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