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Southwest Florida - Naples, Marco, 10,000 Islands
Capt. Jeff Legutki
June 12, 2006
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
Summer Fishing in the 10k June 11
As the days start to sizzle by 10:00am and the rain starts to fall around three in the afternoon, you know our summer season is in full swing. Our working season is coming to a close and our play season is just begining. Summer fishing tournaments for all the local guides and anglers come together, nothing major, just a bunch of fun for bragging rights.
As the summer rains fall, you can see the little changes in the water clarity as well as the fish's behavier. Small tarpon are being pushed out of all the little creek from the run off of the everyday showers. Little guys like 5 - 20 pounders, "little nippers" as we cll them, are always willing to slam a well presented fly or plug. You can spend all day chasing these little fiesty advisaries. They slam the fly with gusto, and jump like their older brothers, yet you can have them boatside within minutes ready for another.
Topwater sliders, deerhair patterns that push water will receive all the attention you want. Colors are not all that important, but I like dark colors in the morning, like black. If the water tends to be on the cleaner side, as if you were fishing the outside I prefer lighter shades like earth tones or chartuece.
If its the big boys your after, the outside beaches are the place to be. Most big fish are migrating along the beaches up and down the coast looking towards Boca Grande for a little love. Big schools can be seen running the beaches in the morning before the sea breeze picks up. Natural colors that match the threadfin herring have been the most reliable pattern this year. And if your serious about landing one of these prehistoric gladiators, you better be rigged with a 11wt or 12wt. These fish are in deeper water and don't like to jump as much as there back bay cousins. They will slug it out in the deeper water pulling hard for over an hour easily. This is only for the strong and experienced! I've seen many people swich on and off with these lengthy fights.
The snook fishing has been really good this year. Most fish are elevating and hanging in the shade under the tree branches on the outside edges, making then a very visible target. Find the bait schools along with current and structure and you will see the snook. Tackle light as you can get away with, like a seven weight flyrod with a floating line and patterns that match the local bait. The polar fibre minnow or the mangrove bunny will take them everytime.
Redfish are still around, but seem to be thinning out a little. I've been seeing most of the on the lower tide stages on the outer flats near the beaches. Still enough around to complete the Everglades Slam.
Summer brings calm days to venture offshore in the smaller boats. The inshore wrecks are teaming with life right now. On the calmer days you can visit your secret little inshore wreck and witness what looks like an aquarium, clear water with everything swimming around like permit, cobia, snappers and cudas on the surface. Get past those guys and you'll find huge snook, grouper of all kinds and even the fearsome shark. Its very easy to see the food chain in order. Catch something small and something bigger swims along and eats him right in front of your eyes, and them something bigger comes along and the same thing happens, and so on.
The toughest thing about the summer is the heat, the bugs, and the decision on what type of fishing you want to do. I like to start on the inside and fish until around mid morning until it gets hot and the bite slows down from the heat. Then, I prefer to fish the deeper water where the temperature is a little more stable and the fish seem to cooperate and feed throughout the day as long as you have moving water.
Its the best time of year to catch just about everything that swims in our waters.
If you venture out offshore, make sure to keep an eye out for the afternoon showers. Along with the rain, you will see serious lightning storms and blustery winds from the squalls. So stay alert and play it smart accidents and bad decisions on the water can be serious if not fatal. Do not underestimate Mother Nature on the water!
So get out and enjoy some world class fishing and keep an eye out for the summer storms. Hurricane season is upon us now and we already have our first tropical storm on the 11th of June. Pray this year is calmer than the past couple! Good luck and be SAFE!
Capt. Jeff Legutki
Anglers Addiction Guide Service
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