January 26, 2013
This is my last fishing report for January and while this month has
had some ups and downs on the fishing front, I must say that it is
winding down on the strong side. Cooler weather moved in on Tuesday
evening and as the water temps have dropped gradually, the fish have
gotten more concentrated in the back bays south of Naples.
Trout have been the most responsive targets. We have managed to boat
a bunch of nice ones in the 15 to 18 inch range the last few days. We
are doing quite well fishing channels with Berkley Gulp shrimp rigged on
3/8 oz. jig heads. The most productive spots are in stronger tide
flow, especially where there is a break in the current caused by a
merging of two channels or a point or shallow bar creating a rip.
Pompano really have turned on as well. They are being caught in many
of the same areas as the trout. They are averaging 14 to 16 inches. A
shrimp tipped surgical tube jig is deadly.
Redfish remain scattered with only a few fish caught during the week.
Early last week, I had a dedicated and skilled young angler out for an
afternoon with his grandfather and friend. Rich impressed us with his
skills with a spinning rod as he was able to repeatedly fire live shrimp
way under the mangrove cover. The results were several redfish in the
23 to 25 inch range for Rich. While we worked hard to find them, the
rewards were high.
Rich with one of his redfish...
With the cooler water, the sheepshead are also making an appearance.
Some of them have been running to about 4 pounds and provide great
table fare as well as being strong fighters.
I am looking forward to another busy week and some great winter fishing!
-Capt. Todd Geroy
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Great Winter Fishing in the Backwaters of Naples Florida!
Another busy week as we round the corner to the end of January. Last
week was a productive week overall on both boats with myself and Capt.
Ben having success on a number of species and the action picking up from
the previous week or so.
We both had good success with redfish on several of the trips. Most were caught at high tide and took live shrimp either free lined under the mangroves or with a small split shot attached. Most were keeper size, ranging up to 24 inches.
Trout fishing was pretty good for me, I managed limits on a couple trips while fishing outgoing tides in channels near shallow flats. Live shrimp were the bait of choice. Typically, we have good success this time of year with jigs, but the trout have been a bit picky, only taking the shrimp. In the same areas, we enjoyed some fast action with bluefish to 5 lbs. and some large spanish mackerel to 5 lbs. Also a good number of pompano and even juvenile permit.
Friday, a cool front had come through bringing a drastic change to the temperature overnight. I headed out with Bob and Scott and hit the deeper creeks to avoid the chilly wind. We sat in two spots for several hours and had continuous action with large black drum, snook, redfish, sheepshead, snapper and flounder. As the morning progressed, the lack of sunshine and cold wind had gotten to us and we returned to the dock an hour early to clean fish and thaw out. Finally the sun broke through as I returned on the afternoon trip and again found a mixed bag of drum, sheepshead, flounder, some nice sea trout and a couple of permit.
Another busy week ahead of me and I am looking forward to some great winter fishing in the backwaters!
Capt. Todd Geroy
We both had good success with redfish on several of the trips. Most were caught at high tide and took live shrimp either free lined under the mangroves or with a small split shot attached. Most were keeper size, ranging up to 24 inches.
Trout fishing was pretty good for me, I managed limits on a couple trips while fishing outgoing tides in channels near shallow flats. Live shrimp were the bait of choice. Typically, we have good success this time of year with jigs, but the trout have been a bit picky, only taking the shrimp. In the same areas, we enjoyed some fast action with bluefish to 5 lbs. and some large spanish mackerel to 5 lbs. Also a good number of pompano and even juvenile permit.
Friday, a cool front had come through bringing a drastic change to the temperature overnight. I headed out with Bob and Scott and hit the deeper creeks to avoid the chilly wind. We sat in two spots for several hours and had continuous action with large black drum, snook, redfish, sheepshead, snapper and flounder. As the morning progressed, the lack of sunshine and cold wind had gotten to us and we returned to the dock an hour early to clean fish and thaw out. Finally the sun broke through as I returned on the afternoon trip and again found a mixed bag of drum, sheepshead, flounder, some nice sea trout and a couple of permit.
Another busy week ahead of me and I am looking forward to some great winter fishing in the backwaters!
Capt. Todd Geroy
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