Marco island fly fishing in may

waterfowlstocker

Hey everyone, go down to Marco Island every year grouper and snapper fishing, and looking to try some fly fishing for tarpon and snook in the back waters on our days when were not offshore. Looking for any information for the area and time of year. Any info will help. thanks

Tarpoon

Hire a guide is always the best advice. Especially if you are not familiar with the backwater. Would need more info to give you any real advice. Boat type, draft etc... Fish are usually showing on the beaches that time of year.


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Tarpoon

And eating bait, not shrimp if that helps with fly selection


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MegalopsAtlanticus

You should do just fine with Tarpon around Marco in May... There will be several thousand laid up in most bights south of (and including) Cape Romano. The usual arsenal of bulky Clousers and Deceivers (stout hooks, blue/white or white/chartreuse patterns) should get the job done. I'd typically focus on the bights around Round Key, Whitehorse Key, or the entrance to Dismal Key Pass/Santina Bay.

Early morning and calm seas will reveal rolling fish easily. Might have to go heavy with a 10 or even 12 weight, if you wanna' subdue some of those big migrating fish that time of year. 8wt is fine for the year-round babies, but May means GIANTS. Those things will kick a man's butt on stout spinning gear- you could imagine the struggle that ensues with a buggy whip in your hands, haha.

waterfowlstocker

We are staying in Isles of Capri and will be in a 15ft boat with a 25hp I believe, can't remember?? I have a 9wt and my buddy will have an 11wt. We wont be venturing too far from the dock since we aren't familiar with the area enough. We will be bringing a GPS with just for safe measures. What colors are a good choice for fly selection??

MegalopsAtlanticus

Isles of Capri will put you in a good spot for easy May access to Tarpon.

I stick with White/Blue and White/Chartreuse patterns on Clousers and Deceivers. Anything from 2-4" long. Surprisingly, the big girls are usually more interested in shorter/fat profile patterns than they are in gigantic one. Topwater Gurrglers, Cockroaches, and other typical Tarpon flies will also produce.

You should find plenty of fish right in Capri Pass, so your boat size will be fine. There is a small creek off Capri Pass that leads to a shallow bay (You will see it on the north side of the pass) that will usually hold Tarpon and Snook in warm months. Don't discount the backside of Isles of Capri either- there are always some fish in the open water bays near Route 92. If you look at Isles of Capri on a satellite image, you will see the old roadbed that once led to a ferryboat to Marco. Line up with that roadbed and fire away.

Tarpoon

^^^^^^^^. What Megalops said, good advice! On the right day, wind etc.... You'll find rollers in the pass and out front of Keywaddin beaches


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MegalopsAtlanticus

Thanks Tarpoon, haha... I do love those April-June days of chasing tarpon, and I think May is best. So much so, that I planned my wedding for May 16th in Everglades City to ensure that my fishing buddies can tangle with a few brutes while they are in town.

OP, the only thing I would disregard in my previous advice are the words "Route 92". I really meant to say "Route 951" (Collier Blvd), and as I mentioned you should see that old roadbed/ferry launch on satellite maps if you look close. Zoom right in, look for the old roadbed paralleling the current road, and it should all make sense. You might have to zoom in surprisingly close to see what I am talking about, but I am sure you will see it And once you identify that little bay west of 951 and the old roadbed (and the bay the ferry once crossed) you will see that there are a few (albeit adventurous, but not out of reach for a 15ft/25hp boat) ways to access that bay from Isles of Capri and Capri Pass. May is an awesome month to fish here, in my opinion. I think you chose well for a few inshore day adventures.

waterfowlstocker

Thanks guys, this really helps a lot. Our main focus is offshore grouper and snapper bite and we usually go in late August early Sept, but we decided to switch it up this year and go in late May. So on our off days inshore we will definitely try and get out and target some tarpon. What tides are best for tarpon??

Tarpoon

I wish I had a simple answer to the tide question but do not. I may be overcomplicating but i think wind, wind shifts, water clarity, tides and water temps all play together. The switch is usually what turns them on imho. That said a wind shift, a line of clear water etc..... Can produce as well. Look for the bait and what makes them start flipping


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MegalopsAtlanticus

"The two BEST times for Tarpon Fishing are when it's raining, and when it's not."

waterfowlstocker

HAHA, thats a good answer.