Naples Winter Inshore Fishing Report

Absolutely perfect weather equals some outstanding inshore fishing.  This week we have been on some full moon tides which means one thing ,super High tides and really low tides in the morning. I am a huge fan of fishing the lower tides as it pulls the fish from the tree roots and stack them up in the deeper cuts & holes.

It’s important when fishing a shoreline on an extreme low tide, is to take your time, put the nose of your boat into the current and slowly back troll making lots of casts toward the deeper structure. A lot of times you can feel you’re bait getting nervous right before a strike is about to occur.  It’s very important to relax & Let the fish take the bait and swim off before you set the hook. All these bigger snook on the initial run , will head straight for the structure. When this happens, make sure to keep your rod low almost in the water and angled , as to keep the trajectory of the line from hitting any sharp barnacle limbs.

If you can get that fish turned after that initial run, you can then raise your rod tip and fight it like normal with a  pump & reel motion . Don’t be surprised if you think the battle is won and that fish decides, it’s gonna give it one more shot towards the trees. Just repeat process till its energy is exhausted and you are able to control it. Be sure to take very good care not only Landing these big snook but also give it enough time during the release to recuperate some of its lost energy and swim off on its own. This will ensure that that fish survives and will be able to fight another day. Till next week tight lines.!!!!!!!

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