Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

High winds and some red tide hampered the fishing this week. However, there is always a place to fish in southwest Florida. Marco Island produced some pretty fair trout fishing in the backcountry and pompano on the shoals. Fish for the trout in the deep holes behind the outside islands from Coon Key to Round Key. Shrimp tipped jigs are always a good choice. Work them slower when the water is cold. The pompano are a little more difficult. A few are hitting 1/8th ounce jigs tipped with shrimp but you'll catch more with sand fleas. Snook action slowed last week when the red tide made keeping bait alive almost impossible. I haven't been able to get out the tarpon that were holding on some hard bottom offshore. Ft Myers hasn't faired much better, except for trout and sheephead. Sheephead are the best bet around structure like pilings and bridges. Trout are in 4-5 ft of water off the sandbars. When the weather is as nasty as it's been lately you'll have a good shot at the "infamous" cold front slam which consists of catching a Jack, Ladyfish, and Sailcat. One of my buddies made up the slam when we were trying to justify fishing in 40 degree temperatures with the wind blowing at about 30 knots. Good Luck! Capt. Scott Hughes