Despite some cooler temps the Naples and Marco island inshore fishing remains hot . This time of year the backcountry is the place to fish with its endless islands ,creeks and shorelines.  Winter time is  when gulf waters temps drop so look for game fish to head to back bays and creeks to spend there winter.  If you’re not into catching live bait or simply just can’t ever find it, here are some of my favorite winter time Artificial’s: Shrimp tipped jigs (brown/olive ), saltwater assassins, gulps(new penny/root beer) on a 3/8oz jig head. The name of my game is stick and move . This just means to give an area 10 mins if no action move on. Once I find a shore line that has some life on it, I will fish it thoroughly. This month Look for the sea trout and redfish bite to really fire up. Get out & go get M !!

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

From the beaches to the backcountry Naples & Marco island Florida has had some awesome fishing . This week  I have been dialed into the snook . It been best on the outside islands where they have been in big groups . Once I find where they are staging up , we can sit just off the school and enjoy non stop snook action.  I am finding them in the deeper holes with good current . Doesn't matter outgoing or incoming tides just as long as long as it’s moving.  Sea trout have also been on the hit list . What’s been working best for us has been a live bait(pilchard/thred fin herring )  with a 3/8oz split shot about a few inches above the hook . Look deep cuts around the beaches. Give it a 5 mins  with no bites &  move on till you find action . 

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

Cool & sunny days have sparked some great winter time fishing. Marco Island & Naples Florida have such a diverse fishery which leads to exciting days on the water. This past cold front has cooled the water temps down enough to really get our sea trout on the feed. When live bait isn’t available my go to combo is a shrimp imitation(gulp new penny color) paired up with a 3/8oz stand up jig head. I use these jigs as search baits to find where the trout are staging up in the particular tide. Once I get a few fish on the line I can then zero in on there location and position the boat just off the school. One thing to remember is to make sure you're making bottom contact. Marco island has some of the best flats and deep holes that these big trout love to lay in .  Get outside and enjoy this backcountry playground!!! Go get M

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

The new year brings in fantastic fishing to the Naples & Marco island area.  This time of year cold fronts are making there way down to south Florida .  We we surely don’t get the cold temps as the rest of the United States but we do see drops in water temps. With this said you have to be a versatile fisherman.  On pre Frontal days went the gulf is calm and waters are clear it’s a good time to hunt down some live bait .   Snook, redfish , jacks , Spanish Mackerel, snapper and sea trout will all be in the same areas looking for a nice big pilchard (live bait) to fill there belly . I like pull up to a spot and before I even get a line in the water I chum with 10-20 live baits .  I find this will get the fish out from there hunts and out on the prowl looking for a quick meal. For my Fly Fishing anglers I have been using these morning low tides to work the shallow bays that have some deeper shorelines.  I like fly’s that have a good profile such as the EP flies . For darker stained water I have been sticking to darker flies (black/purple) & cleaner waters a more natural colors (browns/tans/whites). Get out and go get M !!!  

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