Break Time
Capt. Pete Root
April 8, 2009
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
It's Spring break time! Breaking weather patterns, breaking Mid-West car tail lights and breaking water surfaces!
White bait has been easy as long as I get out early before the winds pick back up. With the water temps in the upper 70's, the snook bite has been on a steady increase. Although slot fish have not been showing up yet, the cookie cutters in the 20 to 25 inch range have been chewing on every spot I frequent in Naples. Half day trips have been averaging 15 to 20 snook with just as many Jacks.
Gordon's Pass is starting to fill up with dark colored back country snook, fatting up for their spawn at the end of the month. In another month those same dark greenish-brown snook will be blended right in with the Naples sandy beaches. Speaking of Jacks, for the new comer or the novice on spring break, jacks can be the high point of a great day on the water. I am convinced they pull and fight harder than any other fish that swims in these waters!! Any jack over 5 pounds on the light spinning gear that I use, gets eyes popping and cameras flashing. The nasty look they give compiled with their grunting, jacks are a sure crowd pleaser.
I have been seeing more and more big transient Tarpon in the area. However, the constant windy conditions have prohibited fishing for them on the beach. Fortunately it will not be long before I'm swimming large white baits under a cork for these monsters.
Today's charter, was with a gentleman "Bob" of Marco Island who won a trip I donated to a local animal shelters fund raising ball. He started the morning at the first stop catching several snook and an over the slot red fish. After several other successful secret spots, he hooked what he claimed to be a very large snook, seconds later breaking the surface was a 20 pound Tarpon!. A Back Water Slam for " bring'em back alive Bob"... Bob does all the trapping of stray cats on Marco Island for the local animal shelter.
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