Marco Island's Ten Thousand Islands: A Backcountry Fishing Guide
Marco Island is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands backcountry. Snook, redfish, and tarpon in wild water.
Read MoreFlorida · Southwest
MARCO ISLAND
FISHING CHARTERS
15+ verified captains. Instant confirmation. Best price guaranteed.
15+
Verified Captains
4.8★
Avg Rating
3
Fishing Types
16+
Species
Anglers:
2 Adults
0 Kids
Instant Booking
Free Cancellation
Best Price Guarantee
About
Marco Island Fishing
Marco Island is the northern gateway to the legendary Ten Thousand Islands, one of the most pristine and fish-rich backcountry environments in the world. The maze of mangrove islands, oyster bars, and tidal creeks is home to trophy snook, redfish, tarpon, and goliath grouper. Sight-fishing on the shallow flats for tailing redfish and cruising snook is a year-round pursuit that draws anglers from across the globe.
The Gulf waters off Marco Island feature productive nearshore reefs holding grouper, snapper, and permit, while deeper runs reach the productive ledges and wrecks of the offshore Gulf. The area's warm, clear waters support an incredibly diverse ecosystem, with something biting in every season. Marco Island's upscale amenities, stunning beaches, and access to wild backcountry fishing create a one-of-a-kind angling experience.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Marco Island?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Inshore
|
G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G |
|
Nearshore
|
F | F | G | G | P | F | - | - | - | G | P | G |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | G | G | G | P | P | G | G | F | F | F |
|
Inshore
|
F | G | G | P | G | F | - | - | - | F | G | F |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | G | P | G | G | G | P | P | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
P | P | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | G | P |
|
Inshore
|
F | G | G | P | P | P | G | G | P | P | G | F |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | F | F | F | G | G | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | P | G | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | G | P | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | F | F | F | G | G | F | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | G | P | P | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | G | P | P | G | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | F | F | - | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Marco Island Fish Species
16+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Marco Island
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
View All Articles
Marco Island Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Marco Island.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Marco Island Fishing Reviews
Ten Thousand Islands backcountry was unreal
Explored the mangrove maze of the Ten Thousand Islands and the fishing was absolutely incredible. Caught snook, redfish, and tarpon in the creeks and passes. This is the most remote and pristine backcountry fishing in all of Florida.
C
Captain Ernesto
April 2025
Snook
Redfish
Tarpon
Snook were stacked in Capri Pass
Fished the outgoing tide at Capri Pass and found snook lined up in the current feeding on baitfish. Threw live shiners and caught 11 snook with three over 32 inches. Marco Island pass fishing is world-class during the warmer months.
C
Captain Sylvia
August 2025
Snook
Jack Crevalle
Mangrove Snapper
Monster goliath grouper under the bridge
Fished the Goodland Bridge for goliath grouper and hooked into an absolute monster that had to be over 400 pounds. After a 30-minute battle on stand-up tackle, we got the fish boatside for photos and released it. Goliath grouper fishing around Marco Island is legendary.
C
Captain Kelvin
September 2025
Goliath Grouper
Snook
Redfish
Redfish on every oyster bar in the 10K Islands
Poled through the Ten Thousand Islands targeting redfish on the oyster bars and shell points. Found fish on every bar we checked. Landed 14 gorgeous reds on gold spoons and soft plastics. Marco Island backcountry redfish fishing is second to none.
C
Captain Iris
November 2025
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Mangrove Snapper
Tarpon migration was in full swing
Found tarpon migrating along the beaches near Marco Island and sight-casted to pods of fish rolling on the surface. Jumped six tarpon and landed two beautiful silvers over 100 pounds. The tarpon migration through Marco Island is an annual spectacle.
C
Captain Ben
June 2025
Tarpon
Permit
Permit and grouper on the offshore wrecks
Fished some offshore wrecks and artificial reefs about 15 miles off Marco Island. Found permit schooling over the structure and also boxed some nice gag grouper and mangrove snapper. Marco Island has an incredible variety of fishing options.
C
Captain Camille
March 2025
Permit
Gag Grouper
Mangrove Snapper
Start Your Adventure
Ready to Fish Marco Island?
Post your trip request and let Marco Island's top captains compete for your business. Or browse available charters and book instantly.