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Great weather equals great fishing
December 14, 2025 Marco Island 4 photos
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Trip Summary

Southwest Florida continues to deliver outstanding days on the water, and this week’s Naples Fishing Charters and Marco Island Fishing Charters have been no exception. Cooler water temperatures have pushed plenty of snook to the inside around the Middle Islands, but some of the best Snook Fishing in Naples is happening deeper in the backcountry. These conditions are ideal for anglers looking to experience classic Naples Florida Fishing, where winter patterns gather fish tight to structure and deeper shorelines. As we push farther back, we’re finding strong numbers of good-sized jacks, consistent sea trout action, and some impressive mangrove snappers along deeper cuts. The sea trout bite has really come alive with the recent temperature drop, making for excellent days for both live-bait anglers and artificial enthusiasts. For those booking Inshore Fishing Charters around Naples or Marco Island Fishing Guides, these backcountry zones are providing steady rod-bending action across the tide cycles. Live bait has been highly productive, especially when paired with a popping cork for trout. My personal go-to setup for artificial work has been a 3⁄8-ounce jig head matched with a 4-inch DOA paddle tail. This style of jig fishing shines in the cooler months as fish hold closer to the bottom, and it continues to be one of the most reliable approaches for wintertime Naples Snook Fishing and chasing sea trout. Anyone fishing with local Naples Fishing Guides or Marco Island Fishing Guides right now will find that adapting to this seasonal pattern pays off quickly. Fly anglers are also having excellent success, especially deep in the backcountry on falling tides. We’re catching plenty of medium-sized snook on weighted patterns, and using a Clouser to get the fly down has produced some surprisingly nice trout. It’s a great time for those interested in the sight-fishing opportunities that Snook Fishing in Marco Island, Red Fishing in Naples can provide as the conditions shift toward more stable winter patterns. With next week’s forecast showing stable weather and slightly rising temperatures, expect the fishing to continue improving. As the water warms just a touch and the weather steadies, look for the action to pick up even more across the backcountry. Whether you’re exploring the shallows, drifting deeper channels, or hunting snook in tucked-away creeks, this is shaping up to be a prime stretch for all types of Southwest Florida Fishing Charters.
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Timothy Daugherty
Marco-island, Florida, United States
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Picturesque mangrove pathways, gorgeous skylines, and hard-fighting fish boiling the water – that’s what fishing in Naples, FL looks like. Fish The Salt Guide Service is keen to put you right in the middle of this picture, with a rod in your h...

Other reports from this charter

December fishing is heating up!!
December fishing is heating up!!
December 20, 2025
The fishing this week around Naples and Marco Island has been nothing short of fantastic, with action firing on all cylinders. Anglers booking Naples fishing charters or Marco Island fishing charters are finding steady opportunities throughout the middle islands and deep in the backcountry. As water temperatures cool, the conditions have been ideal for a classic winter pattern, and the fish are responding in a big way. We’re still catching plenty of snook along the middle islands, and the snook fishing Naples and snook fishing Marco Island anglers are experiencing consistent hookups. Every year when the water temps begin to fall, those snook push farther into the backcountry, and this week is no exception. On the low incoming tides, the fish have been staging along shorelines with deep undercuts, which are producing excellent numbers. For those seeking snook fishing on artificials, fly, or live bait, expect the action to remain strong as long as the warmer weather holds. A decent redfish bite is also underway, with reds mixed in alongside the snook. The bait fishing has been outstanding as well—live pilchards are thick on the nearshore wrecks just a mile or so off the beaches, and I am loading up with only a few throws of the cast net. With live wells full, we’re set up perfectly for action-packed days on the water. Combined with aggressive schools of jacks and plentiful mangrove snapper, anglers on Naples fishing guides trips and guided fishing trips out of Marco Island are staying busy from start to finish. Another positive sign for the season is the appearance of sea trout starting to move into the area. The cooler water has triggered their migration, and we’re seeing more trout show up in the bays and along grass edges. This adds yet another rewarding option for those enjoying the Marco island fishing on soft plastics, fly presentations, or live shrimp. Fly anglers, in particular, are having a banner week. The backcountry fly fishing has been excellent, with snook responding aggressively to well-placed streamers and small baitfish patterns. With clean water, mild tides, and perfect weather, it’s been an ideal stretch for targeting snook on the long rod—something many Marco Island fishing anglers look forward to each winter. Tarpon sightings have been limited in the cooler temps, but it’s still a good time to plan ahead for tarpon fishing Naples as conditions begin to shift later in the season. This week’s weather forecast looks picture-perfect, giving us a great window to keep the momentum going before another cold front eventually rolls in. Until then, we’ll continue to ride this wave of excellent fishing across the region. Whether you’re hitting Naples fishing charters, joining Marco Island fishing charters, or exploring the backcountry with local Naples fishing guides, the opportunities are as good as they get for wintertime action. Until next week—catch ’em up!
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