Naples Tarpon Leadered
Spring time fishing in Naples, Florida is as good as it gets. In early March we begin to target snook in the backcountry and passes. Snook fishing is a staple in our area, as the water warms the fish become increasingly cooperative. Pitching live pilchards near cover is the best way to catch not only good numbers of snook but also large snook. The snook Season runs from March to April and September- November. Snook must be 28-33 inches and one slot sized snook may be kept per angler.
Tarpon begin to show in Naples in April. Good number of Tarpon can be found off the beaches and around the passes. Tarpon are the most exciting game fish in our area, many time putting on quite an aerial display. The average size fish in the Naples area is 75-125 pounds. We target tarpon using medium spinning gear and primarily live bait. Sanibel, Ft. Myers beach and Captiva are also productive areas we may fish at times. The tarpon run ends late October, with the season generally capped off by a great bite.
May also sparks a great mangrove snapper bite on many of the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Mangrove snapper are a great eating and hard fighting fish. Snapper take a variety of baits but, a live shrimp is hard to beat. Snapper require the use of light leader and smaller hooks as they can be finicky at times. Chum may also be used but we must take care not to over feed the fish.
All in all spring and early summer is a great time for a fishing charter in Naples, Florida. I like to start my charters early to help beat the heat and get plenty of fishing in without the worry of afternoon thunderstorms interrupting our day.