Summer Rains and a Few Good Fish
Capt. Todd Geroy
May 17, 2018
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
It's the middle of May and the inshore action should be on fire! Snook and tarpon action should be in full swing right now with easy fishing. However, despite our efforts, anglers are having to work really hard for results on the inshore waters near Naples and Marco Island recently. No one has ever accused me of not telling it like it is. It simply doesn't have any benefits.
We are seemingly, finally over with two months of red tide affecting the water quality over a wide-spread area. This week, a low pressure system hovering over us is dragging plenty of tropical weather this way. There have been many thunderstorms and soaking rains through the area for the last few days.
Between the showers, anglers have caught some very nice snook. However the numbers we are accustomed to boating this time of year just have not shown yet. A few large fish in the mid to upper 30 inch range have been released on several trips in the last week. So far they have been single fish and anglers are having to "hunt and peck" to find them.
Tarpon have been almost non-existent on our waters as it appears many of the fish slid through on their northerly migration without slowing down last month when the waters were tainted with red tide. I have only found a fish or two on recent trips when searching for them and have had no luck getting bites. Very disappointing. I expect to have some decent fishing once the weather settles down as there are usually plenty of fish that linger in the area for most of the summer.
We have been some good catches of pompano, large sea trout to 22 inches and mangrove snapper recently while fishing deep passes lately. Jigs bounced on the sandy bottom have worked for the pompano while live pilchards fished with light weights or jig heads in deeper holes and deep structure have produced spawning trout and some very nice snapper.
All in all this has been an interesting year to fish since my last report just before Hurricane Irma blasted the area. Nothing about the fishing has been predictable as it has been far from normal. We can only hope that things improve as Mother Nature heals. Meanwhile we'll keep enjoying the beauty and offerings that the SW Florida waters offer.
Naples Fishing Forecast:
Look for snook schooling in the passes as spawning activity get underway this month. Live pilchards, thread herring and various plastic swim baits get attention.
Calm mornings along the beaches at first light should bring shots at remaining groups of tarpon migrating northbound as well as some resident fish gathering on the outside of the passes. It is best to get out at first light and look for rolling fish. Live bait fish and crabs cast ahead of them and soft plastic swim baits are the best offerings.
Target Species:
snook, pompano, sea trout, mangrove snapper
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