Naples & Marco Island Fishing Tips & Tactics
June is one of the most exciting months of the year for anglers fishing the waters around Naples, Marco Island, the Ten Thousand Islands, and Everglades National Park. Peak tarpon fishing in Naples and Marco Island continues as giant silver kings migrate along the beaches, stage in the passes, and feed in the backcountry bays. At the same time, anglers are enjoying excellent action for sharks, snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, and other inshore species.
Tarpon remain the star attraction. Early morning departures give us the best opportunity to intercept schools of migrating fish cruising the beaches from Naples to Marco Island. Our preferred tarpon setup consists of 40-65 pound braided line connected to a 6-foot section of 60-pound fluorocarbon leader and an 8/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook. Live crabs remain one of the most productive baits during the migration, while live pinfish and threadfin herring can also produce outstanding results.
One of the biggest keys to successful tarpon fishing in Southwest Florida is staying mobile and fishing areas with moving water. Current, bait concentrations, and weather conditions often determine where the fish will be found on any given day. Calm mornings along the beaches provide ideal sight-fishing opportunities, while stronger winds may push fish into the passes and protected backcountry waters.
Shark fishing has also been excellent throughout the Naples and Marco Island area. Blacktip sharks, spinner sharks, lemon sharks, and bull sharks are all providing anglers with powerful fights. Fresh cut ladyfish, mullet, mackerel, and jack crevalle have been the top producers. For sharks, we typically use heavy tackle combined with a section of coated wire leader to prevent bite-offs.
When tarpon or sharks aren’t the target, the inshore and backcountry fishing remains productive. Snook are holding along the beaches, mangrove shorelines, and around points with moving water. Live pilchards, live shrimp, and soft plastic jigs continue to produce consistent action. Redfish are being caught around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and shallow bays, while mangrove snapper are feeding aggressively around structure and deeper channels.
Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable Naples fishing charter, Marco Island fishing charter, backcountry fishing trip, or the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime, June offers some of the best fishing opportunities of the entire year.
A few dates remain available this month.
Call or text Capt. Mark Ward at 239-450-9230 to reserve your Southwest Florida fishing adventure.
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