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More Fishing and Boating

• Fishing report: Fay's effects giving way to great fishing
• Anglers Outlook: Fishing and more activities for September
• MICKYS regatta — not child’s play

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Southwest Florida anglers continue to find some fish on all fishing fronts. The number of offshore fishing trips will see a decline in their numbers now that summer has really set in.

The reasons for the decreased activity includes less anglers, warmer weather and the tropical rain storms that will be arriving often, some early in the morning, others midday.

The good news is one can cherry pick time by keeping abreast of the current weather patterns and having everything ready for the trip. This is also the time of year when the seasoned offshore anglers likes to plan an evening trip offshore for grouper and snapper.

They will have some bright lights rigged to shine on the water and plenty of chum which attracts the bait in turn attracting the larger fish including mangrove and lane snapper.

Depending on how far south and deep you might be able to add some yellowtail and mutton snapper.

Of course the light attracts a bunch of other species including barracuda, shark, cobia, amberjack and just maybe some permit. The wrecks, fish havens and towers will be the best spots but do not rule out locations with some nice profile and hard bottom.

Creating a check list of the stuff to take and checking the list before leaving the dock could make the difference between poor or successful boating, fishing and catching.

Many of the items are common items such as bait, chum, ice, food, and non alcohol liquids but most important, file a float plan with someone that knows what to do with it if you do not return when expected.

The float plan should include the areas you plan to fish, your boat’s name, hull and bottom color, length, the names of all aboard and estimated time of returning to port. The wise skipper will also be aware of any medical conditions any of the crew has and they have brought enough medication to last an unexpected longer stay at sea.

At least one of the crew should be qualified to run the boat in the event the captain gets disabled and everyone should know where and how to use the safety equipment such as the life jackets, flares and fire extinguishers.

Weather permitting the evening to daybreak offshore fishing should be comfortable and productive through July.

Reports in of productive fishing and catching in our inland, outer shoreline, passes and flats. The list of species includes snook, redfish, trout, snapper, tarpon, shark, a few permit and the renegade catfish and ladyfish both of which can be great bait for the larger fish.

The list of baits and methods is a long one. Tipped jigs is at or near the top of the list followed with live minnows, pinfish, and crabs. Add trolling spoons and lures near the mangroves and you have a game plan that should be productive.

Bob Dorta of Bob Dorta Taxidermy reports he and his wife Sherri found the mangroves south of Marco Island have been very productive. Sherri caught the largest of several snook caught and released using a root-beer-colored D.O.A minnow lure. Bob also caught some of the smaller snook using a gold Johnson spoon. They also found a bunch of trout using top water baits and plastic jerkbaits, all dark colored.

Bob said the water has been very cloudy lately but there is a ton of bait down south and added he has seen lots of small white bait, mullet and tons of ladyfish as well. Bait fishermen should have no problem catching bait.

Bob can be contacted at 821-3141 or e-mail him at robertdorta@aol.com for updated reports.

More god news. Isles of Capri angler Bernie Broyles sends pictures of a tarpon and a nurse shark. He reports while tarpon season has slowed down there are still some out there from 15 to in excess of 60 pounds intermingled with sharks. He was using hardheads (catfish) for bait and 20 pound test line when he hooked the tarpon that really tired him out after an hour to get it to the boat. Add a good size nurse shark and you are ready for a rest.

Wright Taylor reminds us of the August Coastal Conservation Association fishing tournament will be held August 3 at Calusa Yacht Club and Marina on Goodland. It all begins at dawn. While it is open to CCA members only the public can come, join the CCA, pay the tournament fee and fish the tournament

It is held the first Sunday of each month and spawns 29 plus boats. Here some of the top winners of July’s tournament.

First place team of Houlihan and Williams two reds weighing in at 10.77 pounds; second place team Minarcin with two reds weighing in at 9.55 pounds; third place winner of team Kish, Emerine and McElvey with two reds weighing in at 8.91 pounds. The largest redfish went to team Chiong and Duria with a 6.86 pound redfish.

Taylor also thanks Sunshine Ace Hardware and Marco Kidd’s Quality Cleaning for sponsoring the tournaments.

Catch you later!

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