Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands

Capt. Matt Hoover
October 16, 2002
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report

Fall Blues

Imagine using the Blue Mountains of Jamaica as a backdrop for a tail walking marlin. It is a stark contrast in comparison to our home waters of snook and mangroves. My brother and I go to Jamaica to visit our mother and to participate in the Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament every October. This year we managed to win the small boat division of the tournament by one marlin.

After recouping from jet lag and culture shock, it was back to work on the home waters. It wasn’t hard to find bait. There are schools of scaled sardines everywhere. I went to the beach and the pelicans were having a heyday. It is obvious that the fall migration is in full swing.

Guides and anglers are having double digit days with snook. Most of the snook are smaller but the non-stop action makes up for size. One cast may be a snook and the next may be a jack or even a redfish.

There are a few redfish around too. They are hanging out around oyster bars and outside points. My anglers have been catching them in snook spots. We have been averaging three to six reds in an outing.

There are a few forty to one hundred pound tarpon around. They have been in the passes early in the morning. We have also been catching them near shore. They are busting the schools of mackerel. The mackerel are a fine bycatch on light tackle as well. The birds are a dead giveaway.

Trout fishing over the grassflats of Cape Romano has been good. Jigs or popping corks and shrimp are a sure bet. Rumor has it that a few pompano are being caught near shore as well as in some of the passes around Marco.

Fall is a favorite time of year. There is always plenty of action. It won’t be long before the cold fronts of winter will be upon us so get in on the action while it is hot. I’ll see you on the water

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