There has been a solid snook and redfish bite all week around the Naples and Marco island area.  I am still focusing on the outside points where there is heavy cover and a good current. Most of my action has been on the higher incoming tides and drifting live bait(pilchards) close to the structure. If you're looking for a good trout bite head deeper into the backcountry and concentrate on the deeper holes with good current flow. I have been using a 1/4oz chartreuse jig head with a 3in DOA paddle tail. Once you locate a good bite stay as far off the school and make long cast as this will help keep the fish from being spooked. Hope u get get out and enjoy this great winter fishery!!

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

It’s been typical winter weather in the Naples and Marco island area. One week it’s 80 and sunny then we get cold front that cools us down. The fishing remains strong with snook and redfish on my top targets. Live bait (pilchards) are still plentiful on the inshore islands and with a few cast we are loaded up for the day. On the days I am fly fishing with clients I am focusing my attention deep in the back country where the water is clean and clear. This weeks morning low tides have been exceptionally good for sight fishing redfish in the shallows. You have to remember to take your time while on the hunt as to not spook these fish that are in a foot or less if water. Remember to lead the fish with a good cast and strip it past his cone of vision and game on!!!

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

This as past week we have had some winter like conditions with morning lows in the 40s but it hasn’t  slowed the fishing. Naples in Marco in Island offer such great Fishing opportunities that even on the windy days we can hide In the backcountry and enjoy the calm water. Snook have still been plentiful on the outside points and in the inshore creeks .  Live bait is always preferred for a consistent bite but I have also been throwing some soft plastics. DOA makes a paddle tail (watermelon color) 3in with a 1/4oz jig head that makes for a great search bait !  On the colder days trout have been piling up in the troughs looking for easy meals. When jigging make sure your making bottom contact , raise your rod with an upward twitch always making sure to let the jig fall to the bottom . Look for your strike to come on the fall and be ready to set the hook. I also like to spice it up with a little dab a pro cure shrimp sent to get those finicky fish to hold on .

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

Christmas only a few days away and we still enjoying some great inshore action.  Hard to think that the rest of the county is freezing there you know what’s off and we are on able to enjoy the outdoors in shorts and a tee shirt .  Naples and Marco island inshore and backcountry fishing has been on point for Snook , sea trout , jacks & redfish.  I have been concentrating on points with structure & current. These two things are very important when trying to locate big schools the fish.  Another huge important factor in my fishing success is my trolling motor . With the latest technology there’s a feature on my Minkota I-pilot called spot lock which allows me to stay in one location via satellites and keep my anglers right on the fish .   These breakthroughs in technology are all about giving yourself the best opportunities.  Wishing everyone  has a happy Holliday season with family and friends!

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

December inshore/backcountry fishing in Naples and Marco island is off to a red hot start. The weather has just perfect with highs in the 70s and light winds .  Low tides in the mornings have the fish in tight groups looking for easy meals .  Snook, tarpon, jacks , sea trout & redfish have all been in the mix so be ready for anything .  I’ve been using live bait (pilchards) with a 2/0 J hook and a 3ft piece of monofilament to trick those weary game fish.  Most of my attention has been out on the beaches and nearshore island where the water is clean and green.  The fishing will continue to get better and better this week until we are expected to have a cold front on Friday that will chill things down a bit . Hope everybody’s getting ready for the holidays and I am looking forward to seeing y’all on the water!!

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

We are now getting into winter like patterns around the Naples and Marco Island area. This time of year we ride this roller coaster of weather, as one week it can be glass like conditions then a cold front makes its way down to cool is down. Snook, redfish, jacks, bonito and sea trout have all been on the hit list. I’ve been concentrating on some really great sea trout fishing just after a cold from his pasted and water temps drop. My preferred artificial is a DOA 3in paddle tail root beer color with a 1/4oz or 3/8oz jig head.  I also like to spice it up with a little dab of shrimp flavored pro cure. Look for areas in the back country they have slight troughs running down the shorelines , as you will find these trout to be stacked up. When conditions stabilize I like to move deeper in the back country in search of snook & red fish.  Live bait it’s always my preferred method any time of year for the back country but in a pinch you can always chop up ladyfish and make it an easy meal for these game fish. Hope everybody is enjoying this great weather Hope to see you on the water.

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

Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends . We were treated to prefront conditions all week with perfect weather and outstanding fishing action . The Naples and Marco island areas were on fire with snook, Jacks , redfish , grouper, bonito, sea trout and snapper all on our hit list .  Live bait was plentiful on the offshore piles and with a few throws of the cast net we were ready to hammer the backcountry .  I was concentrating on shorelines with good current on them and finding the snook to be laid up behind the structure. It’s very important to get your bait close and allow a natural drift over there strike zone. Pay close attention to your line and look for a good “thump” and be ready to wrestle them away from the structure .  First good cold Front came through last night so look for water temperatures to be dropping and fish to be moving deeper into the back country. 


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

We have had our share of hurricanes & tropical storms this summer, but now our weather is absolutely perfect.  No where else in the U.S will you have such perfect inshore/backcountry fishing conditions as you do in the Naples and Marco island area.  Snook are all over the outside islands and beaches. If your looking for some light tackle spin & Fly action nothing beats sight fishing snook and redfish In the shallows.  Redfish have been hanging right with the snook , so it’s a toss up on what’s going to be pulling on the other end of the line .  Sea trout & mangrove snapper have also been on my hit list .  I have been going with lighter 25lb Floro carbon using a
Knocker rig to get these baits down into the strike zone. We have Thanksgiving coming up this week so I wish everybody a great holiday with family and friends. Hope to see y’all on the water!

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

Naples and Marco island backcountry/inshore fishing  lends it’s self to an area called the 10,000 islands. This maze of islands offers some of the best fishing & most diverse eco systems in the world.  This past week the redfish and snook fishing has been stellar with big numbers of fish coming to the boat every morning .  Live bait is always the ticket in getting these big fishing to pounce on the line.  When getting live bait on the offshore wrecks it’s important to have the right size net and I prefer a 12ft 3/8in mesh very heavy net.   This takes allot of practice learning your bottom machine & will insure you land on the bait and not the wreck.   Look for big snook to be around the inshore passes were structure and current are present . Free line a pilchard up tight to the trees and Hold On !!!!!  C u on the water .

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

Around the Naples and Marco island area, there has  been sun shining, stiff breeze blowing and hungry fish all over the backcountry. Live bait has been loaded on the offshore wrecks and with a few tosses if the cast net we are off to hunt down some game fish. Snook and redfish have been top targets with jacks and snappers mixed in. The winds have been blowing hard out if the east, so the gulf remains calm & clear.  I have been fishing my trips deep in the creeks while the tides are falling. These fish are pulling out of the the backcountry and laying up in the deeper holes making it easy to have non stop action. Looking forward to another solid week of inshore fishing !!!

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