Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Kicking off the month of May exactly how it should start with sight fishing big Permit and Tarpon. This is the best time of the year to target these bucket list game fish and this is primetime to catch both of them in the same day. We have strong numbers...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Kicking off the month of May exactly how it should start with sight fishing big Permit and Tarpon. This is the best time of the year to target these bucket list game fish and this is primetime to catch both of them in the same day. We have strong numbers of Tarpon migrating our beaches and there are massive schools of Permit offshore. These two fish will be our main emphasis over the next couple of months but that doesn't mean there aren't other options as well. There have still been some straggler Cobia hanging out offshore which has been nice while we look for Permit. Most of the wrecks offshore are also littered with Amberjacks which are fun to tease and throw artificial baits at. These are also great fly targets for any avid fly fishermen. Closeby there are great numbers of Snook inshore and nearshore. They're gearing up for their annual spawn and will be very hungry as we progress into summer. Our water clarity has been about as good as it gets which makes for some awesome sight fishing on all of the previous listed species. This is the peak time of the year for sport fishing in our area! We are looking forward to many great trips with all of our clients. Reach out to any of us with any questions you may have. Happy fishing!

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Hot, sunny and south wind. The days we wait all year for are here. Inshore or Offshore this is the best time of the year for sport fishing. The bait bite in the backcountry has been stellar with all the species cooperating nicely. Snook, Redfish and juvenile Tarpon have been...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Hot, sunny and south wind. The days we wait all year for are here. Inshore or Offshore this is the best time of the year for sport fishing. The bait bite in the backcountry has been stellar with all the species cooperating nicely. Snook, Redfish and juvenile Tarpon have been steady. Just awaiting the big strings of migrating Tarpon to show up out front. Will be any day now. Things have been epic offshore with massive schools of Permit, swarms of Amberjacks and plenty of barracudas to pull on. Were sight fishing all of these species and catching a lot of Amberjacks on the fly which has been a lot of fun. There’s also some enormous Mangroves chewing for anyone who wants some fish to eat in between the sport fishing craziness. We will be serving up bucket list Permit and Tarpon trips all Spring and Summer. We’re filling numerous trips daily for April and May. Please reach out to any of our Captains with any questions you may have. Looking forward to an epic Spring with you all!

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

The March rush is here and we're fishing hard every day. We're on our transition into spring and good things are happening both inshore and offshore. Water temps have been on the rise which has led to increased activity with numerous different species. The bite with live pilchards has been...

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Perry Bedell with On a Mission Fishing Charters Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

The March rush is here and we're fishing hard every day. We're on our transition into spring and good things are happening both inshore and offshore. Water temps have been on the rise which has led to increased activity with numerous different species. The bite with live pilchards has been picking up nicely in the backcountry. Snook, Redfish and jacks have been steady on all of our trips back there. There have some still been some winter time fish hanging around on the cooler mornings which have been nice for those seeking a meal. Sheepshead fishing has been very solid in the mornings with some Trout mixed in which have led to some great meals. Our offshore fishery is right on track and everything is showing up like clockwork. Big schools of Permit have been showing up and they've been complying nicely. We also will typically get a few shots at some Cobia while we're Permit fishing. There are also massive schools of Baracudas around as well which are always fun and have been eating artificals nicely. Further offshore there is a great snapper bite with other good action on the wrecks. Amber jacks, Jack crevalles, Cobia, Sharks, Baracudas, and Goliaths have been very steady. Our fishery will only get better from here on out as we progress further into spring. Our March calendars are basically almost full with a couple halfdays available here and there. April is beginning to fill up nicely as well. Spring yields some of the best charters of the whole year! Don't miss your opportunity to experience it.

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Phil Haley
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Awesome Amber, Jack grouper, snapper and barracudas awesome chips.

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Phil Haley Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Awesome Amber, Jack grouper, snapper and barracudas awesome chips.

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Tim Rushing
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

The water temperatures are cold and the fishing is hot! Fishermen of all ages and skill levels are having a blast deep in the Naples Backcountry bouncing jigs, and freelining live shrimp to hungry seatrout, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, snook, mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, ladyfish and its common to catch...

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Tim Rushing Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

The water temperatures are cold and the fishing is hot! Fishermen of all ages and skill levels are having a blast deep in the Naples Backcountry bouncing jigs, and freelining live shrimp to hungry seatrout, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, snook, mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, ladyfish and its common to catch 50 plus fish in a 4 hour charter. Pick a date that works and let's go catch some fish!

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Phil Haley
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Snuck red tarpon goliath grouper all are biting good. Come on down to Naples, Florida and get you some took my grandson Fishing got his first snook and redfish and goliath grouper three off the bucket list come fishing in Florida and you won't regret it.

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Phil Haley Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Snuck red tarpon goliath grouper all are biting good. Come on down to Naples, Florida and get you some took my grandson Fishing got his first snook and redfish and goliath grouper three off the bucket list come fishing in Florida and you won't regret it.

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Phil Haley
Naples, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Cobia orbiting come on down to Naples, Florida and get you some

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Phil Haley Naples, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Cobia orbiting come on down to Naples, Florida and get you some

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Brian Acevedo
Naples, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

The bait is finally showing up on the beaches. The bite is slowing down in the afternoon due the heat. Lots of fun bites out there though

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Brian Acevedo Naples, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

The bait is finally showing up on the beaches. The bite is slowing down in the afternoon due the heat. Lots of fun bites out there though

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