Fishingcast: Conditions for Naples, April 29-May 5

BACKWATER

Fairly stable late spring conditions. Air warmth drives water temp, 76 -78. Moving to expected level. Winds to northwest briefly early week. Light damage to clarity. Tides retreat to moderate speed both ways. Incremental general fishing improvement slow. Beginning to see 12-13" mangrove snapper along ICW shoreline, both tides, live bait best. Pompano showing regularly Hurricane Pass on last of incoming holding deep. Work with shrimp loaded lindy rig; tipped jig on drift. Snook to slot good action Henderson Creek on current points incoming, creek bottom cuts outgoing on pilchards. Redfish mostly singular Johnson Bay shallow edges late incoming on freelined shrimp, live bait. North end Canon Island cuts for spec trout on incoming 4-6' depth, shrimp under popper on drift.

NEARSHORE

Tarpon west edges Keewaydin flats, incoming tide, on threadfin, pinfish. Scattered mackerel, bluefish circa Pier 20-30' depth with tipped top water jigs under chum. Mangrove snapper action north end Keewaydin reefs on tipped weighted jigs under chum.

OFFSHORE

Good conditions. Deep wrecks continue to draw bait schools attracting migrating pelagics (kingfish, cobia ). Kings on live bait on wire under chum; cobia on surface sight cast with threadfin, pinfish. Hard bottom 50-55' due west Gordon for red grouper on pinfish drifted to outcroppings.