Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Naples, Florida

Naples is one of the best fishing locations in Florida due to its abundant coastline and rich fish populations. Knowing the best times to come fish these rich waterways will make a huge difference.

The best time to fish Naples, Florida is between May and September for cobia, permit, sharks, tarpon, sea trout, and peacock bass. Winter and early spring is great for redfish and grouper in Naples.

Fish Species	Best Times to Fish in Naples, Florida
Grouper	November through March is the best season to fish.
Snapper	October through March is the hottest snapper fishing time.
Cobia	April through October is the best time to catch cobia in Naples.
Permit	May through August is the best timeframe to fish Naples.
Sharks	May through August is the best shark fishing window of the year.
Tarpon	Year-round availability. March through July is the best timeframe.
Redfish	Year-round availability. August through December is the best timeframe.
Sea Trout	May through July is the best time.
Largemouth Bass	Spring & Fall is the best time to catch largemouth bass in the Naples-area
Peacock Bass	May through September is the best season.

Naples is one of the most popular fishing locations in Florida and all over the world. The area is best known for the Paradise Coast and its numerous islands.

The area impresses anglers with its water reserves, fishing spots, natural beauty, and wildlife. Naples is surrounded by fishing spots. Fishermen come to enjoy fishing in this place from different parts of the world.  

The area of Naples has a huge variety of fish species. Here, you can always have a good chance to catch a big fish and get the most memorable fishing experience in your life.

Best Time to Fish Naples

Naples, FL makes it possible for anglers to enjoy fishing all year round. That means that you can visit the area and go fishing any time of the year. However, you’ll be able to get better results at certain times of the year. 

That’s why you should plan a fishing trip to Naples, FL taking into account the fish species that you are going to target. In other words, you need to pick the fish that you are going to catch and learn about its feeding times.  

It’s no surprise that Naples, FL attracts so many anglers, who would like to target snook. If you are eager to do snook fishing, then you should go to Naples, FL between March and October. 

Let’s say that targeting such fish species as black drum, pompano, redfish, or sea trout. In this case, it would be better to go to Naples, FL during the winter months.  

Snook and many other varieties of fish are the most active during this period of time. So, you are likely to get the best possible fishing experience if you come to Naples, FL during these months.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Naples

These Naples-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Type of Fishing Offered
Captain Jay Get Reelin’	Backcountry, Nearshore & Inshore
Indigenous Charters	Backcountry, Nearshore & Inshore
Captain Rio Adventures	Backcountry, Nearshore & Inshore
Smokin’ Hooks	Inshore & Offshore
Changes in Latitude Charters	Inshore & Offshore

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

Naples Species Breakdown: Best Time

Naples, FL impresses with a wide variety of fish species and provides anglers with amazing opportunities. Now, let’s take a closer look at the most common fish species that can be found in the area.

Grouper

It’s a great idea to fish grouper in Naples, FL. Fishing grouper is associated with positive emotions. The season for grouper catching starts in November and lasts till March. The chances to catch the fish are high on the Gulf Coast. The fish is the most active early in the morning. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch grouper in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Snapper

Snapper is another fish that you can catch near Naples. Early mornings and evenings are the best times of the day to fish snapper. October – March is the best time of year to catch snapper. A lot of anglers prefer to target snapper on the Gulf Coast.

Sharks

It’s also important to note that the Gulf Coast attracts so many anglers, who want to catch a shark. The chances to catch sharks in the Naples area are high between May and August. The best time of the day to enjoy shark fishing on the beach in Naples, FL in the late evening. 

Cobia

Oftentimes, fishermen catch cobia on the Gulf Coast. The fish is the most active in April, September, and October. That means that you should target cobia during these months.  

Tarpon

The season for tarpon fishing starts in March and lasts till July. Rabbit Key basin and Sandy Key basin are the ideal places for catching tarpon in the Naples area. The best time of the year to target tarpon in March – July. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Redfish

And of course, you should try to catch redfish during your trip to Naples. Gordon River is the ideal place to fish redfish in the area. Here, you will be able to relax, enjoy fishing and do sightseeing. The season to catch redfish starts in the late summer and lasts till the late fall.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch redfish in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Sea trout

Are you a big fan of catching sea trout? Naples, FL offers great sea trout fishing opportunities. The season for fishing sea trout begins in late spring and lasts till the early summer.

Keep in mind that Boca Grande Pass is an incredibly popular fishing spot among anglers, who prefer to target sea trout. When catching sea trout, anglers achieve the best results in the morning and late at night.             

Largemouth bass

Naples, FL is a very popular fishing destination among anglers, who prefer to catch largemouth bass. It makes a lot of sense to target largemouth bass in the urban canals.

The best times of the year to go for largemouth bass fishing in the Naples area are February – May, and September – December. Largemouth bass will bite well in the early mornings and evenings.

Peacock bass

You can also enjoy catching peacock bass in Naples, FL. There is no doubt that you should try this type of fishing during your trip to the Everglades. The best fishing times for peacock bass fishing is the late spring through the late summer. 

Permit

Some Naples’ fishing enthusiasts are interested in catching Permit. The period of time between the late spring and the late summer is the most ideal time for catching Permit in the area. It would be great to target the fish in the Gulf of Mexico basin. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Bonita Springs, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Cape Coral, please check out this helpful article.

Best Time of Day to Fish Naples

Anglers go fishing in Naples, FL in the early mornings, from late morning till early afternoon, and from afternoon to early evening. The best time of day to fish in Naples mainly depends on the time of the year and the fish species that you are going to target.  

For example, the best time of the year to fish in Naples, FL is between afternoon and early evening during the spring and fall months. It’s a good idea to enjoy fishing from the afternoon till early evening in summer.   

It would be better to fish from dawn till 2 hours after sunrise and from 2 hours before sunset and till dusk if you are going to catch predators. Predators actively hunt during these times.   

Naples Fishing & Tidal Impacts

Fish move during rising and falling tides. That’s why fishing times depend a lot on tidal tides. So many anglers in Naples choose to fish during strong tides and they do this for a good reason.

The reality is, strong tides create favorable conditions for fishing. So, stronger tides mean better fishing opportunities for anglers.   

Top 5-10 Fishing Spots in Naples: Best Times

The Naples area has plenty of fishing spots where anglers can get unforgettable experiences. The region impresses anglers with its numerous docks, beaches, bays, harbors, marinas as well as piers. You can also enjoy fishing near reefs, islands, and channels. 

Naples has 7 main harbors and 53 potential fishing spots. There are so many places for the so-called land-based fishing near Naples. Plus, you can always enjoy boat fishing. Now, we’ll talk you through some of the best fishing spots in the area. 

The Naples Pier

The Naples Pier is one of the best fishing spots in the area. This place has gained huge popularity both among locals and tourists. Bear in mind that you don’t need to have a license to fish in this place. In addition to fishing, you can enjoy watching pelicans here as well.

Among the species that you can fish here are crevalle jack, red grouper, Spanish mackerel, and other fish species. The Naples Pier is the place where you can fish all year round, but anglers usually get the best results between March and October. Mornings and evenings are the best times for fishing on the Naples Pier. 

Everglades

Don’t miss an opportunity to visit this fishing spot during your trip to Naples. Everglades has gained huge popularity among anglers, who give a preference to boat fishing as well as kayak fishing. The area has 10,000 islands, brackish ponds as well as hidden freshwater and saltwater fishing locations.

It’s the place where you can catch many fish species including black drum, bluegill, crappie, garfish, pompano, sheepshead, speckled trout, and others. Actually, this list could go on and on. The best season to fish Everglades is between the late fall and winter.        

Gordon River

This fishing spot is located in a historical and cultural place. It’s a great place to enjoy sightseeing. Gordon River is the place where you can catch a vast variety of fish species including barracudas, kingfish, redfish, snapper as well as snook. It’s possible to fish Gordon River throughout the entire year. Fish actively feed in the river during early mornings and evenings.

Boca Grande Pass

You will never regret visiting this fishing spot during your travel to Naples, FL. Boca Grande Pass is known as one of the best places in the world to catch tarpon. In addition, you can catch such fish species as redfish, snook, and sea trout.

Here, you can enjoy fishing all year round. However, it would be better to visit the place between April and July if you are interested in targeting tarpon. The fish is most active during this period of time. Tarpon anglers achieve the best results in the early morning and late afternoon.   

Tigertail Beach

Tigertail Beach is a great spot for anglers, who prefer to fish in calm waters. Here, you will be able to fish in tidal pools or in the lagoon. The beach itself is very beautiful and provides anglers with a relaxing atmosphere. The wildlife is abundant here.

Bear in mind that you’ll have no problems with parking a car in this place. It’s the ideal place to have a picnic as well. Tigertail Beach offers great opportunities to anglers, who choose to target grouper and snapper. You can enjoy fishing in this area any time of the year.   

Storms & Naples Fishing

Storms have a negative impact on the success of fishing in Naples. Conditions of storms and hard rain make fishing difficult or even impossible. Also, fish is not active during storms. 

You shouldn’t start fishing immediately after storms. It’s important to note that water is muddy after storms and rainfalls. That’s the reason why fish may find it difficult to locate bait in the water. 

Water usually rises after storms and high levels of water make fishing dangerous. Due to storms, fish has to move and change their location. So, anglers have to search for fish. And of course, all of this makes fishing more challenging.     

Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Naples?

The vast majority of fish species are active in Naples during the summer months. However, it is also possible to fish Naples in spring and fall. There are also many fish species that anglers can catch during the winter months.

So, you should go to Naples if you like winter fishing. These include amberjack, bass, crappie, drum, grouper, ladyfish, mackerel, pompano, sheepshead as well as snapper. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Cape Coral, please check out this article.

Night Fishing in Naples

It would be great to fish in Naples at night. It’s worth noting that night fishing in Naples provides anglers with amazing opportunities. Oftentimes, anglers achieve better results at night compared to the daytime. 

The reality is, nighttime fishing has many great benefits for anglers in summer. The water is getting cooler at night during the summer months and this positively affects the activity of fish.

The season depends on the fish species that you are going to target during night fishing trips. Among fish species that anglers can catch in Naples at night are snook, snapper as well as tarpon.

It would be better to fish snook at the period of time between March and October. The season to fish tarpon starts in April and lasts till July. Snapper is active all year round.      

Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons

There are a lot of places which are great for shore and surf fishing. So, you can enjoy fishing without a boat. These include Naples Pier, Fort Myers Beach Pier, Wiggins Pass, Gordon Pass Jetties, Lover’s Key, New Pass, South Beach, Causeway Park as well as Jolley Bridge. Fishing without a boat in these spots offers excellent opportunities.

Shore and surf fishing makes it possible to catch such fish species as cobia, mackerel, pompano, black drum, sheepshead, snook, sharks, and tarpon.

You can enjoy shore/surf fishing in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fishing times and seasons depend on the fish species that you would like to target during fishing sessions.     

Booking Charters in Naples

A lot of fishing charters are available in Naples, FL, and its surrounding areas. So, you can book a fishing trip anytime. It’s worth noting that Naples, FL offers great fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages. There are many options both for children and adults.

Best season to go 

The best time of the year to go fishing in Naples largely depends on two factors: the type of fishing that you are going to do and the fish species that you are going to target. Are you interested in saltwater fishing? If so, you should go fishing in Naples between April and September.

The vast majority of saltwater species are most active in spring, summer, and fall. Or, maybe, you want to fish freshwater in Naples, FL? In this case, you should visit the fishing destination between April and November.

Keep in mind that the demand for fishing in Naples, FL is high during the summer months. However, it’s still possible to enjoy fishing and get good results during the fall months. That means that visiting the Naples, FL area between October and November will help you save some money and get a great fishing experience.     

Morning vs. afternoon

You can enjoy fishing in Naples both in the morning and afternoon. It all depends on the fish species that you are going to target. 

Let’s say that you are interested in catching grouper. In this case, you should go fishing in the morning. However, it would be better to go fishing in the afternoon if you are planning to catch bass.

You have to select the time of a day with your preferences in mind. Would you like to sleep more time in the morning? Or, maybe, it would be better for you to enjoy fishing in the afternoon to avoid head during the daytime? Everything is up to you!    

1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters 

Anglers, who can’t spend the entire day on fishing in Naples, should consider the so-called half-day fishing trips. Fishermen can consider 4-hour, 6-hour, and 8-hour trips. It’s the cheapest option, but your fishing time will be limited. 

A full-day fishing trip gives more time and provides better opportunities for anglers. More time means better chances. However, full-day charters are more expensive compared to 1/2 day ones.   

Would you like to get more than full-day fishing trips can offer to you? If so, multi-day charters are worth considering. However, you must be prepared that multi-day charters are more expensive compared to full-day ones.     

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish St. Augustine, please read this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Daytona Beach, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Fort Myers, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times and seasons to fish in Boca Grande, please check out this article.