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Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
July 3, 2001
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Tropical Sandwhich
The front that plagued us in the past week looks like it is going to back up on us. We have another front looming over Texas as I write. That is typical for the summer months. Warm air is fed up to us from the tropics and we will continue to have unsettled weather on a regular basis. In the meantime, anglers have been getting most of their fishing done before 2:00 p.m. Quitting time is usually sounded by an ominous lightning storm that has brewed over the Everglades. Tropical storms can make summer fishing hit and miss.
Everyone is reporting that the snook are everywhere in all shapes and sizes. I believe it too. I have hundreds of snook parading up and down my canal in Naples. The news on the tube this week told us that snook are becoming endangered. I wish just once that whoever they are would ask a real fisherman for the truth. It is really hard for me not to get political with this report. But many of us are tired of the lies. Enough said. The bait has been scarce. Most of the guides have been finding small shad for bait. They are actually baby menhaden. They don’t live as long as sardines, but they are candy to the species we fish for. Lures, spoons, and jigs are taking their fair share of fish too. Redfish are still scarce. Most folks are only picking up one or two with each outing if they catch any at all. I had friends fishing in the tournament this last week with the flyrod and they did poor. Tides have been week and that can make the bite tougher when it comes to artificial baits.
Trout have been providing good action on Cape Romano over the grass slats and even in the ditches. Expect to catch trout on the grass patches out in front of the islands as well as Pompano Lump.
There are still some tarpon of all sizes lying in quiet bays. You can expect to see them in the passes early in the morning too. Study their behavior before you choose a method. Any style is likely to produce a strike.
This next week will produce stronger tides. I think that we will be dealing with more unsettled weather as we are actually sandwiched between two fronts right now. Most of the fishing will get done in the morning. It is just as well because it has been very hot in the afternoon anyway. Summer mornings are my favorite and I am chomping at the bit to get out. My boat is growing cobwebs as I wait for the green light from the doctor. I don’t see that happening in the immediate future but I will see you on the water soon.
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