Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
September 2, 2003
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
A Hint Of Change
I sat in my boat mesmerized as the early morning light marked the beginning of a new day. I was tied up at the fuel dock waiting for my clients to show up. The air was still and the water was as smooth as a coffee table. An osprey was perched high on a TV antenna across the canal. She was chirping to display her disdain of my presence. Two, now three small tarpon broke the surface and sipped air within casting distance of my boat. I just sat there in a trance. It was warm but the atmosphere had a hint of change to it. It was as if a pot of boiling water had just been brought down to a simmer. After all, it is early September and it is time for a change. The tarpon rolled again. It was too much for me to take so I let the plug fly in their direction. After it landed, I gave the phony fish a twitch. The plug disappeared in a swirl of white water and the silence was broken. The small tarpon spun out of the water and came down with a loud smack. The line came tight again. The fish shot out of the water shaking its head in desperation. The next thing I heard was the sound of the plug bouncing off the side of the boat. The ripples in the water turned to calm. Even the osprey was quiet now.
The month of September usually marks the beginning of a seasonal change in Southwest Florida. It is not as obvious to those of you that come from the northern states. The leaves don’t change and there is no drastic drop in air temperature. However, the mornings and evenings are just a notch cooler than in the summer months. Nevertheless, like summer, the days can bring on some serious heat. If you have lived here for a few seasons, you will know by the subtle changes that fall is upon us and the cold fronts of winter are just around the corner.
The water temperature by now has begun to cool down a few degrees. Fish, like plant life, sense the change in their environment. By instinct, they know that the harsher months of winter are just around the corner. September’s slightly cooler temperatures will trigger the beginning of the fall migration. Different species of baitfish will start to show up in large schools. Atlantic spearing and menhaden will show up in the mix of bait as they move into the maze of the Ten Thousand Islands. The baitfish are not hard to find. Usually you will see terns and pelicans diving on them. It is a dead giveaway.
September can be perhaps one of the best months of the year to catch snook. They will range from the outside shorelines to the bays of the backcountry. Snook of all sizes will stage on points and uneven shorelines. Early morning hours will be perfect for those anglers that love to throw a topwater plug. Zara Spooks, Bombers, or just about any type of surface plug will get the results that top water junkies need. Flies that imitate baitfish will get the best results for fly fishermen. Snook will hold in shallow wind protected bays. With the aid of Polaroid sunglasses, you can actually sight fish for snook. If you are looking for double-digit numbers, it is hard to beat live bait.
Expect to start catching a few more redfish with your snook in September. This should be especially true as the month wears on. Mid September throughout October is a period when redfish will start to spawn. They will come to the passes from Naples all the way down the coast to stage for this event. They will bring their appetites with them. It is not uncommon to get on a school of redfish and catch them until you hurt. Redfish also like to hang out on the same points of interest that snook do. They are not fussy about what they will eat. Plugs, jigs, flies and live bait will do the trick. Like snook, redfish will cruise in very shallow water so they are ideal for sight fishing.
Trout fishing will remain superb throughout the month of September. Popping corks with shrimp, jigs and sinking flies are all excellent choices for trout. Look for trout over the grass flats of Cape Romano. There are many grassy areas just in front of the islands that hold trout. Throwing jigs along the deeper runs and holes along islands always produce trout. We catch some of our larger trout while we are fishing for snook. The larger trout break away from the schools of smaller fish. They will be in singles or packs of two to six fish. Large trout like to stage in shallow water where there is an immediate drop-off to deeper water. This scenario serves as an escape route.
As the water begins to cool a bit, the larger tarpon will begin their return migration to the south. Bear in mind that we are in the heart of hurricane season. If the weather remains somewhat calm, these tarpon will follow the coastline. That means that we get a second shot at them.
These tarpon will be following the migratory schools of bait and they mean business. They are done spawning and they have a long journey ahead of them. They will eat as if there is no tomorrow. Many will remain offshore. However, plenty will come in the passes up and down the coast. Live bait, cut bait, plugs and even flies will work well with these tarpon for the savvy angler that is aware of their migratory habits. This fall migration is grossly overlooked. Migratory tarpon are known to stay in the area until the cold fronts of winter send them away.
September is a premier time to enjoy some of the best fishing of the year. It marks the beginning of fall. Moreover, September has always been a favorite time of the year for guides and serious anglers alike. Don’t miss this great fall action. I’ll see you on the water.
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