April has been action packed with snook , tarpon , redfish and sea trout in abundance . Naples and Marco Island inshore fishing always fires at this time of year & we have been taking full advantage of it.  Live bait (pilchards )have been prevalent along the beaches, and the near shore wrecks.

Once my live well is packed I make a turn and head rt back inshore. Look for fish to really start schooling up along the beaches and passes.  This is due to all the small baitfish that are getting pushed in and out all day with the tides, it’s the backcountry Buffett .  Gulf water are gin clear so make sure when working a shoreline to keep your eyes glued to the shallows looking for a slow cruising fish.

Try not to present your bait right on top of the fish but see which way he is pointed and lead the fish by 2 to 3 feet.  There are also some big Jacks and sea trout mixed in so be ready for that bait to get hammered and that drag to sing .  Now that our winds have been tapering off look for tarpon rolling just off our beaches and passes.

Can’t beat a free-lined live crab but a big pilchard or thredfin herring will most definitely get some attention.   It’s that time of year guys get out on the water and enjoy some great South Florida fishing action!!!!!!! C you on the water !

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

Perfect conditions around Naples and Marco Island have the inshore bite heating up  !  Snook and sea trout have been chewing good all week. 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, its a great time to look for fish on the beaches.  Live threadfin herring, pass crabs , mullet and even artificials (paddle tails ) are great ways to target these silver giants . C u in the water !!!! 

The inshore snook bite is red hot around the Naples and Marco Island areas .  I have been concentrating on the outside island and beaches . These areas have been holding snook , sea trout , tarpon , jacks , snapper and redfish. This week out going tides and clear water have been a perfect recipe for finding schools of fish laid up waiting for an easy meal.

The best way to find a location like this is to first start out by loading up your live-well with Live baits (pilchards ) and then get ready to chum . By chumming your not only trying to locate where the schools of fish are but you’re also triggering a feeding frenzy.

This past week the trout bite around the southern end of marco island has remained on fire . They are still in the spawn so those bigger females with big belly’s are full of eggs so take great care to get them released safely.  There has been some good pompano action on the incoming tides on the edges of the passes . I am using 3/4oz wiggle jig ( chartreuse /pink ) tipped with a fish bite attractant.  This good fishing will continue as our weather stabilizes. C u on the water !!!