Naples / Marco Backwaters Provide Variety in Late November

The week of Thanksgiving proved to be a great week to fish in SW Florida. With great weather and a variety of species available, anglers enjoyed some fantastic days on the water. While the big snook action of the last few weeks tapered off somewhat, we still caught an released plenty of snook from 18 to 30 inches on most trips. Live sardines continues to be available and are the bait of choice. The warm weather trend seemed to move some of the snook back toward the passes and even along the beaches. Fishing for redfish was decent, with the best action coming at high tide. Most of the reds are running in the legal slot, around 20 to 24 inches. Friday afternoon was particularly good. With a stiff easterly wind, I took Barritt Gilbert and his sons, Thomas and William out for a half day. We found a number of nice mid-slot sized reds feeding against the windy side of the shorelines in Johnson Bay and Rookery Bay. The group also found quite a few snook cooperating, including a 3o inch fish for Thomas.{%image_id=23583%}{%image_id=23582%} Other action during the week included a good run of pompano in the passes south of Keewaydin Island. Incoming tide brought the most action. The pompano wre mixed in with some large spanish mackerel and bluefish. Sea trout are in many of the inland channels. Plenty of lady fish were in the mix also. We have also had a run of hefty jack crevalle in the area which I have not seen in abundance since the cold weather fish kill of 2010. Some of these fish are running to 15 lbs. or better. Tommy Ennis with a bruiser...{%image_id=23581%} -Capt. Todd Geroy