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Naples Fishing Report
Naples, FL
Fishing Report January/February Naples/Marco and Everglades Well, hope everyone has gotten through the Cold Spell. This report is bitter sweet. I am not going to talk much about the fish kill but the positive side of fishing. I will say the kill was the worst I have seen since I started fishing in 1970. On the positive side if there is one I have seen positive numbers of Snook around Naples and Marco. Lets hope there are no more cold spells for 2010.
Not much fishing done in January. Not a month I prefer to fish in. I did get out a little before and after the Cold Front passed. Found good numbers of Redfish and Trout and lots of Sheepshead. Yes we also caught a couple of Snook. Last trip was Wednesday and we put some beautiful Redfish in the Boat and even a couple of Sheepshead on fly. Sheepshead are like Permit down to our South. They are probably one of the most finicky fish on the flats to entice with a fly. Spooky to say the least. You need to lead them by at least five to ten feet making sure the line is not behind them. Then you have to entice them to bite, which is no easy task. Small Crab or shrimp patterns work well on them. Lots of Lady fish and Trout being caught every day on Jigs tipped with shrimp. Snook are around, caught a couple under the lights last night. Don’t jump rite out there they are finicky and I would expect that to keep up until the water reaches 75 Degrees. We need to protect the Snook we have left please release them gently and keep them alive. Just want to say a few things about some guides and fisherman that fished through the Cold Weather!!! It is a shame of the reports of the people I have heard fishing for Snook when they were distressed. When the temps get that cold the fish are so distressed that even if you do catch a few most of those fish that are caught will not survive the rest of that day or night. Come on guys, is a couple of charters and a couple of fishing days that important to you. You know who you are and shame on you!!! I cancelled everything for two weeks. One: How could I seriously take people fishing in that awful weather and two there is no reason to put any more stress on fish that are barely surviving. Lets get smarter guys we have to protect the few fish that did make it. I have heard a lot about the poaching that went on and It is a crying shame of the people who sold and profited on the loss of the fish. I can understand if someone goes out and nets a couple for a Snook Dinner or two. The ones that went out and netted hundreds to eat including fish that might have survived is awful. Again you Know who you are!!! Of course most of them will not be reading this article.
February Fishing looks to be good for Trout and Redfish and Sheepshead. Snook fishing is going to be tough all year. We will know more when the offshore fish start coming back. Then we are going to know what the total loss was. Good news is some made it and they will rebuild.
Thanks and good Fishing !
Capt. Roan z.
Contact Captain Roan zumFelde today to go on a Naples Fishing Charter !
239-269-4426
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