Naples Area Fishing Opps

[Jacquestrappe]

I'm going to be headed down to Naples this weekend (November 18,19,20) and was hoping to sneak away with my flyrod. Are there any opportunties for a shore fisherman with a fly rod around Naples?

Any help with regard to species and likely spots would be very much appreciated!

Thanks, in advance for your help!

RC

[backwater]

Hello,

You could give the beaches a try, early in the morning and around sunset, but I would try the canals that line the road to Marco Island. On Highway 951, the main road to Marco Island, just before you come to the bridge, there is a long canal that you might try fishing. There is a better canal along the road to Goodland, I believe that's Highway 93? (I just can't remember but its hard to miss, there are only two roads onto Marco Island!) There are also canals along US41 east well into the 'glades that you could also try. There was a recent article (either this month or last month) in one of the saltwater flyfishing magazines about fishing this spot. I think the best way to really enjoy fishing in Naples is to take a trip with a guide. This is off season for them and they may be a little cheaper than normal. I would recommend calling Steve Westervelt. He's one of the best around. Its also a fun way to see a part of Naples that is tough to visit from the road. If you really want to see the backcountry, suggest taking the trip in his Gheenoe. He can get way way back into the skinny water. Good luck to you.

Tom

[swashy]

My In-Laws have a condo in Naples...on the bay, across from Tin City. We try to go down every year. Great place. I'm lucky enough to be able to fish right from the condo and have managed a fair number of fish right in that section of the bay....mostly big Jacks but some reds, snook & trout too. As Backwater said, you can try the front beaches too...maybe some of the Passes like Gordon's..but it's a long hike. TigerTail Beach down in Marco may be worth a shot too. There is a fly shop on 41 South call Mangrove Outfitters they can probably point you in the right direction too. As Backwater said, I've heard good things about the canals too...and even from Mangrove Outfitters...but haven't done well myself.

Good luck and have fun. Wish I was there myself right now.

[Fitzy]

I'm not sure how long of a drive it is to the Bonito Beach area (maybe 40 minutes or so) but I had a few pretty good days and a fantastic night in that area. My most productive flies during the day were sparsly tied blue and white synthetic clousers on a 2 or 4 hook. At night, I couldn't miss with BIG black flies. I fished a 6" snake fly on a 4/0 hook. The fly had a rattle and I think the size kept most of the lady fish away, except for the lady fish over 24". I also got a snook and broke off another on a 4" black e.p. fly. Lightly colored flies didn't work as good, but were still OK. You can see my post earlier for the locations.

I'm not sure that I would wade the mud flat at night since we aren't really at the top of the food web down there, but no wading is necessary at the passes. Good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

I wish I had 2 more night down ther to see if I just hit it on a lucky night :confused:

Later,
Matt

[lemaymiami]

Here's two more suggestions for fishing the Naples area. The first is a place called Tigertail Beach. Any shop can give you directions. It's a wild stretch that's perfect for a light fly rod or spinner with plenty of fish right next to the beach... The second is a matter of just driving east along US 41 away from Naples and looking for any place where there's a small bridge allowing water to flow from north (freshwater, sawgrass areas) to south (brackish, mangroves). Any spot with a slight current should hold baby tarpon and small snook... Think small forage, a fly on a #2 hook might be a bit large here. The forage is mostly small mosquito fish and tiny "glass minnows". It's the area that Connor's Glades Minnow was meant for. Good Luck.

[E-Glades]

wow - Bob's advice was really right on the money. I have fished many of those small bridges east of naples on 41. The bridges within a few miles one way of the entrance to Collier-Seminole St. Park. they tend to be good right now and then good again in about march. occasional larger tarpon - for fresh - maybe 25lbs sometimes. so a 4wt. can explode in your hands.
you can hook 5 times as many fish if you are willing to wade and cast back under the bridge into the darkness. The only way to do this is to get in the scary yet clear water. I found it to be worth it to get in the water. the snook are smaller but it wasn't uncommon to catch 20 or more in a few hours. And you should strip fast.

[lemaymiami]

You forgot to mention the 'gators... also the great fun of watching your backcast so that you don't hook a passing car. Seriously I'd think twice about wading that area and always be careful with the traffic since there's not much shoulder at all along that road. That said, if can be exciting when the fish are on.

[E-Glades]

Bob - I fully agree with that as well.
truthfully hitting the bridges along 41 is what I would call "desperado" fishing. and from a "solitude" standpoint it also leaves a lot to be desired - the traffic on 41 is fast and loud and constant. the bigger snook tended to hang out directly under the bridges - and between the middle 2 pillings - an area that you simply cannot cast to unless you wade out into the pools on the south side of the road. this averts the backcast issue but leaves you standing waist deep in Creepy tea colored water. And i should have mentioned the gators - We did have a couple of scares with them. I've caught enough snook now - that I would never get in that water again.

[wannastripper]

You can also try Doctors and Gordons pass. A great guide to get you into the backwater is Capt. Pat Gould. You can goggle him

[scruffy_fish]

DON'T FORGET THE BUG SPRAY!!! ;)
If you fish RT #41, they will eat you alive. :eek:

[flies only]

i second capt bob about tigertail . i have fished tigertail about 14 days and have never been skunked there. there were at least 2 distinct bars to wade out onto. i am not sure if the pass there has reopened since the hurricanes but it is a great area. also the bridge nxt to the genardis is pretty good. i love marco island. hope this helps capt john :brow