Tarpon season is now in full swing across Southwest Florida, and the annual migration of the “silver kings” continues along the beaches of Naples and Marco Island just as expected this time of year. Anglers booking Naples fishing charters and Marco Island fishing charters are seeing excellent opportunities targeting migrating tarpon both along the coast and inside the backcountry bays.
Fishing over the past week has been very productive, with consistent tarpon action along the beaches as well as in several deeper backcountry areas. Along the beaches, live medium-sized crabs and live pinfish have been the top producers. In the backcountry bays, cut bait has been working best, especially when targeting larger tarpon holding deeper in the water column.
For tackle, I’ve been using 8’ spinning rods rigged with 40-50lb braided line, a 6’ fluorocarbon leader, and an 8/0 circle hook. When fishing the backcountry with cut bait, I also add a short section of coated steel leader since sharks are often mixed in with the tarpon this time of year. Blacktip sharks, bull sharks, and lemon sharks have all been showing up regularly while fishing for tarpon around Naples and Marco Island.
As for tides, I’m less concerned about whether it’s incoming or outgoing and more focused on having moving water. Strong tidal movement has been key to getting the fish feeding consistently. Along the beaches, most of our tarpon have been holding in roughly 8-12 feet of water. In the backcountry, we’ve been finding fish staged in deeper bays and channels where current and bait are present.
For cut bait, just about anything with strong scent and oil content can work well. Catfish, mullet, ladyfish, jacks, and especially Spanish mackerel have all been productive. Spanish mackerel are particularly effective because of the oily scent trail they put into the water.
May and June are some of the best months of the year for tarpon fishing in Naples and Marco Island, and the action should continue to improve as more fish migrate through the area. If you’re looking to experience one of Southwest Florida’s most exciting fisheries, now is an excellent time to book a trip.
I currently have two dates remaining in May and a few openings left in June.
Call or text Capt. Mark at 239-450-9230 to book a Naples fishing charter or Marco Island tarpon fishing trip.
Capt. Mark Ward
Naples Fishing Charters
239-450-9230
Tarpon Fishing Techniques and Tactics in Naples & Marco Island and Southwest Florida
Tarpon fishing in Naples and Marco Island is one of the biggest attractions in Southwest Florida during late spring and early summer. As water temperatures continue to rise through May and June, more migrating tarpon move along the beaches, through the passes, and into the backcountry bays, giving anglers excellent opportunities to hook into these powerful gamefish.
One of the biggest keys to successful tarpon fishing is locating moving schools of fish early in the morning. Calm conditions and light winds make it easier to spot rolling fish and traveling pods along the beaches of Naples and Marco Island. Many mornings we leave the dock at sunrise to take advantage of the best visibility and feeding activity before boat traffic and stronger winds build later in the day.
Live bait continues to be one of the most effective techniques for targeting tarpon in Southwest Florida. Along the beaches, live crabs, pinfish, threadfin herring, and pilchards are all productive baits depending on conditions and what the fish are keyed in on. When fishing the backcountry bays and deeper channels, cut bait such as mullet, ladyfish, catfish, and Spanish mackerel often produce some of the larger fish. The oily scent from fresh cut bait can attract tarpon from long distances, especially during strong moving tides.
Tides and current play a major role in tarpon fishing success around Naples and Marco Island. While both incoming and outgoing tides can produce fish, moving water is usually the most important factor. Tarpon often position themselves near passes, deeper troughs, bridges, and current edges where bait is naturally funneled toward them.
Proper tackle is also extremely important when targeting these large fish. Most tarpon fishing charters in Naples and Marco Island use heavy spinning tackle with 40-65lb braided line, fluorocarbon leaders, and strong circle hooks to handle the power and long runs of big tarpon. A smooth drag system and quality rod with a strong backbone help anglers fight fish efficiently while still maintaining enough tip flexibility to keep hooks pinned during jumps.
Besides tarpon, anglers fishing the beaches and backcountry this time of year also encounter sharks, snook, jacks, and other hard-fighting species, adding even more excitement to Southwest Florida fishing charters.
With tarpon season continuing to heat up, now is an excellent time to book a Naples fishing charter or Marco Island fishing charter and experience some of the best tarpon fishing of the year.