Caught this nice Snook using live Shrimp in Palm Beach/Juno Pier this weekend.

Its not that it is bad, yes you can fish anytime and that makes it good, I'm just sayin from experience...The Sun is hottest at that point, tides are usually changing drastically either from Low to High or vice versa. I look at it as a time of day where you are most likely to get skunked. Look at it as a break, then resume the fishing in the early evening or dusk/sunset when it gets good again ! That is if you plan on being out there more than 12 hours !

Thanks

It is not the best of months... The fishing pier is still not reconstructed, but try fishing from the Beach anywhere in Naples/Marco Island, Pompano season is in full swing and that in itself should be a motivator, use Pompano Rigs, Live shrimp & gum baits from the shore and you should be able to catch, ladyfish, Palmetto's Jacks, Pomps, Herrings and maybe even Snook. be patient ! Early morning, and evenings before sunset works well. But lately lots of people are catching fish in the middle of the day from mid-morning to a little after lunch 11am-2pm. So basically almost anytime but do avoid that 3pm-6pm time frame.

Happy Fishing & Tight lines !

Amen to that....

This Fishing Post Forum, has not only been to post information about fishing and pictures, but it has also become a platform to share "The Gospel" and personal things...nothing wrong with that, just an observation. But I can see a lot of similarities between Fishing and Jesus. Remember Jesus also told his Disciples that he would make them Fishers of men. Jesus himself ate lots of Fish, walked the shores of Galilee and his Disciples were all practically in the Fishing business ! And what a business it is Indeed. He even turned some loathes of bread and two fish ( a little Boy's lunch) gave thanks ... and fed the 5000. What a Miracle ! One day his disciples could not catch anything and they complained to the Master (Jesus). The Lord instructed them to lower their nets on the right side of the boat for the biggest catch of their lifetime. Fish is definitely the ultimate healthy meal !
Happy Fishing and tight lines all you Fishermen out there ! Just remember - JESUS IS LORD !

AMEN 1 ...The Book of Romans Ch:9/10 verses 9-10. Says...If any shall confess and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your Heart that God hath raised him (Jesus) from the Dead, you shall be saved. For with the Heart one believes and with the mouth one confesses. If you want this Eternal Life right now that JESUS SAVES, say this prayer out loud...Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I'm a sinner, I repent of my sins, please forgive me Lord, I come to you right now and ask you into my Heart, and I make you my Lord and Savior. Thank You Lord for saving me ! AMEN !

Congratulations on making the most important decision in your Lifetime for all Eternity. You have now joined the family of God. You have not joined a Religion, but a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ your maker and creator of the entire Universe ! Start reading your Bibles and hopefully find a good Church that teaches the word of God ! Welcome my Brothers and Sisters to the Family of God !

May God richly Bless you and your Family !

Use Live or dead frozen shrimp from Bait & Tackle shops, sometimes Gas stations and Publix sell frozen shrimp as well. Now that you have the bait, go to the Beach/Surf, since you are in the panhandle of Florida, I can only imagine that if you drive further south to the beaches, you will also have fishing piers. Set up a basic carolina Rig with sinker, leader and hook and you are good to go. Rig the shrimp on the hook, cast it out there whether in the surf or in the pier, and you are most likely bound to catch something nice. Buy a know your fish guide at bass pro shops and learn your fish, this guide will show you times and seasons for these fish to come around, what they eat and how to catch them etc...
Good Luck & Tight Lines...In the fishing world that means "Break A leg"

Excellent....well said !

whether on the Gulf or Atlantic, Surf and Beach Fishing is really the best type of Fishing there is.
Just show up, Use a surf rod when possible, with a 3 or 4 oz. pyramid sinker, use either strips of cut bait, fish bites,
pompano rigs...season is somewhat over, but a few are still lingering out there. Just think of it no snags, or piles of rocks, pilings or sea grass like in the piers or bridges, an easier fight when it comes to landing that big Snook or Tarpon. You have all the room in the world, fish can easily be beached and revived again much quicker.

Enjoy...tight lines

For Snook...use if possible live bait..sardines, croakers, small whitings, pinfish etc... Yes hook thru the tail close to Dorsal fin. Live line the sucker. Try not using a sinker, but if need be - add a small split shot near the leader. Also you might want to use Live Shrimp, always a universal bait wherever you go. Juno Beach pier is not far from there..you might want to try the pier as well, they are still catching them there. Cast right below the pier in the shadow part in the North side of pier with perhaps that outgoing tide. Tight lines & Happy Fishing !

Naples fishing pier is still closed for repairs from the Hurricane. If you rent from any of the hotels in Marco or Naples along the beach, you can fish in the beach/surf area behind any hotel usually early morning or sunset. Use live shrimp if at all possible, cut bait or paddle tail plastics they work best. The pompano run is still strong thru early may.
Delnoir wiggins state park is great for the beach and surf fishing as well. Red tide is still present in some areas, check with the FWC -website for details. If not go further North to Ft. Myers, Lee & charlotte county as well as punta Gorda.
Venice near sarasota also has a fishing pier. all of these areas are still considered SWFL. Another cool spot is near marco island is Everglades City, great for catching Drum, sheepshead, snapper, small sharks, snook and other aquarium type of fish. But the best probably still remains Naples Pier. Find out when it will be finished with the repairs by calling the city or the county. Tight lines & Happy fishing !

Congrats on your retirement ! that's what I want to do as well when I retire.. Fish..Fish..Fish. - Anyhow start by going to local piers & fish the surf/Beach area or the shallower end of most piers where the water may be only 2-4 ft deep.
Use Live or dead shrimp, as well as pompano rigs, which you can buy at any local bait store, Bass Pro shops, Dick's sporting goods etc.. small crabs works well also. but wait till late February or March/April when the Spring season really begins. I'm talking about Florida off course !

Tight Lines & Happy Fishing !

Since you have a boat, that would be great ! Just simply go out into the Gulf, stay close inland close to the beaches and the local fishing pier in the area. The water should still be relatively shallow...Probably 6-10ft of depth, anchor out and use either live shrimp or live croakers or pinfish for Tarpon/Snook. Stay in the flats/shallow water. Other fish should also be around like Pompano & Jacks & Permit. You can also fish the Pier there in Clearwater, use Live or dead shrimp as well. Early Morning or Early evening hours work best.

Good Luck... Happy Fishing
welcome to the clear waters of Clearwater Beach ! That area is awesome, should enjoy a lifetime of Fishing with the Family

Enjoy !

Do exactly that... Go offshore in the Gulf from Naples/Marco Island; Use Bottom fishing techniques like cut Bait, Mullet, Squid or Mullet head. Water needs to be about 80-150 FT Deep. Use normal bottom fishing Carolina Rigs with a good size sinker.

Enjoy
Happy Fishing

Welcome to the Forum ! Start by going to the Beaches to do some Surf Fishing, always works nicely. Early morning hours and Sunset hours work best. Use Live Shrimp and use some plastics and Lures. Jacks, Pompano's and maybe a school of Blue fish should be running by now as well as some stripers. Try using Pompano jigs on a big 9 Ft surf Rod.

Happy Fishing
Enjoy the Best Beaches in the world !