Bonita Shores to Lostmans Key
Includes Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City and Chokoloskee.

October 9-11

Tarpon Highlight Week’s Action

Redfish continue to bite in all areas, while big snook remain elusive, but the news this week was the influx of tarpon all the way from Ft. Myers Beach to the Broad River. The tarpon varied in size and could be found in a variety of areas. There were big fish off of the beaches between Naples and Marco Island, and more large fish in the passes south of Goodland. Smaller fish in the 10 to 60-pound range gathered in the back and middle bays around Everglades City, and there were tiny juveniles in the creeks.

The reason for this fall tarpon run may be that the fish are moving south in anticipation of the season’s first cold fronts, or it might be that the tarpon have simply arrived to feast on the balls of baitfish that have inundated the coast. Whatever the reason, tarpon fanatics should take advantage of this last strong tarpon fishery of the season.

Offshore, the fishing is very good, but there have been very few boats going out. Red grouper continue to feed wherever there is hard bottom. For the large, keeper grouper, a trip of twenty miles or more is necessary to ensure a limit. Mangrove and yellowtail snapper continue to school over the wrecks, and closer to shore there are more Spanish mackerel and bonito than anyone could want.

In general, the fishing is quite good, and will get even better over the next few weeks as the water cools, and the snook become more active. The tides will be higher in the morning this weekend, but also weaker. Redfish on the outside points between Goodland and Everglades City are the best bet.

By Captain John Preeg
Captjohnpreeg@aol.com

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