The fishing in April is great. A host of species are being caught and the fish tend to be large than earlier in the spring.

Tarpon are in the back bays, passes and are starting to show off the beaches. I’ve had good success lately fishing in some of the medium depth bays around Naples and Marco Island. Four feet of water is the average. I either drift live bait or use cut bait on the bottom. It’s exciting as you can catch tarpon or sharks. I’ve also had good success fishing south of Naples out of Chokoloskee just south of Everglades City. The layed up tarpon in the bays are starting to thin out but recently found good numbers of tarpon running north off some of the outside keys. The next two months tarpon fishing will peak as they migrate north along the beaches.

We’ve had a blast catching sharks in the bays and off the beaches. The average shark in the back bays are 5-6’ long and the most prevalent are the bull sharks. There are also good numbers of sharks near some of the wrecks off shore. Black tips, spinners and hammer heads have been the main species. Many that we hook we don’t land because they are too big. I’m in the process of getting some bigger equipment.
Snook are also in the passes, along the beaches as well as some backc
ountry spots. The snook bite has been good as long as the tide is running. Early morning in the passes has been good then I move to the backcountry for more action. I’ve also started to see snook along the beaches and on calm days we’ve had fun sight fishing.

Over all the fishing is very good and will continue to get better. Jacks, mackerel, pompano and trout round out this month’s species list.

Give me a call to book a trip. Tarpon season is starting to fill up. May and June are typically the two best months of the year to fish.

Capt. Mark Ward
Everglades Guide service
239-450-9230