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Southwest Florida - Naples, Marco, 10,000 Islands
Capt. Jeff Legutki
July 24, 2005
Ten Thousand Islands - Saltwater Fishing Report
7/24/05 Fishing Report- Naples/10,000 Island
It's mid summer and the heat is on. July, one of the hottest months of the year temperature wise, and the fishing has been red hot as well.
The fish can definately feel the heat as well. The summer time means early starts for the best bite. From sun up until mid morning is your best bet, unless you want to fish from dusk through the night when the temperatures are at there coolest. Mid day mean siesta time for us as well as the fish.
The inshore fishing has been going off! With all the rain, the salinity levels have dropped pushing most of the fish out to the passes and beaches, congregating all the fish in a close proximity, making for less running time and more fishing time.
Snook have been the number one target along the outside. It's not uncommon to catch 40-50 snook a morning. Most of the fish are in the slot(of course the season is closed) ranging from 26" to 34". Quite a few shorts, and several oversize giants in the forty inch range.
It's almost too easy, the pilchards are everywhere, so catching bait usually consist of one toss with the cast net and you have enough bait for the day. Once you have your bait, go to the passes or the beach and fish anywhere you can find structure with current and you will find fast action.
This type of fishing doesn't require any fancy rigs. My weapon of choice has been a Quantum Catalyst 20 spinning reel matched with St. Croix's Tidemaster TM76ml spooled with 15lb. power pro. Tie on a piece of 30lb. Maxima flourocarbon leader and a 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus circle hook and you are ready for battle. Simply hook your bait through the nostril and throw it against the structure and hold on. It usually doesn't last a minute without getting slammed by a snook.
Snook have not been the only fish willing to do battle. Tarpon are around first thing in the morning, you can see them rolling all over the passes, most of them in the 15-20 lb. range with the bigger ones milling around the beaches. Red fish have been steady as well, usually we don't get our redfish run until September-October, but who's complaining. Throw in some jacks, ladyfish, mackeral, and the ever pesky jewfish and you have a morning full of action. By 10:00am the action will start to slow and you know the heat is on its way. By then you most likely have had your fill with plenty fish and are ready for the A/C and the lazy boy, unless your wife has a honey-do list for you.
If you're too busy to make it out in the morning, the evening can be just as good. After the afternoon rain storm cools everything down, the action can pick up well into the evening. At night, you can venture out to an inshore wreck and limit out on snapper in no time, especially during the full-moon period. Tarpon, snook are nocturnal feeders and will keep you busy as well. If you want to tangle with a real monster, save your jacks and ladyfish for the notorious sharks roaming our waters this time of year.
So if your looking for action, this is the time of year. The toughest decision is what you want to catch. So until my next report, tight lines and screaming drags to all. Be safe and be courteous to others, and most of all, have fun!!!
Captain Jeff Legutki
Angler's Addiction Guide Service
(239)293-1664
email: [email protected]
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