Marco & Naples Fishing Report 8/7/06

Where do I start? Let's just dive in; Fishing the Passes from Wiggins to Cape Romano has been excellent. Big Snook and Snapper have been taking white bait, artrificials, and flies. On the outsides of the passes the Tarpon are still meandering around, some days better than others. If you do find them they are usually the big boys. There are vast schools of bait off the beaches around Vanderbilt and some along Keeywaydin, and the Tarpon and Snook are finding them. Trout are also thrown in for good measure. Fly fishing has been very good also. The good thing about this time of the year just about anybody can catch fish on the long rod. The fish are here, they are hungry, and will go long distances to chase a fly down. There are no excuses get out and try it. The beaches this time of the year are a great place to start if you don't want to spend the money on a guide. If you do decide to get guide, and your new to the sport, find one that is an instructor and specializes in Fly Fisherman.
The offshore waters have alot to offer this time of the year as well. You can expect to catch Black fin Tuna, False Albacore, Cobia, Amberjack, Permit, and Snapper when you take an offshore trip. The nearshore wrecks have been producing well, and a little tip, if you can get an afternoon without to much of the Thunderstorms this is the perfect time to catch those Permit. They are usually much less wary in the late afternoon and early evening.
On the Freshwater seen, Bass are still taking poppers in the Everglades canals, this is not usual for this time of the year but if you are a basser take advantage of it.