Southwest Florida Fishing Report: Deepwater trips have been yielding action for anglers
Hot temperatures have had anglers opting for early departures while keeping one eye to the sky for potent weather activity. After all Southwest Florida anglers, it is August, a month where the early bird gets the worm and those fishing the afternoon are often treated to a free boat wash during their mad dash to safe harbor.
Gulf anglers venturing out beyond the horizon have enjoyed excellent sea conditions and lighter winds. Water depths greater than 90 feet are producing both reef and wreck dwelling species using a variety of natural live and dead baits.
Ledges have been fruitful for yellowtail and mangrove snapper while wide-open, hard-bottom areas are yielding red grouper, lane snapper, white grunts and porgies. Showing up on the scene with ample chum product, frozen squid/herring and an assortment of live baits will keep catches coming over the rail and into the pail.
Grouper season ending soon:Catch red grouper while you can, season ends on Aug. 30
Southwest Florida Fishing Report:Smooth offshore waters allow anglers to catch their prize
Closer to shore and along the beaches, the water clarity has been outstanding. The clear water and ample shoals of smaller-sized sardines are fueling several reliable bites for anglers prospecting the shallows by vessel and by foot.
While our area waters are not a hot destination for sight fishing fanatics, now is a great opportunity to sight and cast to cruising snook, sneaky redfish and ravenous jack crevalle along the beaches of Naples and Marco Island.
Here along the beaches, catching success is achieved through stealth presentations that match or mimic the forage present. Precision casts well ahead of the target combined with natural retrieve rates will result in hookups.
Whether standing on the bow of a boat or walking on the sand, keeping a low and quiet profile is paramount as these species are very keen and well aware of their shallow water surroundings.
Hook up, hold on, and stay cool, anglers.
Offshore fishing in Southwest Florida
“Offshore has provided for a mixed bag of catches for us,” said Capt. Brandon Lawson. “We have enjoyed fast action bottom and wreck fishing out to around 70 miles.”
Lawson enjoyed several offshore excursions aboard his Port O Call Marina-based charter boat the Solo Lobo. Prospecting waters depths ranging from 75 to 140 feet, a wide variety of reef fish made their way into the fish box for his crews. Deeper trips had limits of red snapper and gag grouper while standard full-day outings produced red grouper and a wide assortment of reef species.
Closer to shore, Lawson treated his anglers to fun light tackle action. Anchoring and drifting, Lawson’s anglers kept busy reeling in Spanish mackerel along with blacktip sharks and barracuda while casting wire-rigged herring, tube lures, and chunk bait.
Naples/Estero Bay fishing conditions
Aboard my Naples City Dock-based guide boat the Grand Slam, our best action has been occurring early in the fishing day. The waters around Naples and Marco Island have been clear on both phases of the tide.
With the live well loaded, my anglers have enjoyed fast action during the first part of the morning casting toward current swept points, rock jetties, residential docks, and select sections of mangrove shoreline.
Taking the bait has been good numbers of snook, jack crevalle, juvenile goliath grouper, and an endless count of mangrove snapper. Scaled sardines rigged on a 1/0-2/0 circle hook tied to a liberal length of 30-pound fluorocarbon leader has been my live bait technique of choice. When fishing deeper areas of current, I have found attaching a small pinch weight or split shot is making a difference in hooking more snook.
Cast your net around Ten Thousand Islands
“Baitfish are widespread throughout the islands and so are the gamefish,” said Capt. Chris Turner. “If you don’t have a favorite spot, select an unoccupied shoreline and start prospecting as the fish are active.”
Early and late in the fishing day, Turner and his casters can be found concentrating their efforts inside area passes, middle bays, outside island cuts, and along the beaches of the upper Ten Thousand Islands. Employing a 20/30-pound test leader and size-appropriate kahle hook, snook, redfish and mangrove snapper have been making their way into Turner’s landing net.
If you have a report to share email captwill@naplessportfishing.com.
Anglers, email your photos to news@naplesnews.com and we will compile your images into an online gallery that’s featured each Thursday morning at www.naplesnews.com. Do not submit photos of fish caught illegally.