Great inshore fishing continues around the Naples and Marco island areas. We are now starting to see some early signs of winter as colds front have already made there way down. That’s not a bad thing , it just means gulf water temps will drop so you have to slow down your bait presentations . It’s time to pull out the lead jig heads and soft plastics as this allows us to cover the deeper parts of the bottom where the winter fish tend to school up .  I like to use a 3/4 or 1/4 0z jig head attached to a DOA paddle tail 3in soft plastic.  Since our backcountry water don’t get to dirty , I like to use more natural colors ( blown, green , silver ) .  One tip is to get yourself some pro cure shrimp sauce and lather up that jig as this will sure get these fish fired up .  C u on the water !!!!

Naples and Marco island offer some of the best light tackle inshore fishing in the country .  We have such a vast fishery with endless opportunities to target our local game fish .  Snook is always on my hit list & they can be found just about anywhere in the backcountry . We have been using live pilchards and thredfin herring that I net every morning. These live baits are the key to an action packed day on the water . Yes you can catch fish on artificials such as jigs, flies , plugs & soft plastics but nothing beats the real thing . There haven’t been allot of redfish around but the ones we are catching have been big and just as fired up to suck down a live bait . There have been some good pompano action going on during the incoming tides . I have been fishing current and deep cuts & passes using tube jigs .  I like to tip these jigs with a peace of shrimp or a good helping of pro-cure shrimp sauce . Just remember to make sure your jig is making bottom contact and hop it back slowly to the boat. They are a Great fighting fish and great fish to bring home for the grill !!! C u on the water !

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

Finally we have some cool fall conditions in the Naples and Marco island areas. The inshore & deep backcountry fishing has been action packed with Snook & redfish being are top targets .  I know I say it a lot but here in SW FL , live bait is always the key to a successful day on the water . Take the time in the morning to look around the beaches for pilchards and threadfin herring flipping in the shallows . Make sure to have your Castnet loaded as you approach the schools of bait as they can be very fast this time of year due the cooler water temps. Load your livewell up and do a U-turn and head into the back country . I like to concentrate on points and shorelines that have lots of cover and a steady current on them. If you’re not sure if there’s fish there use the bait fish you caught and live chum. This technique always helps in speeding up the action.  Red fish have been mixed in with the snook and also big jacks so be ready for that drag to start screaming !!!!!


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