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Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
January 4, 2004
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Winter Tactics
Although these last few weeks have been rather mild, January can be one of the coldest months of the year in Southwest Florida. It will drive the large tarpon out of our area. Snook will head to unknown parts of the backcountry. At no other time in the state of Florida will the behavior of the weather determine what types of species you will catch during this particular month. However, January can be a mild month in Florida as far as winter weather is concerned.
Because the water is cooler, the algae will die off and the water can become quite clear. Wind protected shallow bays can provide excellent sight fishing opportunities. For sight fishing, Polarized sunglasses are as important as your fishing tackle. Because most of the baitfish are gone by now, flies that imitate shrimp or small crabs are the best producers. Throwing live shrimp to redfish or snook on light spinning tackle will work just as well. These fish will often cruise slowly or actually lay motionless in the shallow bays. You will want to lead the fish with your offering. If your first cast doesn’t draw a strike. Try casting closer to the fish.
Fishing with jigs or live shrimp are the baits of choice for more conventional methods of fishing in the backcountry. Quarter ounce jigs with screw tail grubs attached are amongst the most popular. You can work any on of the miles of shorelines of the Ten Thousand Islands and catch redfish, snook and trout. Jacks and ladyfish will most likely be part of your catch as well. The grass patches on the outside of the islands will yield trout. Don’t neglect the grass flats of Cape Romano too. On the calmer days, you may catch mackerel or small bluefish.
Popping corks and shrimp are a very effective combination for all of the winter species. The cork is put just far enough above the shrimp to keep the shrimp from dragging on the bottom. Usually a small split shot is put about a foot above the shrimp to keep it down. Popping corks have a cup on their top to create noise when you snap your wrist with the rod. This commotion can actually attract fish to come see what the fuss is all about. When the cork goes down, resist the urge to strike the fish right away. You want to make sure that you have reeled all the slack out of the line before setting the hook. Popping corks create a lot of water resistance when they are submerged so you want all the swing you can get when planting the hook.
Pompano will be in the passes of Marco and the Ten Thousand Islands. Quarter ounce tube jigs and Don’s Potbelly jigs work wonders on these fish. It doesn’t hurt to tip the jig with a small piece of shrimp. Work the jig with a small bump off of the bottom. Pompano like to forage for crustaceans on the floor of the passes. You don’t need to have your jigs coming off of the bottom too far. Pompano will give you a battle for their size. Unlike their cousin the jack, they are superior table fare.
Deep dropping is a no fail method of fishing. This method will save the day when the weather is nasty or the water is colder than normal winter temperatures. Fish will stage in deeper water because the water can be a few degrees warmer. The water that runs through rivers and creeks can be four to twelve feet deep. Here we throw shrimp along the bank with just enough weight from a split shot to get the shrimp down to the bottom. You want the shrimp to bounce slowly along with the current so that it looks natural.
With deep dropping, you never know what you are going to catch. The backcountry is a nursery to many species of fish. One cast may produce a snapper or sheepshead. A snook or a redfish may show up with your next effort. Jacks, ladyfish, grouper and black drum are all potential targets. Sometimes large tarpon will hang out in a backcountry hole. Many times the action can be non stop. It is not uncommon for a guide to go through as many as sixteen dozen shrimp in a days fishing.
Winter cold fronts pass through on a regular basis. Florida can take the brunt of its fair share of cooler weather. Clothing should be considered when you are fishing in Southwest Florida. Bear in mind that the boat will be cruising between thirty to forty miles per hour. Those numbers greatly increase the wind chill factor. Most seasoned anglers dress in sweaters and winter jackets. My personal armor includes gloves and a neck warmer that I can shield my face with. You can’t put it on if you don’t have it.
Don’t let the cooler weather fool you. Fishing in Southwest Florida can be red hot. I’ll see you on the water.
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