In lieu of all the fresh water brought on by the recent tropical storms the fishing has been very good. The water is a dark tea color especially on the outgoing tide phases.

Snook are in the passes, along the outside points and bays as well as the beaches. Live shrimp and finger mullet have been working as well as plugs and flies. For plugs I've been using the Yozuri 4" floater/diver and one of my favorites, the Bagley's Jumpin' Mullet. Skitter walk plugs have also been working well. For flies we caught quite a few snook on the EP perfect minnow this week. Chartreuse and white/tan have been working.

Redfish are starting to show in good numbers. September is our best month for reds. South in the islands they have been schooling around the outside points, oyster beds and coral heads. Dark bottom is a good place to look around the structure. In another few weeks they shoud be thick in the passes. Between Naples and Marco Island in Rookery Bay I've been catching them along mangrove shorelines where there is some current. Shrimp under popping corks are a good way to work a shoreline especially if there is current to move the bait down the bank. Spoons and jigs are also working. For flies in the dark water flies with flash will get there attention.

Baby and young adult tarpon are also around. They seem to like the fresh water that's flowing out of the Everglades and the backcountry creeks. They also can be found in the passes especially first light as well as in the creeks of the backcountry. Live bait is always good. I'm still catching the 40-60lb fish at first light on live crabs but there not as prevelant as last summer. For fly fishing I've been using a sink tip line with deceivers, clousers and the EP mullet patterns. Remeber to make sure your hook is sharp.

The tides this week are good as we'll have low water mid day. The lower water pulls the fishing out of the mangroves and makes them more accessible. One of my favorite times and tides is first light with an outgoing tide in the passes in September into October. Outgoing tides at first light this month in Naples are Sept. 3-8, 17-23. This is for Naples, tides is Marco are about 1 hr. later and about 1.5 hours later in the islands.

It's a great time of year to fish. Not many boats, the weather is good and there lots of wildlife. I've seen as many manatees and dolphins this summer as I have in years. Give us a call to book a trip 239-262-8228. Remember, "Take a kid fishin".
Capt. Mark Ward

Richard Champion fights nice 60lb tarpon which he landed.


Philipe Keller from France with a nice snook.


My favorite time of day, first light to sunrise.