October Fishing report for Naples and Marco Island
Capt. Roan zumFelde
October 7, 2008
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
Well September has come and gone and now we are firmly entrenched in October. The Fishing in the Naples and Marco area should continue about the same as for September with a slight increase in our offshore fishing along with an increase in Redfish and a decrease in our Snook and Tarpon activity. Now remember this all depends on the weather and the abundance of bait in our water. If the temps stay high like they did last year then the Redfish that are here will be less active but the Snook and Tarpon will be more active. So far this has been the case. It looks as if at least for the next couple of weeks that the fishing in the Naples and Marco area is going to stay about the same with good numbers of Snook being caught from the back country to the beaches. The near shore wrecks will be producing on many fronts including some inshore species like Snook and Tarpon migrating out early getting ready for the winter slow down and some Redfish moving in to feed on the copious amounts of bait that will be their.
Lots of action in the last week of September with great catches of Snook and Tarpon in and near the passes from Naples South through the Everglades. Way south of Everglades you could almost Slam at will with lots of Redfish being caught and Gobs of Snook everywhere. Up in our neck of the woods myself and my clients had some of the best fishing of the year in the Naples and Marco area catching large numbers of Snook and some Redfish. We seemed to Hook Tarpon each day just nothing boated. We seemed to catch Snook from the Beaches to the back Country on my charters. I had a group of gentlemen from Pittsburg that in just one out of the four days boated over 100 Snook a couple of Reds and jumped a couple of Tarpon. I am not sure how many Snook they caught in four days but I will tell you I was pretty tired and tore up from the releasing. They were great guys who just loved catching fish. In the four days we fished together they boated numerous slot sized fish but did not kill one fish the whole time. Bait was the key to their success lots available and the fish were hungry. My Fly anglers were doing well also. Hal Rosen in particular caught one of his best Redfish ever a 17 lb. monster last week along with a couple of 26 and 27 inch Snook using one of his Bungler Fly patterns. (Pictures not developed yet next report)
Naples Fishing Forecast:
What's to come for the month of October? Well, good question!
It looks as if it will be business as usual with a slight change, the weather is definitely getting a bit cooler and the nighttime cooling is bringing the water temps down some. I read 78 degrees yesterday which should mean an increase in Redfish activity and a decrease in Snook and Tarpon. Well I am not so sure we are going to see much of a decrease unless we get some noticeably cooler water temps. I think we will still see plenty of Snook activity and it wouldn't surprise me if we see even a little more tarpon activity with the increase in bait that has arrive from the north at least for the next couple of weeks. The other increase should be in Trout, ladyfish and Jacks, they will be filling the bag also. You will be catching Snook just about anywhere you fish from the front to the back especially on the new and Full moon tides. The Reds will be there but your guess is as good as mine to what and when they will eat. At this time it is a day by day thing one day aggressive and the next lethargic. If you find the Tarpon they seem to be agreeable. If you can get offshore you might want to check the near shore wrecks for Cobia and Kingfish along with the last hurrah for Snapper. Oh don't forget the traps are going out and even though we had a poor tripletail season last year, this is a different year.
I want to wish everyone that fished in tournaments this last couple of weeks a big congratulations. Certainly for the winners but not only them, everyone that fished deserves a big hand for the donations and the spirit of the tourneys this year they all came off as a big success and there was some great completion and camaraderie displayed in all. Good Luck and Good Fishing to all Capt. Roan z.
Target Species:
Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Offshore
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