Late summer and fall are some of my favorite times of the year for Naples fishing and Marco Island fishing. The fishing remains excellent throughout Southwest Florida, and this time of year brings a great mix of species and different ways to fish. There is also noticeably less boat traffic, which makes a day exploring the mangrove creeks, backcountry bays, passes, and beaches even more enjoyable.
Our Naples charters and Marco Island charters fish the waters around Naples, Marco Island, Rookery Bay, the Ten Thousand Islands, and the Everglades. One of the things I enjoy most about late summer and fall is the variety. On any given trip we may catch snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, speckled trout, pompano, black drum, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, sharks, and even a late season tarpon.
Give me a call or text to book a trip or talk fishing.
Capt. Mark
239-450-9230
Snook and Redfish Fishing
Snook fishing remains very good through late summer and into fall. Snook can be found around the passes, along the beaches, and throughout the adjacent bays and mangrove shorelines. Live pilchards are one of our favorite baits, but snook are also a lot of fun to catch on artificial plugs and flies. There is nothing quite like watching a big snook explode on a topwater plug early in the morning.
Late August through October is also one of the best times of the year for redfish fishing in Southwest Florida. Redfish begin gathering along mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, points, and backcountry bays. Some days we find individual fish working the shorelines, while other days we find schools of reds moving through the shallows. Fall redfish are strong fish and can provide some of the best light tackle action of the year.
Tarpon, Sharks and Plenty of Variety
Although May and June are our peak months for tarpon fishing, we continue to encounter tarpon throughout the summer and into fall. These fish can show up along the beaches, around the passes, and in the backcountry. You never know when a tarpon is going to roll nearby and give us an opportunity to put a bait in front of one.
Shark fishing is another great option, especially for families and kids looking for some serious excitement. Blacktip, spinner, lemon, and bull sharks are all possibilities in our waters. Even smaller sharks can put on an impressive fight and are often one of the highlights of a fishing charter.
Mangrove snapper are plentiful during the warmer months and provide steady action. We also catch speckled trout, pompano, black drum, jacks, and other backcountry species. Along the beaches, Spanish mackerel provide fast action, and bonita, also known as false albacore, begin showing up as we move toward fall. Bonita are one of my favorites because of their speed, powerful runs, and incredible fight on light tackle.
Naples and Marco Island Fishing Charters
One of the best things about Naples fishing and Marco Island fishing is that every trip is different. We may spend the morning working mangrove shorelines for snook and redfish, move into a bay for snapper and trout, or head toward the beaches looking for mackerel, bonita, sharks, or tarpon.
Fishing isn’t always about catching the biggest fish of the day. Some of the best memories come from simply spending a morning on the water with family and friends. Watching a kid catch their first snook, redfish, or shark can be just as much fun for me as it is for them.
Fishing is a great way to get outdoors, spend time together, and experience a part of Southwest Florida that many visitors never get to see. Whether you’re an experienced angler or bringing the family fishing for the first time, late summer and fall are great times to experience Naples fishing and Marco Island fishing.
Give me a call or text to book a trip or just talk fishing.
Capt. Mark at 239-450-9230