Afternoon Summer heat has the morning inshore bite on fire. The Magic hr is right when the tide switches from slack to incoming. Around the Naples and Marco island areas look for snook/reds/& snapper to be on the feed. One gimme is when you pass a shoreline with snowy egrets stacked up on the shorelines. These birds are there just waiting for the sun to come out but they’re there enjoying the bait fish Buffet. This is where I have been finding most of my action.

My tactic is simple start up current and while using my trolling motor I can methodically fish the structure as I’m passing by it. When one of my anglers gets a fish on Or an area just looks super fishy I can use my spot lock( an anchor feature on most trolling motors) to keep me right next to the strike zone.  

Live bait is plentiful on all beaches but if you’re looking for some bigger size you have to head offshore to the near shore Wrecks or any rubble pile in that 20 foot of water depth . A 3/8in 10/12ft cast net is my goto for getting those big pilchards of the bottom. The Mangrove snapper bite has been a go to if you’re looking to take some great tasty fish home for taco night. Look forward to seeing y’all on the water!!!

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

Naples and Marco island continue to produce some great summertime fishing. The inshore snook bite has been outstanding around the outside points and beaches. During the summer months the gulf waters remain Gin clear and this allows us to have some outstanding site fishing opportunities. I find the best time to sight fish is around 9 o’clock and later   when the sun is just cracking over the trees.

The combination of a little bit of sunshine and a good incoming tide gets our game fish moving around the shoreline looking for an easy meal. We are still getting plenty of bait on the offshore piles, wrecks and beaches. The Beach bait is on the smaller side but it’s perfect if you’re targeting mangrove snapper. I find these pilchards that are about the size of your finger to be the best size bait to get these snappers in a frenzy.  If you end up getting allot of bait remember to chum heavy as this is the key to getting them out of the structure and in the feeding mode.

Catching fish is a huge part of our day but also seeing some of the most beautiful wildlife & scenery that South Florida has to offer. Hope everybody has a great weekend look forward to seeing y’all on the water!

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