Naples Backcountry, Nearshore & Offshore Fishing Report

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.