Fishing in the Naples area has remained solid but a little sluggish coming off the full moon.  The water temps are still in the upper 80's and bait is all over the beaches.  Baits have been small but staying persistent will help you find the bigger baits.  Snook can be found along the beaches and passes.  Redfish can be found on near shore points at the higher stages of the tide.  Pilchards are your best bet for targeting these fish but don't be afraid to throw some artificial baits or flies.  Here is Mike from Mike's Bait House and his son Miles.  Miles lost his biggest snook to date to the tax man that broke everyones heart.  And who knew Mike not only sells shrimp but he can catch fish!  Look for fishing to get really hot and get out early to beat the heat.
Capt. Joey
​www.NaplesFishingGuide.com

Fishing here in Naples has been changing rapidly with the warmer water temps. The water temps have climbed between 76-79 degrees. Look for bait to start showing up on the beaches and near shore structure. Time to bust out those nets and get them ready for some serious bait fishing. Anyone looking for a good net stop into Mikes Bait House for the full line of Hump Back Nets. With warmer temps the big snook have been showing up around the passes. Redfish can be targeted using smaller baits, gulp new penny and also live shrimp under the mangroves where you can find a nice pocket to soak them. Today's action was pretty fierce catching two personal best and losing a monster snook.  Look for the front to change the game a little midweek with cooler temps.

Capt. Joey Benko
Naples Fishing Charters

Fishing here in Naples has been up and down between cold fronts. The water temps have been fluctuating between 68-71 degrees. Baits of choice this time of year have been jigs tipped with shrimp and live shrimp. I've been working with Capt. Roan at Mikes Bait House to develop a series of jigs for the winter time species. The jigs range from 1/8oz,1/4oz and 3/8oz  tipped with a piece of shrimp you will find steady winter time action. Here is Gary with a beautiful redfish caught on the 1/8oz custom jig. Look for fishing to continue to fluctuate with cold fronts moving through the area.

Capt. Joey
Naples Florida Fishing Guide

Fishing has been very active here in the Naples area.  We have had to change up our approach to fishing using shrimp and jigs but the snook and redfish are keeping anglers very busy.  Look for this pattern to hold and focus on the higher stages of the tide.  Here is Carol with one of many redfish she caught using a gulp shrimp.

Capt. Joey Benko
Naples Backcountry Fishing Charters

Fishing here in Naples has been challenging with all the dead fish that have been washing a shore.  With the east winds we have had the last couple of days it has helped blow out the dead fish and the red tide that was lingering in the area.  Fishing has been really good from Naples to Everglade City.  Bait on the gulf has been challenging but stay with it throwing a 1/2 mesh or 3/8 mesh net and you will get them.  I've been finding big snook holding in the 5-7ft water depths.  Trout and redfish can be found working the points and structure throwing live baits and artificial.  Here is Mike Bishop with a beautiful snook that has been surviving the elements. 

With the big tropical storm Alberto dumping heavy rains on the area.  Don't be afraid to change up your game plan and throw some artificial baits to catch some beautiful line siders.  Snook have been moving in the passes and beaches.  Live target baits such as the thread / mullet style are great baits to use.  Also look to spool techs for a great swim bait to catch snook and tarpon.  For the live bait guys big shrimp and mullet will probably be the best baits to use until the seas calm enough to get out and catch some fresh bait.

I got a chance to get a line wet with a great friend the other day and found this beautiful snook relaxing on some timber and she wasn't shy in taking a pilchard down.

Capt. Joey Benko
Naples Inshore Fishing Guide

This weeks fishing should continue to improve with better tides later in the week.  Look for pilchards and green backs to be on the beaches.  Strong winds out of the east have helped push the red tide out of Naples.  This weekends trips I didn't see any dead fish floating around the back bays and the pilchards stayed strong in the live well. Snook, Redfish, and Trout have been putting up a good battle for my anglers this past week.   Here is some recent photos from the 2018 Gene Doyle Tournament.  Tough conditions made for tough fishing but Tom Benek and Luca Musico scored some really nice fish.
 

Capt. Joey 
Inshore Fishing Charters in Naples, FL

The fishing here in Naples has been very good with Tarpon showing up.  Snook and Redfish action has been awesome with lots of catches.  Look for bait to get challenging as it's getting ready to spawn and with this last front pushing through it's going to take some time for things to stabilize again.  
Capt. Joey

With the last front that came through and a big full moon the water temp has fallen back to the lower 70's.  Bait fish have been the keys baits of choice but with cooler temps fish are still waiting for things to warm.  Look for snook on the falling tide and redfish at the end of the incoming.  Here is Carol Downey catching two beautiful redfish this week.  With warmer temps look for things to start improving fast.