What a fun week of inshore fishing in the Naples and Marco island area. The weather has been stellar and the fishing has been red hot !  The best thing about fishing the backcountry is the variety of fish that can be caught on any giving day. The Snook bite has been picking up everyday and I have been targeting them on the outside islands and deep in the backcountry.

Live bait has also shown back up on the beaches and near shore wrecks. This  bait has really kept my anglers rods bent all day long .  Take the time to catch it and you will not be disappointed . If your looking for some great fish for the grill pompano will not disappoint. I have been catching them deep in the backcountry where the creeks dump into the bays on the falling tides .  I like my 3/4in tube jigs(light brown in color) tipped with a fish bite strip to get them going .   This week look for gulf waters to keep warming up and more snook to be roaming the shallows .   Get out and enjoy this great weather ! C u on the water !

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

South FL temps have been all over the place but when the weather settles the fish turn on ! Naples and Marco island inshore fishing have been producing some good snook & trout action.  Just about every week we are hit with a cold front and that sends the fish scurrying around as the gulf waters get muddy. This sends me and my anglers deep into the backcountry looking for clean water where the fish can feed. Live bait (pilchards/thred-fin herring) are still around in some secrets spots but it’s not  necessary this time of year as the waters just get to chilly and out game fish don’t really want to chase them around. I have been using DOA paddle tails,3in soft plastics on a 1/4oz jig head. On those cold mornings work those jigs in the deeper holes for trout & pompano, always slow moving around , trying to dial them in. Once you find an active area stay put and cast all around the boat till you are sure either you caught them all or they have moved on. Colder temps are expected for this weekend so time to bundle up and head deeper in the backcountry. C u on the water!

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

Can’t beat this weather we have been having, light east winds & 80 degrees has kept the fishing red hot ! Naples and Marco island inshore fishing has been producing some action packed inshore fishing. Snook have been hungry and are eager to suck down a live bait that swims by.   On the lower falling tides I have been live chumming to get the snook and jacks fired up . You can pick your weapon spin casting or fly rod and with these fish so excited they will just about eat anything that is moving .  The sea trout bite remains consistent on both tides and I am catching them on live baits and gulp jigs( new penny color ).   There have been some pompano action going on but be ready to stick and move as they are spread out in the passes . Looks like the good weather is holding true through the Xmas week so it’s time to get out on the water & Get M!

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

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

It has been an action packed week of inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas. On our way out to the fishing grounds, we have been treated to some outstanding sunrises that light up the sky.  Snook are still one of my favorite fish to target as they love to jump and scream out drag no matter the size. Redfish have been in the mix and they just as willing to slam a live bait that swims in front of them.  I have been fishing for them on the high incoming tides tight to the mangroves. Make sure to cast your bait into the shady pockets and let that bait swim around the bushes . If you see your live bait start to act erratic be ready for the strike. We have been using big pilchards (live bait) , that I cast net just offshore our beaches. Our weather past few weeks has been great but we are having our first cold snap coming this weekend so look for conditions to change and fish to  start moving deeper into the backcountry.
See you on the water!! 

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

We have been treated to some great fishing ,cooler temps and amazing sun rises. The fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas continues to produce some great inshore fishing. With these cooler night temps the snook have moved off the beaches and are now in the passes and around the outside islands feeding on the pods of bait that are caught in the currents .  Redfish have been in amongst the snook and are just as excited to see a live bait cross there path .   Mangrove Snapper fishing has been on fire and we are catching some big ones around the deep passes on the incoming tides .   Big Jack Creavalles have moved into the backcountry in huge schools . So don’t be surprised if a 10 lb jack rises up on your bait with an explosion .  Live bait is all over the beach’s and near shore wrecks and with a few throws you should be ready to explore the backcountry .

Get out and enjoy this great fall weather !!!
C u on the water !!

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

Finally, the Fall weather has arrived. Humidity has been much lower which makes the days on the water feel great! October is one of my favorites month to be water with clients enjoying this great fishery.  Naples & Marco islands inshore fishing has really been heating up. Redfish have been showing in consistent numbers. Not only a great fighting fish but great on the grill. I have been finding most of our action on the morning incoming tides and concentrating our casts close to the bushes. Live bait has been the go-to for constant action all morning long. Snook & big jacks have been right in the mix so be ready for anything.    Loads of Spanish mackerel have showed up  just off our beach’s &  around the passes. If you’re looking for nonstop action look for the diving birds and throw a small spoon into the mix and hold on !  C U on the water !

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

Hot summer like conditions equal red hot fishing! I know I say it all the time but it’s been another strong week of inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas. Live bait has been all over the beaches and with a few of the cast net you will have plenty for a morning session. Snook have been thick on the beaches and around the passes. Redfish bite has been solid on the last few hrs of the incoming tides. Remember to cast your baits as close to the structure as possible and pick apart the coves and over hangs. Don’t be surprised if your get hammered by some big jacks and mangrove snappers. October is just around the corner and we will have another big push of tarpon moving back up our beaches. C u on the water!

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