Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
July 8, 2004
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
The Heat Is On
It’s hot. I’m not just talking about the summer heat either. The fishing has been spectacular these past few weeks. The beaches and point around islands have been choked with small scaled sardines, Spanish sardines and threadfin herring. As a result, the fish are gorging themselves.
These baits are small, but they are usable. I have been reserving one live well on my boat for them. They make excellent live chum. You can also pitch them on a number two hook with a split shot. Clients have been catching snook, redfish and mackerel of all sizes on them. I especially like to use them for catching mangrove snapper. We had a wonderful Fourth of July snapper fry as a result.
Larger threadfin herring are plentiful as well. I make sure that I have some of those on hand too. We have been taking advantage of the sixty to one hundred pound tarpon that are roaming around in the passes of the Ten Thousand Islands. We have been hooking tarpon just offshore as too.
Snook and redfish are all over the place. If you want to fish for no brainer snook, just head to any beach. They are there for the picking. Just throw a bait, white jig or fly out in front of one and get ready for your line to come tight.
The fish are at their regular haunts. Try fishing points with current moving on them. Moving current is almost a must. The water temperature is way out there so fish are looking for a way to stay cooler. Oyster bars and uneven shoreline with fallen trees and bushes produce well too.
Early morning or late afternoons have been the best times to go. Afternoon rain showers have been right on just like clockwork. It is not impossible to have double digit days with snook of all sizes right now. It is also a good time to complete a slam. Get it while it’s hot. I’ll see you on the water.
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