The rainy season has arrived in force down here in Naples and Marco Island and the fishing has reponded with a smile! Every year in June, at some point, we have a big week of rain. It triggers two of the most sought after fish in Florida, the snook, and the tarpon, into a feeding frenzy, that wull settle into a nice pattern that lasts until the fall.
The fresh water seems to set off both species, as the freah water cools the steamy temperatures, and it flushes the shrimp out of the back country as they scramble for a higjer salinity.
The fun-size tarpon that live in the backcountry follow thw freshwater out of the mangroves and into the bays and passes, gobbling up shrimp and artificals that imitate a shrimp, and become easy targets for ultralite spinning tackle. The fight and explosive jumps of a 10-40 pound tarpo on light tackle is outrageously fun!
It also affects the salinty in the passes that triggers the snook to fully engage their spawning efforts...it is not uncommon to see giant females, surrounded by smaller males swimmimg along the rocky edges. It is also not uncomon to lose a giant snook to a swarm of males that inadvertently dislodge the hook, or cut the line while they pile on a distracted hooked female embroiled in a battle!
As the first big flush of fresh water stabilizes, and the scaly bait return to their usual spots, we will switch back over to pichalds, pinfish, and threadfins as our nait of choice for snook, and crabs for thw big tarpon.
Give me a call if you want to experience some of the best fishing of the year!
Captain Tim
239-821-9375
Tim@southerngentlemenfishing.com