Mid-Summer Bite Can Be Hot on the Naples Backwaters
Capt. Todd Geroy
July 30, 2012
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
The daily rains experienced here recently have subsided temporarily and the water temps. have spiked up to 89 degreees on the beaches and mid-90' s in the shallow inland bays. This reinforces the point that anglers need to get out at first light for some of the better action as it slows way down during the mid-day hours.
Big tarpon can be found along the beaches at first light right now. Look for schools of rolling fish in 8 to 15 feet of water. DOA Baitbusters as well as various plugs and swim baits will get strikes. the fish are sluggish with the warm water, so a slow retrieve is key.
Snook continue to feed eagerly around area passes for a short window at sunrise. Plugs and flies work fine until the sun breaks the trees. Once they slow down, I have been netting massive amounts of pilchards along the beaches and doing a little "live chumming" to keep the snook going.
Redfish are scattered all over the back waters right now. Live and cut pilchards fished tight to high tide cover is doing the trick on 20 to 24 inch reds.
Sharks are in abundance now as is the norm this time of year. Bull and lemons sharks are all over the back bays and averaging 5 to 6 1/2 feet. I have been using cut jacks and ladyfish to stir up non stop action on several trips recently.
Last week I took out Jerry Borian and son Pat from Chicago for a morning of shark fishing. The duo did battle with seven in four hours. Each boating sharks to about 100 lbs. Here are a couple pics of them with a couple we wrangled into the boat...
- Capt. Todd Geroy
Naples Fishing Forecast:
The same patterns should continue for the next few weeks. Evenings proceeding afternoon showers can be very productive as well as things tend to cool off a little.
Target Species:
Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Sharks
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