Naples and Marco report for May
Capt. Roan zumFelde
May 2, 2008
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
Last weeks fishing in the Naples and Marco area, saw a lot of Boat Traffic. I think everyone was out to try and find the last keeper Snook for the Summer. Well, It did not work for me I am sorry to say my clients were not lucky enough to get a slot fish this past week. We had a number in the 26 inch range and some over sized fish but none in the right slot. Oh well, I guess the slot thing is working. It sure is hard to find a keeper sized fish. My dad will have to wait until fall for his.
Anyhow, The fishing this past week was ok in general. Caught some nice keeper Reds and some that were way oversized. One in particular in the Back Country that my client Mark was able to land that was just shy of 35 inches. Hopefully by next article I will have a picture for you. Lots of nice sized Snapper are coming aboard too. The funny thing is, even though we are catching live bait. I have been catching more and nicer fish on Live Shrimp, which hurts the pocket book a little, but nothing but the best for my clients. Hopefully soon the fish will switch over from shrimp to whitebait.
Snook fishing is continuing to be strong with lots of undersized and a few oversized fish. I am sure we will be catching plenty of slot fish now the season is closed. I would expect the fishing for Snook to get better everyday from now until the end of Summer. I have been seeing and catching them from the backcountry to the beaches. The evening bite in the passes from Naples to Marco has been very good also. This is the time to start walking the beaches, so get out there and get some exercise and catch a couple of fish to boot. My favorite walk is from 33rd avenue South to Gordon's Pass at first light. 1mile of pure heaven with some nice Snook and occasionally a Tarpon thrown in. Tiger tail Lagoon on Marco is a good bet also this time of the year. Fly fishing for Snook has been very productive at night and during the day. Wednesday early evening and night two clients boated near thirty fish to 26 inches and jumped two Tarpon in four hours. Not to shabby for the little white flies.
Tarpon fishing still tough. I have seen them and even jumped a few but they haven't been automatic like usual this time of the year. Early mornings on live bait and under the lights on fly and light tackle still seem to be your best bets. There are fish running the beaches but you are going to have to look long and hard for them. It seems if you do find them they want to eat.
Naples Fishing Forecast:
I expect the fishing to keep getting better from here on out. My reports will keep you in touch so please tune in. I will try and do a report the beginning and middle of each month. And if you have any questions please feel free to call or drop me an email Thanks for reading Capt. Roan z.
Target Species:
Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Snapper
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