After a windy & cool March, we are finally seeing some outstanding weather in the Naples and Marco Island areas.  These Perfect conditions have the inshore bite really heating up with Snook , sea trout , redfish and tarpon have all been on the hit list .  I am catching these fish in the same Locations so it’s been fun not knowing what species you’re going to get on any given cast.

My rig for these fish is simple 15 lb power pro attached to a 3ft ,30lb Fluorocarbon leader with a 3/0 live bait J hook .  Always remember to match your hook size up to the size of your live baits . Too big a hook can cause your bait to die faster and to small can foul up and cause your bait to spin .

Tarpon are making their migration so make sure to get up early and look for rolling fish at first light .  As the the sun gets higher later in the day, it’s a great time to look for fish on the beaches and sand bars.  Some of there favorite baits are Live threadfin herring, pass crabs , mullet and even artificials (paddle tails ) are great baits to target these silver giants . Get out early to enjoy the light winds and solitude….. C u in the water !!!!

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

Finally at the end of this week we will be seeing some lighter winds , warmer temps and this should get inshore fishing firing up .  The  Naples and Marco island areas have been producing some great light tackle action .  Snook have been plentiful in the backcountry around the creek mouths and deeper shorelines.  Whether it’s top Water, soft plastics , flies or live bait these have all been producing snook on any given day.  The sea trout action has really picked up over the last few weeks. My favorite way to fish for them is a live Pilchard(bait) on a 2/0 circle hook. The trick I like to do with these baits is to trim the tails. You may ask why would you need to do that ? Trout are not the best hunters as far as casing down a big pilchard .

I have watched them many times follow our baits & try to eat it but many times the bait will simply out swim them.  So by trimming the baits tails this allows them to be less maneuverable and the trout are able to grab them with little  effort.  There have been Mangrove snapper and jacks to kept us all busy while fishing for our top gamefish . I think finally we are about to settling into some mid April high pressure with steady east winds.   Look for our gulf waters to warm up rapidly,  clear up and this will get the tarpon moving along our beaches.  It’s just about that time to get out the big rods and go chase some giants …Hope to see y’all on the water …tight lines.!!!!!’

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

Naples and Marco island have been  getting by beat up by high winds.   We have had some great days but they have been short lived and for the most part it’s been Blowing just about every week .   I never thought I would say this but I am ready for the hot , humid & buggy weather to settle in and really fire up this fishery !!! On the non windy days the backcountry and inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas have been full of action .  Snook , sea trout , and redfish have been chewing good on the mornings hard incoming tides . One of my favorite ways to get these fish into a crazy feeding mode is to Chum heavy . All this means it to take bat (chum bat) full of pilchards and sling them close to the shorelines you are fishing .   

Watch for fish to explode on the fleeing baits and just cast close to where you saw the blow up and hold on.  Also this chumming will draw out fish, that were deeper in the mangroves to come out and join the party.   It’s a great way to get the action fired up .  The sea trout have been laying low close to the bottom.  We have been using a 1/4oz of lead to get out baits down rt in front of them . Once you get one trout , usually there are more around so make sure to fish that are thoroughly!!! Fingers crossed this wind stop soon and we are able to get back to chasing the big fish!!!!!

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

March has flown on by with some outstanding backcountry/inshore action . This month around the Naples and Marco island area , I always see the gulf waters temps warming and this kicks in the sea trout spawn .  Look for these fish to be staging around current rips and eddy’s . A live bait with a split-shot (to get it down to the bottom )will insure a hard strike.

Make sure to take special care when releasing these fish as most of them are full of eggs. Snook and redfish have also been right in the mix and have been hammering the live baits(pilchards ) we have been offering .   The magic hours have been the last hr of the outgoing and the first hr of the incoming tides .

Try to cast your baits as close to the structure as possible and with a tight drag be ready to horse that fish from the structure .   Pompano have been showing up on the strong incoming tides. Drift with the current and cast  1/4oz( chartreuse or pink) tube jig tipped with a chunk of shrimp. These are some of the most tastiest fish in the gulf, so take what you need for the grill and release the rest catch another day. C u on the water !!!!

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

The inshore fishing has been a mixed bag of Fun !!!! My favorite part of fishing around the Naples and Marco Island area is the variety of species of fish that we can catch on any given day. Snook are always top on my hit list but we also have redfish, pompano, sea trout , grouper , snapper and Tarpon to name a few . With the gulf waters now in the upper 70s,

I am starting to see the inshore fishing picking up rapidly  ..This is a great time of year to get up super early and enjoy the good weather and solitude our backcountry has to offer. Really soon we will start to see our first push of Tarpon showing up . The best conditions you can ask for are light winds as these big tarpon are easy to spot at first light. Look for fish to be rolling or just under the surface, or pushing a wake . Always remember to present your bait well in front of a cruising fish and drag it into their cone of vision.  Make sure if you’re on the trolling motor searching ,to keep it slow and steady not to make sudden speed adjustments as his fish can be spooky in the shallow waters.  As gulf waters warm up even more look for the fishing to just get better and better..  Another one of my favorite fish to target is pompano.

Not only are they exceptionally tasty, but they are a great fight on light tackle. Concentrate on the incoming tides around passes and near shore sand flats . These fish are cruising the bottom, so make sure that your jig is making bottom contact. Any bright colors(chartreuse and pink) seem to work well and you can tip those jigs with a finger nail size piece of shrimp and you got yourself a dynamite pompano rig. Looking at the extended forecast, we are due to have another exceptional week of warm weather. That means get up early to beat the heat and enjoy some great March fishing. C yah all on the water !!!

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

March is living up to its windy nature. Naples and Marco island areas  have had non stop south winds that have been keeping us hunker down deep in the back country & around the creeks and bays.  Redfish , snook , sea trout , goliath grouper, jacks and snappers can all be caught in the same areas . With this said, standard backcountry rig is 15lb braided line (power pro ) attached to a 3ft piece of fluorocarbon 30 pound leader. The size hooks I used depends on the size bait I am catching. For the bigger pilchards I like a 3/0 or 2/0 j-hooks  & smaller baits a 1/0  j hook.

Bait has been tough to catch due to the winds, but we have been able to get a few days of calm conditions and it’s time to load up my live well with some nice lively baits . There have been some monster jacks from the 8 to 12 pound range that will show up and absolutely get your drag screaming.  Great tides coming up all week and some great weather predicted.  I am looking forward to a solid week of some great backcountry action fingers crossed light winds. See y’all out on the water!!!!!!

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

The inshore fishing scene around Naples and Marco Island is experiencing typical March transition patterns, with periods of exceptional action interrupted by challenging weather systems. Despite persistent southerly winds and occasional late-season cold fronts sweeping through Southwest Florida, determined anglers are finding quality fish across the region's diverse inshore ecosystems.

Sea trout fishing throughout Naples waters has required some adjustment to changing conditions, with fish dispersing between the outside islands and seeking refuge deeper in the protected creek systems. During periods of stable weather, we're locating impressive concentrations of trout, including some genuine "gator" specimens exceeding 20 inches, particularly along deeper grass edges and potholes where baitfish gather. The early morning bite has been particularly productive, especially when targeting deeper shorelines during the first few hours of incoming tide cycles.

Snook fishing around Naples and Marco Island continues to provide thrilling action for anglers, with these prized gamefish responding well to properly presented live baits along mangrove shorelines, especially during the early phases of incoming tides. The spring warming trend has triggered more aggressive feeding behavior, with fish beginning their seasonal transition toward their summer patterns. Naples fishing guides are reporting excellent success targeting deeper mangrove edges and ambush points where snook wait to intercept passing baitfish.

Redfish activity throughout the Naples backcountry has been consistent despite challenging conditions, with schools of copper-colored beauties patrolling shorelines and oyster bars during favorable tide phases. These hard-fighting inshore favorites have been particularly receptive to fresh-cut bait presentations when conditions are challenging, though they readily attack live baits during optimal conditions. The mid-to-upper slot redfish have been most prevalent, providing exceptional sport on light tackle.

The jack crevalle population around Naples has been particularly active, offering exciting opportunities for explosive surface strikes and determined fights. These powerful predators have been ambushing baitfish schools throughout the area, creating heart-pounding topwater opportunities for anglers. Their aggressive nature makes them perfect targets during challenging conditions when other species might be less cooperative.

Pompano have been making their presence known throughout the Naples and Marco Island flats, especially during periods of cleaner water. These delicious and sporty fish have provided exciting action when targeted with appropriately weighted jigs bounced along sandy bottom areas and channel edges. The best pompano action has been coinciding with stronger tidal movements, particularly in areas where current flow increases around points and passes.

The key to consistent success during this transitional spring period in Naples has been adaptability. On calm mornings when baitfish can be effectively netted, loading the livewell with pilchards, threadfins, or finger mullet has proven essential for coaxing larger specimens into striking. Fresh whitebait presentations along mangrove shorelines have been particularly effective for enticing quality snook and redfish strikes, while live shrimp has been the go-to offering for trout and pompano.

When winds increase and live bait becomes challenging to acquire or maintain, switching to artificial presentations has remained productive. Soft plastic jigs worked along deeper edges have continued to produce consistent action on trout, pompano, and jacks. Weedless-rigged soft plastics have proven particularly effective for working protected shorelines where snook and redfish seek shelter during windier conditions.

The March weather pattern around Naples has established a predictable rhythm – typically providing 3-4 days of favorable conditions with lighter winds, followed by stronger frontal systems that push through the region, temporarily increasing wind speeds and creating more challenging fishing conditions. The key to success has been maximizing opportunities during those weather windows when conditions allow for exploring more exposed areas and primary fishing grounds.

Looking ahead, the Naples and Marco Island fishing forecast appears increasingly promising as we progress deeper into spring. As weather patterns stabilize and water temperatures continue their gradual climb into the mid-70s, expect more consistent action across all species. The upcoming weeks should see continued improvement in the snook bite as these popular gamefish become more aggressive in preparation for their summer spawn.

For anglers planning Naples fishing charters in the coming weeks, flexibility remains essential. Morning departures continue to provide the best combination of comfortable conditions and productive fishing, particularly during the first few hours of daylight when predators are most actively feeding. Being prepared to adjust locations based on wind direction and intensity will maximize success during this transitional period.

Naples fishing guides with extensive local knowledge prove particularly valuable during these conditions, as their understanding of protected areas and alternative fishing strategies can make the difference between challenging days and exceptional catches, regardless of weather patterns. Their ability to locate fish that have adjusted to changing conditions often transforms what might otherwise be difficult outings into memorable adventures.

Experience the diverse and exciting inshore fishing opportunities that Naples and Marco Island have to offer during this dynamic spring season. Despite occasional weather challenges, the region continues to produce quality catches for anglers willing to adapt to conditions. Book your Naples fishing charter today to take advantage of the excellent spring action before summer's heat arrives.

Captain Tim Daugherty
Naples Inshore Fishing Charters
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

Naples and Marco island have been producing some great inshore action with sea trout and snook on top of the hit list. We have had some recent cold fronts which have cooled the temps down but the bite has remained solid. Sea trout are always around in the winter months and when these cold fronts roll in and temps drop, it's a perfect fish to target.

My go to artificial is a 3/8oz stand up jig head with a rootbear colored paddle tail . I always like to" sent up my soft plastics with a product called pro cure. It's a concentrate derived from shrimp and other bait fish to add an oily sent that can get a tuff cold front bite, fired up.  

When our weather settles and I am able to get live bait, I can switch gears and get back to targeting snook and redfish. March is always a finicky months as we can still get some cold fronts and the winds tend to blow hard out of the SE at times 15-20mph are common. With this said you just have to roll with what Mother Nature gives you and be ready to adapt to any condition.  The 10 day extended forecast is looking great, with highs in the lower 80s and favorable winds , so get out and get m while  the getting is good !!!  Tight lines.

This week’s inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco Island areas have been nothing short  of stellar.   Snook has been our main target, but we have also been catching redfish, sea trout jacks & snapper .  Live bait is always the key to get into action all morning long. Finally live bait has started to show up on the near shore wrecks and with a few throws of the cast were loaded up and ready to get after it !

This weeks negative “full moon” low tides have been the key to consolidating these fish in certain spots. The last hour of the outgoing  & the first hour of the incoming have been the magical tides for us getting these big snook to eat.  

It seems once the tide really gets rolling the bite shuts down and I’m guessing these fish hunker down to not expend energy fighting the tides. You know what they say timing is everything! The sea trout bite has been really convenient for us as they have been mixed in with the snook. Most of these fish are 16 to 20 inches and are more than willing to slam a live bait drifting in the current. Look for the bite to continue as our weather outlook looks great for the weekend and all of next week.  What a great time to be on the water, enjoying this wonderful playground we have . Tight lines !!!!!! <•{{{{{><

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138

Cold winter conditions have settled into Naples &  Marco island areas & this has the inshore bite firing up .  I know most people don’t like the cold here in south Florida but honestly, it’s a nice change from the constant summer heat.  Don’t be discouraged when you see temperatures dropping, this will concentrate our fish , making it easy for you to target them.  When I see a week of highs in the 70s &  lows in the 50s I know exactly where I’m going & that’s deep in the back country.   The trick is getting your boat deep in the creeks and concentrating on the deeper holes & shorelines.

These fish(sea trout / pompano / jacks / snapper / sheep head & ladyfish ) will be actively feeding during these colder weeks u just have to get to them.  I know the limits of my boat and I know when I am able to get to these areas without running a ground .  Once back there, I usually have these areas all to myself, and if I can time it just right, these fish will be concentrated waiting for an easy meal. With this said, make sure you’re fishing close to the bottom, using live shrimp or artificial, such as jigs . This will ensure an action packed morning on the water . Looking to next week we have warming trend look for the bite to fire back up !

C u on the water !!!!

Capt. Tim Daugherty
www.fishthesalt.com
(239) 280-8138