Big Sharks, Snook and Trout All Chewing in Naples Backwaters
Capt. Todd Geroy
June 25, 2011
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
With water temperatures now at 89 degrees on area beaches, it is making an impact on the fishing action here. The trick is to get out as early as possible.
One thing that has been affected directly is the bait fish population. Most of the white bait and thread herring schools have moved offshore to deeper water. I have had to work a little harder to load up for each days trip for my bait anglers.
Once we have the baits on board, anglers have been enjoying some furious snook action at least until mid morning when the sun starts heating up. The fish then seemingly go on "siesta" until going on a short feed in the evening. During the week we hooked several snook approaching or exceeding 20 lbs. only to have them escape by cutting us off in the mangroves or fraying leaders with their raspy mouths. That's the way it goes some times and that's why those get big! We still enjoyed some epic battles with the bruisers.
We also found some nice trout cooperating along channel edges while snook fishing. These were large fish, some of which were in the 20 to 22 inch range.
I ran several trips in the last week or so where we also targeting sharks along with the other species. Summer is shark time aboard the "Intowishin" and I love to watch my anglers battle these big fish! We had no trouble boating several bull, lemon and blacktip sharks ranging from 75 to 200 lbs. We are hooking them on cut jacks and mackerel in the back bays.
On one recent trip, Todd Rounding, Ron Petnuch and his son Ryan released countless snook and large jack crevalle before moving on for a couple hours of shark fishing to round off the trip. We ended up hooking up with eight sharks and boating two lemons, and two blacktips. Ron boated an estimated 100 lb. blacktip after a 250 yard blistering run that totally emptied the reel in seconds. Great hot weather action! All sharks are released.
Naples Fishing Forecast:
Get out early for the best snook action. Passes and deeper inland channel edges with current are producing most of the action. Small fish are all along the beaches. Live baits are producing the best, but jigs with Gulp shrimp tails and swim baits are taking some fish also.
Sharks will continue to provide great action in the larger bays for those wanting to pull on some big fish.
Target Species:
Sharks, snook, sea trout
More Fishing Reports:
