Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
January 8, 2002
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Zoo Fishing
It seems as if we are paying for the beautiful weather that we had during most of December. This past week has been less than desirable. The weather fronts are screaming across the nation in a back to back fashion. That means that you will have to be ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat. It makes being a guide very tough because a lot of us had cancellations this past week. Who wants to go fishing when the temperature is in the high thirties? We did get in some good days this week. They were by hook or crook.
In between fronts, rain, wind and cold, some of us managed to get out and catch a few fish. Fishing deep holes and runs has been the most productive. This type of fishing has been called “zoo fishing” on our dock. You never know what you are going to catch while you are zoo fishing. Almost all of the backcountry species of fish will drop into these deeper holes to get a couple of degrees warmer. We had a multiple boat trip this weekend and one of my anglers caught a ten-pound snook in one of these spots. The next cast he caught a three pound sheepshead. You get the picture. We also caught snapper, ladyfish, and a black drum. Trout, gag grouper, redfish and many other species will huddle in these spots as well.
Trout are starting to get the most attention. When you can get out, throw jigs tipped with shrimp. Popping corks with shrimp will work too. They have been on the grass flats in Cape Romano. Grass patches out in front of the islands have been producing too. I like to fish in places where I catch snook. Larger trout like to hang around spots that are shallow but have an easy escape route into deeper water. Do not neglect the deeper runs along the sides of islands. Always expect a few hard fighting ladyfish to keep you busy.
Fishing was tough this week. It is time to get the warm clothes on and switch tactics. Warmer days will produce the glamour fish. But now is the time to work jigs real slow and scour deeper holes in the rivers and creeks. I’ll see you on the water. I will be the one in a snowmobile suit.
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