This weeks fishing around Naples and Marco island was on Fire.  The mangrove snapper bite really picked up around the passes .  We have had really strong tides that have been pushing tons of bait back and fourth through the rivers.  I’ve been mixing it up a bit with keeping some baits(free lined) on the surface and some a bit lower in the water column via egg sinkers.  Both techniques have been producing good action. This time of year you Gotta make sure you have the right live baits and for snappers I like pinky sized pilchards . The smaller baits they seem to eat better and you get a better hook up ratio. 

The red fish bite has been steady on the high incoming tides fishing close to the bushes .   Occasionally when the water is hot , like it is in the summer,  I like to trim the bait fishes tail as to slow him up from swimming to fast.  It’s a good technique to try when you know the fish are there , as you can make your bait presentation as appetizing as possible.
Hope to see y’all on the water!!

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

Hot summer like conditions equal red hot fishing! I know I say it all the time but it’s been another strong week of inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas. Live bait has been all over the beaches and with a few of the cast net you will have plenty for a morning session. Snook have been thick on the beaches and around the passes. Redfish bite has been solid on the last few hrs of the incoming tides. Remember to cast your baits as close to the structure as possible and pick apart the coves and over hangs. Don’t be surprised if your get hammered by some big jacks and mangrove snappers. October is just around the corner and we will have another big push of tarpon moving back up our beaches. C u on the water!

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

Naples and Marco Island inshore fishing has been action packed! Live bait has been thick on the offshore wrecks and piles & with a few throws of the cast net your ready for the backcountry. I’m still in the summertime pattern sticking close to the passes and rivers fishing good current flow. I have been concentrating on shorelines they have lots of small bait activity getting swept by the tidal flows. Our game fish are opportunistic feeders and if they don’t have to move all over the place searching for food,  they will lay directly in the current around structure waiting for bait to get pushed to them.  So it’s very important the cast on the down current side of any fallen trees as this is where you will find snook and reds stacked up waiting for an injured baitfish to pass by. Make sure to set your drags on the tighter side as you can almost bet when they feel the hooks set they will try to get back to the structure. The mangrove snapper fishing continues to be on fire. The only change I would make to my rigs are downsizing my leaders to 25lb floro carbon and a #1 hook. C U on the water!!

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

We are in the hottest part of the summer so make sure your on the water at first light.  I start all my morning trips at 6:30am as this give me enough time to navigate the backcountry and head offshore to load up on live bait. The inshore fishing around Naples and Marco island continues to produce non stop action for snook, mangrove snapper and redfish .   I know I say it all the time but it’s very important to stick to the live bait(pilchards/ thread fin herring ) this time of year.   If you don’t have access to a boat remember while your fishing on the beach to check around the waters edge for cruising bait pods.  Make sure you purchase yourself an 8 foot 1/4in cast net as this is your key to having loads of summertime action.

The mangrove snapper bite has been off the chain. We have been getting our limits daily with some snappers around the 14/15inch range .  Concentrate close to the passes where there’s a lot of current. For snappers I like to drop down to 25 pound floro carbon leader and a number 1 “J” hook .  Cast close to the structure(docks , rocks , fallen trees ) and let the live bait do the rest . I like to place the hook directly through its nostrils as you will get maximum performance out of your bait . Don’t be discouraged if you miss a lot of fish as they are very smart tend to hit the tail side of the bait first which equals a lot of missed fish.   Stay at it and in no time you’ll have your limit & a great supper!!!!

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