The Southwest Report 3-5-02

SOUTHWEST Report 3/5/02
The wind has kept us at the dock so far this week, however it should calm down by Wednesday. We are fishing in the Naples SKA event this weekend and are expecting to do our sponsors proud. We fished the Marco tournament last week and took quite a pounding. Day one saw brutal 6-10' seas that stranded four boats in Key West and caused two boats to arrive home well into the evening. Day two wasn't much better and one boat sunk a couple of miles outside the start. We managed to weigh fish both days, however a 51.5 pound fish caught on day one took the event by a wide margin. I have charters lined up as soon as the wind stops and I look forward to getting back out there.

Pictured: L to R Bill Dorman, Terry Ewing, Captain Joe Cacaro, John Cassio
Photo: Becky Leahy

Pictured: Dr. Richard Hembroff
Photo: Will Harbeson

The fishing the last couple of weeks has been very good, with the first Cobia of the year starting to move in. There have been lots of crabs and Sargasso weed offshore which bodes well for the Spring Permit and Cobia run. We have been regularly limiting on various species of Snapper, including Mangroves, Yellowtails and Lanes. The Yellowtails and Muttons are beginning their spawning and there are good numbers of big fish around when this occurs. The rocky ledges and wrecks further offshore hold all our species of Snapper as well Gag and Black Grouper. These spots hold crabs, eels and baitfish, which also attract migrating Kingfish, Cobia and Bonito. Chumming is critical to success. The structures found nearer the shore generally have some pretty good concentrations of baitfish on them as the water warms. The combination of food and heavy cover attracts all manner of species. Big Gag grouper and jumbo Mangrove Snapper inhabit these spots all year. Cobia will often hold up on these nearshore wrecks on their northward migration to feed. When the water warms these spots will hold Cobia, Permit, Snook and Tarpon. Right now, these spots are giving up some big Gag Grouper, Mangrove Snapper and the occasional Cobia.

We had an estimated 80 pound Cobia chasing hooked up Snapper from the bottom to Rates, but would not eat anything. Very frustrating, but exciting. I am looking forward to a strong Cobia run this year. Our best action has been coming in 60-80' of water fishing wrecks and ledges. Anchoring and chumming has been the ticket to a wide variety of species. Our unique light tackle methods include the exclusive use of Capt. Hank Brown's Hook Up Jigs in red, pink, and chartreuse and allow my customers the option to battle some large Snapper and Grouper as well as Kingfish and Bonito on light tackle or even fly equipment if they like. It is a very exciting and fun way to enjoy some light tackle action as well as putting a pile of tasty Snapper and Grouper in the box for dinner and maybe a King for the smoker.

Pictured: Captain Joe Cacaro
Photo: Bill Dorman

Master Captain Joe Cacaro

Born in Ft. Lauderdale Joe has known the waters of Florida all of his life. To put it simply, he loves to fish. Growing up in both Long Island and Florida, Joe adds the experience of fishing the cold waters of the Atlantic as well as the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico here around Marco Island and the Florida Keys. Joe began his Marco Island fishing experience as a kid and was honored with a Masters Captain's license in January of 1995. Add this to a lifetime of fishing experience, you will not find a guide with more experience in his field or one that has more fun on the water.

239-642-0518