Marco Island INSHORE Fishing CHARTERS

Marco Island lies just south of Naples where the sand turns into mud and oysters and is the gateway to the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The 10,000 Islands is just that, an area of around 10,000 mangrove islands on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico connected by shallow bays, creeks, and rivers. The 10,000 Islands is a very tidal ecosystem, sometimes with over five feet of tidal swing each day. With the Everglades National Park to its south, the 10k, as it is called, is home to good populations of snook and reds and the epicenter of the Southwest Florida tarpon fishing universe.

The warmer months (April-October), brings us hot conditions and some of the highest tides of the year. May is the height of the tarpon season in the 10k. Tarpon can be found swimming on the outside points and flats, laid up in the back bays, and rolling in the bays and rivers as they make their way north. Tarpon fishing is usually the most consistent of the year in May and June as the migration tends to taper off in July. During this time of year, snook have a tendency to make their way closer to the outside points and islands in preparation for their spawn, and there are usually good windows of opportunity to sight fish snook of all sizes. Redfishing in the 10k in the summer can be good on the lower tides, and provides great opportunities for anglers of all abilities to catch them. Many different species of fun fish can also be had during the warmer months for those just looking to smile and pull on a few fish.