Naples / Marco Island Fishing Report — December 2025
December returns to winter mode.
Inshore & Nearshore Fishing
Sheepshead on structure throughout Naples Bay. Snook in the deeper backcountry creek systems. Seatrout on deep grass.
Offshore Fishing
Gag grouper excellent on nearshore Gulf ledges in December.
Top Techniques This Month
December grouper: A 4–6 oz egg sinker with a live pinfish on a 4/0 circle hook sent to the bottom at 35–50 feet. Nearshore grouper fishing in December can be excellent.
Fishing Outlook
Good for sheepshead and grouper specialists.
Regulations
Snook: Gulf coast closed Dec 1–Feb 28. Verify current regulations at state fishing regulations.
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Winter Patterns Setting In
December in Naples and Marco is when the inshore fishery transitions into its winter pattern. Water temperatures drop into the 60s by month-end and the fish are responding — moving to deeper warmer water, concentrating around structure, and feeding in shorter windows during the warmest part of the day. Cold fronts cycle every 5–8 days; fish the day before and the warming trend after each front for the most consistent results.
Sheepshead Building
Sheepshead fishing is firing as water cools. The Marco Island Causeway pilings, the bridges of Naples Bay, the Capri Pass jetties, and the deeper dock pilings throughout the back canals are all holding solid numbers of fish. Fiddler crabs on a 1/0 jighead and a knocker rig setup is the proven approach. The bite is subtle — set the hook on any unusual pressure. Numbers will build through January and peak in February.
Trout in Deep Holes
Speckled trout are stacking in deeper creek mouths and warmer back-bay pockets. Slow-rolled soft plastics on a 1/4 oz jighead near the bottom is the textbook winter approach. Live shrimp under a popping cork during the warmest afternoon hours produces in shallower water. The deeper grass holes of Rookery Bay and the 10K Islands channels hold fish through the cold months.
Redfish, Snook in Winter Mode
Redfish are schooled in the warmest backwaters — back lakes of the 10K Islands, the deeper bayou pockets behind Marco, and dark mud flats. Sight-casting on calm sunny afternoons for tailing fish. Gold spoons or weedless plastics. Snook are tight to the deepest, warmest water available. The back canals of Naples, the Cocohatchee River, and the deeper bayou pockets hold concentrations. Live shrimp on a slip-cork or pilchards fished slow. Most December catches are catch-and-release.
Local Hotspots, Conditions, Regs
Marco Island Causeway for sheepshead. Naples Bay bridges for the convicts and the occasional bigger snook. Rookery Bay deep grass for trout. 10K Islands back lakes for tailing reds. Cocohatchee River for warmer-water snook. Water temps 65–70°F. Florida saltwater license required. Sheepshead 12-inch min, 8-fish bag. Trout slot 15–19 inches, 5-fish bag. Snook stamp for harvest. Best ramps: Caxambas Park, Goodland Boat Park, Cocohatchee Park. Tight lines.