The coolest weather of the fall is here with the low in the 50’s and the high today 68 but things will warm up quickly in the following days. What does this mean for fishing. It means we’ve pretty much transitioned form the warmer, summer time fishing to the winter fishing. We’ll start using more shrimp and jigs targeting trout, pompano, snapper, sheepshead along with the usual reds and snook.
Good tides this week with low water in the morning which helps congregate the fish.
Trout Fishing in Naples, Florida
Trout fishing in Southwest Florida can be a rewarding experience, as the region offers diverse water bodies and ecosystems. One popular target for trout anglers is the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), a species commonly found in the area. Here are some tips for trout fishing in Southwest Florida:
Trout are often found in estuarine areas, bays, and grass flats. Areas with a mix of grass, sand, and oyster beds are good places to start your search.
Trout can also be found nearshore, especially around oyster bars, grassy areas, and deeper channels.Trout are generally more active during dawn and dusk, so plan your fishing trips accordingly. Use light to medium spinning tackle with 8 to 12-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line.
Artificial lures such as soft plastics, topwater plugs, and jigs can be effective. Live bait, such as shrimp or small baitfish, can also attract trout. Live shrimp, pilchards (whitebait), and pinfish are popular live baits for trout. If using artificial lures, consider using soft plastic shrimp imitations, jerkbaits, or topwater lures. Drift fishing over grass flats can be effective. Use a popping cork with a live bait or a soft plastic lure rigged on a jighead. Cast lures around oyster bars, mangroves, and grassy areas. Retrieve the lure with a twitching motion to mimic injured baitfish.
Pompano Fishing in Naples, Florida
Pompano fishing in Southwest Florida is popular, and anglers often target the Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), a species known for its delicious taste and strong fighting ability. Here are some tips for pompano fishing in the region:
Pompano are commonly found in the surf, nearshore waters, and along sandy beaches. Look for areas with sandbars, troughs, and deeper channels, as pompano often feed in these locations. Pompano are generally more active during the early morning and late afternoon. Dawn and dusk are prime times for pompano fishing.
Use light to medium spinning tackle with 10 to 15-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Pompano jigs, small bucktail jigs, and soft plastic jigs in bright colors are popular artificial lures. Sand fleas, live shrimp, and small pieces of clam or fish are effective natural baits. Pompano jigs are often used by bouncing them along the bottom. This imitates the natural movement of the sand fleas and other small crustaceans that pompano feed on.
Fishing from the beach using long casts into the surf can be productive. Look for areas with sandbars and deeper channels. Drifting along the beach or inshore waters while casting jigs or using bait can also be effective. Use a dropper rig with two jigs or hooks to increase your chances of hooking a pompano. This allows you to fish at different depths. For natural baits, use a fish finder rig with a pyramid sinker to keep the bait on the bottom. Pay attention to the weather and tide conditions. Pompano are often more active during an incoming tide.