Marco-Talk Blog

We fished the flats and channels between Coon Key and Cape Romano. 100lb plus tarpon were jumping all around us. Managed to hook one on a DOA CAL and jig  head, got two monster leaps and then it threw the hook. A little later got a long run using a large ladyfish. It just about spooled my reel and then dropped the hook. It could have been a tarpon or a shark, I never got a chance to see it. Got a long run on another ladyfish, this time resulting in a clean break on 180lb steel leader.

Throughout the day caught the usual assortment of spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and jack.  Caught and released the biggest trout of the year and several small pompano using shrimp tipped jigs. Stopped at a spot on the way back in and we pulled two nice snook, one of them 28" using the evertrusty DOA glow shrimp. The snook were carefully released to be caught another day. 

http://www.doalures.com/

For my quality time with dad, if we are not fishing, we are eating. Breakfast is his favorite meal, and we have a handful of favorite places that are part of the restaurant rotation. Hoots (both locations) is always at the top of the list  for breakfast and lunch. Great eggs, bacon, potatoes and their famous homemade bread (I like the rye) in huge portions that really fill you up.

But it's the Friday Fish Taco lunch special that we talk about. Fried fish in a soft tortilla wrap with lettuce, tomato and salsa- WOW is it good. It comes with a side of beans and rice that, just like the breakfast portion, is almost too much. We work our schedule to make sure we get to one of the locations early enough to beat the crowd.

Hoots Restaurant, 563 E Elkcam Circle- across from the post office. Just as good is the Naples Hoots in the Eagle Creek Plaza, corner of 41 and 951.

Now dad and I are creatures of habit, BUT are always looking for new places to eat. Is there a place we should try? Post your suggestions here, dad will thank you.

As promised, a few pictures of the Otter Mound Preserve and the mysterious shell walls along Addison Court.

Ron, traveling to visit Cayla in New Hampshire, got caught up in that nasty northeast winter storm. It looks like they will have a weekend of snow, sleet, and ice.  The Marco weekend looks interesting with our first taste of cool weather. Temperatures here Sunday should be 75 high and 48 low. 

The Christmas Island Style Street Parade will take place Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m. The parade heads north on Balfour Drive to San Marco Road. Then it turns right on to San Marco Road and heads toward the Judges Stand located in front of the Boy Scout Christmas Tree Tent at San Marco and Barfield Drive.

Cayla and Bronson Arroyo

As Marco kids, back in the early 1970's, we heard all kind of stories surrounding the mysterious Caxambas shell walls located on Addison Court and Inlet Drive. Buried pirate treasure was there to be found if you dared to brave the Calusa Indian Spirits. Despite the lure of untold wealth, none of us had the nerve to go digging around.

After years of abandonment, this 1000 year old shell mound is now accessible to all of us. Otter Mound Park has a couple parking spots and is open dawn to dusk. There is a short trail that takes you back among the mysterious old terraced shell walls and newly rescued native vegetation. The Otter family outhouse still sits tucked back between the trees. Thanks to Collier County and the Marco Island Historical Society for their vision to preserve this historic and special place.

Check back soon for some recent pictures.

The weather for Saturday and Sunday is supposed to be a High of 84 and a low of 64; plenty of sunshine, and only a 10% chance of rain.  For the boaters and fishermen, Marco Island is paradise. Need customized tide tables? Saltwatertides.com is as good as it gets.

http://www.saltwatertides.com/

2500 tide locations!

Sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and moonphase !

A great resource to plan your time on the water.

 Marco MLS Sales Numbers

                            Nov 2007            Oct 2007                Nov 2006

Closed Sales            45                     55                         60

Average Price        $678,222              $649,571                $808,760

Median Price          $450,000              $333,000                $467,500

Daily Real Estate News  |  December 4, 2007

Credit Score Primer: What Buyers Need to Know to Get a Loan

In the wake of the credit crisis, lenders have become much pickier about whom they lend to. Here are some basic facts that will help potential borrowers understand what they face.

The measurement that most lenders use to assess applicants' credit risk is the FICO score developed by Fair Isaac Corp. The score ranges from 300 to 850.

There's not one FICO score. Buyers have three: one for each of the three credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Each credit score is based on information the credit bureau keeps on file. Since credit bureaus don't share their data with one another, the three FICO scores may differ, sometimes by as much as 100 points.

The components of a FICO score are:

• Payment history: 35 percent
• Amounts owed: 30 percent
• Length of credit history: 15 percent
• New credit: 10 percent
• Types of credit used: 10 percent

Snook Season is closed from December 1 2007 until March 1 2008. Anglers can still fish for them out of season but please use great care handling and use proper catch and release techniques. Hopefully you caught a slot sized snook or two during open season. I released all mine.

For Current fishing regulations by species:

http://www.floridasportsman.com/reference/regs_by_species/

A great organization for those of us who are interested in the future of snook

http://www.snookfoundation.org/