Redfish and Snook Still Keeping Rods Bent in Naples, Florida

September 25, 2012

     More of the same action last week as redfish continue to prowl the back waters of Naples and Marco Island.  Snook action has been very good as well.

     Reds are congregating along hard bottom shorelines at high tide as well as shallow channel edges during low stages.  Low tides have brought some good sight fishing opportunities lately.  Live baits as well as jigs and other soft plastic lures are being eagerly consumed by the hungry reds.

     Snook continue to be just about anywhere we fish.  We are boating fish to 30 inches on each trip while releasing as many as 25.  On Friday afternoon, I got a quick trip in between rain storms with young anglers Dylan (7) and Carson (5) Phelps.  We stayed close to home with the pending severe weather but both boys managed to boat a number of snook and a few redfish in a short time.  The highlight was a 29 inch snook caught by Dylan on a new rod and reel that he had received a few days before on his birthday.  A nice job by both guys! 

Here is a picture of the three of us with Dylan’s snook…

- Capt. Todd Geroy

Naples backwater fishing charters with Capt. Todd Geroy. Light tackle fishing for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish and giant inshore Sharks upon the shallow inshore waters of SW. Florida for over 31 years! Naples fishing reports.

    
      September is well underway now and we are enjoying some slightly cooler temperatures compared to August.  Water temps have cooled down to the 83 degree range.  With that brings the annual fall redfish run in SW Florida.
     Reds have been showing up all over the back bays as well as along area beaches and passes.  The best concentrations of large fish can be found in and near the passes.  September will bring shots at the largest redfish of the year, with some fish ranging upwards to 20 lbs.  These fish can be caught with a variety of live baits as well as cut bait fished on or near the bottom.  Good tide flow is the key and using just enough weight to keep the bait down ensures success.

A nice September redfish comes aboard!

     There are plenty of schooling redfish along shallow mangrove shorelines right now.  These fish are running in the 22 to 26 inch range on average and when one is caught, there are usually more in the same spot.  I prefer the higher stage of an incoming tide as well as the first hour or so of outgoing tides. We have done well with live sardines as well as Berkley's Gulp shrimp rigged on a 1/4 ounce jig head.  I like the molting color, but many anglers do well with the new penny and natural colors as well. 



     Snook fishing has been fantastic so far this month.  Plenty of small fish are everywhere we go.  We are also hooking some nice fish in the 12 to 15 lb. class.  Live baits such as sardines and thread herring are getting the best action.  With the waters cooling a bit, we are seeing more fish moving inland from the passes where they were holding in large numbers in the hotter weather.

     September is a great month to get out on the water with very few anglers on the water and virtually no boat traffic.  Contact me for more information on some of the best fishing action of the year!  I can be reached through my website at http://naplesfishing.com/ or email intowishin@comcast.net

- Capt. Todd Geroy