nAPLES & mARCO iSLAND fISHING report

This week has been great for sight fishing and targeting fish in the shallows. Naples and Marco Island waters have been really clear due to the light east winds. So, I’ve been focusing on the beaches & near shore Islands looking for fish cruising the shorelines. I’ve mostly been seeing a lot of snook but I’ve also been seeing some red fish mixed in. 

I know I say it all the time but you Gotta have a good bait to catch the good fish. So take the time to look around as there is tons of small bait but it takes a sharp eye to find the medium to large ones that are excellent for casting. 

The summer mangrove snapper bite has been nothing short of stellar. I have been finding bigger fish closer to the passes in the deeper channels. It’s best you bring a lot of live bait with you , as to keep these fish going you have to keep feeding them(chumming). This technique will draw the bigger fish out and allow you to get that limit of snapper for the grill. If you can make sure to drop your leader size down to about 25 pound floral carbon & a 1/0 size hook. 

Sun rise has been the magic, so make sure to get up, get what you need and hit them hard those first couple hours.  Hope y’all have a great weekend ahead!

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