Weather System Puts a Damper on the Great Spring Fishing
Capt. Todd Geroy
April 25, 2012
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
April / Naples – Marco Island Fishing Report
April 25, 2012
While we have had some wonderful fishing here in SW Florida so far this spring, I wouldn't be honest if I did not admit the last several days have been extremely tough on the fishing scene. A strong weather system moved through the area last weekend bringing (much needed) heavy rains and strong on shore winds. (not needed) With that, the waters became very turbid both outside and in most of the inside bays and has really shut down the action temporarily. However, it should start rebounding by late in the week.
Before the weather change, my anglers were enjoying the continuation of good action on snook with a few fish caught in the 15 pound range as has been the norm this year. Plenty of big snook also showed their might by parting their anglers connection to them through the heavy cover! There continues to be numerous snook in the 20 to 25 inch range all over the place to provide good action. Live sardines, threads as well as streamer flies and various soft plastic baits are all catching fish right now.
Redfish have been available for my anglers mainly on the higher tides along mangrove edges, especially those with submerged oyster bottom. The higher the water, the better the bite has been. The tricky part is getting good casts far enough under the cover for the fish to find the baits. It is definitely a game of skill to get to them!
Yesterday morning I fished with Steve Henderson under conditions that were far from favorable. Our plan was to fish with live baits for snook and tarpon, but with the rough, muddy water, no bait was available and conditions just were not good for that plan. We resorted to fishing with jigs and soft plastic jerk baits. On Steve's third cast in a remote backcountry hole, he connected with a very feisty 31 inch, 10 pound redfish. We assumed perhaps that this day might turn out pretty good after all, but worked hard the rest of the morning catching only a couple of sea trout and some small snook. We found some larger snook laid up around cover, but could not get their interest with the artificial baits.
Here is Steve with a hefty 31 inch red caught on a jig and released on April 24, 2012…
Hopefully, next week will bring a more optimistic report. The weather pattern is expected to get back to normal and the fishing should break loose again!
-Capt. Todd Geroy
Naples Fishing Forecast:
Conditions are settling with winds laying as I write this report. (Wed.) Waters should begin to clear up by the weekend and get back to normal. I expect next week to be very productive as the fish have not fed heavily since last week.
Target Species:
Snook, Redfish
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