Estero Weather Forecast
Fishing reports straight from our guides in Estero
Sheepshead bite has been really good and will only get better as these cold fronts move in. Targeting them near structure, pilings, rock pilings along the beaches. Using small prices of shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook and a pinch weight.
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Despite the chilly temps this morning, the fishing has been red hot! In addition to countless jack crevalle and ladyfish, both trips hammered speckled searout, Mangrove Snapper, sheepshead, jewfish, black drum, redfish, Pompano, and even a permit on tipped jigs. I love this kind of fishing because everyone stays busy casting, working on their retrieve, and getting non-stop action. It wasn't uncommon today for double, triple, and even quadruple hookups!
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The sheepshead bite has really kicked off with the arrival of the cold fronts! Tight lines and good time! Always!
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Great action mostly right in calm back water any time of the day
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Kicking off 2026 with some amazing weather. The couple cold fronts we've had didn't keep us bundled up for long and definitely has not kept us from catching fish. Our cold month species, Sheepshead are moving in while at the same time snook, trout and redfish are holding strong as if it was already spring. We are still netting white bait and the snook are loving it! The fishing is great here in Pine Island Florida and we are making awesome memories on the water.
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Mid-Winter Fishing Update | Naples, FL
We closed out 2025 strong and have started 2026 even stronger. The winter bite has been outstanding down here in Naples, and we’re looking forward to another couple of months of this phenomenal action before gearing up for spring.
The offshore bite between passing cold fronts has been epic. With Cobia, Amberjacks, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Kingfish, and plenty of other species in the mix, it’s safe to say our hands have been full. This is hands-down the best time of year for putting quality fish in the box offshore. On our six-hour and...
We closed out 2025 strong and have started 2026 even stronger. The winter bite has been outstanding down here in Naples, and we’re looking forward to another couple of months of this phenomenal action before gearing up for spring.
The offshore bite between passing cold fronts has been epic. With Cobia, Amberjacks, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Kingfish, and plenty of other species in the mix, it’s safe to say our hands have been full. This is hands-down the best time of year for putting quality fish in the box offshore. On our six-hour and...
We closed out 2025 strong and have started 2026 even stronger. The winter bite has been outstanding down here in Naples, and we’re looking forward to another couple of months of this phenomenal action before gearing up for spring.
The offshore bite between passing cold fronts has been epic. With Cobia, Amberjacks, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Kingfish, and plenty of other species in the mix, it’s safe to say our hands have been full. This is hands-down the best time of year for putting quality fish in the box offshore. On our six-hour and full-day trips, you can expect a great mix of delicious table fare along with hard-fighting sportfish. Timing the cold fronts is the name of the game, and when the weather lines up, the action is lights out.
The inshore and nearshore bite has been solid as well. During warm-ups, we’ve had some fun sport action nearshore with plenty of Jacks, Barracudas, and Sharks to pull on. The big Sheepshead have also started to show up, giving our clients another excellent dinner option.
Inshore fishing during winter is more of a quantity-over-quality game, and it’s perfect for families and kids. Cold-water shrimp fishing produces steady action with Sheepshead, Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Jacks, and the occasional Snook or Redfish mixed in.
The temperatures may be cold, but the bite is hot down here in Naples.
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Winter is in full swing here in Southwest Florida, and last week we saw some of the coldest mornings of the season with temperatures dropping into the low 40s. When these strong cold fronts move through, our gulf water temperatures drop quickly, and that triggers a noticeable shift in fish behavior. As conditions cool, many inshore species begin sliding out of the shallows and heading for deeper, more stable water where temperatures fluctuate less. This is a very predictable winter pattern and one we rely on heavily while running Naples fishing charters and Marco Island fishing charters.
Anytime a cold...
Anytime a cold...
Anytime a cold front pushes through, my game plan is simple: head deeper and deeper into the backcountry, especially during low water. These fish stack up in deeper holes, troughs, and along protected shorelines where they can conserve energy and stay comfortable. Right now, we’re finding solid numbers of snook, sea trout, pompano, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, and redfish tucked in tight to the deeper shorelines throughout the backcountry. This style of Naples inshore fishing is extremely productive during winter and a staple of our Naples & Marco island fishing charters.
The timing couldn’t be better with a full moon approaching. Full moon phases bring extreme tidal swings, giving us very low lows and very high highs. These big tides help position fish even tighter to structure and depth changes, making them easier to target if you’re in the right areas. Early morning fishing around these tides has been especially productive, and it’s a great time
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Recent pics from this week
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Fishing has been great from the inshore to the offshore. The calm winds and bite right he before the cold front has been on fire.
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• Sheepshead: This is the star of the show right now. As the water cools, "convicts" are moving onto dock pilings, bridge footings (especially the Matlacha Bridge), and oyster bars. Use small pieces of fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs on a #1 or 1/0 circle hook.
• Redfish: Look for "tailers" on the shallow flats during the low afternoon tides. With negative tides predicted around midday, focus on the edges of deep-water creeks and mangrove shorelines.
• Trout: Seatrout are scattered across the 3- to 5-foot grassy flats. Drifting with a popping cork and live shrimp or slow-working a soft...
• Redfish: Look for "tailers" on the shallow flats during the low afternoon tides. With negative tides predicted around midday, focus on the edges of deep-water creeks and mangrove shorelines.
• Trout: Seatrout are scattered across the 3- to 5-foot grassy flats. Drifting with a popping cork and live shrimp or slow-working a soft...
• Redfish: Look for "tailers" on the shallow flats during the low afternoon tides. With negative tides predicted around midday, focus on the edges of deep-water creeks and mangrove shorelines.
• Trout: Seatrout are scattered across the 3- to 5-foot grassy flats. Drifting with a popping cork and live shrimp or slow-working a soft plastic paddle tail is the most consistent way to find them.
• Snook: Most snook have retreated into the warmer backcountry canals and up the Caloosahatchee River. They are a bit lethargic due to the temp drop, so slow down your presentation.
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