April Promises Big Fish in Naples Backwaters

I have been very busy the last few weeks delaying my latest fishing report. This is a very busy time of year as anglers are chomping to get out and have a chance at some of the larger game fish that spring has to offer as water temperatures warm up. My son Capt. Ben and I have been fishing double half days and while the action has still been a little up and down, we have had some solid days with our clients. We have been enjoying some good snook action with some 1/2 day trips releasing as many as 25 fish ranging to 18 lbs. We strongly recommend releasing all snook as they continue to recover after the massive fish kill related to cold weather in 2010. There has been great action in area passes particularly in the morning when it is timed with an outgoing tide. Backcountry points and banks facing wind an tide flow have also been productive.{%image_id=47822%} Mixed with the snook there are plenty of decent sized jack crevalle to keep lines tight. Live scaled sardines provide the best action, however soft plastic jerk baits as well as well presented hard baits such as Mirrolures and lipped bait fish immitations will also get bites. Redfish are starting to show in better numbers. While numbers of reds caught are lower than normal this spring, the fish we have been catching have been large running from 25-30 inches. High tide brings the best chances fishing tight to mangrove cover with live baits.{%image_id=47824%} It is time to start targeting the tarpon in SW Florida. There are big fish in the area now and although my clients have been more interested in catching other species the last few weeks, it is just a matter of commitment to get hooked up to the fish of a lifetime. There are giant fish in the shallow back bays now as well as some migrating fish on the near shore shoals and beaches in the gulf. We have been hooking up with some "fun size" juvenile tarpon while targeting other fish in the bays as well.{%image_id=47823%}