South FL temps have been all over the place but when the weather settles the fish turn on ! Naples and Marco island inshore fishing have been producing some good snook & trout action.  Just about every week we are hit with a cold front and that sends the fish scurrying around as the gulf waters get muddy. This sends me and my anglers deep into the backcountry looking for clean water where the fish can feed. Live bait (pilchards/thred-fin herring) are still around in some secrets spots but it’s not  necessary this time of year as the waters just get to chilly and out game fish don’t really want to chase them around. I have been using DOA paddle tails,3in soft plastics on a 1/4oz jig head. On those cold mornings work those jigs in the deeper holes for trout & pompano, always slow moving around , trying to dial them in. Once you find an active area stay put and cast all around the boat till you are sure either you caught them all or they have moved on. Colder temps are expected for this weekend so time to bundle up and head deeper in the backcountry. C u on the water!

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

In the Naples and Marco island areas the winter fishery is slowly settling in.  As our waters start to cool due to the weekly cold fronts , our game fish move deeper into the backcountry.  My preferred method for cold water fishing is moving from live bait to jigs. This allows us to methodically work the deeper holes and shorelines looking for fish that are settling in.  My attention turns from snook to trout & redfish as they thrive in the cooler water temps .  A 3/4 oz jig head with a 3in new penny Berkeley gulp is a sure fire method that your gonna have action all morning .   Bundle up and head to the creeks and back bays for some winter time action!

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

The inshore fishing around the Naples & Marco island has been a mixed bag of fun!   Winter fishing is settling and this time of year offers a verity of species to catch . We have pompano , snook, redfish , snapper , sea trout and Juvenal tarpon that are around all winter . On the colder days I like to dial it back from using live bait And bust out the jigs .  This type of fishing allows me to work the deeper holes and slow down my presentation due to the cool water temps. It’s a very productive way, to not only cover lots of water but catch a variety of species.  Look for the weather to warm up again and the snook to fire back up just in time for our next front to roll 
on in . That’s the winter pattern so get out while the weather in consistent and enjoy this great fishery !  

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

The Naples & Marco island areas have had Fantastic weather which =s fantastic fishing !  The backcountry lends itself to a verity of species from snapper , sea trout , tarpon , snook , redfish  and jacks .  It’s still my favorite place to get away from the world  and enjoy the solitude of endless islands and action packed fishing . Snook have been my Main targets but don’t be surprised if a monster jack or Juvenal tarpon decides to take turn .  Water temps are still around the mid 70s so I am still using live pilchards .  My rig is simple a 3ft piece of 40lb leader to a 1/0 or 2/0 J hook .  Cast your baits close to the mangrove roots and pockets and let that bait scurry around till your line comes tight , set that hook and hold on . Remember the bigger fish with try to make a U-turn to head back to the structure so be ready to change angles on the rod as not to clip the sharp  mangrove roots .  Get out and enjoy this weather and get after it !!!! 

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