Submitted

Marco angler Greg Glover holding a nice permit he caught while fishing with Capt. David M. Rasmussen aboard the “Conference Call” using a jig tipped with shrimp. Rasmussen says they were fishing about 65 miles southwest of Marco.

Submitted

John Brossard III releasing a large tarpon he caught and released after a long fight. John was shark fishing with his father, John Brossard.

Not much has changed for Southwest Florida anglers. Many anglers fishing the inland, outer shoreline, flats, and passes will get out there early, hit several of their special spots to beat the heat, and avoid the tropical afternoon rain storms that should continue through July and most of August. Of course if they can plan it, a fishing trip on a high incoming or falling tide all the better.

The lineup of species will continue, but some of them have decreased in their average size and numbers. Sheepshead and black drum are two of them. You may also see an increase in the numbers of smaller mangrove snapper that have hatched out.

Good size snook are still running the various shorelines in search of mullet, minnows, and crab. The larger ones will take a shot at a small bluerunner or ladyfish.

Isles of Capri angler Steve Doctor caught and released a 42-inch snook near a local shoreline. He and Sherrie forgot the camera. Sorry about that kids. Get back out there with a camera.

Captain Bill Jones of Make A Memory Charters echoed my thoughts and added that while there are still some nice size tarpon at most of the locations listed above, you may see a decrease in the numbers of larger tarpon, as they will be moving offshore to spawn. The good news: Many of them will return after spawning.

They will be lighter on returning due to their spawning activity, but will fatten up quickly, feeding on just about anything you offer them including live mullet, crab, pinfish, ladyfish, and freshly defined catfish.

Thanks for the input Bill. You may contact Captain Bill Jones at (239)394-6059 for more information.

Another tarpon catch report is just in from Captain John Brossard. He reports he continues to catch and release shark. He and his son John III were out late in the evening stalking shark when a huge tarpon they estimated at 150 pounds-plus decided to take the bait. This started a two-hour-plus fight between the tarpon and John III, holding them at bay until after sun down. They managed to get some quick pictures and then revived and released it. Nice job John and John III.

Everything is looking good on all our fishing fronts, as I prepare this article. Nearshore fish havens and wrecks should have some grouper, snapper, and sheepshead near the bottom, if the giant goliath grouper have not cleaned them out. There should be barracuda, shark, jack, bluerunner, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, and just maybe some permit near the surface.

Trolling spoons, tipped jigs, or deep running lures while marking the spot could create some added action for your trip before anchoring to do bottom fishing.

Don’t be surprised if someone aboard hooks into a permit or cobia. Having live bait and lots of chum will increase your odds of successful fishing and catching.

Our offshore wrecks, towers, and locations with hard bottom with some profile should offer many of the same species, some in larger numbers such as permit and cobia. Of course no matter where you decide to go, there is always a very good chance you will run into some sharks.

This is also a good time of year to stalk tripletail. They should be found lurking around docks, buoy markers, and any floating debris you may find from the beach out. While tipped jigs can get the job done, don’t rule out live crabs, small pinfish, and minnows.

The article about the awards presented to members of the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol was great. It is always to know they are out there doing so much to ensure not only boaters’ safety with their evening patrols — what used to be called sundown patrol — that covers quite a large area. They also add their support of Homeland Security since Sept. 11, 2001, flying over forest fires while relaying valuable information to the firefighters below, medical emergency flights, running a Cadet program, and now adding a glider to their program.

While their annual fund raiser is during the winter season, I am sure they would greatly welcome any donations during the off months from any of you who would like to add to their programs.

One more thing. If you see them flying over you, and you are not in trouble, do not wave at them. If you are in trouble, have your flares ready, life jackets, and boat cushions out and waving them. For more information you may contact Richard C. Niess, Lt. Col, CAP Public Affairs Officer, Marco Island CAP Composite Squadron 376 at (239)530-0786 or (239)595-9588.

Catch you later!

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

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