Naples, FL

Naples is a city located along the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, known for its miles of calm beaches, soft sand, and excellent fishing. Naples is also known for its golf courses and high-end shopping.

Naples is in Collier County, Florida’s second-largest county. Eighty percent of the county’s land is devoted to nature preserves and parks. Early promoters named the city Naples because to resembled the Italian city.

The Paradise Coast is where the Gulf of Mexico’s clear waters meet the soft, white sand, islands, and vibrant downtowns. It’s a natural and cultural gem located in Southwest Florida, full of art, culinary delights, and fishing. Florida’s Paradise Coast includes Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Everglades City, and Ave Maria.

Freshwater Fishing

The canals in Naples are full of largemouth bass and peacock bass. Both can be caught year-round, but the best time for peacocks is in the summer. Largemouths are around and active all year, with slightly less activity in the middle of winter. Other common freshwater fish species include catfish, gar, bluegill, crappie, Oscars, and mudfish.

South Florida is the only place in the United States where you can experience catching peacock bass; the best fishery near Naples, FL, for peacocks is the Golden Gate Canal. You can catch some good-sized largemouths and peacocks here on a Naples freshwater fishing charter at the Golden Gate. Naples is also close to the Florida Everglades for an exciting largemouth bass fishing charter. Lake Trafford is under an hour from Naples and has the best crappie fishing in the region, especially during the winter.

Freshwater Fishing Charters

While on board a Naples fishing charter boat, you will experience the area’s urban beauty while catching a famous Florida fish. Whether you want to target peacock bass, largemouth bass, or crappie, your professional fishing guide will take you to the best fishing spots while providing you with all the best equipment and helpful techniques. Our Naples fishing charters and deep research are done by a licensed captain who will have everything you need for a successful fishing experience, including all gear and tackle. All fishing captains meet the full requirements of the United States Coast Guard

Fishing the Gulf of Mexico

Inshore

When inshore fishing, you will be within a few miles of the shore, fishing popular spots such as beaches, piers, grass flats, jetties, mangroves, and islands with light tackle. On an inshore fishing charter, the land will always be in sight. Captains recommend a coastal fishing trip for families with young children who want the saltwater fishing experience. These trips are action-packed but take less time than an offshore fishing trip. Common catches on an inshore fishing charter are grouper, sharks, kingfish, pompano, mangrove snapper, redfish, tarpon, and snook.

Inshore fishing charters near Naples, Florida, mean miles of natural shorelines, grass flats, creeks, rivers, and oyster bars full of fish. Naples, Marco Island, the Everglades, and the Ten Thousand Islands all hold some of the world’s most popular game fish. Inshore charter fishing is the best way to soak up southwest Florida’s scenery with constant action along the Intracoastal and mangroves.

Naples Inshore Fishing Species

Tarpon is the signature species of southwest Florida. Naples fishing charters see many tarpons weighing well over 100 pounds. Tarpon become most active in spring and stick around well into summer. April and May are the best months for tarpon fishing trips. Once summer humidity arrives, tarpon become most active after dark.

Snook are the next most popular inshore species. Snook can be caught year-round, with winter being the least active season. The best time for snook fishing charters is March through October. Snook become more aggressive as the water warms. 

Naples, Florida, is home to various sharks such as lemon, blacktip, Atlantic sharpnose, nurse, hammerheads, and spinners. Sharks are around in Naples all year. Fishing for smaller sharks is a huge hit among kids and families.

Top Fort Myers Inshore Fishing Grounds

Ten Thousand Islands is where the Everglades meets the sea and is one of Southwest Florida’s best coastal fisheries. You can find big snook, tarpon, redfish, and trout.

Dollar Bay is an area of shallows and mangroves for real backcountry fishing. You’ll find big snook, redfish, sheepshead, and flounder.

Deep-Sea Fishing

The Gulf of Mexico is a top location for deep-sea fishing. While on a deep-sea fishing charter boat, you can expect to catch species such as Snapper, Goliath Grouper, Shark, King Mackerel, and Mahi-Mahi, and more. Depending on the length of your deep-sea fishing charter, you will fish the nearshore reefs and wrecks or travel miles out to the open sea for big deep-sea fish.

Offshore and Deep sea Species Types of Fishing in Naples

Winter is the best time to catch groupers that inhabit the offshore reefs during the cooler months, with the most common species being the red, black, goliath, and gag grouper. 

Goliath grouper are the biggest fish in the Gulf, reaching over 800 pounds. Goliaths are known to show up in surprisingly shallow waters; anglers have occasionally caught them off the Naples Pier. Fishing charter captains usually locate Goliaths on the nearshore reefs, but anglers can also see them on a boat offshore.

Kingfish live in both nearshore and offshore waters. They are swift, taking over 100 yards of line off the reel in 30 seconds.

Bigger sharks are active in the summer in the deeper waters of Naples. 12′ Tiger Sharks and giant Bull sharks are not uncommon.

Top Deep-sea Fishing Grounds

The Kidd Wreck is a sunken barge about 15 miles offshore of Naples. It’s an excellent area for anglers to catch snapper, barracuda, and goliath grouper.

The R-Tower is a radio tower that became an artificial reef loaded with fish. It’s located thirty miles west and is home to thriving kingfish, Permit, Cobia, Snapper, and Grouper.

Sea Fishing Charters

Naples is a top, year-round fishing destination. Every month brings something unique to the experience. Winter is excellent for grouper, and summer is best for giant tarpon. While on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico, you can expect to see some beautiful wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, manatees, birds, and sea turtles.

Fishing from a boat offers an incredible opportunity to reach the best fishing spots and cover more ground. Your Naples fishing guide knows all the best locations and how to make the most of them. Fishing charters are ideal for avid anglers, novice, solo, or family trips. Your fishing guide is a Naples native who knows the local fish and surrounding areas, offering you a grand tour. All Saltwater Naples fishing charters come with everything you will need for a successful fishing experience, such as a license that falls under the captain, gear, and tackle.

The Gulf of Mexico is a fantastic fishery that consistently exceeds expectations. With fishing charters in Naples, FL,​ a captain on a charter boat is undoubtedly the best way to make fishing memories in Naples, Florida.

Area Things To Do

Naples, FL, is one of Southwest Florida’s most quaint and historic areas, full of year-round fun on land and in the water. Discover Florida’s best beaches, restaurants, shopping, golf courses, water activities, and attractions. A great place to start is the Naples Pier, the city’s symbol with popular dolphin-spotting and great fishing.

Sea Experience

Naples is best known for its watersports and incredible sea life. Popular things to do in Naples, FL, on the water include fishing charters, day cruises, boat sailing, sunset trips, airboat tours, whale watching, and kayaking.

Popular tours include the Islands boat tour, Manatee sightseeing boat eco-tour, Naples sightseeing boat tour, and the Cape Romano Shelling and sightseeing boat tour from Marco Island.

Attractions

Popular attractions include Naples Botanical Gardens, Naples Pier, the State park, Tin City, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and the Naples Zoo. Naples is home to six museums and over 100 art galleries, earning it the title of America’s number one small art town.

More Family Fun in Naples and Marco Island

There is plenty to do while fishing Naples, FL, and Marco Island for the whole family. Popular family fun attractions include Marco Movies, Extreme Family Fun Spot, Boat Rentals, Marco’s Mackle Park, the Children’s Museum of Naples, and Sun-N-Fun Lagoon.

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Plan the exact waterbody and departure

The listed products are freshwater canal or lake trips. Confirm the exact Golden Gate, Everglades, Lake Trafford or Okeechobee departure point; a freshwater product does not include a Naples ocean charter.

Review official Florida fishing-license guidance before traveling. Florida freshwater fishing generally requires a license unless exempt, including on guided trips. Children under 16 and qualifying Florida residents age 65 or older are exempt; visiting seniors do not receive the resident age exemption. Saltwater coverage depends on a valid charter or vessel license and the applicable exemptions.