Naples Fishing Report by Capt. Tim Daugherty

We are in the hottest part of the summer so make sure your on the water at first light.  I start all my morning trips at 6:30am as this give me enough time to navigate the backcountry and head offshore to load up on live bait. The inshore fishing around Naples and Marco island continues to produce non stop action for snook, mangrove snapper and redfish .   I know I say it all the time but it’s very important to stick to the live bait(pilchards/ thread fin herring ) this time of year.   If you don’t have access to a boat remember while your fishing on the beach to check around the waters edge for cruising bait pods.  Make sure you purchase yourself an 8 foot 1/4in cast net as this is your key to having loads of summertime action.

The mangrove snapper bite has been off the chain. We have been getting our limits daily with some snappers around the 14/15inch range .  Concentrate close to the passes where there’s a lot of current. For snappers I like to drop down to 25 pound floro carbon leader and a number 1 “J” hook .  Cast close to the structure(docks , rocks , fallen trees ) and let the live bait do the rest . I like to place the hook directly through its nostrils as you will get maximum performance out of your bait . Don’t be discouraged if you miss a lot of fish as they are very smart tend to hit the tail side of the bait first which equals a lot of missed fish.   Stay at it and in no time you’ll have your limit & a great supper!!!!

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