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Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
January 1, 2002
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Double Whammy
Back to back cold fronts dropped the water temperature significantly this past week. Then another front showed up and dumped rain on us Sunday and Monday. Cooler water temperatures forced a change of hand. For many, snook and redfish took a back seat to sheepshead, trout, and pompano.
I had die-hard anglers this week. They were not willing to give up trying for snook and redfish. We had to beat the bushes hard. We were able to locate shiners in very select spots. The middle of the week produced fair catches of snook and a few redfish. We had to be very patient. Most of the spots that we went to were poor producers. Then we would find a point of interest that would cough up a snook or three. An occasional redfish or trout would show up and round out the catch. As the week progressed, the water got cooler. There were a couple of days where it was downright cold. The fish were not cooperating. At one point, I had my anglers dropping shrimp into deeper water. We were catching sheepshead, trout, and an occasional snook or redfish. Black drum are starting to show up too. By the weekend, fishing for snook and redfish was hit and miss.
Many anglers spent their time fishing with jigs and live shrimp. Folks were producing fair catches of trout and pompano. Pompano have been coming in and out of the major passes in and around Marco. Small jigs tipped with shrimp will do the trick. Ladyfish and jacks have been providing entertainment in between strikes with pompano and trout.
It is starting to behave like winter. Highs have been in the upper sixties. Cold fronts are coming with more regularity. That means that anglers will be shifting their attention to winter species. Shrimp and jigs will be the baits of choice unless we get another run of warm weather. Most of the guides will focus their attention on trout, pompano, black drum, jacks, and ladyfish. That does not mean that you can’t catch snook or redfish. However, be prepared to scour the countryside if those are the species you are after.
There is another front on the way. It doesn’t look too serious. We might have a little rain over the weekend. Break out the warm clothes. You can shed them by late morning. Load up with plenty of shrimp and split shot. Refurbish your jig supply. Throw into those deeper pockets and see what happens. I’ll see you on the water.
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