The fishing in the Naples and Marco Island area is showing excellent promise as we move through early June 2025. Water temperatures have climbed into the ideal range for Southwest Florida's premier gamefish species, with morning temperatures in the mid 80s creating perfect conditions for active feeding. Prime weather in South Florida has been creating outstanding inshore fishing charters, and anglers are finding success across multiple target species. The absence of red tide issues has allowed baitfish populations to flourish, providing ample forage for predatory gamefish throughout the backcountry waters and nearshore areas.

Snook activity has been particularly strong throughout the Naples and Marco Island region, with fish responding well to both live bait presentations and artificial lures. The incoming tide has been best with good action with snook, making the two hours before and after high tide the prime feeding window for fishing charters.

Anglers are finding success targeting snook around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and creek mouths using live pilchards, thredfin herring, and shrimp. Artificial lures such as soft plastic jerkbaits, topwater plugs, and suspending twitchbaits are also producing consistent results. The best snook action is occurring during the early morning hours and late afternoon periods when water temperatures are most comfortable for these temperature-sensitive fish.

Redfish continue to provide steady action throughout the Ten Thousand Islands and backcountry areas surrounding Marco Island and Naples. With rising water temperatures the redfish bite has really picked up, and sight fishing opportunities on fishing charters have increased significantly as fish move onto shallow flats to feed. Anglers are finding success using live pilchards, shrimp & cut bait, and in water depths ranging from 1-4 feet. The grass flats and oyster bars are holding good numbers of slot-sized redfish, with occasional oversized fish mixed in. Early morning and late afternoon periods offer the best sight fishing opportunities when redfish are actively tailing and cruising the shallows.

Tarpon Season Update
June represents prime tarpon season for the Naples and Marco Island area, with the backcountry waters being ideal for targeting tarpon on fishing charters, especially during calm mornings and evenings. Juvenile tarpon in the 20-60 pound range can be targeted in the backcountry creeks and channels, while larger adult fish are beginning to show up in the passes and nearshore waters. Live crabs, large shrimp, and threadfin herring are the preferred baits for tarpon fishing charters. Anglers should focus their efforts during the early mornings for the best hookup opportunities. The consistent warm weather has created ideal conditions for extended tarpon activity throughout the day.

Spotted sea trout fishing remains steady throughout the grass flats and deeper holes of the backcountry. Recent fishing charters have shown good action with trout, snapper and jacks, with live pilchards and soft plastic baits producing the most consistent results. Trout are schooling in 3-8 feet of water over sandy bottoms adjacent to grass beds. Jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, and other species are providing excellent action for anglers seeking variety on their fishing charters. The live bait situation continues to be exceptional, with pilchards currently available along the beaches for those willing to throw cast nets in the early morning hours.

Fishing Outlook and Recommendations
The overall fishing forecast for Naples and Marco Island fishing charters remains highly favorable through the remainder of June. Water quality conditions are excellent, baitfish populations are robust, and gamefish are actively feeding in predictable patterns. Anglers should plan their fishing charters around tidal movements, with incoming tides generally providing the most consistent action. Early morning launches are recommended to take advantage of cooler temperatures and less boat traffic.

Live bait continues to outperform artificial lures in most situations, though topwater action during low-light periods offers exciting opportunities for those preferring lure fishing. The current weather patterns and water conditions will continue this great inshore action for fishing charters. Tight lines !!!!

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

Marco Island fishing charters often rank among Southwest Florida's premier angling experiences, and Captain Tim Daugherty's expertise in these pristine waters has established him as one of the area's most trusted guides. Located at the northern edge of the Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island offers some of the most diverse and productive inshore fishing opportunities in the entire state, making Marco Island fishing charters a top choice for both novice and experienced anglers.

The unique geography surrounding Marco Island creates an angler's paradise that Marco Island fishing charters often showcase to visiting fishermen. The extensive network of mangrove creeks, oyster bars, grass flats, and deep channels provides habitat for an incredible variety of gamefish species. Captain Tim Daugherty's intimate knowledge of these waters ensures that Marco Island fishing charters consistently deliver exceptional results regardless of season or conditions.

Snook fishing represents one of the primary attractions that Marco Island fishing charters often highlight for visiting anglers. These aggressive predators thrive in the area's diverse habitat, from the shadowy depths of mangrove creeks to the open waters of the passes. Captain Tim Daugherty's Marco Island fishing charters often target snook around dock pilings, creek mouths, and mangrove shorelines where these ambush predators wait for unsuspecting baitfish. The consistent year-round presence of snook makes Marco Island fishing charters an excellent choice for anglers seeking reliable action.

Redfish provide another exciting target species that Marco Island fishing charters often pursue with great success. The shallow grass flats and oyster bars surrounding Marco Island create ideal habitat for these copper-colored fighters. Captain Tim Daugherty's Marco Island fishing charters often employ sight fishing techniques, allowing anglers to watch as redfish cruise the shallows in search of crabs and small fish. The visual excitement of seeing a redfish take your bait in crystal-clear water is an experience that Marco Island fishing charters often provide to delighted clients.

The seasonal tarpon migration adds another dimension to what Marco Island fishing charters often offer their guests. From late spring through early fall, these silver kings frequent the passes and nearshore waters around Marco Island, providing opportunities for truly memorable battles. Captain Tim Daugherty's Marco Island fishing charters often time their tarpon expeditions to coincide with optimal tidal conditions and fish movements, maximizing the chances for successful hookups with these legendary gamefish.

Spotted seatrout fishing remains consistently productive throughout the year, and Marco Island fishing charters often target these popular gamefish over grass flats and sandy bottoms. Captain Tim Daugherty's extensive knowledge of seasonal trout patterns ensures that Marco Island fishing charters can locate schools of these cooperative fish even when other species prove challenging. The reliable nature of seatrout fishing makes Marco Island fishing charters an excellent choice for families and novice anglers.

The live bait situation around Marco Island is exceptional, which Marco Island fishing charters often leverage for optimal results. Captain Tim Daugherty's Marco Island fishing charters often begin with netting fresh pilchards, threadfin herring, or other live baits that are irresistible to the area's gamefish. The abundance of quality baitfish in these waters gives Marco Island fishing charters a significant advantage over areas where live bait is scarce or difficult to obtain.

Artificial lure fishing also produces excellent results, and Marco Island fishing charters often employ a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. Captain Tim Daugherty's expertise with topwater plugs, soft plastics, and suspending baits ensures that Marco Island fishing charters can adapt to changing conditions and fish preferences throughout the day.

The water quality around Marco Island remains consistently excellent, which Marco Island fishing charters often highlight as a key advantage of fishing these waters. The absence of red tide issues and the pristine nature of the Ten Thousand Islands ecosystem create ideal conditions for healthy fish populations and excellent visibility for sight fishing opportunities.

Marco Island fishing charters often attract anglers seeking variety, and Captain Tim Daugherty's trips consistently deliver multiple species during a single outing. Jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and occasional cobia add excitement and diversity to fishing trips, ensuring that Marco Island fishing charters rarely experience slow periods.

The year-round fishing opportunities that Marco Island fishing charters often promote make this destination ideal for visiting anglers regardless of travel dates. Captain Tim Daugherty's understanding of seasonal patterns and fish behavior ensures that Marco Island fishing charters remain productive throughout the calendar year, from the cooler months when fish concentrate in deeper waters to the warmer periods when shallow water action dominates.

Family-friendly fishing is another aspect that Marco Island fishing charters often emphasize, and Captain Tim Daugherty's patient instruction and safe boat handling make his trips ideal for anglers of all ages and experience levels. The protected waters around Marco Island provide comfortable fishing conditions, while the consistent action keeps younger anglers engaged and excited about the sport.

For anglers seeking an authentic Southwest Florida fishing experience, Marco Island fishing charters often exceed expectations by combining excellent fishing with stunning natural beauty. Captain Tim Daugherty's commitment to providing memorable experiences ensures that every trip showcases the best that these incredible waters have to offer.

Book your Marco Island fishing charter with Captain Tim Daugherty and discover why these waters consistently rank among Florida's premier inshore fishing destinations.

May is always one of my favorite months to be out on the water, chasing our local game fish .   The inshore fishing around the Naples & Marco island areas ,never disappoints.  There’s such a variety and abundance of fish that frequent our area during this time of year.  Snook , redfish , pompano , snapper , sea trout , tarpon , jacks , Goliath grouper and sharks are all on my hit list in may .  Live bait is still plentiful on the offshore rubble piles and wrecks .

My favorite net to load up on bait is , a 10 to 12 foot 3/8 inch lee fisher cast net( humpback).   This is the perfect net to get down 20 feet and come up with a net full of beautiful Baits. I know I say it all the time, but these live baits are the key to having an action packed day on the water.   Let’s switch gears for a second and talk about some fly fishing.  

For my fly anglers what a perfect time of year to hunt snook on the beaches . The combination of gin clear water and lots of sunshine equals great site fishing opportunities.   I like to cast more natural patterns due to the clean water( white /tan/olive colors).  The key is to stay as far off of the fish as you can , as they can be spooky in these conditions. A long cast in front of the fish , with a good fast retrieve Will ensure a hard strike.

Also one thing to remember because our waters are so clear this time of year is  light floral Carbon leader (20-30lb) can sometimes be a game changer . Great time to get out early before the midday heat & enjoy some great Southwest Florida inshore action. 

Catch yah on the water !!!!!

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

This weeks fishing around the Naples and Marco Island areas has been an absolute adventure with all species on the hit list. Finally, we are starting to see pods of bait fish moving into our fishing areas.  This is always a good sign as it concentrates our game fish around the bait schools.  I’ve been starting my mornings with a little quick trip offshore to a couple bait spots where I’m able to load up on some really nice pilchards and threadfin herring .  I prefer these baits because they are full of energy and this is exactly what you need to draw these big fish out of their hiding spots.  

This past week we have been focusing on the passes and outside creeks that have good current structure.  It’s always a good sign when you pull up to a shoreline in the morning and you see a row of snowy egrets lined up. This typically means there is good bait fish flow down the shoreline, and this will most certainly entice your targeted species to be stacked up ready to feed .  Snook have been plentiful and we’re starting to see some really big ones showing up.  I am fishing really light tackle a 7 foot medium light spinning rod(stellar light star rod)  with a 4000 Florida Fishing Products spinning reel.  This is a perfect set up for some awesome light tackle fishing.

When conditions are right and winds are down,  I am on the beach chasing Tarpon.  My preferred bait is a live crab but nothing beats a 6 to 8 inch mullet. There’s something about watching your bait fish trying to outrun an 80 to 100 pound tarpon.  It’s one of the most exciting things to watch and it always get your heart racing in anticipation of what’s about to happen. The extended forecast for this upcoming weeks looks absolutely perfect. If you’re in town and looking for an adventure, don’t hesitate to give me a call.  Tight lines!!!!!


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

Tell me what’s better than watching the sun come up and tarpon rolling all around you?  It’s been that way the past few days due to these light east winds and hot south Florida weather.  If you asking what is the best bait for tarpon fishing in our area , I would hands down say a small to medium sized pass crab .  My second is a live mullet or thread fin herring .  For my leader ,  I like to use a 60lb 6ft piece of fluorocarbon leader to a 6/0 circle hook . It’s a simple rig but it works!  The backcountry and inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas have been full of action .

Snook , sea trout , and redfish have been chewing good on the mornings hard incoming tides . One of my favorite ways to get these fish into a crazy feeding mode is to Chum heavy . All this means it to take bat (chum bat) fulls of pilchards and sling them close to the shorelines you are fishing .   Watch for fish to explode on the fleeing baits and just cast close to where you saw the blow up and hold on.  Also this chumming will draw out fish, that were deeper in the mangroves to come out and join the party.   It’s a great way to get the action fired up !!! Looking forward to more great fishing in May .  Give me a call if your looking to get on the hunt for some of these great south Florida gamefish . 


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

May has been action packed with snook , tarpon , redfish and sea trout in abundance . Naples and Marco Island inshore fishing always fires up this time of year as water temps are on the rise and we have been taking full advantage .     Live bait (pilchards) have been prevalent along the beaches, and the near shore wrecks & rock pikes  .  Once my live well is packed I make a turn and head rt back inshore to get this party going  . Look for fish to really start schooling up along the beaches and passes.  This is due to all the small baitfish that are getting pushed in and out all day with the tides, it’s the backcountry Buffett . 

Gulf water are gin clear so make sure when working a shoreline to keep your eyes glued to the shallows looking for a slow cruising fish .  Try not to present your bait right on top of the fish but see which way they are pointed and lead the fish by 2 to 3 feet.  There are also some big Jacks and sea trout mixed in so be ready for that bait to get hammered and your drag to start singing .  Now that our winds have been tapering off look for tarpon rolling just off our beaches and passes . Can’t beat a free-lined live crab but a big pilchard or thredfin herring will most definitely get some attention.   It’s that time of year guys get out on the water and enjoy some great South Florida fishing action!!!!!!! C you on the water !

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

Prime weather in South Florida =s outstanding inshore fishing. 

It’s that time of year where all of our game fish(tarpon/sea trout/snook/redfish) are on my hit list .  In the Naples and Marco island area , we have snook all over the beaches and passes feeding on the small pods of bait fish. If we see birds (snowy egrets / pelicans ) lined up on a shoreline I will always swing in to soak some live baits .  Speaking of live baits the off shore structures (wrecks/rubble piles & beaches ) will be holding some nice big baits this time of year.  When it comes to catching your bait nothing beats Good electronics (simrad/Garmin) are imperative to have , so you are able to  differentiate the structure and the bait that is hovering along side it .  

There have been some Redfish mixed in with the snook and trout so don’t be surprised to hook into some big boys . Tarpon are  starting to make their migration down the beaches and passes .  I like to use live small blue or pass crabs on the beaches but if there in the back bays my favorite is a slimy catfish chunk or mullet.   You have to remember tarpon are scavengers so they will never pass up a chunk of meat on the bottom .  Look for our weather to stabilize even more and the fishing to get better and better . My favorite time of the year is now !! Get on the water and enjoy this awesome playground. 
See you on the water ! 


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

After a windy & cool March, we are finally seeing some outstanding weather in the Naples and Marco Island areas.  These Perfect conditions have the inshore bite really heating up with Snook , sea trout , redfish and tarpon have all been on the hit list .  I am catching these fish in the same Locations so it’s been fun not knowing what species you’re going to get on any given cast.

My rig for these fish is simple 15 lb power pro attached to a 3ft ,30lb Fluorocarbon leader with a 3/0 live bait J hook .  Always remember to match your hook size up to the size of your live baits . Too big a hook can cause your bait to die faster and to small can foul up and cause your bait to spin .

Tarpon are making their migration so make sure to get up early and look for rolling fish at first light .  As the the sun gets higher later in the day, it’s a great time to look for fish on the beaches and sand bars.  Some of there favorite baits are Live threadfin herring, pass crabs , mullet and even artificials (paddle tails ) are great baits to target these silver giants . Get out early to enjoy the light winds and solitude….. C u in the water !!!!

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

Finally at the end of this week we will be seeing some lighter winds , warmer temps and this should get inshore fishing firing up .  The  Naples and Marco island areas have been producing some great light tackle action .  Snook have been plentiful in the backcountry around the creek mouths and deeper shorelines.  Whether it’s top Water, soft plastics , flies or live bait these have all been producing snook on any given day.  The sea trout action has really picked up over the last few weeks. My favorite way to fish for them is a live Pilchard(bait) on a 2/0 circle hook. The trick I like to do with these baits is to trim the tails. You may ask why would you need to do that ? Trout are not the best hunters as far as casing down a big pilchard .

I have watched them many times follow our baits & try to eat it but many times the bait will simply out swim them.  So by trimming the baits tails this allows them to be less maneuverable and the trout are able to grab them with little  effort.  There have been Mangrove snapper and jacks to kept us all busy while fishing for our top gamefish . I think finally we are about to settling into some mid April high pressure with steady east winds.   Look for our gulf waters to warm up rapidly,  clear up and this will get the tarpon moving along our beaches.  It’s just about that time to get out the big rods and go chase some giants …Hope to see y’all on the water …tight lines.!!!!!’

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

Naples and Marco island have been  getting by beat up by high winds.   We have had some great days but they have been short lived and for the most part it’s been Blowing just about every week .   I never thought I would say this but I am ready for the hot , humid & buggy weather to settle in and really fire up this fishery !!! On the non windy days the backcountry and inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas have been full of action .  Snook , sea trout , and redfish have been chewing good on the mornings hard incoming tides . One of my favorite ways to get these fish into a crazy feeding mode is to Chum heavy . All this means it to take bat (chum bat) full of pilchards and sling them close to the shorelines you are fishing .   

Watch for fish to explode on the fleeing baits and just cast close to where you saw the blow up and hold on.  Also this chumming will draw out fish, that were deeper in the mangroves to come out and join the party.   It’s a great way to get the action fired up .  The sea trout have been laying low close to the bottom.  We have been using a 1/4oz of lead to get out baits down rt in front of them . Once you get one trout , usually there are more around so make sure to fish that are thoroughly!!! Fingers crossed this wind stop soon and we are able to get back to chasing the big fish!!!!!

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