Red Grouper & Little Tunnys Best Catch This Week: Naples

[fishbuster]

I fished Monday, 7/5, with Gregg Bedell, 28 miles off Naples. We spotted a school of about a hundred little tunnys about 20 miles offshore, dropped a couple of live shrimp over, and caught two of them, estimated at 8-10 pounds. We headed out another 8 miles or so, fished with Spanish sardines, and caught three limits of mangrove snapper to 16 inches, keeper lane snapper, and a 28 inch, 14 pound red grouper. We released a 3 foot lemon shark and a 4 foot lemon shark, along with two limits of mangroves, then headed in through the afternoon thunderstorms.

Tuesday, I fished 10 miles off Naples with Mick, Katie & Kevin Moritz. We caught keeper mangrove snapper and triggerfish, Spanish mackerel to 24 inches, and porkfish.

The Debbie Mares party fished with me Wednesday, in 45 feet off Naples, with live shrimp. We caught keeper mangrove snapper, triggerfish, jolthead porgies, and grunts. We released red and gag grouper shorts.

I fished Thursday with David Manning and his two sons, about 10 miles off Naples. We caught three large triggerfish, a 24 inch Spanish mackerel, porkfish and porgies, and released lots of small fish, including a hogfish and a moonfish. That was the second moonfish I caught this week. I had always thought these were more common on the Atlantic side.

Bob Yoder and sons, Dave & Jim, fished with me Friday in some unpredicted rough seas. With predictions for 2’ or less, we faced 3-5 foot seas all morning. We caught three large triggerfish, a 24 inch Spanish mackerel, porkfish and porgies, and released lots of small fish of various types.