Naples/Marco Island Fishing Report — Week of October 22, 2026: Snook in the Back Bays, Redfish at the Islands, Sheepshead Arriving

Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026

This Naples/Marco Island fishing report covers late October, when the cooler-weather pattern takes hold in the Ten Thousand Islands and bait and fish turn active in the back bays. Snook are the lead target along the back bays, creeks and mangrove shorelines, redfish work the outside islands and oyster bars, and sheepshead start to show on structure. The main condition to plan around is the tide: tides strengthen toward the full moon, and the falling tide along the mangroves is the window to build your trip on.

What’s Hitting

Snook are in the back bays, the creeks and along the mangroves. Redfish work the outside islands and oyster bars, mangrove snapper sit around docks and bridges, trout spread over the grass flats, and sheepshead begin to show on structure.

Expect snook to slide deeper into the creeks and rivers as the water cools, while redfish and sheepshead fishing improves. Creeks and rivers offer snook steadier temperatures as fall fronts arrive, and sheepshead gather on hard structure as the water drops.

Where to Find Them

Fish the mangrove shorelines of Marco’s back bays and the Gordon River for snook. Mangrove roots give snook shade and cover, and they ambush bait washing past the edges.

For redfish, work the oyster bars and island points of the Ten Thousand Islands. Points and bars concentrate crabs and baitfish as falling water drains off the flats. Docks and bridges hold snapper and sheepshead on the falling tide.

Tides & Conditions

Tides strengthen toward the full moon, and the falling tide along the mangroves is the best window for snook and reds. As water drains out of the mangroves, bait gets pulled from the roots to the edges, and fish set up at points and creek mouths to intercept it.

Check a current tide chart and the wind forecast before you go, since tide timing shifts between the Naples passes and the back of the Ten Thousand Islands.

Tackle & Tactics

• Baits: live shrimp and pilchards are the go-to choices.
• Redfish lure: a white or gold paddle-tail.
• Snapper and sheepshead: small live shrimp or fiddler crabs on a light fluorocarbon leader. Sheepshead have small mouths and steal bait, so a small hook helps you connect.

Accuracy matters in the mangroves. Pitch baits tight to the roots and turn fish quickly so they cannot wrap the line around the structure.

Local Intel This Week

Caxambas Park on Marco Island and Goodland Boating Park put you close to the back bays and the outside islands of the Ten Thousand Islands. Bayview Park in Naples is the launch for the Gordon River snook water, and Cocohatchee River Park gives access to the northern back bays. Port of the Islands is the jumping-off point for the deeper creeks to the south. Snook, redfish and snapper rules are specific. Check current FWC and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.

This Week’s Tip

Fish the shade. On bright days snook tuck under mangrove roots and docks, using the shadow as cover and an ambush point against bait moving through the light. Make the shadow line under a dock or overhanging mangrove your first cast at every stop.