Great Naples Inshore Action As Waters Clear Up
Capt. Todd Geroy
September 10, 2018
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
I am finally back to posting a fishing report after a bit of a hiatus. I have spent some time off this summer taking a bit of a vacation as well as losing some days at the expense of the massive red tide outbreak for the last two months. The media didn't do us any favors even though the effects were not as bad here as areas close by, especially to the north. All said, I have managed to work around the water issues and produced some good trips for the clients wanting water time as well as a few days out myself and with family.
I am very pleased to announce that as of a week or so ago, there are absolutely no signs of red tide in the waters that I call my home. We have been hitting some fantastic late summer action that has been par for September which has always been the start of my favorite time of year to fish.
Redfish are showing in decent numbers in the area once again and are taking live baits along the mangrove shorelines during the higher tide stages. They can also be sight fished crawling shallow channel edges at low tide. A variety of well presented artificial baits will also get bites. The redfish are ranging from 22 to 30 inches.
Chip with a nice September redfish before releasing it...
Snook fishing has been red hot for the last two weeks. Anglers have enjoyed fast action with schooling snook catching and releasing as many as 30 fish per trip. Many of these have been smaller buy scrappy fish in the 20 to 25 inch range, but several have been caught ranging from 30 to even a 40 inch monster!
I enjoyed a morning out with my daughter, Sarah and our dog Willy last weekend. Sarah found a bunch of snook more than willing to tangle with her and provide fast action all morning long. She also hooked into a few juvenile tarpon which managed to escape photo opportunities.
Sarah Geroy and Willy dog are having fun with all the snook!...
My son, Capt. Ben Geroy had the pleasure of fishing the annual Take a Soldier Fishing tournament out of Naples on Saturday 9/8. He guided two commissioned Air Force soldiers for this huge event. The three of them boated and released redfish and snook all day long. A few minutes before it was time to head to the dock, Ben hooked up with a behemoth snook. Hooked on light tackle, the fish headed well into the flooded mangrove cover. Ben left the boat and pursued on foot, passing the rod under water through the submerged branches and root several times before getting a grip on the jaw of the fish. The snook measured at 40 inches! A great way to end a special day!
Capt. Ben Geroy with a 40 inch snook caught released during the annual Naples Take a Soldier Fishing tournament...
This is the time of year to hook up with juvenile tarpon in the backwaters. We have been finding good numbers of the little warriors in the back creeks and bays. Plugs, jigs flies and live baits all get the strikes. Ranging from 5 to 20 lbs. the"baby" tarpon are my favorite fish to catch on any light tackle!
I'm looking forward to some more fantastic fishing during the next several weeks!
Capt. Todd Geroy
Naples Fishing Forecast:
We have entered what I think is the absolute best time of year for fishing here. A variety of our best gamefish in abundance and very few people on the water make for a relaxing, productive experience on the water. Redfish, snook, tarpon and pompano along with tarpon of all sizes are all in the mix for the next few months.
Target Species:
Redfish, Snook, Tarpon
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