Report for Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Capt. Matt Hoover
July 27, 2000
Marco Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sauna Summer
It has been a long time since I remember it being much hotter than it has been in the last few weeks. Some of the guys have complained about the wind that we had last week but it really kept things bearable on the water. Slow incoming tides in the morning made for some challenging fishing. Most of us found that if you kept on the move, you could make a good day of it.
The prevailing southeasterly winds returned and it was possible to get some fair bait along the beaches. That was a relief, as the fish prefer them to artificials. That is especially true when you have slow tides. Snook were cooperating. Most of the fish were small to keeper size. Some captains did report releasing a few large fish that were caught in deep runs or on the offshore piles. Larger snook were caught on live threadfin herring. I had a chance to do some flyfishing this past week and we hooked a few snook in the twenty-inch range. We saw larger fish but didn’t get a clean shot at them. There are plenty of snook along the beaches and they will take flies, white bucktail jigs, and shiners. Captain Duane White was out with his dad and uncle and caught and released fifteen or so snook using shiners. Beach fishing can be a kick because you are mostly sight fishing.
A few redfish were caught by some of the guys that I talked to. I only saw three come over the side on my boat all week. They are still hiding somewhere unknown to most of us that are fishing that Marco and upper Ten Thousand Islands area. I hear that there are plenty of them further south to the Flamingo area.
There are still some medium sized tarpon around. These fish are ranging from ten to sixty pounds. I have seen them in the rivers and the mouths of the major passes from Marco throughout the islands. We threw flies to them the other day. We had no takers. I have no doubt that they would have gobbled a live bait.
Snappers of all sizes have been marauding our offerings. The trout have been a no brainer as well. I like these guys because can round off a slow day of fishing. One thing is for sure. We had to keep moving until we found a spot that was holding fish.
The mornings have been beautiful. They have also been cool enough to be bearable. The afternoons are incredibly hot and the rains are a welcome excuse to get off of the water. I think that a half-day in the morning is the best bet. Beat the heat. I’ll see you on the water.
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