Cool Weather = Hot Inshore Fishing in Naples Backwaters
Capt. Todd Geroy
February 1, 2017
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
I have been very busy for the last month running trips daily while enjoying some great winter fishing. Anglers have consistently had great catches of a variety of species on the inshore waters. Sea trout, redfish, pompano, sheepshead, black drum, mangrove snapper, bluefish, permit and flounder have been keeping the rods bent as well as the cleaning table full at the dock.
In recent weeks, we have experienced a dramatic cool down as some strong cold fronts have moved through weekly. Water temperatures have been hanging between 60 and 67 degrees which is good for targeting the previously mentioned species as they all move into deeper holes and channels in the back bays. The deeper water tends to stay warmer than the shallow areas and we can often catch as many as 10 species from one spot.
A very productive rig this time of year is a light jig head, such as 1/8 ounce tipped with a piece of shrimp and fished slowly across the bottom in these holes. This rig catches just about anything out there. Soft plastic grubs rigged on a jig head as well as buck tail jigs tipped with shrimp can be very effective also. The key to cool water fishing is to fish slow.
Naples Fishing Forecast:
With a busy schedule ahead, I am looking forward to more great fishing with my clients as we enjoy some of the best winter weather in the country! Spring is right around the corner and big snook and tarpon will soon be on the prowl. It is time to book April-May dates for best tides.
Target Species:
Sea trout, pompano, sheepshead, black drum, snapper
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