Southwest Florida Freshwaer Scene for October
Capt. Roan zumFelde
October 12, 2017
Naples - Freshwater Fishing Report
October is one of my all-time favorite months to fish in South West Florida. Salt or Fresh it is just one of those times were you cannot go wrong. A little cooler temperatures and still light people pressure on the water equates to some great fishing. Hopefully the prayers were answered and we all came through Hurricane Irma unscathed.
We are going to start out on Lake Trafford this month. Trafford should be on fire for all you little green fish chasers. Hopefully, if water levels are not high and the lake water temps cool cool down a bit it should be a very good month. Early morning top water bite should be excellent but the best way to catch some nice fish on this body is with plastic worms or creature baits flipped into the heavy reed cover on the lake. Fly fishing should be getting better if the water temps begin to cool a bit. My favorite fly on this lake is still the HJB which is our fly of the month this month.
Lake Okeechobee I really do not know what to say about the big lake. At the time I am writing this report. Hurricane IRMA is about to hit and I just hope everything is ok on the lake and the surrounding areas. Hopefully all levees hold and the water rise is not substantial. Stay tuned will let you know what it looks like next month. Prayers will be going out to all in Florida and around the lake.
The Everglades Canals are still going to be having issues with high water but some canals like The Miami and L28 (access point Hwy 41) should start picking up this month. You will always catch some bass and cichlids using small plastic worms rigged Texas style so you can cast or pitch them into the deeper cover. Fly fishing these canals should get a little better especially if our night time temps start to decrease. I would still suggest early or late afternoons. If there is a good amount of water flowing over the earthen dams on L28 then the peacocks should gang up at the mouths of each. Small jigs and Clouser Minnow type flies cast up close to the water runoff and worked into the deeper water should catch plenty of fish.
One of my favorite canals this time of the year is Faka Union or the Big T as the old timers call it. Whether fishing it by foot or by small boat it should be on fire with bass, chiclids, tarpon, and snook on both sides of the damn at Port of the Islands. Tarpon and snook at the damn on the South side and everything else on the North side should be chewing this month. If you are going to fish by land be careful of snakes. I have seen a few while fishing the banks on the freshwater side. There is a semi good boat ramp just in front of the gun club from there you can fish north for quite a long way or a little ways south. Good luck and we are praying for everyone in the path of IRMA.
Come visit Mike and me at Mike's Bait house and Indian Pass Outfitters on Danford Street, next to Bayview Park in Naples and we can talk fishing. We carry a full line of tackle including: fly fishing needs and both saltwater and freshwater gear, food, drink, and bait. Thanks and good fishing. Roan z
If you want to contact Capt. Roan z for a freshwater fishing trip or ask any fishing questions he can be contacted at the Shop 239-775-2248 or cell number 239-269-4426. Check the Web Site www.indianpassoutfitters.com and www.mikesbaithouse.com
Target Species:
Snook, Bass, Peacockbass, Cichlids, Bluegill, Tarpon
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