Caitlyn Gatrell and boyfriend, Kyle Mugavero, with a massive silver king.
May 26, 2023
By Caitlyn Gatrell
Naples to Flamingo Outdoor writer Caitlyn Gatrell works with local captains to share updates on fishing patterns from Naples to Flamingo, including Marco Island, Everglades City and Chokoloskee.
May 26 - 28
Editors Note: Signatures Needed! The "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signatures by November 30 to get on the 2024 ballot. Learn more here: http://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/
Planning a fishing trip to the Ten Thousand Islands? Allow us to guide you to all the current hotspots, as well as provide plenty of tips to ensure an enjoyable and memorable outing!
The Ten Thousand Islands is a great place for sightseeing, exploring and fishing, drawing in many tourists and anglers from near and far. If you’re planning on fishing in our area within the next few days, tune in each week to our 10K forecast report to help narrow your focus.
WHAT SPECIES TO LOOK FOR?
Plenty of species are out and about this week— schools of snook, redfish, jack crevalle, snapper, tarpon, cobia, pompano, you name it! The bite has been on fire!
WHAT TYPE OF BAITS?
A mix of pilchards, crabs, and artificial lures are securing catches right now.
WHAT AREAS SHOULD YOU FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW?
Beaches, passes, backwaters and nearshore wrecks have all been providing opportunities for hooking up to some fish. You should be able to find luck casting a line along mangrove shorelines as well.
WHAT FISHING CONDITIONS ARE CURRENTLY PRODUCING?
The warm weather is really firing up the bite, and paired with calm winds you have great opportunities at catching some nice fish this weekend.
EXTRA TIPS
Whitebait have to made their way more inshore recently and you may find more luck at locating some fresh live bait. If you don’t have a reliable offshore vessel but want to score some nice pilchards, you may have higher odds now. A good tip is to look around nearshore piles!
Tight lights if you’ll be out on the water this weekend. Keep in mind the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty so you could enjoy this beautiful holiday weekend. Have a safe Memorial Day.
- Caitlyn Gatrell
Special thanks to Captains Will and Emily Johnson of BareFoot Charters based out of Goodland, FL
