It’s been a finicky inshore bite going on in the Naples and Marco island areas.   When I say finicky, I mean one week it can be red hot and the next week the bite can be off. This is all to do with early-season cold fronts.  One thing to remember ,  It’s always good fishing the week before a cold front , this is due to high pressure and the weather being consistent . Usually the day after a cold front has passed through is when you can see a drop in fishing activity as the weather fluctuates from hot to cold . With this all said we have been having some great snook action. Due to the cooler temps , I am starting to notice fish migrating from the beaches to the middle island and backcountry. We have been catching a lot of small to medium snook but have also been picking through some really nice big females . Live bait is always my favorite way to have great action no matter what time of year it is.  

Due to some windier conditions, I’ve been loading up on bait further offshore on the wrecks . There has been some inshore Jack crevalle action going on . I’ve been finding them on heavier current around deeper fallen structure. Make sure to have that drag set as these fish hit hard and run fast.  Look for this weeks fishing action to increase with an approaching Coldfront due this weekend . One more thing happy Thanksgiving to y’all & hope everybody can enjoy some time with friends and family!!!!! 

The Naples and Marco Island inshore fishing continues to produce some great action. The weather has been perfect with cool starts in the mornings and warming up to the 80s by the afternoons. I’ve been starting my trips at 6:30 to get a jump on morning bite & with outgoing tides its really been helping and getting these fish active. Live bait is just about everywhere and one key indicator is to look for birds diving. 

When getting bait on the beaches , It’s best to throw a quarter 1/4inch net as these baits can be a mix of small and big. If you’re looking for an artificial bite try throwing A skitter walk or Zara spook at first light around points and any sunken structure. Make sure to mix up your retrieve  with some good left to right action (walk the dog) but also it’s good to pause and speed up at times. I am  just trying to pay close  attention to what speed they’re liking for that particular morning and tide .

The snapper bite has really subsided as most have moved offshore but our Jack Crevelle bite has really picked up so be ready for anything as this time of year can be really exciting!!!!!
C u on the water!

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

Absolutely beautiful weather here in southwest Florida and our red hot fishing continues . As you can see from the pictures snook have been our main targets. I am finding bigger snook closer to the passes where there is good current. The last part of the outgoing tide in the first part of the incoming seem to be the “magic” for Getting these big girls to eat.   The most important thing you can have on your boat is a live well full of fresh bait . If you don’t know , Catching live bait(pilchards) in South Florida can at times be harder than catching our targeted fish . Take the time in the morning to find the right size baits & they can be found around the beaches or on the offshore Wrecks & rubble piles. When fishing these baits along the shoreline I like to use nothing less than 40lb leader attached to a 2/0 or 3/0 J hook .  This is my standard go to Rig that I use every day.   The mangrove snapper fishing has really died off in the back country and now there is a plethora of big jacks cruising these shoreline. You’ll be very surprised when an 8 to 10 pound jack grabs hold of your bait and gets your drag scream N !!!! Look for this great fishing to continue as high pressure has settled in. Hope to see y’all on the water!

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