. They have been coming in all sizes. Shiners are everywhere despite the cool front that we had. It was a minor inconvenience. Larger snook are still being taken on full-grown threadfin herring in the deeper runs and passes. Artificials and flies are working very well. I would have to say that early morning and late afternoons are the best. It has been raining every afternoon like clockwork.
There are tarpon further south in the passes early in the morning. You could pursue them with any method you choose. Large plugs or live bait would be your best bet. Most of the guides that I know are back to concentrating on the other species because tarpon fishing is becoming more of a long shot.
There are some large trout hanging out where the snook do. They are not fussy about what they will eat. They are prevalent over the grass beds in front of the islands and on the flats of Cape Romano as well. Don’t rule out catching a few snapper for the table. Snapper have been shredding us and some of them are big.
The fishing has been super. There is no excuse for not getting into some kind of action. Make it a family thing. The kids may get hot but they won’t get bored. I’ll see you on the water.
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