Springtime Backwater Action in Naples
Capt. Todd Geroy
March 20, 2014
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
As with my last report, we are still dealing with ever changing conditions as cold fronts continue to move through every 5 days or so. While they aren't packing the same punch with cool temperatures as they were a month or two ago, they are making up for it with some very windy days on the water before and as the systems move through. Waters have been pretty churned up making the bite slow during these days. Anglers fortunate enough to get out for the couple of days after the water settles have been having some fantastic spring fishing. I have not been catching live bait for two weeks now because of dirty water or rough conditions where we routinely gather bait. Instead, I have resorted to using live shrimp and jigs.
Pompano continue to be on the outside near the passes. The key to success has been a matter of timing, hitting a day when the water is relatively clean. We are taking the pompano by drifting and casting jigs tipped with shrimp.
Redfishing has improved greatly with reds being caught on most every trip. Most of the fish have been running in the 23 to 25 inch class. However there seem to be a good number of over slot fish around right now. Several trips have boated reds up to 32 inches. On a half day last Friday afternoon, Steve Dicarlo and son-in-laws Dan and Chris hooked up with 8 big reds boating 5 in the 28 to 32 inch range. The trio also boated snook, sheepshead and mangrove snapper.
Snook action has slowed for me mainly to the lack of live sardines available and slightly cooler water temperatures during the last week. It should perk up again as soon as temperatures merge back into the mid to upper 70′s.
We have been catching some decent black drum along with sheepshead and mangrove snapper while fishing mangrove points and some of the deeper holes in the back country. This action is much more like what we expect in January or February than in March, but they are providing good action and some table fish for many of my parties.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some stable weather for the rest of the month!
Target Species:
redfish, pompano, black drum, mangrove snapper
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