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Marco angler Jeremy Cihlar holding a 34-pound shark he caught and released while fishing aboard Allen Chamberlain’s charter boat.

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Southwest Florida anglers will have a banner fishing and catching month if February weather continues on the path it is on as I prepare this article.

Our inland, outer shoreline, passes and flats will offer a wide selection of species including mangrove snapper, snook, redfish, sheepshead, black drum, trout, resident tarpon (from 15 to in excess of 50 pounds), jack, some pompano, bluerunner and shark.

Some of these species will be found at most of the locations listed above but their size and numbers may be better in one area than the other. It is a good bet larger sheepshead and black drum will begin to decrease in their numbers as we move through February.

Working your way up into the inland waters during the incoming tide, fishing it through the change and hitting some spots on the easy back out could be a good game plan.

Using tipped jigs is my favorite method but changing to a lure, spoon or live bait if the bite is slow could get things turned and produce some good action also.

Our nearshore fish havens, wrecks and locations with some growth on the bottom should continue to offer trout, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead and black drum. Put a live bait out and do not be surprised if you find a kingfish, shark, barracuda or a nice size bull redfish on the other end of your line.

Minnows, pinfish, and grunt will work. If you get hard up for bait try a small ladyfish, jack or bluerunner. Cutting the V section off the jack or runner will slow it down and make it swim in circles near the surface.

Captain Allen Chamberlain reports offshore fishing has been productive for his Sea Gone Fishing Team. Marco angler Alley Jeremy of Vandy’s and Five Brothers, his brother Brett and dad Mike Cihlar from Woodridge, IL caught and released 20 red and gag grouper, snapper, trigger fish and a 34 pound shark that Jeremy caught.

One reader asked, “I don’t seem to see many tripletail being brought in, is it the weather or wrong time of year?” Thanks for the question.

They say the best time for them off our coast runs from late summer through August. As a rule many are caught during the fall and winter months due to the large number of buoy markers. They like to be near cover, pilings and floating debris. They have also been fished hard and, as many of our species, are fewer in numbers.

Last week I wrote a little about the food value of barracuda. This brought forth some questions about shark. In general, their food value is good if handled and cooked correctly.

My knowledge is limited but from what I understand gutting them, washing the cavity out with saltwater and getting them on ice as fast as you can are the first steps to a tasty meal. They say that washing the cavity out will reduce the chances of a toxic aroma showing up.

As far as the best species for food value, I think the black tip are at the top of the wanted list in our area. What do you think? Let me know. Have a special shark recipe? Please share it with us.

I just got an instant message from Bob Harrill of Green Bay, WI. He writes in part, “we stay in a condo by the Snook Inn and I watch your show Saturday mornings. You have been helpful in the past with your fishing information. It is snowing in Green Bay and I am thinking about going fishing. How is the action in the Marco River? Should be there for the month of March.”

Thanks for the contact Bob, sorry, but I canceled my TV show several weeks ago after a 13-year run. It is a very good bet March will be even better than February as the water temperature should be warmer, attracting in turn mackerel to the passes. There will be time to find trout, snapper and just maybe some snook and redfish. Add some ladyfish, jack and bluerunner and you have a full house for active fishing. Please, let us know how you do and please leave the cold weather up there!

I get questions from new anglers on the block about fishing the inland waters. They are overwhelmed when they look at the standard charts and ask how they can learn the ins and outs of the island waters.

While the standard chart can be of help I would add chart F 101 to your want list. It is an aerial photo map of the Ten Thousand Islands from Marco south to Everglades City and gives you a better look to the depths of water.

Last, but not least, if you are really a new kid on the block, get some help, hire a guide to show you around if you are in your boat. You will learn it quicker.

If you are alone, go into the back waters on an incoming tide and start back out before the change of tide. This gives you extra time to get back out comfortably. Also, file a float plan in case you get lost.

Have a great week!

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Red Stier is a weekly contributor to the Marco Island Eagle. Questions or comments may be directed to redstier@aol.com or 172 Trinidad St., Naples, FL 34113.