Giant Tarpon, Snook and Redfish Hungry in Naples Backwaters
Capt. Todd Geroy
April 15, 2012
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
April 15, 2012
Okay, I'm a few days late on my "weekly fishing report". To my defense, I have been very, very busy and with the Easter holiday last weekend, well I just did not get around to it. With that said, despite some very stormy and windy weather late last week most of my clients have been able to hook into plenty of fish and a few have either had their personal best catches and possibly the catch of a lifetime for many anglers. Large snook, redfish and plenty of tarpon are all in the offering right now!
Tarpon are all over the area now with large fish being found in the shallow back bays as well as just off the beaches. We have had situations all week long where conditions have been perfect for sight fishing no matter if anglers want to throw bait, plugs or flies.
Snook continue to please this captain and many clients with too many releases to count on several trips and a few notable catches in the 12 to 15 lb. range. We are taking snook all over the back bays as well as near the passes. As usual they are crushing live sardines, but are also being caught on soft plastic "jerk baits".
We have caught plenty of redfish as well, with most landing within the slot of 18 to 27 inches. Some over slot reds have also been caught and released. High tide is the time to get them, and a well presented bait or jig tight to the mangroves will get results. Most are being caught along south facing banks that have plenty of oyster growth along the bottom.
I have been spending more and more time focusing on the many tarpon that are now settled in the back waters as well as migrating along the outside coastline. We have had numerous hookups so far with a few fish boated. Along with the tarpon, plenty of shark action is to be expected and they have not let us down. Lemon sharks to 250 lbs. as well as bruiser bull sharks and speedy black tips have often given us more than we bargained for.
Noteworthy catches the last week were Chris Jeneatte with sons Joel and Jake. They caught numerous snook including a 15 lber by Chris. Jake boated a 6 foot lemon shark and Joel provide dinner with a couple of mid slot redfish. Here is Chris' biggest snook…
Bob Maynes released his personal best snook of 14 pounds along with others and slot redfish…
Mike Mans showing off a giant sea trout caught on Tuesday morning 4/10…
Jake (10) and Luke(12) Spegal and their dad Dave had a great afternoon on Tuesday 4/10. the trio had their fill of action with the snook, redfish and some giant jack crevalle. Luke caught his biggest snook ever, a 12 1/2 lber! Here's Luke and his catch…
Jake followed up with a huge 13 lb. redfish with a great cast way under the mangroves at high tide!
10 year old Jake Spegal get a little help from brother, Luke with his big redfish before releasing it!...
Dave and the boys caught several more nice redfish and took a couple home for dinner. Jake and Luke with 23 and 26 inch reds…
Wednesday, I took Mike Mastellone and son Michael (15) on their first tarpon fishing trip. Beginners luck prevailed as young Michael hooked into the fish of a lifetime. We were fishing in a shallow bay near Marco Island and after spotting several tarpon working in the area, Michael was tight to a giant fish which gave a tough battle for over an hour and 45 minutes. Michael managed to bring the huge fish boatside for a few photos and a release. I estimate this fish at over 160 lbs, possible in the 170+ range. It measured out at 7 feet long and had a girth of about 40 inches! Not bad for his first tarpon! I'll have more pictures available in my next update.
Capt. Todd Geroy and young angler, Michael Mastellone with a giant inshore tarpon before release...
Thursday, I fished once again with the Spegal boys, Jake and Luke along with their grandfather, Dick DeRoberts. The boys caught and released numerous snook with Luke raising the bar once again with a 15 lb. snook boated and released...
It's time to get out an try for your fish of a lifetime!
Target Species:
Tarpon, snook and redfish
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