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Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
August 5, 2003
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Dog Days Of Summer
It was as if someone had pulled the plug on a shallow swimming pool. There was a two-foot wide vortex of churning water where just a moment before was a hapless scaled sardine fluttering on the surface. My drag was having a major meltdown and line was disappearing off the spool fast. The snooks’ head slashed on the surface in protest. This fish was a tanker and it was no time for a Mexican standoff. Don’t give him his head. It was too late. The snook button hooked to the right and flicked on his afterburner. The reel screeched in defiance but the ten pound test wasn’t enough. As soon as the fish made it to a mangrove root in the water, the line parted on a sharp barnacle. I stared at the rod and reel as if there was a malfunction. I knew in my heart that I had just been outclassed by one my favorite backcountry brawlers. I straightened myself to soak in the event. There wasn’t a noise within miles except for the thoughts in my own head. The water and sky had no beginning or end. Timeless mangroves roots were knurled in the tea stained water and the air smelled ancient. It was only eight o’clock in the morning and I was drenched with sweat. There wasn’t a soul in sight. Hot and balmy, a typical August morning.
There is no doubt that August is probably the hottest month of the summer in Southwest Florida. Regardless, this month can be one of the best months of the year to satisfy your angling urge. From the back bays to the edge of the Gulf, the water is teaming with a variety of baitfish. Most of the baitfish species have spawned. Their rejuvenation continues the cycle of the food chain that will sustain life through the harsher months of winter.
During the month of August, a gentle prevailing easterly wind is the norm. Early morning hours are breathless. The humidity is high and the atmosphere has the feeling that you would get upon entering a greenhouse. Snook will be the anglers primary focus. These fish will range from the deep backcountry to the outermost shores of islands that dot the coast from Naples to the south of Everglades City. Because we are still in the heart of the rainy season, there will be untold amounts of fresh water flowing into the heart of the Ten Thousand Islands. By now, fish should have acclimated to the fresh water influx. It helps to fish often so that you can determine the pattern of the fish.
Many experienced guides and seasoned anglers like to focus their attention around the immediate Marco Island area and the areas south of Chockoloskee because there is a greater influx of saltwater. This is because there aren’t as many rivers flowing to the Gulf from the heart of the Everglades. The Ten Thousand Islands can be excellent, but you have to have your finger on its pulse. Fish seem to return in greater numbers to the islands almost overnight.
Snook and redfish will be scattered all over the place. There is such a variety of baitfish that you will find your quarry in the strangest places. Shallow flats will reach a water temperature of ninety degrees. Don’t let that fool you. I have had some of my best days sight fishing for snook with a fly rod on days like these.
Snook and redfish will congregate along points of interest. These will be spots where the current is flowing strong. Baitfish are swept up in strong back eddies. That makes them easy prey for gamefish. There are usually schools of glass minnows and thread herring fry at these spots. Take time to observe. Snook, redfish, trout and jacks have a bad habit of showing off when there is an abundance of food.
Live bait, flies, jigs and artificial lures will get the results that great stories are made of. Fish will wait quietly along uneven mangrove shorelines. These fish love to hide in the roots of overhanging mangroves. They will take advantage of these spots for cover and shade. Work points and shoreline methodically. Don’t be in a hurry. You will find after time that some parts of a bank will yield better results. Most of the time, the reason is obvious. Sometimes it is because there is something unique about the unseen bottom. File the best parts of these shorelines in your memory bank. After time, you will be able to go directly to the best parts the whole time that you are on the water.
Most of our efforts are focused on snook, redfish and trout with light spinning tackle in August. However, it is not a bad idea to keep one or two heavier tarpon outfits ready for a quick cast. Fifteen to thirty pound class outfits are perfect. It is not uncommon for a resident tarpon to show itself while you are fishing for other species. Tarpon may roll, free jump or crash bait within casting distance. Tarpon like to roll in the passes early in the morning. You may find tarpon laid up resting in a quiet bay. These fish may be forty to over one hundred pounds. Fly fishermen would do well to keep a ten to twelve weight flyrod ready for tarpon on the boat.
August is part of the rainy season. The heat convection will build to the east over the Everglades. Rain will be sure to come by the early afternoon. You should always carry your rain gear. Naples, Marco and the Ten Thousand Islands seem to have their own weather pattern. You can be fishing in one part of the islands and stay perfectly dry while your friends are getting drenched just a few miles to the south. Many of our afternoon storms will have lightening in them. Heading home is the prudent action. All this is another reason why early mornings and late afternoons are actually the best times to go fishing during the month of August. August may be hot but the fishing is sizzling. I’ll see you on the water.
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