Fly Fishing

corktommy

Hi All,

I am travelling from Ireland to Marco Island for two weeks vacation on August 8th 2009. I may do some boat fishing but me preference would be to grab a few hours shore fishing every other day. I have fly fished from beaches and estuaries and would hope to do the same while in Marco Island. Would anyone be able to advise on target species, flies (and hopefully tyings) best times, some specific locations, etc. I would be very grateful.

Best Regards
CorkTommy

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

You should be able to find some snook, jack crevalle's, lady fish on the beaches or in the passes during that time of year as the water will definately be warm enough. Try early morning and evenings. Also, drive around and check out the structures at bridges where the tide is moving. You are also within a quick drive to the tamiami trail where there are baby tarpon and snook etc.. Again, drive around look for signs of life and fish. You can't go wrong with some EP flies, clousers, white deceivers, and small tarpon flies. There are no bonefish over in that region so you won't need bonefish flies. There are redfish, so you may want to bring some redfish fly patterns. If you get a chance, consider hiring a guide to take you into the backcountry. Especially if you are there in August, many of the guides won't be booked - so you can probably get out for a couple days or a full day or at least a 1/2 day. It would be well worth it -- as I have gone out in the back country several times near the Marco Island area -- and it is absolutely amazing and you will be able to see things and cast to fish and get to places that are virtually impossible to get to on foot or without a flats boat. And a day with a guide would help you to better understand the fishing in that region - as it is unique and it would help to know what it is that you are looking for, so that when you are on foot and trying to do it yourself you will have an idea of what you are looking for and where the fish hold and how to present your flies etc... Ok. Hope this helps - good luck.

PS. Not sure where you are staying -- but if you are staying at a place on the water or near the water - look for dock lights at night. Fish congregate around the lights at night (snook, lady fish, baby tarpon, jacks etc.. ) and if you can find a couple good docks with lights on them .. you will want to check them out at night.

FlyWright · Location: Marco Island, Florida

Tommy,

Give the south end of the island a try. There is a beach access down there, unless your staying on the beach, that you would be able to walk down to these rock jetties that stick out. Fish near them and around to the left as far as you can before someone runs you off. The tall condos there actually own the seawall around to the south of them but you're totally safe fishing from the rocks and just below the rocks. I would throw something that has a white body with a green or olive colored back, like Jeremy said, the Puglisi is a great fly to use or deceivers, sea ducers, clousers or any bait fish imitation. You will most likely catch snook, jacks or ladyfish. Small tarpon have been known to get close to the rocks there but they mostly hang out at the deeper ones further off the beach. On the north end of the beach is some good fishing as well. If you have any questions just contact me.

Wright

hookmeup · Location: Willoughby, OH

CorkTommy, I too am coming down same time in August. First time fishing in this area. Steelhead season just over up here and Smallmouth are getting hot now on the Lake Erie tribs. I just acquired an 8 wt for salt water and can't wait to try it down there. I sure got a lot to learn about a different style of fishing. A guide for one day is on the agenda. I'm open for any suggestions as well. Let me know if any one would want a tag along some morning, I can extend the favor later in the year for Steelhead Alley up here.

Rob

tarpondoc · Posted: Thu 07/09/09 7:38 pm Post subject:

great guides for the area are, Capt. Bill Baldus, Capt Wright Taylor, and Capt. Jeff Legutki from Mangrove outfitters. Have personal experience with all three. they will all work very hard for you. Tarpon, snook, giant jacks, Reds are the fish you can get into that time of year. you will need to move around the storms but these guys really now what they are doing.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

Since Tarpondoc through out a couple guide suggestions ... I'd like to add Capt. Kevin Mihailoff ... He is an amazing backcountry fly fisherman. Both He and Jeff Letgutki are part of the World Angling Crew. I haven't fished with Jeff, but have several friends who have and I know he fishes with Tepper and Willy down in the keys and in the everglades and I hear he is a killer fly fishing guide. I have fished with Kevin Mihailoff and all I can absolutely say is if you want to fish the backcountry and you take your fly fishing seriously .. he is one of the best fly fishing guides I have ever fished with. And, Kevin, is really well respected for his fishing/guiding ability in the deep backcountry sections of the Florida Everglades.