october marcos island

[pops]

has anyone got some advice on marcos in oct??

whats running at that time ? tarpon snook..? :brow

what kind of leaders do you use 20lb -30lb ,,,biminitwists???

ive got an xi 10wt sage to sling .

thanks

[backwater]

Hello,

I grew up in Naples and fished the area around Marco Island pretty extensively. Snook fishing can be pretty good in Oct. The water temps are still pretty warm, you should encounter quite a few snook, they might be small but they should be around. I think that a 10wt is a lot more rod that you'll need. Most people use 8's or 9's at the most, unless you're targeting tarpon exclusively, and even then it's probably too much, and not the best time of the year. I just fished the area around Marco Island and Goodland in July and had pretty good luck, but the snook were all under 5 pounds, although I caught about a dozen, and the one tarpon I hooked (and lost) was only about 10 pounds. I saw plenty of bigger fish around, but the tarpon fishing hasn't been what it used to be. I would recommend fishing with a guide if you're able to. There are quite a few capable guides around but I'd give Steve Westervelt a call. I think he has more experience than most in the area and he's a nice guy and really puts a lot of effort into it, he's in phone book. I have his number someplace if you can't find it. A lot of the guides leave from the Goodland marina which is just outside of Marco Island, or from the municipal ramp that is just before the main bridge onto the island. You could also try fishing the beaches on your own, but I think you'd probably be missing out by not using a guide. Most of the better fishing is deep into the backcountry. Steve has all the fly gear that you'll need. I used a white deceiver and caught just about everything on that. Snook aren't that picky, jacks are even less so. Tarpon aren't that picky either.... if they're in the mood to strike. There aren't too many redfish in the marco area...occasionally you'll find some but they're more of a rarity. I hope that helps, I you have any questions let me know.

Tight lines,
Tom

[pops]

thanks ,should I book in advance??
I use a 10wt for fighting wind more thana the size fish !
but ive got a 9wt redington as well.
is there a better time to fish ,dawn ,dusk tides ?
I CANT WAIT ! --127-3-
thanks
what about leaders? 20lbs sounds enough eh?

[backwater]

Hello,

I doubt that you'd have to book very far in advance for an Oct trip. October is one of the slowest months of the year for people visiting Marco and Naples. Its before the winter tourist season begins and after the summer has ended. You could alway book your days, he doesn't require a deposit, at least he didn't ask me for one. I've never had a guide in Naples request a depost. There's only one good fly shop in town and its in Naples, but not very far from Marco Island, the Mangrove Outfitters http://www.mangroveoutfitters.com/ The guides that are affiliated with this shop are some of the best in the area. I think they are all in the phone book and could be contacted directly. The 20# leader should be more than enough. You could try a leader with a 40# butt section, maybe 4ft, then 2ft of 20# or less, and about a foot of 40# mono shock tippet. That should be good enough. Snook require a shock tippet, I prefer to use 40#. They don't really have big teeth, they're sort of small and abrasive like a large mouth bass, but they also have extreme sharp gill plates. I'm not sure about this, but I think the snook is able to move its teeth in some sort of sideways manner, because they are really able to be up a leader, even really small ones. Most people fish for snook in the early morning, or around dusk. Hope that helps.

Tom

[pops]

thanks ! great advice.

[pops]

are there any size restrictions for keeping snook?
do you need a license for salt/surf [not in nj]?
thanks

[n1gdo]

You do need a license....go to the big marina in
the town...I think on Bald Eagle Drive...Marco River Marina..something like that...they have a great selection of tackle and you can get your license and good info from them.

[Tacklebox7]

There is a guide down there Danny Fabian, he knows the backcountry very well and if you have a good sense of humor; you'll have a great time.

[pops]

thanks both ! snooks meant to be good eating ,but tarpon isnt ,whats up with that

[pops]

are there any suggestions for ocean fly fishing?? for dorado , amberjack etc....