Tim Rushing

As August has settled into the full fledged dog days of hot muggy weather mixed with rain, the traditional Southwest Florida fishing patterns have settled in as well. The bait is still readily available to get, but has gotten smaller, and we are getting it along the beaches. In spite of my normal instincts to go out to the bait wrecks and get the bigger baits, the old adage ‘Elephants like peanuts’ has seemed to become the norm on our trips the past few weeks. The other great thing about small baits is the sheer number of bites we are getting.

Tallie caught a pile of snook and reds on a rainy Naples Marco Island Morning, along with this nice spotted seatrout.

Snapper seem to have come alive full tilt recently, and I’m talking the nice 12-14″ keeps that customers always like to catch, and that keep me busy at the cleaning table!

The redfish are everywhere right now. It si safe to say, they are more plentiful than the snook. While the 18-21″ keepers are the most common, every trip has that one or two upper or over slot bruiser (>27″)!

Elephants like peanuts! Ted with one of the big redfish caught on small bait…you can always expect one of these mixed in with the smaller ones.

As the summer snook spawn starts to wind down, they can focus on eating, and 10-30 snook a trip are still common. Of course when September 1st comes around on the west coast and season opens, I am sure the slot snook (28-33″) will suddenly decide to get lockjaw! lol

Give us a call and book your great day on the water!

Captain Tim 239-821-9375

Fish Species: Snook - Redfish - Trout - Snapper - Jack Crevalle
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Water Depth: 3-8 Feet
Water Temperature: Hot
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Tim Rushing

About The Author: Captain Tim Rushing

Company: Southern Gentlemen Fishing

Area Reporting: Naples, Marco Island, Ten Thousand Islands

Bio: As a Fourth-generation native Floridian, I have spent more than 30 years soaking up the unrivaled fishery that is Southwest Florida. I spent much of my youth fishing everywhere for everything that could be caught in fresh or saltwater in this state. As a true Florida “Native” that has fished every single corner of the state for every single species of fish this great state offers, I knew this region was special the first time I laid eyes on her upon moving here after graduating from the University of Florida. Every time I go out on the water, whether it is the mystery and allure of the 10,000 islands and Everglades, the beautiful beaches of Naples and Marco or the grandeur of the Pine Island Sound Islands I feel like I am stealing something wonderful from the rest of the world! For the past 30 years I have studied, mastered, and observed the awesome gamefish and wildlife with the eye of a Florida native, and the excitement of kid at the beach for the first time in his life.

239-821-9375
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Tim Rushing