Redfish, Sea Trout and Pompano Keeping Lines Tight
Capt. Todd Geroy
January 1, 2012
Naples - Saltwater Fishing Report
We rolled out of December and the end of 2011 with some good fishing trips last week in the backwaters of Naples and Marco Island. Redfish head lined some of the best trips, but we also had some good fishing for a mixed bag of Sea Trout, Pompano, Bluefish, Sheepshead and Mangrove Snapper.
A strong cold front came through on Tuesday afternoon bringing a chilly morning on Wednesday with a low in the upper 40's. I fished with Sam High who is a dedicated 20 year old Pennsylvania angler. With a blow out low tide, I ran far into the back country with Sam and fished some deeper runoffs in the Rookery Bay area. Using Berkley Gulp shrimp on a ¼ ounce jig head, Sam and I worked over Redfish after Redfish. Sam boated upwards of 25 of them with several fish running between 27 and 30 inches. All fish were released. We also found a few Snook and Trout in the mix.
As the week progressed, the weather warmed back up and tides weakened. We ended up having to work a little harder for results, but still found Redfish cooperating along shallow mangrove points. Live or cut shrimp with a small split shot did the trick. Many of the Reds are running in the "keeper" range from 19 to 23 inches.
Pompano are Trout have also been reliable targets. They have been schooling in the outside passes near Marco Island as well as some of the inland channels with good tide flow. Channels adjacent to shallow flats are particularly good. 3/8 ounce jigs tipped with shrimp and fished across current are working well.
- Capt. Todd Geroy
Target Species:
Redfish, Pompano, Sea Trout
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