Marco Island Fishing

24 May Marco Island Fishing

Marco Island located in southwest Florida is one of the largest barrier islands within the Ten Thousand Islands area. And like most places in Florida it boasts beautiful beaches, a network of bays and estuaries, a rich history and incredible fishing. When you visit Marco Island, you can be sure to find something to fit the whole family’s need. But let’s face it, the fishing is the real reason why people visit, and move, to the Marco Island region. With its backcountry waterways, nearshore action and proximity to great offshore fishing, Marco Island has it all. The best part about all this incredible fishing is that it is available ALL YEAR ROUND. The temperate waters surrounding Marco Island contain all the necessary and vital habitats that inshore fish species need to thrive.

Red drum, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and many more call this area home. Vast seagrass beds, mazes of oyster bars, mangrove islands and more provide cover, food and spawning grounds for a plethora of game fish that are targeted throughout the year by anglers from all over the globe. With this type of fishing pressure, it is important to practice ethical angling each and every time we embark on our next fishing excursion. That’s why here at Glades Fly Fishing, we have partnered up with associations like the Coastal Conservation Association and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust to help promote catch and release in order to ensure a healthy fish population for years to come. These associations not only support the rehabilitation and preservation of Florida’s fisheries, but also support environmental campaigns to protect our bays, estuaries and waterways in a way that is beneficial to anglers, habitat, and fish alike.

The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) has a long standing reputation in conserving, promoting and enhancing coastal resources for future generations to enjoy. The CCA was started back in 1977 when commercial fisheries in Texas destroyed the redfish and seatrout population. With what began with a dozen of concerned anglers now involve more than 100,000 recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to advise and educate the public on our precious marine resources. The CCA does this through scientific studies, artificial reef building, creating fish hatcheries, supporting local marine law enforcement and much more.

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) is similar in ways to the CCA, but with a more specific focus in the Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit fisheries. They aim to conserve and restore these fisheries and habitat through research, stewardship and education. Although not quite as old as the CCA, the BTT was founded in 1997 by a group of six anglers whom noticed the decline of the Bonefish population and the fact that nothing was being done about it. This passion began the BTT and now works with institutions and government agencies in order to bring back and protect our precious resources of not only the United States, but also along the waters of Cuba, Belize, the Bahamas and Mexico.

There are plenty of things you can do on a smaller scale that will make a huge impact in the efforts to help conserve and protect your favorite waterway. For instance, leave no trace by disposing of waste properly. Respect the seagrass beds. Tearing up seagrass beds with motors or otherwise can prove to be detrimental for a variety of reasons. Seagrass beds provide food sources, habitat, nursery and helps with erosion. Protecting these fragile environments will help ensure a healthy fish population for years to come.

Practicing catch and release tactics is also a very beneficial way to help maintain and improve the fish population. Here at Glades Fly Fishing, catch and release fishing is a way of life. Here are some important tips for proper catching and releasing:

• Always wet your hands prior to handling any fish and use a knotless, rubberized net. Wetting your hands will help reduce the amount of slime that is taken off of the fish. The slime helps the fish to swim, but also protects it from infection.
• Hold the fish horizontally and never drop the fish onto a hard surface.
• Always keep hands and fingers away from the gills and eyes.
• Release the fish back into the water in a timely manner. Have all tools necessary for hook removal available and ready so that you can deal with the fish as fast as possible. When returning the fish back to the water, return it head first. This allows the water to rush over its head and gills and aids in reviving of the fish.

Captain Paul is a firm believer of these tactics. If you’re looking for a fishing trip that is not only fun and exciting, but is also educational and is based around conservation, then look no further than Glade Fly Fishing.