The first day of fall has arrived in Naples, Florida. Right on the schedule, fishing is off the charts and we have a hurricane coming up the pipe! 

As we stepped outside for work this week we’ve noticed a slight temperature drop in the air. Not very much but definitely noticed. With this change will bring a different batch of game fish to our area. 

The Permit are still around with some quality fish in our region. These fish have been taking a little longer to locate. Full day charters are definitely the only way you’re going to be able to find those fish. Half days it’s just asking too much. Along these wrecks we’ve been a steady stream of cobia coming through the area. Not huge fish but steady numbers. 

Also some great numbers of snook. These fish did just open up for season but with the pressure they’ve had for the last couple years we still do not bring them to the table. With that being said the mangrove snapper bite has been so good our clients and even ourselves have been  enjoying 1 to 2 dinners for the last few weeks. 

We are rounding the first week of October and the peak of hurricane season. We have one coming up the pipe and it supposed to be here in the middle of next week. They’re forecasting a category three. This will obviously shut our operation down for a week or so as these storms usually turn things up pretty bad.

Also silver lining of these storms they bring all kinds of new fish to our region. From the fresh new bait to a different show of gamefish. Going to be lots of water moving and lots of things moving with it. 

We have one more charter tomorrow and then we are shutting down operations till the storm passes. Wishing all of our clients, friends and family good luck in this storm. Batten down down the hatches and stay safe! 

Thank you. 
The Bedell Captains. 

We have finally reached prefall status in Naples, Florida. All of the usual suspects are around. We are wide open to put your family on some amazing fishing! 

This is the slowest month of the year. Also a great month to tighten everything up and get ready for season. That is exactly what we’re doing. 

We are also taking advantage of this beautiful weather and no one around! I must say we do not mind this time of the year at all.

Gives us the time to catch up on some things. We have one of our boats being redone and of course getting out and enjoying some time on the water with family is always nice. 

Lots of great fishing still to be had around here. The cobia have been a staple on every trip. Whether with clients or playing. FWC just changed the regulations on Cobia. They are now 36 inches to the fork and a lot of these fish are 2021 models. 

Unfortunately they don’t get to come home but they are great fight on light tackle. Also there have been some bigger ones lurking around we have lost quite a few at the boat. A few even to some big bull sharks. 

On the table fair side. The mangrove snapper bite has been incredible. These fish are not huge but incredibly tasty. The ones that have been coming over the gunnels you don’t even need to measure. When we knock those sides off it’s straight chicken breast size and we have been enjoying fish tacos over here once a week. 

Now, let’s revisit the Permit. Lots of fish still around. We have been finding some schools in all sizes. The little dinner plates from 10 to 15 pounds. Even some bigger bruisers in the 25 to 35 pound class are still patrolling a few wrecks. 

Our schedules are pretty wide-open even with one boat we’re doing about 2 to 3 trips a week right now. With that being said we have lots of flexibility if you need to flip a day because of weather. Or maybe you need to add another person to your party because it grows. We can accommodate to all of those things this time of the year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone of our captains. 

Thank you the Bedell Captains. 

Well Summer is over and what a good one it has been. We capitalized on so many extremely large Permit this summer and spring that it was one for the record books! We are anticipating fall very much. Also winter will be here before you know it. 

Fall is a very special time of year in our Naples fishery and we anticipate it very much. With September being one of our slowest months of the year this is a great time for us to catch a little R&R and get out on the water for ourselves. Still trickling in 2 to 3 trips a week. 

Our offshore fishery still remains very solid. The water is still extremely warm the weather is usually mild and we can venture out to these inshore & offshore Wrecks that holds so many amazing game fish. On these wrecks you will find from surface to bottom a different variety of great fish! On the surface are large schools of giant barracudas. Also the permit will be tailing and bobbing. Although the schools have thinned a little bit this time of the year there are still some great permit fishing to be had. 

Next, in that middle water column. Have been a mixture of different size Cobia‘s. FWC just change the regulations on these fish, they were 33 to the fork and are now 36 to a fork. We have been getting one to two of these a trip. Although they are the 2021 models we are anticipating that first keeper any day now. 

Now for the bottom. All kinds of varieties of snappers have been making it to the table for our clients. These tasty fish are not big but will soon be your favorite! 

Next will be the gag grouper‘s. They are still in season although tough to get off the bottom they have been a nice mix for fillets. Then we get to the Goliaths. These fish are protected but sure are fun to fight. They will test every step of your ability and leave you coming back for more! Fish range from 10 pounds to well over 300. We enjoy the 40-100 pounds. These fish are manageable make great photos and usually don’t break you off in the wreck too bad. 

Our backcountry fishery still remains very solid. Although we have not been back there very much in the last two months. When the Gulf is as flat as it’s been you really need to take advantage of that. Although with this inshore fishery has spawned our Pilcherd migration. We have been flooded with baitfish everywhere. We are not complaining which makes our day very easy! It has been one & done with a castnet every morning the last month. These baits are only going to get bigger and only spread out all the way to Thanksgiving! They are all over the beaches and any kind of structure you can find is usually holding these. 

With September being the slowest months of the year we are wide open. We did put our sister boat into the shop for a full Restore and will be getting her back around Halloween. 

Our schedules are wide open. Fishing is great, please reach out to anyone of our captains for a chance to take the best out of this slow month! 

Thank you. The Bedell Captains.