Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
April 29, 2002
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Snookfest
The past week of fishing was angling paradise. It was a golden opportunity to fill the grand slam ticket. Snook, redfish, trout and tarpon were more than willing to fill the bill. Water temperatures have reached the mid-eighties. That is good news for snook, redfish and trout. Those temperatures are not so good for tarpon. They have thinned out considerably. Tarpon usually remain in our area throughout May. I have heard many reports that large schools are being seen off of Sanibel. Many of us feel slighted but that is nature’s way.
Some tarpon will remain in the area so do not despair. If you want tarpon, you will have to be more diligent to the task. Look for them early in the morning. A few will make their presence known during the low light quiet hours in the bays and passes. There are places where the stragglers like to stay. Keep your eyes peeled while looking for snook and redfish.
I will have to say that this last week was phenomenal for tarpon. You could sense that they were on the move. These fish were hungry. I had anglers catch several tarpon every day of the week until Sunday. They were all sizes. The fish ranged from sixty to over one hundred and fifty pounds. Several guides on the dock taped out tarpon that exceeded one hundred and seventy pounds this week. As the week ended, it was as if someone literally pulled the plug on them.
That meant that most of us had to switch gears. Like many, I hadn’t been snook fishing in over five weeks. Most of us were able to find sardines or threadfin herring for bait. Before and after the flood tide, snook fishing has been spectacular. Double-digit days were easy for the remainder of the week. Snook ranged from four to twenty pounds. The upper Ten Thousand Islands and the immediate Marco area have been red hot. Redfish of all sizes are in the mix as well. Soft baits, lures and flies are getting plenty of attention. Many of my weekend warrior friends throw soft plastics. They shredded the snook and redfish all weekend. These guys can throw and skip lures into a teacup so accuracy is a must. But with skill like that, who needs bait?
We have been getting quality trout in the snook spots too. These trout are over twenty inches. Trout anglers have been doing extremely well over the grass flats of Cape Romano. Many have been catching snook and reds while pursuing trout as well. Grass patches out in front of the islands and passes have been giving up large trout. Most of the fish are seventeen inches or better.
Fishing couldn’t get any better or easier. Don’t put that tarpon gear away. Stay prepared with a stout rod loaded with your favorite plug. Keep that big flyrod handy. You will without a doubt run across a silver guy waiting for a fight. I’ll see you on the water.
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