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Naples Fishing Report
Naples, FL
Fishing is holding true to form for mid may From Naples to Marco and into the Everglades Creeks. Snook fishing is certainly gaining strength on fly and on bait and artificial. Tarpon are showing along the beaches with more frequency getting easier to find and catch. The Redfish are getting a little scarcer, but as you can see from the picture they are still about, scattered from the back to the front.
I do not know how the fish know but it eems the slot Snook know it is out of season and are willing to bite. Every trip this past week we have been boating nice sized slot fish on both fly and bait. On fly it seems that smaller white bait patterns tied with synthetics have been producing on the outside and in the lights and darker muddlers like black and Purple or Red have been getting them in the back country Creeks. A few Tarpon are hitting the flies in the creeks as well as an occasional Redfish. Fished a creek deep in the Glades last week and caught 3 Tarpon to 25 lbs. and a Big 38 inch Snook and a good number of smaller Snook in mostly fresh water. So when I say the fish are any where from the backs of Creeks to the beaches take that as gospel.
Bait fishing has been producing good numbers of fish, mostly on the outside, but some nice ones in the creeks too. Catching bait has been a little interesting with the onshore winds out of the south west. Most of the bait I am catching has been on the near shore wrecks off of Naples and Marco. It is a little tricky getting out to them in three foot seas but worth it to fill the live well with nice White bait. I hope these fronts stop soon I am kind of tired of fighting these winds everyday. If you catch bait then finding fish to eat them hasn’t been a problem. The Tarpon are running the beaches from Marco north to Boca Grande, just been a little rough to fish them the last few days. Early last week we jumped as many as six to eight per day. If the winds let up then we will be back in business again. Snook are hitting on almost all the points inside from the back to the front. They are starting to feed up for the spawn. Reds are scattered but catchable. We have been averaging 2 or 3 per trip also from the outside to the backs of the creeks.
The next couple of weeks I expect continued strengthening for the fishing and continues success for Snook and Tarpon anglers. I understand there is another front coming for Memorial Day weekend, maybe after that we can arrange for some better East winds rather then this South Westerly baloney that we have now.
Good luck and Good Fishing. Rz.
Calendar for best Fishing;
January/February:
My two least favorite months to Fish the Naples and Marco area. Not because fishing isn’t any good at this time it is just unpredictable do to weather and winds. If the weather is good expect to catch a little of everything if the winds are up we will be bouncing a Jig on the bottom. Mixed Bags are common with Good Trout and Red fishing in these months.( Bait fishing should produce a mixed bag of Ladyfish, Jacks, Trout, Pompano, Sheepshead, and a few Redfish.
March/April:
Fishing getting much better. Can be a little Windy especially March, but typically we have more good days than bad. March and April will see a resurgence of the Snook and Tarpon Fishing and a good chance at Big Fish, Large Snook and Tarpon over 100lbs. are common . Bait fishing still good and should be starting to come off of shrimp and onto White bait. Good Mixed bags weather permitting of Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Sheepshead, Jacks and Trout. This is Also when the Everglades bass Fishing really starts to pick up and a good time to try for the Super Slam.
May/June:
Two of my favorite months to fish. Great Snook and Tarpon fishing both in the Backcountry and outside on the beaches. Redfish are also available and these two months are usually your best bet for your Slam. Fly fisherman this is the time of the year that have the least winds an your best opportunity. Fish are feeding and readily take artificial baits. This is a busy time I suggest booking months in advance if you want the best dates around the New or Full Moon. Still very good Bass Fishing in the glades.
July/August:
Two of our best months to fish also. The caveat to this is weather again. If you are coming to fish these two months bring some rain gear. We typically get wet sooner or later. Good news mid summer prices in Naples and Marco get you your best deals on Food and Lodging. We tend to fish early and late after the afternoon storms. Expect to catch high numbers of Small Tarpon and nice Snook. Red fishing a little weaker but still available. Snapper fishing Excellent night and day. Bass not so good with all the rain.
September/October:
Great late season Snook Fishing. Great month for the big females that have finished there spawn and want to feed on the huge amounts of bait that we have in the area at this time. Tarpon also plentiful with a small run of Big Tarpon coming thru during this period. Check the Hurricane forecast this is when they are the most prolific. Barring any bad weather this would be my favorite two months of the year to fish myself. Great fishing with little traffic on the water. Don’t even consider Bass Fishing way to much water and heat.
November/December:
Our last two months of the year. I would call them an enigma. There can be some of the best fishing of the year or some of the worst. I would hate to try and predict but here goes. Redfish definitely the targets of best opportunity, next would be Snook if the cold fronts are late to materialize. Tarpon are typically here one day gone tomorrow. I do a lot of night fishing these two months it is usually your best chance at good numbers of Snook and Tarpon. Mixed bags are coming back into play with large numbers of Ladyfish, mackerel, Bluefish, and jacks showing up at this time. Bass fishing in the Lakes of Central Florida very good these two months. Two to Three Day trips to the lakes.
Contact Captain Roan zumFelde today to go on a Naples Fishing Charter !
239-269-4426
US Coast Guard Licensed Captain | Certified FFF Casting Instructor | FL Guides Association Member