October continues to bring fantastic fishing throughout Southwest Florida. With the summer heat and humidity behind us, conditions are about as good as it gets for spending time on the water. Clear mornings, light winds, and active bait schools have made this one of the most enjoyable times of year to fish. Whether you’re booking a trip with Everglades Guide Service or another local charter, this month is delivering excellent opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
For those planning fishing charters in Naples or Marco Island, the inshore bite has been very consistent. Along the beaches, around the passes, and deep in the backcountry, both snook and redfish have been feeding aggressively. Live bait continues to produce best—pilchards, threadfin herring, and small mullet are abundant and easy to net early in the morning. A simple rig works great: a 2/0 or 3/0 circle hook tied to 25- to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader, with a small split shot if the current is strong. Cast near mangroves, oyster bars, or points with moving water and let the bait swim freely. The strikes have been hard and fast, and anglers are finding solid action throughout the tide.
Artificial lures have also been productive for those who enjoy a more hands-on approach. Topwater plugs such as the Rapala Skitter Walk or Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore are ideal for early mornings when the water is calm. It’s exciting to watch a snook or redfish explode on a surface lure. As the sun climbs higher, switching to soft plastic paddletails or jerkbaits on 1/8-ounce jig heads keeps the action going. In the backcountry, working these baits through creek mouths and around deeper potholes can be very effective, especially on a falling tide.
Shark fishing and tarpon fishing have also been strong along the beaches and nearshore bays. The fall mullet run is in full swing, drawing plenty of hungry predators. Blacktip, bull, and lemon sharks have been showing up around schools of bait, while tarpon in the 40- to 80-pound range are rolling through the passes and deeper bays. The best setups for these larger fish are simple but strong—use a 60- to 80-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 6/0 circle hook, and free-line a live mullet, pinfish, or ladyfish chunk in the current.
Offshore and nearshore trips have been just as rewarding. Anglers heading out of Naples and Marco Island are finding steady action with grouper, snapper, barracuda, and cobia. The reefs and wrecks are loaded this time of year, and live pilchards or cut squid are excellent baits. On calmer days, venturing a bit farther offshore for deep sea fishing can yield quality catches of red grouper, mangrove snapper, and even the occasional amberjack.
One of the best things about fishing Naples and Marco Island in October is the variety. You can start the morning casting live bait to snook and redfish in the mangroves, then move offshore in the afternoon for grouper or sharks. The transition from summer to fall keeps the fish feeding aggressively as they prepare for cooler months ahead.
Whether you’re an experienced angler or new to the sport, now is the perfect time to book a Naples fishing charter and experience why so many people call this the best fishing season of the year. Every trip offers something unique—beautiful scenery, calm conditions, and the chance to catch trophy fish in some of the most productive waters in Florida.
The fall bite is on, and it’s shaping up to be one of the best seasons we’ve seen in a while. Grab your gear, bring your camera, and come enjoy some of the best fishing Naples and Marco Island have to offer.
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