It’s been another rock solid week of inshore fishing in south Florida.  Not sure where to start as the action around Naples and Marco island continues to be action packed . Cooler morning have shifted my attention to redfish and sea trout . Sea Trout have been staging up on the flats and the deeper holes . The main thing you have to look for is water movement or current .  These fish like to be lazy(or conserve energy) and let there food get pushed to them . Once we get a few good trout on the line we Can dial into a good bite . The red fishing has been productive on the high incoming tides .  I like to search for creek mouths In the backcountry and these can tiny and hidden by the mangroves so Its important to really study the landscape . I think that little bit of water movement in and out of these creek mouths get the redfish and snook congregating.  Remember it’s important to get a good cast as close to the mangroves these fish like to run just underneath them . A live pilchard with a pop N cork(about 2ft up) pined tight to the bushes is a deadly combo for getting these game fish on the line .  Get out get M !!!

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

The inshore fishery of Naples & Marco island has really been producing some great February fishing.  Temps have been unseasonably warm and all of our local game fish (snook,tarpon ,sea trout,redfish) are on the hit list. Low morning negative tides have the fish concentrating in the deeper holes with current. A good cast close to the shoreline will almost always get someone’s attention. Just remember if live bait isn’t around due to muddy water you can always throw artificials.  I like to use a saltwater Assassin (Misssissippi Hippie) color with 3/8 jig head .  Fish these same areas you would with live bait and you will always get some  quality fish to eat .   It’s Looking like some cold fronts are headed out way toward the later part of the week . This will cool temps down and I will start to work my way deeper in the backcountry looking for that clean warmer water . This time of year ,you just have to fish with what Mother Nature gives you .  Live bait or artificials it’s all Fishing, so get outside and enjoy the day.  

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

Summer like conditions continue in Naples & Marco Island Florida. The Gulf of Mexico is clean and gin clear & We have a really been getting spoiled with these nice fishing conditions. Snook are in abundance on the nearshore islands and deep in the back country.  There are also sea trout , snapper, tarpon, black drum & redfish are all targets this month. Live bait is still the best method to put big numbers in the boat .  With just a few throws of my cast net my live well is full and ready to hunt down some fish in the back country.   If this weather continues look for bigger tarpon To start roaming the outside flats & near shore Islands. Gotta love SW FL inshore fishing !!!! 


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

The inshore fishing around the Naples and Marco island areas remain productive . Cold fronts have been making there way down to SW Fl weekly. This means you get a few days of colder/windy conditions then a handful of really nice conditions . With this said I am still focusing most our fishing deep in the backcountry Sea trout , snook , redfish , jacks , pompano and even bluefish have all been mixed in . Live bait (pilchards) have been working great for all species but when cooler temps move I switch to Artificial‘s( saltwater Assassins 4in , gulps, or any shrimp patterns) on a 3/8oz jig head . We are back in the 80s all week so look for fishing to remain hot. 
Catch M Up !  

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

Solid week of some great fishing continues. Cold fronts are now regularly making there way down into the Naples and Marco island areas. With this said,  I have been switching into winter mode and concentrating more & more in the deeper backcountry. Cooler water temps have our game fish pushing deeper into the holes and staging up on the flats to feed.  Snook bite has been solid but look for the bite to tapper down as the water temps drop even more . Sea trout and redfish will be top on our target list.  Stay tuned <•{{{><!!!

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

Despite some cooler temps the Naples and Marco island inshore fishing remains hot . This time of year the backcountry is the place to fish with its endless islands ,creeks and shorelines.  Winter time is  when gulf waters temps drop so look for game fish to head to back bays and creeks to spend there winter.  If you’re not into catching live bait or simply just can’t ever find it, here are some of my favorite winter time Artificial’s: Shrimp tipped jigs (brown/olive ), saltwater assassins, gulps(new penny/root beer) on a 3/8oz jig head. The name of my game is stick and move . This just means to give an area 10 mins if no action move on. Once I find a shore line that has some life on it, I will fish it thoroughly. This month Look for the sea trout and redfish bite to really fire up. Get out & go get M !!

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

From the beaches to the backcountry Naples & Marco island Florida has had some awesome fishing . This week  I have been dialed into the snook . It been best on the outside islands where they have been in big groups . Once I find where they are staging up , we can sit just off the school and enjoy non stop snook action.  I am finding them in the deeper holes with good current . Doesn't matter outgoing or incoming tides just as long as long as it’s moving.  Sea trout have also been on the hit list . What’s been working best for us has been a live bait(pilchard/thred fin herring )  with a 3/8oz split shot about a few inches above the hook . Look deep cuts around the beaches. Give it a 5 mins  with no bites &  move on till you find action . 

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

Cool & sunny days have sparked some great winter time fishing. Marco Island & Naples Florida have such a diverse fishery which leads to exciting days on the water. This past cold front has cooled the water temps down enough to really get our sea trout on the feed. When live bait isn’t available my go to combo is a shrimp imitation(gulp new penny color) paired up with a 3/8oz stand up jig head. I use these jigs as search baits to find where the trout are staging up in the particular tide. Once I get a few fish on the line I can then zero in on there location and position the boat just off the school. One thing to remember is to make sure you're making bottom contact. Marco island has some of the best flats and deep holes that these big trout love to lay in .  Get outside and enjoy this backcountry playground!!! Go get M

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

The new year brings in fantastic fishing to the Naples & Marco island area.  This time of year cold fronts are making there way down to south Florida .  We we surely don’t get the cold temps as the rest of the United States but we do see drops in water temps. With this said you have to be a versatile fisherman.  On pre Frontal days went the gulf is calm and waters are clear it’s a good time to hunt down some live bait .   Snook, redfish , jacks , Spanish Mackerel, snapper and sea trout will all be in the same areas looking for a nice big pilchard (live bait) to fill there belly . I like pull up to a spot and before I even get a line in the water I chum with 10-20 live baits .  I find this will get the fish out from there hunts and out on the prowl looking for a quick meal. For my Fly Fishing anglers I have been using these morning low tides to work the shallow bays that have some deeper shorelines.  I like fly’s that have a good profile such as the EP flies . For darker stained water I have been sticking to darker flies (black/purple) & cleaner waters a more natural colors (browns/tans/whites). Get out and go get M !!!  

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

Hope everyone had a great Holiday with family and friends. Here in the Naples and Marco island area we were treated to some fantastic fishing.  I have been taking my trips deep in the backcountry, off the beaten path to enjoy the some of the finest inshore fishing south Florida has to offer.  As always I like to start mornings with catching as much bait as I can fit in my live well .  Then it’s off to the mangrove islands to hunt down snook , redfish , jacks , sea trout , tarpon , & pompano to name a few.  This past week big jacks crevalles  have moved in and if you have never caught a big one before you better hold that pole as tight as you can !!! Sea trout have also been on our hit list . Waters are cool enough that they have been staging up on the morning outgoing tides in big groups . 3/8oz jig head with your choice of a plastic shrimp(gulp) is all you need to get those fish going .  Look for fishing to remain productive this weekend as high press has moved in . Don’t forget to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors :) 

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