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What’s biting on Marco Island, month by month

Marco Island fishes well all year. What changes with the seasons is which fish are running. Use this calendar to plan your trip around the fish you want to catch, or pick any week and let your captain put you on whatever’s biting.

Updated September 2026 · Based on local charter captains’ seasonal logs

Best bets in October

Snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, black drum, cobia and crevalle jack.

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The year at a glance

Darker = better odds. Based on local charter captains’ experience; every season runs a little different.
FishJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
SnookGoodGoodBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestGoodGood
RedfishFairFairFairBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBest
TarponSlowSlowSlowFairBestBestBestGoodSlowSlowSlowSlow
Mangrove snapperBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBest
SheepsheadBestBestGoodFairFairFairFairGoodGoodGoodBestBest
Black drumBestBestBestGoodFairSlowSlowFairGoodBestBestBest
Spotted seatroutFairFairFairBestBestBestFairFairFairFairSlowSlow
CobiaSlowFairGoodBestGoodGoodGoodGoodBestBestGoodSlow
Crevalle jackGoodGoodGoodBestBestBestBestBestBestBestBestGood

BestGoodFairSlow

The fish

Snook

Best: Mar–Oct · Where: Mangrove shorelines, passes and beaches

One of Marco Island's signature fish. Snook hit hard and run for cover, so every hookup is a battle. Spring through fall is prime time.

Redfish

Best: Apr–Dec · Where: Oyster bars, flats and backcountry creeks

Copper-colored with a black spot near the tail, redfish are a reliable backcountry target and a favorite for first-timers and families.

Tarpon

Best: May–Jul · Where: Passes, beaches and the Ten Thousand Islands

The Silver King passes through in late spring and summer. Big, powerful and famous for jumping, a tarpon is a once-in-a-lifetime catch for many anglers.

Mangrove snapper

Best: All year · Where: Docks, mangroves, reefs and wrecks

Around all year and great eating. Snapper are wary biters, so expect a fun game of finesse before you fill the cooler.

Sheepshead

Best: Nov–Feb · Where: Docks, bridges and rocky structure

The black-and-white striped winter favorite. Sheepshead are expert bait thieves, and one of the best-tasting fish in the area.

Black drum

Best: Oct–Mar · Where: Oyster beds, docks and bridges

A heavy, stubborn cool-weather fish. Smaller drum make excellent table fare; the big ones are a serious workout.

Spotted seatrout

Best: Apr–Jun · Where: Grass flats and backwaters

Plentiful and willing in spring and early summer, seatrout keep rods bending on light tackle and are great for kids.

Cobia

Best: Apr, Sep–Oct · Where: Buoys, markers, wrecks and nearshore reefs

Often found cruising near structure or even following rays. Cobia are strong, curious fish and prized for the table.

Crevalle jack

Best: Apr–Nov · Where: Everywhere, from the backcountry to the Gulf

Jacks crash bait in schools and pull harder than almost anything their size. Pure action, mostly catch-and-release.

Sharks

Where: Nearshore Gulf and the flats

Bonnetheads are a great first shark for kids on light tackle, blacktips bring speed and jumps, and hammerheads are the big-water challenge. Ask captains who run shark trips.

Good to know

Seasons, size limits and bag limits apply to many of these fish, and some are catch-and-release at certain times of year. Your captain knows the current rules and will tell you what you can keep. Whether you keep fish at all varies by boat, so check the trip details or ask in your booking note.

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