Mid-Summer Inshore Action
Capt. Todd Geroy
July 24, 2015
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
July is flying by and while I have still been laid up for the most part recovering from foot surgery, Capt. Ben Geroy has been busy most days and finding a good variety of fish for our clients. The water is hot now running about 89 degrees on the beaches and into the mid 90's in the back bays. Anglers are finding the mornings to be the time to be on the water before retiring to the air conditioning mid-day.
There are still some tarpon in the area to be caught. Ben has had success getting hookups in some of the inshore bays near the gulf entrances. Both live and cut baits are getting bites as well as some action using artifical baits such as traditional hard plugs such as Bagleys finger mullet and Heddon Lucky 13's as well as soft plastic swim baits. The tarpon are ranging in size from 30 to 100 lbs. Action should continue through the next several months for those that want to commit the time for a hookup.
A big tarpon takes to the air for Capt. Ben Geroy's anglers on a recent trip!
There are plenty of lemon and bull sharks patroling the same bays along with the tarpon. The sharks are running from 4 footers to 7 foot bruisers. It is not hard right now to get tight with one of these great fighters. We are offering discounts though the month of August on our popular 1/2 day shark outings. All sharks are released.
Snook fishing is still decent with the best action first thing in the morning before the sun gets too high. Live sardines (pilchards) are always effective as well as a variety of plugs, soft plastics and flies. Most of the snook are running on the small side 18 to 23 inches, but there are good numbers of them around to offer fast action.
For those anglers looking for good table fare, mangrove snapper are everywhere right now with many of them running easily into the keeper size. These tasty fish are easily caught on live pilchards or shrimp. Docks, rip rap shorelines and blown down trees along mangrove shorelines are holding good numbers of snapper now.
This is a great time of year to be on the water and enjoy minimal boat traffic, beautiful scenery and some decent summer fishing.
-Capt. Todd Geroy
Naples Fishing Forecast:
Hit the water as early as possible during the next several weeks. Sunrise can be especially productive for snook and tarpon inside the passes, especially on an outgoing tide. Look for bird activity such as egrets and herons along the shorelines to find bait concentrations where the fish should be feeding.
Target Species:
Tarpon, Snook, Sharks, Snapper
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