Submitted photo

Harrison Davies of Park City, Utah, holding a guitarfish that he caught and released while fishing with Capt. Bill Walsh aboard the Dawn Patrol. Guitarfish used to be in our area in much larger numbers but seem to have dwindled down over the years. It is said that they will shock you with an electric shock if you touch their nose. I have never tried it to see if it’s true have you?

RED STIER

Top view of a guitarfish, one of Red’s fiberglass fish mounts.

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Southwest Florida anglers enjoyed some productive fishing on most all fishing fronts. Several have reported they have had to work at it hard for their success.

March should help the nearshore anglers, from the passes out to 45 feet of water improve on their catch by finding patches of bait with a nice selection of species working them including Spanish mackerel, bonito, bluerunner, ladyfish, jack, barracuda and just maybe some kingfish.

The nearshore fish havens and wrecks should also have some trout and an increase in snook action. Using tipped jigs for trout and using live bait such as pinfish, grunt, minnows or fresh cut bait near the bottom. As always it will depend on the weather, nice weather, better fishing.

Our offshore anglers that go to the wrecks, towers and locations with hard bottom and some profile should find grouper, mangrove, lane, and yellowtail snapper. You might add red and mutton snapper to the list if you are fishing more south of Marco Island.

Another reminder to all near and offshore anglers, keep abreast of any new changes on the size and bag limits.

Our inland, passes and outer shoreline waters will continue to offer anglers redfish, trout, snapper, snook, pompano intermingled with a few keeper size sheepshead and black drum.

While it is a little early it is a good bet you might see an increase in the numbers and average size of tarpon and snook as we get into the last half of March. If this plays out it will be because the warm winter we have had.

The list of baits and methods used include tipped jigs, lures, fresh live and cut mullet and ladyfish. Keeping an eye on your tide chart and going during your favorite could give you an added edge.

Some anglers like myself are getting to the vintage where they forget what tide they fished or the spot they were fishing or what was the water temperature or any other thing that was important to them to remember for their next trip. Of course, one thing common for many anglers is, the fish always get a little larger when telling their friends about it.

I received a call from Bonita Springs angler Anita Goble. Anita says she and her husband put together a CD computer software program called Saltwater Easy Log which should solve your fishing record keeping problems.

There is a place to log just about anything you need to remember when it comes to who, what, where and when on your fishing trip. You can log the anglers name, weather conditions, tides, water depth and temperature, wind direction and mph, bait used, pictures and the estimated weight of the fish in the picture by measuring the length and girth of the fish.

There is also a little humor, a slot for posting the increased weight of the fish caught as the story gets older.

It is a really nice program for anglers of all ages, from the beginner to the seasoned anglers. The CD’s are for sale at Marco River Marina ship’s store being the first one on Marco to offer them. You may also visit Anita’s website at www.myeasylog.com or call 287-9391 for more information.

Do not forget Marco Sportfishing Club meets the first Thursday of the month at the Jewish Temple, 991 Winterberry Drive. They welcome non members to come to their meeting to see what they are all about and join the club if you are interested.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The club offers its members picnics, fishing tournaments, interesting and informative guest speakers on many fishing and marine subjects at the meetings. They also participate in special events such as the yearly Kids Fishing Clinic held at the Naples Pier. This year’s event is set for April 26. You may call Peter Arcidiacone at 261-4313 for more information about the kids fishing clinic.

Marco Island Flyrodders meet the second Wednesday of the month through the winter season. It all happen at the Marco Community Bank corner of Barfield and San Marco. Guests are welcome. Call Bob Prestyly 394-9183 or visit their website www.marcoislandflyrodders.com.

Terry Metzger of Cypress Cycle in Naples announces the Gulf Coast Bass Masters has changed their meetings to the Bass Pro shops in Fort Myers corner of I-75 and Aleco Road. They meet the third Tuesday of each month. Members of the club can car pool from Metzger’s Cycle shop if they wish. You may call Terry at 597-4973 for more information.

An email in from Linda Deluca announcing the Eleventh Annual Gene Doyle Backcountry Memorial Fishing Tournament is set for May 2, 3, & 4.

It is a catch and release tournament targeting redfish, snook and trout. It was created to honor the memory of Robert Eugene Doyle III who was an adventurous young man.

The tournament raises money for the Gene Doyle Adventure Scholarship Foundation which in turn helps deserving Collier County students to undertake the adventures of their dreams and has 20 tournament prizes including the Grand Champion trophy.

You may email Jim Vanas, Foundation Chairman at mangohse@comcast.net or Robin Doyle at robin.doyle@comcast.net or call Denise Steffens 261-4313 or Linda Deluca, Tournament Chair at 272-6130 for more information or visit their website www.genedoule.org.

This tournament sells out early so you need to book it as quickly as possible.

Have a great week!