This summer was a lot of fun. From Shark fishing to family fun days it was a blast. The bite this summer was hot and so was the weather. It was real hot on land, at an average of 92 to 94 degrees, but very comfortable out on the water. With the summertime breeze helping out, it was a cool average of 89 degrees on the water. The water temperatures were at an average of 86 to 90 degrees. We did have a drought this summer which added to the heat. But since July we have been adding drops to the bucket everyday now, with the summer time rains coming in a little late this year.
The fishing this summer was all about the big fish. Not going to sugar coat this, a lot was lost this season. We had an extended Tarpon run this year, with these monsters hanging around until the end of August. Usually the schools of Tarpon would pull out of the area by the beging of July. The average weight of these fish were 30 lb to 150 lb with lengths of 3 ft to 5 ft long, with schools having 15 to 50 fish. A lot of fun and mayhem wrapped up in to 30 to 40 minute battles. Because the Tarpon were so thick this summer, it brought in the sharks. Shark fishing is a blast on light tackle. Blistering runs, big head shakes, and I can’t believe I caught that on this light fishing rod moments. A lot of big fish!
Well, some of the trips at the end of July and through August had to be cut short. The summer time storms started rolling in and the drought was coming to an end. It is always a great bite, all the way up to the edge of the storm, and then it’s time to go! Pictured above are a couple of close calls.
Well other than Shark and Tarpon the other big fish of the summer is the Black Drum and Snook. The best baits this season for those fish was the 3 inch paddle tail jig. Focus on the hop and work it slow. The water is hot! I said that more times than I needed.
Pictured above is the evidence that they are all not giants. This summer’s Snook breeding season was absolutely on fire. There were a lot of monster Snook over 40 inches this season over powering many of my clients. If you can keep them from getting into the trees you have a chance.
Pictured below are a couple of my catches. One of the pictures below is a captains’ and mechanics’ fishing trip for American Red Snapper and Red Grouper. Captain Mike Avinon with Findictive Charters is one of the best offshore Grouper Captains in the area. I am asked all the time what do you do on your down time? I go fishing and build fishing rods!
Snook breeding season is over on August 31st and September 1st is open season on Snook; one of the best eating fish in the Naples waters. Redfish are open and already starting to move in for the fall season. Also the Sea Trout are going to move back in as the waters start to cool. It is going to be a very fishy Fall with a very healthy ecosystem here in the 10,000 Islands Preserve. If you would like to arrange a trip, please give me a call at 239-325-7109
Thank you for reading and tight lines,
Captain Jim Fortman
Backwater Fishing in Naples & the Ten Thousand Islands 