Let’s Go Fishing in Marco Island!

Welcome to Marco Island, located on the Gulf of Mexico in sunny Southwest Florida, where you can enjoy saltwater fishing at its finest. As the largest of the 10,000 Islands chain which stretches south all the way to Florida Bay and the Florida Keys, Marco Island is the northern gateway to a unique pristine coastal wilderness, with Naples and Everglades City only a short boat ride away. The limestone Gulf bottom surrounding Marco Island is a natural fish attractant with underwater reefs and shipwrecks which draws fish from miles around! Here you can enjoy the fishing experience of a lifetime, with rod-bending action and adventure in a coastal setting that is second to none.

Professional fishing enthusiasts and novices alike will agree that Marco Island provides some the best saltwater fishing anywhere in the world, with miles of uninhabited islands, scenic mangroves and unspoiled scenery. Visiting anglers can try their hand at backwater fishing, fly fishing, deep sea fishing, offshore fishing, or more relaxed reef and wreck fishing. Some of the most popular species of game fish which can be found in the Marco Island area include redfish, snook, tarpon, grouper, speckled trout, permit, snapper, king mackerel, black drum, barracuda, bonito, pompano, cobia and shark. Live bait such as shiners, blue runners and threadfin herring is often used to catch some of the biggest fish. Guided trips may be reserved which depart regularly from the Casa Marina at Goodland Bridge, Marco River Marina, Cedar Bay Marina, Collier Boulevard Boating Park, and Calusa Island Marina. If you prefer to fish on your own, there are plenty of marinas and bait and tackle stores where you can find boat rentals, fishing tackle, and expert advice.

You can just about always count on the temperate waters of the Gulf of Mexico around Marco Island to provide a year-round environment for catching lots of fish! From March until September, thrill seekers can take advantage of fabulous tarpon and shark fishing found in these waters. The Marco Island region is well known for producing its share of monster 100+ pound tarpon, and if you like fishing for sharks, you’ve come to the right place, with Blacktips, Bulls, Tigers and Hammerheads making this area home. Marco Island is without question the ideal destination for fishermen who want to combine top-notch sports fishing with spectacular natural beauty, and you’ll find a breathtaking array of island passes, sandbars, bays, creeks, and mangrove shores just waiting to be explored. One thing’s for sure, wherever you cast your line in this stunning natural habitat, there’s likely to be a hungry, prowling fish lurking nearby, ready and willing to take your bait!

Published on Wednesday, July 8, 2009