By: Caitlyn Gatrell
It’s a new year and temperatures will be warming up soon, meaning great fishing opportunities are right around the corner. When spring fishing kicks off in Southwest Florida, lots of species are frolicking about and on the search for prey. From the backwaters, to the mangrove islands, to nearshore points. Here are a few of my tips on how to make your 2026 fishing year full of fun in SW Florida.
Fish Populated Habitats for Incoming Fish
As we’re nearing the end of winter and spring is soon to come, popular species like snook, redfish, and even tarpon will start making their way into local waters soon. These fish are migrating, feeding aggressively, and some even getting ready to spawn, so they are fired up and ready to strike at presenting bait.
Focus on populated habitats where fishing results will be productive, such as oyster beds, mangrove lines, drop offs and deep cuts, flats, passes, estuaries, and river mouths. Zones with moving water and strong currents are exceptional spots as fish often sit there awaiting prey to flow by.
Load Up on Bait
Having the right bait can make a difference in your fishing trips. If you want to go artificial, use lures like top waters, jigs, soft plastics, flukes, and imitation baits. Live bait is often the go-to, with popular options like mullet, pilchards, crab, pinfish, and shrimp being amongst the top in Southwest Florida.
Ideally you want bait that looks lively, realistic, and catches the attention of nearby predators. Flashy, noisy, colorful bait can capture attention in murky waters while more natural looking baits are best in clearer water.
Head Out During Peak Fishing Times
Timing can make all the difference. Heading out during cooler dawn and dusk hours often provides peak fishing activity when fish are most active. But fishing can still be successfully done mid-day! You’d be surprised. Sometimes fish will bite during times you wouldn’t suspect. For example, I’ve caught big fish like tarpon during hot hours mid-day!
Also, try to plan your trips around incoming tides or high low tides to ensure good water levels and current flows. Moon phases like full and new moons can affect fish behavior and feeding habits as well. Each species can have a different approach so it’s best to research more specifically if you have a targeted species.
Explore Seasonal Opportunities
As you’ve heard, spring fishing is pretty popping in the waters of Southwest Florida. But summer follows after and provides even more productivity. Fall then brings out large Redfish and yummy Seatrout you can take home. And winter doesn’t put an end to the fun either. It may not be as hot, but you can definitely still hook up to some nice fish and enjoy a day on the water.
With a little research and planning, you can have a great time fishing the Southwest Florida waters all of 2026. Tight lines to all!