The tarpon migration is the headline around Naples and Marco this week. Silver kings are rolling along the beaches and stacking in the passes — Gordon Pass, Big Marco, and Capri Pass have all held fish on the strong tides. Pass crabs and threadfins drifted in the current have been the most consistent baits, with the early morning and evening tides producing best.
Snook are thick along the beaches and around the passes and provide outstanding catch-and-release action — the Gulf snook season is closed through August 31. Whitebait and small swimbaits worked along the troughs at first light draw aggressive strikes.
Back in the Ten Thousand Islands and the backcountry creeks, redfish are working the mangrove shorelines and oyster bars, and spotted seatrout are holding on the grass flats and deeper potholes. Live shrimp under a cork and gold spoons are dependable choices for the inshore mix.
Nearshore, the structure and artificial reefs are giving up mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, and the occasional cobia trailing rays and turtles. Goliath grouper around the passes and wrecks provide brute-force fun on heavy tackle for catch-and-release.
With summer heat and afternoon storms the norm, early starts are the move. The tarpon and beach snook action should stay strong through June — focus on the moving tides in the passes and the calm-water beaches at dawn.
Spots & Access This Week
Tarpon are rolling through Gordon Pass, Capri Pass, and Big Marco Pass, with fish strung along the Naples and Marco beaches on the calm mornings. Bayview Park ramp in Naples is the natural launch for Gordon Pass and the Naples beaches, while Caxambas Park ramp on the south end of Marco Island gets you straight to the Ten Thousand Islands fringe and the Marco passes. The Goodland/Calusa Island area is the staging point for anglers working the backcountry creeks and the eastern bays.
Inside the passes and along the mangrove shorelines, redfish and snook are the inshore mainstays on the higher tides, and the nearshore hardbottom is giving up mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel.
Spots & Access This Week
Launch from Caxambas Park on Marco for the quickest access to Big Marco and Capri passes, or use Bayview Park in Naples to reach Gordon Pass and the southern beaches. The Naples Pier and the Marco beach accesses give shore anglers a shot at snook and the odd cruising tarpon. Fish are stacking in the pass mouths on the outgoing tide and rolling along the beaches in the calm early hours. Check current FWC regulations before keeping any fish — Gulf snook are catch-and-release through the summer.
Staying on the Fish
Drift well up-tide of rolling tarpon and let crabs or threadfins reach them naturally rather than running the boat through the school and putting them down. The incoming tide tight to the mangroves is the play for reds and snook, and downsizing your leader in the clear summer water draws noticeably more strikes. Save the open beaches for the flat, windless mornings and retreat to the passes and backcountry once the sea breeze builds.
This Week’s Tip
For the pass tarpon, a quiet approach matters more than heavy tackle — drift well up-tide of rolling fish and let crabs or threadfin reach them naturally rather than running the boat through the school. Mornings before the sea breeze fills in offer the flattest water and the best beach sight-fishing. Work the snook and reds on the incoming tide tight to the mangroves, and downsize leaders in the clear summer water. Gulf snook season is closed through August, so plan on catch-and-release, and check current FWC bag and size regulations before keeping anything.