Naples & Marco Island Fishing Report

The hot inshore bite continues around the Naples and Marco island areas.   I can’t say it enough, but it has been absolutely beautiful on the water.  Temps in our areas have been highs in the upper 70s  with lows in the 60s. Fishing around these cold fronts can sometimes be tricky as the fluctuation of temperature can cause these fish to hunker down.

When a cold front has pushes through and the water temperatures have dropped , it’s a perfect time to break out the jigs..  If you’re not too familiar with what I’m talking about , it’s a lead headed jig ( 1/4 & 3/8) with a soft plastic attached.  There’s not a specific brand I use , as I like to mix it up to see what they’re into. One of my go to colors is root beer with a 3/8oz jig head .  

You have to remember when fishing these baits , is to make bottom contact , very important. When our water temperatures drop our game fish hunker down on the bottom so if you’re going too fast of a retrieve, they will never see it.   I like to make it as easy as possible for them to not only see my bait, but I have enough time to swim over and inhale it.  One winter time trick I like to use , is a product called procure.   All this is , is a fish attractant with the consistency of toothpaste that you squirt onto your soft plastic to give off  smell to these fish. I have done a lot of experimentation  and these scents really do work.    

After these cold fronts have pushed through & the weather stabilizes it’s back to live bait.    I love filling my live well full of pilchards ( live bait ) and taking them deep into the back country , where I know the water will be slightly warmer.   I’ve noticed just a few degrees warmer can really turn on the bite. This is why the backcountry is my favorite place to be during our colder days .  See you on the water !!!!!


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