Naples & Marco Island Fishing Report

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 !