By Captain Marty Martino:
Summer fishing in Southwest Florida started off as a challenge. As a captain for Pure Florida and avid fisherman, I can sympathize with the Southwest Florida anglers on the rough conditions we experienced in early summer. Rainy season came in early and the rains were hard and heavy, dumping 15-20 inches on Southwest Florida in June alone. With the increase in rain and standing water, the mosquitos came alive. You couldn’t even fish next to the mangroves without mosquitos making it almost unbearable.
It seemed like March winds lasted until July, making off-shore fishing choppy. The rocking and rolling seas, driven by long-lasting winds, made Dramamine a welcomed friend to some guests aboard our deep-sea fishing trips. Aside from weather challenges, even the fish seemed to be teasing me! The groupers were coming up an inch or half = inch short of the slot.
After a rough start, fishing conditions seem to be getting back on track as summer ends and we head into the fall. In late July and early August, seas calmed down and at 12 to 16 miles out the groupers were not only in slot but inches beyond regulation. There are some other good fish out there too like white grunt and lane, mangrove and yellowtail snappers.
For inland fishing, the bugs surrounding the mangroves have subsided a bit and conditions are a little more bearable. The calm waters of Naples’ back bays attract a lot of experienced anglers but are also ideal for first-timers and children. As a captain, there is nothing better than hearing a youngster on board shout, “This is the first fish I ever caught!” or seeing the smile of a child when they realize they’ve caught the biggest fish on the boat. I recently was helping an 8-year-old boy while fishing aboard Pure Florida’s Kudu II in Dollar Bay and helped him cast into the mangrove roots where I thought some fish may be hiding. Sure enough, shortly after the cast, the pole bends and this 8-year-old hooks, sets and reels-in a 24-inch redfish! Back at the dock in Tin City, he proudly showed everyone the fish he had caught. “I caught it and I’m going to eat it!” he proclaimed. Looking back on the day, I’m still not sure if it was him or me that had the biggest smile.
No matter the age, nothing beats enjoying a fresh catch. I gave the boy’s parents a fish fillet recipe that is great for kids and adults alike.
Recipe for Family-Friendly Fish Filets:
- Fresh fish fillets
- Ritz crackers (depends on the size and amount of fillets) – [1-3 packs]
- Real butter (depends on amount of crackers used) – [1-3 sticks]
- Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic seasoning (or your favorite)
- Garlic cloves, chopped (never enough garlic for me)
- 1 tsp dill weed
- 2 lemons
- Parmesan cheese
- Peeled shrimp
Melt butter. Add seasoning, garlic, dill weed and the juice of 2 lemons. On a plate, crush Ritz crackers until fine. Dip fish filets in butter sauce, then in Ritz crackers and place in baking dish that has a little butter sauce in it so the fish won’t stick. Dip the shrimp in the butter sauce, then in Ritz crackers. Place shrimp on top of the fish filets and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the fillets. Enjoy!
Captain Marty Martino is a 100-Ton Master Captain and Florida Master Naturalist with Pure Florida.
