Marco Island, FL: Fishing in the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches

On the Gulf Coast of the United States lies a small sea island called Marco Island. Marco Island is a part of the Ten Thousand Island, whose purpose is to protect the coastlines during storms. Since it is a chain of mangrove inlets and islands, they also create areas of protected waters where wetlands flourish. Marco Island is the biggest of these barrier islands.

Way back in 500 AD, the Calusa Indians and their ancient Muspa ancestors settled the region. They have developed a complex culture based on fishing. As a way to adapt to the island, they became skilled woodworkers, which allowed them to build their homes, docks, and canoes from the island’s trees. And because of this, the Calusa Indians survived for more than a thousand years. In the mid-1500s, Spanish explorers arrived at the island and named it La Isla de San Marco, or The Island of Saint Mark. The developments on the island did not start until 1870 when William Thomas Collier and his son opened the Olde Marco Inn on the North of the Island. From that time on, Marco Island continued to progress. The clam digging industry exploded in the early 20th century, which resulted in the birth of the ferry service. A decade later, Barron Collier, son of William Colier, purchased vast lands and turned the island into a major tourist destination.

Today, Marco Island stands strong and is now one of the most popular beach and boating resort islands with a small-town character in Florida. It also features a six-mile crescent beach with bright white sugar sand and is among the widest in Florida. 

Marco Island Fishing

Marco Island is not just home to stunning sandy beaches and blue skies. Its seemingly endless waters are also heaven to those who love to go on boat rides and are paradise to anglers who are in for offshore and inshore fishing. Just imagine the endless fishing opportunities the island offers. This, added to the prolific Ten Thousand Island within meters away, your visit to Marco Island will be sweet and exciting, no matter how short your stay is. This is because Marco Islands is ideally situated to offer anglers many different kinds of world-class fishing within their reach.

Backwater fishing is one of Marco Island’s specialties. With calm waters, beautiful scenery, and a little travel, you get to enjoy an unforgettable backwater fishing experience. 

One of the many advantages of backwater fishing is its proximity to the dock as this allows anglers to land on a fish within ten minutes of setting out. The tranquil and shallow waters hold numerous game fish such as snook, tarpon, redfish, snapper, trout, jack crevalle, pompano, sheepshead, spotted seatrout, and ladyfish among others. These species put a real blend in your rod as these species come in medium to large sizes. 

Backwater fishing in Marco Island would require light tackles with a little casting of either live or artificial baits along the mangrove-covered shores and sandy beaches. In addition, due to the shallow waters, its temperature changes fast. So, if you plan to visit Marco Island for some backwater fishing, make sure to not only pack your casting gear but also check the temperature and come on days that are not too hot.

Another angling opportunity you can try in Marco Island is offshore fishing, especially if you enjoy the adventure and the challenge of the deeper waters. 

Offshore fishing in Marco Island is different from most places because the waters here are shallow and warm. So, even if you go 30 miles out, you will only be at 60-70 feet deep. However, this does not mean that fishing in this area will not be productive. It is actually the opposite. The warm and shallow water provides a thriving area for species to live and spawn, especially in notable spots like some of Marco’s wrecks and artificial reefs.

Try offshore fishing in Marco Island and get to catch some famous grouper, snapper, King mackerel, tuna, cobia, permit, shark, and the Goliath grouper. If you are lucky, you can also land on some amberjack.

Your visit to Marco Island does not end in backwater and offshore fishing. You can even fish in the waterways behind your rental homes. Fishing in this area of the Marco islands gives anglers an opportunity to land on some mangrove snapper, sheepshead, jack, snook, and pesky catfish. If your waterway is closer to the gulf, you may also land on some 2- 3 feet tarpon. The use of shrimp and other live baitfish is most effective if you want a productive catch.

Beach and Pier Fishing in Marco Island are also productive. Fishing in Marco Island does not always require your to be on a boat. Sometimes, you can just walk and head to its beaches and piers to fish, this is because many of the species of fish in the local waters cruise the 6 miles of beaches that lie to the west of Marco Island. 

Pier and beach fishing requires certain techniques and there are many that you can use. One of the easiest and the most productive is to cast a bucktail jig in the waters. Using a ¼ oz or a 3.8 oz white jig tipped with a small piece of shrimp or a piece of Buckley Gulf Shrimp would be one of the most recommended. Once you have prepared your gear, cast it deep away from shore and slowly retrieve it, imitating the natural movements of your bait. Jigging of the bottom may produce some pompano, sea trout, sheepshead, and jack crevalle. However, if you retrieve it a litter faster, you may products some Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. 

Lastly, if you are an experienced angler, you might want to try your hand at the extreme shallow and grass flats around the Ten Thousand Islands and try fly fishing. If you are up to the challenge, cast your bait and be ready to land on some snook and redfish. You may also land on some jack crevalle, ladyfish, sea trout, and tarpon if you start your fishing journey early in the morning. Just make sure you bring with you some live baits or baits that look like shrimp, crabs, mullet, and small shinners. 
 

Marco Island has a lot of different fishing opportunities that attract a lot of anglers from different places. Aside from its beautiful, scenic view, the island is also notable for its rich marine life and ecosystem, allowing it to house many different species. Whether you choose to access the waters through a boat, kayak, or on foot, you will never go home empty-handed. So if you happen to be here, make sure not to miss these notable places to cast your rod: The Calusa Island Marina, Caxambas Park, and Marina, South Beach, and Jolley Bridge. This will make your Marco Island visit complete. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Marco Island, FL

The top 10 fish species in Marco Island are snook, tarpon, redfish, jack crevalle, pompano, sheepshead, spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, permit, and ladyfish.

Fishing Seasonality

The seemingly endless waters in Marco Island provide anglers endless angling opportunities any time of the year. In addition, the many inshore waterways and open oceans allow anglers to fish from summer to winter. It truly is an angler’s paradise, right? 

Just like any other fishing destination, Marco Island also has peak months for different fish species. So, if you plan on landing some certain species, it is recommended that you visit the island during its peak months. 

If you plan on landing on some tarpons, visiting the months between March and June will be the best. During these times, tarpons pass through Marco Island’s waters as it prepares to spawn. Amberjack, bass, and sheepshead are productive during colder months especially in the months of December through February. If you are planning to land on some king mackerel, visiting the months of October to April will be best. As for the rest of the fish like redfish, snapper, and jacks, one may yield a productive catch any time of the month.

Maximize Your Stay in Marco Island

1.Book a Fishing Charter

Marco Island in Florida is one of the top fishing destinations in Northern America and is one of the best fishing destinations any angler would visit. However, the seemingly endless waters might be overwhelming for anglers visiting the area for the first time. That is why it will be helpful to have some of the best local guides who can bring you to the island’s best spots. So make sure to book your local guide to help you get the best angling experience possible.

2. Visit Marco Island’s Historical Museum

The stunning beauty of Marco Island, Florida is even made beautiful with its rich history. And, there is no other way to appreciate the beauty of the island more than to learn the circumstances of where it started. Marco Island Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the area’s rich history. It exhibits include historical artifacts, early photographs, and first-hand accounts of pioneers who settled the area when it was still undeveloped.

3. Appreciate Art and Culture through Marco Island Center for the Arts

Marco Island is not just filled with beautiful waters, it also holed beauty in a different perspective. Through the Marco Island Center for the Arts, one will witness a few locally produced masterpieces without spending an arm and a leg.