by Capt. Brent Bensmiller
The summer months will continue to bring loads of bait into our area. Bring your cast net and load up on white bait along the inlets and beach to start your day. As always, look for diving birds or action on the surface of the water to locate schools of bait fish. It should only take a couple casts with your net to black out your bucket or live well. Fishing from the beach will put your tackle to the test, with plenty of sharks, snook, and huge tarpon lurking within yards of the shoreline. These fish will be more than willing to take a live pinfish or white bait that’s cast within reach. If it’s artificials you prefer, try using a gold spoon or root beer colored DOA baitbuster. Make sure to get on the water at sunrise for the best bite. Tarpon will be rolling on the surface and harassing schools of bait during the low light hours. After finding the schools of tarpon, you can cast a lure just in front of the school to have a shot at one of these silver kings.
August is a great month to target reds, snook, and tarpon in the back waters too. Focus on fishing mangroves near the inlets and cast on any deep holes you can find on the flats. If you are new to fishing the area, Google maps is a great way to find the deeper water and nice fishing spots. Position yourself within about 50’ of the mangrove tree line and anchor up. This will be a good starting distance to ensure bigger fish will not be able to pull you into the mangroves and you can land a fish successfully. Make sure to bring light to medium setups with free-lined live baits and cast them right along the mangroves. Casting as close as you can to the mangroves will be the most productive and catch you more game fish. Oyster bars will also be holding huge schools of mullet and you can count on game fish to be hanging nearby as well. With such a variety of fish in the area this time of year there’s no excuse to be hitting the snooze button! Get out there and catch em’ up guys, tight lines!
Brent Bensmiller, the owner of Paddle Naples, is an expert at kayak fishing the local waters. He is available for kayak fishing charters and lessons, as well as guided kayak and paddleboard tours. You can reach Brent by email at brent@paddlenaples.com or by phone at 239-301-8888. Check out www.PaddleNaples.com and our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/paddlenaples/ for more information.
