The Naples and Marco island area just had hurricane Adalia pass right off our gulf beaches . With these approaching hurricanes, the pressure drops & the inshore fishing really heats up. Prior to the passing hurricane our Snook bite was red hot . I was targeting these fish along the beaches in less than a foot of water sight fishing them in the gin clear water.  I was seeing groups of anywhere from a half a dozen to 30+ in a school and let me tell you they were hungry. 

A well placed cast close to the school would ensure that you had multiple fish chasing your bait.  My standard summertime rig is 3ft of 30lb (fluorocarbon) attached to one 1/0 J hook .  This rig is nothing fancy but it’s easy set up is perfect for our shallow water conditions. There was also some bigger jacks schooling up in the 3 to 5 feet of water, just lollygagging on the surface. When I see this during the summertime, I like the trolling motor right up close to them and have everybody simultaneously cast directly into the school.   It’s not uncommon to have four on at one time & that can get a little crazy but allot of fun to watch ;)

The gulf got pretty stirred up with the hurricane, pushing sone big waves inshore , but should be back to the  clearwater by next week and the fishing will follow suit .   Looking forward to getting back to it this weekend !!!!  See ya on the water!!!!!

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

It’s been solid inshore action around the Naples and Marco Island areas. Catching Live bait on our beaches has been tuff to catch but if you have some wrecks (numbers )in the 2-3mile range u can still find some decent baits schools .  I am throwing a 1/4in 12ft (fast sink net) & that seems to be the knock out punch.

Snook have been on the beaches and in the backcountry . The only down side with fishing the backcountry this time of year is is so darn hot but the snook don’t seem to mind ;)  The bigger snook seem to be on the out side islands and beaches . Concentrate on points with current and chum to see whats staging up . If you see a bunch of blow up’s on the bait you threw in then “jackpot” you can enjoy some non stop action . If you don’t see any life/action then move on.

The name of the game is stick and move till you find them .   We are also still finding some keeper sea trout around . I am not doing anything special to catch them except pinching on a small split shot to get that bait down and in front of them .  Redfish action has been really spotty but once I locate a few I can zero in and pick threw them .    All week winds have been hard out of the east & the beaches are clam , so what a great time to take advantage of some great weather ! See y’all on the water ! 

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

It’s been one of the hotter summers I can remember but thankfully the fishing has remained just as hot .  This past week around the Naples and Marco island area the inshore bite has been picking up .  We have been fishing around a strong falling tide and the snook have been staging up on the outside points feeding on all the small bait fish getting pushed out . If you’re lucky enough to find one of these points , either anchor or trolling motor and position your boat just off the the school and be ready for non stop action.

If your into some summer time permit action head of shore to your local wrecks( ones that have good relief off the bottom )  and soak some small crabs. I like a 2/0 or 3/0 circle hook with a 30lb fluorocarbon leader free lined or with a small split shot just above the hook .  Due to the hot gulf temps our Live bait has been really tuff to catch as they have moved way offshore in search of  cooler temps .  There are plenty of smaller baitfish around but Lately even those can be tuff to catch .   If you can put it all together you can have a banner day on the water .  Hope to see y’all on the water !


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

Our SW Florida temps have been blazing hot and so has the fishing !  It’s been kind of a free-for-all this summer in the Naples and Marco island areas with Snook , mangrove snapper and tarpon being our main targets .  During the summer months, we get a lot of rain mixed with these hot gulf temps , forces our bigger bait fish further offshore.  Now we’re seeing loads of smaller baitfish around with that said ,  I put down my heavy net ( 3/8in) and have been throwing my 1/4in mesh cast net.  This is a great time of year chum heavy , to really get these fish in a feeding frenzy.  

Snook have been just about everywhere from the beaches to the backcountry but my customers have really been enjoying site fishing them on our beaches. At times I can see schools of 30 or more in pods and really all you have to do is get your bait in front of the school and it’s game on! The mangrove snapper bite has been my go to with clients that want to take fish for the grill . They are one of my favorite fish to eat in the gulf and I’m thankful there so plentiful during the summer months.

I am still seeing some juvenile tarpon in the back country and having success with livebait and soft plastics jerk baits(white color ). Look for this weeks full moon to really get these tides moving. Your windows will be short, but if you’re in the right place at the right time, you will notice these fish very active then it will taper off with the heavy moving water. I know I say it all the time but make sure you get up early and get it while they getting is good.!!!!! See you on the water !

Right back at another solid week of inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas.  The mangrove snapper bite has been on fire . This weeks morning low tides are a great way to target these fish deep in the backcountry.  The trick to getting these fish going crazy is to chum and chum heavy . I have found the bigger snappers will hold tight to the shorelines , so a well placed cast and a frisky live bait is what will draw them out hiding .  Snook have been just about everywhere as they seem to loves these high gulf temps.

If artificials are your weapon of choice, nothing beats a Zara spook at first light.  With these baits it’s all about covering water and enjoying to explosion on your bait.  I’ve also been seeing some juvenile tarpon in the backcountry around the creek mouths.  If you’re looking for a fish that will not only pull hard, but Leap straight out of the water and put your tackle to the test , you gotta get some of this tarpon action. I don’t see any weather in the forecast that will disturb our fishery, so look for next week to be much of the same. Remember to get up early and beat the heat. See you on the water!!!

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

It’s been a mixed bag of fun fishing around Naples and Marco island .  One of my favorite things about fishing inshore is most of these fish hang out together.  With that said, it makes it exciting never knowing what you’re going to catch on any given cast.  We are in the heat of the summer now and I am seeing big schools of snook on the outside points and up and down the beaches.  It’s common to catch 20 to 30 snook in the morning trip and mix in a ton of mangrove snappers & Jack’s and you will be worn out ready for an afternoon dip in the pool.  I know I say it a lot but the morning summer time bite is where it’s at. 

It’s best to be out on the water super early ,with the sun just coming up and casting live baits or top water plugs around fallen structure .  This is the witching hour where I find the most action.  Later on in the morning , I will switch gears and turn on my “site” fishing game. With the sun higher up in the sky, it’s much easier to spot these cruising fish.

There’s also been some nice redfish, mixed in on the higher income in Tides.  We are concentrating on the pockets and little openings in the mangrove roots where you are able to present your bait deep in the bushes. These red fish are cruising underneath the structure, so a well placed cast will ensure your odds go up. The weather outlook this week is more of the same hot and humid but what a great time to get out on the water and get after it !!!!!! See you guys on the water !



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

This time of year the Naples and Marco islands inshore fishing never disappoints. Not only do we have great year-round fishing, but we have some of the best wildlife & marine life in the country. It’s common place to have dolphins close to the boat all day and seeing the diversity of bird life is always a bonus.

Ok back to fishing …. The Snook fishing continues to take precedence as we are seeing and catching big number of fish on a daily basis.  Our gulf waters this time of year are gin clear and this opens up a huge door for site fishing opportunities on the beaches.  I’m starting to see big numbers of fish schooling up in about a foot of water. My favorite way to target these fish is to stay about 30 yards off the school and cast live baits to cruising fish.

Just make sure you lead these fish by 5 feet or so let the fish swim up to your bait and watch them fight over it. The mangrove snapper fishing is always on point this time of year. We catch our limits just about every day and what a great fish to take home for the grill.  We are in a very hot and humid summer pattern so with that said, I find the best action the first few hours of the morning when the sun is low and temps are not blazing hot. Remember get up early and get it while to get “N” is good. See ya on the water !!!!   


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

Summer action is heating up!! Snook have been all over the Naples and Marco island areas.  I have been finding them on the beaches and in the back country.   In the morning if you happen to see a shoreline that has multiple birds (egrets , herons, skimmers) standing on the waters edge , make sure to stop and fish it .  This just means that the bait fish are piled up , which will concentrate the game fish. 

If you’re looking to throw bigger live bait your best bet is the head offshore to the rocks piles or wrecks. Smaller baits school up on the beaches but tend to be much smaller in size . There’re very plentiful & it’s a great size for mangrove snapper fishing .  If you enjoy fish taco night, then you cannot beat a pile of mangrove snapper for supper !! I use Vigo breadcrumbs mixed with Everglades seafood rub and finally diced up coconut, dip fillets into an egg wash and pan fried in coconut oil and butter.  Yummmmmmmy!

We have have been catching some redfish on the higher incoming tides, fishing tight to the bushes. There has also been plenty of Jack action to keep you busy while jumping from spot to spot. Summer heat now in full swing so make sure to get up early & Get it while the getting is good. C u you on the water !

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

Summer fishing is in full swing with snook , red fish & tarpon being our main targets.  Snook are still plentiful in the Naples and Marco island areas and a great way to target them is with light tackle gear .   I like a Medium (nothing smaller ) 7ft rod(star rods)  with a 4000 spinning reel(Florida fishing products osprey) spooled up with 15lb power pro.  This combo is way to much fun when fishing inshore and in the backcountry.  When picking a braid color I prefer bright colors (white is my fav) that way I and my anglers can see where our lines are at during these sunny Florida days .   I am still finding some juvenile tarpon deep in the backcountry but conditions have to just rt .

They seem to get hungry on these light wind days on a hard falling tide.  I look for rolling fish and slowly approach them up wind as not to spook them . Wait for one to roll in casting distance and fire a live bait over to its last known location and wait for the water to erupt .   The mangrove snapper bite is picking up the deeper into the summer we go . When targeting snapper ,  I do prefer smaller live baits(finger size ) as they seem to inhale the whole bait instead of just picking at the bigger ones .  This weeks weather is looking prime for some great inshore action .  C U on the water !!!!!


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

Naples and Marco islands Inshore fishing continues to produce some great drag pulling action. All week we have had strong income in Tides, and this has really concentrated the fish along the deeper shorelines. This is the time of year we’ll see schools of small bait fish(pilchards/ scaled sardines/threadfin herring) along the beaches and passes.

When I see these schools of small bait fish getting pushed down the shorelines, it to me looks like a bait fish Buffet. This is where I’ve been concentrating my efforts as these fish are in the staging modes , just waiting for bait fish to get pushed right to them.

If you’re looking for larger live bait you have head to the offshore wrecks and rubble piles. A 10ft 3/8in mesh cast net will be just perfect in getting you a live well full of hardy pilchards.  Snook have been in Big schools on the outside points & Beaches with jacks and mangrove snapper mixed in.

have been catching some juvenile tarpon deep in the back country & on light tackle it’s an absolute blast .  I am using the same Riggs as I use for snook,  15lb braid attached is a 30lb fluorocarbon leader with a 3/0 J-hook.   It’s great to be able to catch all these different species on any given day.  We’re starting to get into the summer rain pattern so it’s best to get up early & Beat the heat and also beat the afternoon thunder storms. Hope to see y’all on the water.  Tight lines !!!!!

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