Cold Fronts Bring Hot Action in the Naples / Marco Backwaters!
Capt. Todd Geroy
January 12, 2011
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing the backwaters throughout Naples and Marco Island has rewarded my anglers with some great trips in the last week.
Last Thursday morning, I took out a few of my favorite long time clients for a 1/2 day trip. Ann Dunlap along with Alan and Betty Novick of Naples enjoyed non stop action with schooling redfish including a 25 incher hooked by Betty. They also caught plenty of trout to 18 inches along with some big sheepshead, whiting and flounder. We caught fish on 1/4 oz. root beer jigs as well as cut shrimp with equal results.
Weaker tides over the weekend slowed the action a bit until a strong cold front came through last night. Steady north winds and high barometer helped push water out of the backcountry today and concentrated fish into deeper pockets. And feed they did!
I fished this afternoon with Tom Iverson, Jay Sandza and Kim Shugburn. The gentlemen threw 1/4 oz jigs with 3" molting Gulp and released well over 30 redfish (we lost count)and trout up to 20 inches. The bite was so good that I had to pick up a rod and demonstrate my skills by showing them how I can catch redfish on a bare hook! I promptly caught two before putting my rod away.
In cooler water, it is important to retrieve your jig slowly keeping it on the bottom giving it a sharp 10 inch twitch upward with the rod tip. Retrieve your line just enough to keep a tight line and only as the jig settles and hits the bottom. Most bites occur on the fall and a rod kept low or slack line will make it hard to feel soft bites in cold weather.
Target Species:
Redfish Seatrout
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