Moving to Naples...I have many questions.

NoQuarterNoMercy

I'm moving down to the North Naples area this August, coming from Crystal River. My brother and I are familiar with the 10k region around Fakahatchee and Chokoloskee. We do a lot of multi-day camping and fishing down there.

Now that I'll be in the area, I'm wondering about Naples Beach. Today is aTuesday, so I'm sure it's busier on the weekends, but can you fish from the beach? It looked promising just scouting around. Thinking it would be a nice place to take the kids and family and why not have a line in the water. I would be hoping for snook and whatever else is out there. I'm not fond of pier fishing. Also looking to take my kayak out from the beach. Are there pinfish and bait to be had on the grass out there? Is it even worth fishing the beach? Is it allowed? Frowned upon?

Speaking of which, what is the bait situation like? Where can I find some mullet, pinfish, and pilchards? Is it possible to find bait spots from the shore? So much is developed here.

I have a 17ft Scout that I'll be taking out a lot as well. What's the boat ramp situation for access to Gordon's Pass and Rookery Bay?

Can you beach up to Keewaydin Island? What's up with that place?

Sorry for the wall of questions, but I'm super excited to get to know the area.

snookaffinity

Yes you can fish from the beach. Early morning and early evening is the best time to fish the beach. Best time to catch fish and far fewer people.

Bayview Park is the best place to access Gordon Pass and Rookery Bay.

Yes you can beach up at Keewaydin Island. A lot of people just go there to party and some to fish from the beach. There is a lot beach to fish from. People used to camp there also and I believe it is still permitted.

Don't know about live bait, I only fish artificial baits.

NoQuarterNoMercy

Thanks for the info. There seems to be a lot in the area. I can't wait to get out and do some exploring.

snookaffinity

I wish I was there myself. Stuck in North Carolina trout fishing for a few months. Good Luck

FLTXhunter

Beach fishing is all good. Main target in summer are snook and there should be snook-a-plenty! Best method is to walk the beach a little ways back form the water and look for snook cruising from right in the wash out to the first trough. They should stick out like a soar thumb if you know what you are looking for and have decent polarized glasses. Still fishing will likely not yield much from the beach other than cats and small sharks but walking and stalking snook (and sometimes reds and big jack) is the way to go. Its spot a stalk and is a lot of fun. Some days the snook will eat anything....and some they wont touch what they loved yesterday. Just need to experiment. If the water is clear, go with small baits or lures and flies. 1-3 inches and all white or white/green or silver are best color schemes. They'll be eating glass minnows and small whitebait and occasionally whiting. Keeywadin is really more of a party spot (which if you like to party...is a hell of a good time...sometimes). Most people pull right up onto the beach and commence with beer drinking. But, if you park the boat and walk over to the gulf facing beach and walk it North, you can also spot and stalk snook. I have caught some real brutes off that beach and have also had shots at large tarpon in close very early in the morning. You can cruise nearshore off of that beach (from 100 yards on out) very early in the morning (before sun is up) and get shots at pods of tarpon that are crusing by and rolling. In winter, you can cruise the lines of crab traps off the beaches for tripletail. On calm late fall/early winter days, you can be adventurous and take your boat a few miles offshore to the near shore reefs and wrecks and troll lipped plugs for schollie kings. And there is so much more! You're moving to a great spot. Enjoy!

10kman

NoQuarterNoMercy wrote: »

Thanks for the info. There seems to be a lot in the area. I can't wait to get out and do some exploring.

Fastest way to learn where,how& when to fish is join a fishing club.Naples Fishing Club meets the
third Tues.of each month at VFW corner of Pine Ridge and 951 at 6:30pm.VFW located right behind
strip shopping center.NFC has 115 members many who have lived in this area for years.