Buckle up, anglers. This ain't your average day on the water. Capt. Josh Parr's full-day inshore trip is the real deal for serious fishermen looking to tangle with Naples' top game fish. We're talking 8 solid hours of prime fishing time, hitting the cream of the crop spots in these legendary backwaters. Whether you're gunning for a monster snook or itching to battle a tarpon, this trip is all about putting you on the fish and letting you do your thing.
Here's the skinny: You and up to three buddies will hop aboard Capt. Josh's tricked-out Skeeter bay boat for a full day of inshore action. We're not messing around with beginner spots or easy pickings. This trip is designed for anglers who know their stuff and want to step up their game. We'll be targeting the heavy hitters - snook, tarpon, permit, redfish, and snapper. Capt. Josh knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put that knowledge to work, adapting on the fly to get you on the bite. It's all about maximizing your time and upping your chances of hooking into something special.
Listen up, because this is where the rubber meets the road. We're not just drifting and hoping for the best. Capt. Josh runs a tight ship, and you'll be using a mix of techniques to dial in on these fish. We're talking sight fishing in the shallows, working structure with precision casts, and maybe even some topwater action if conditions are right. You'll be using top-notch gear, but don't be surprised if Capt. Josh asks you to bring your favorite rod along. This is expert-level fishing, so come ready to work. We'll be covering ground, switching up tactics, and staying on the move to find the hot bite. It's intense, but that's what makes it so dang rewarding when you boat that trophy fish.
Now, let's talk fish. Naples' backwaters are teeming with game fish that'll test your skills and make your drag sing. Snook are the local celebrities, and for good reason. These ambush predators love to hang around mangrove roots and oyster bars, ready to smash your lure. Tarpon, the silver kings, are the ultimate prize for many anglers. Hooking one is just the start - landing one of these acrobatic beasts is a whole other ballgame. Redfish are another fan favorite, known for their bulldog fights and beautiful copper color. And don't sleep on the permit - these finicky devils are a real challenge, but man, is it sweet when you trick one into biting.
Snook: These bruisers are the bread and butter of Naples inshore fishing. They're crafty, powerful, and love to use structure to their advantage. Snook can grow upwards of 40 inches and put up a fight that'll have your arms burning. They're most active in the warmer months, but you can catch 'em year-round if you know where to look. The thrill of seeing a big snook explode on a topwater lure is hard to beat.
Grey Snapper: Don't let their size fool you - these tasty little fighters punch above their weight class. Also known as mangrove snapper, they hang around - you guessed it - mangroves and other structure. They're wary and quick, so finesse is key. A 3-pounder is considered a good catch, but they can grow bigger. Snappers are great eating, so if you're looking to bring home dinner, these are a top choice.
Tarpon: The holy grail of inshore fishing. Tarpon can grow over 6 feet long and weigh well over 100 pounds. They're known for their spectacular leaps and dogged fights that can last hours. Peak season is late spring through summer, but you can find resident fish year-round. Landing a tarpon is a bucket list item for many anglers, and for good reason - it's an experience you'll never forget.
Redfish: These copper-colored beauties are a staple of inshore fishing. They're opportunistic feeders that'll hit everything from live bait to artificial lures. Redfish love to cruise the flats and hang around oyster bars. A big red on light tackle is a blast to catch, and they're excellent table fare to boot. Look for their trademark tail as they root around in shallow water - it's a sight that'll get any angler's heart racing.
Permit: If you're up for a real challenge, permit are your fish. These silvery, disk-shaped speedsters are notoriously picky eaters and spook easily. But when you do hook up, hold on tight. Permit are incredibly strong for their size and will test both your tackle and your patience. They're most common in the warmer months, often found tailing on the flats. Landing a permit is a badge of honor in the inshore fishing world.
Let's cut to the chase - this trip ain't cheap, and it ain't for everyone. But for serious anglers looking to level up their inshore game, it's worth every penny. You're getting a full day with one of the best guides in the business, fishing primo spots that casual anglers never see. It's not about quantity here - it's about quality. You might not catch a hundred fish, but the ones you do hook into will be the kind that keep you coming back for more. Plus, with only four spots max, you're getting personalized attention and the flexibility to really dial in your technique. It's like a masterclass in inshore fishing, with the added bonus of potentially landing the fish of a lifetime.
Alright, let's wrap this up. If you're still reading, chances are you're the kind of angler this trip was made for. You know the value of time on the water with a top-notch guide. You're not looking for a leisurely day of bobber watching - you want to push yourself and go after the big boys. This full-day trip with Capt. Josh is your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing Naples has to offer. But fair warning: spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. So if you're ready to tangle with some serious fish and maybe even break a personal best, don't wait. Get in touch with JP's Backwater Adventures and lock in your date. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you're hooked up to that monster snook or battling a tarpon as the sun sets over the Gulf. Tight lines, and I'll see you on the water.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are a staple of our inshore waters. Most run 10-14 inches, but bigger ones pushing 20 inches show up around deeper structure. You'll find them hanging around docks, bridge pilings, and mangrove roots. They're opportunistic feeders, so live shrimp or small baitfish usually do the trick. Grey snapper really fire up during summer spawns, especially around the full moon. Anglers love targeting them for their aggressive bite and excellent table fare. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for fish tacos. Here's a local tip: when fishing deeper docks, try a knocker rig with just enough weight to get down. Let it sit, and be ready for that telltale thump.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing here in Naples. These wary fish average 15-25 pounds, with some topping 40. You'll spot them cruising shallow flats, often tailing as they dig for crabs. Spring and fall are your best bets, as water temps are ideal. Permit are notoriously picky eaters and spook easily, making them a true test of an angler's skill. The thrill is in the hunt - stalking fish, making the perfect cast, and (hopefully) watching that permit pounce on your fly or crab. Even seasoned guides get excited when permit are around. If you're lucky enough to hook one, be ready for a blistering run. Local tip: a small, well-presented crab fly is often your best shot at fooling these silver ghosts.
Redfish are a Naples inshore favorite, known for their coppery color and distinctive tail spot. Most run 18-27 inches, but trophy "bull reds" over 40 inches aren't unheard of. You'll find them tailing on shallow flats or prowling mangrove shorelines, often in just a foot or two of water. Fall is prime time as reds school up to spawn. These fish are bulldogs, using their broad tails to power away when hooked. Anglers love sight-casting to them, watching that wake as a red charges down your lure. They're also excellent eating, with a sweet, mild flavor. For a fun challenge, try working a gold spoon along grass edges during a falling tide. The flash often triggers an instinctive strike.
## Common Snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) The Common Snook is one of the largest in the snook species family. The Centropomus Undecimalis has a sleek and slender body with a very visible and pronounced dark lateral line. The common snook has a sloped forehead which features a lower protruding jaw and a large mouth along with very high and divided dorsal fins. The Common snook is also golden yellow in color with a pale yellow fin. They are also referred to as Snook, Sergeant Fish, and Thin Snook. ## Common Snook Size Common snook can grow to a maximum length of 4 1/2 feet but the common size is only around 1 ½ feet. Sizes of the Common Snook can vary depending on the location of the fish. Snook in Central America generally tends to grow bigger than snook found on the Northern Atlantic coast. The world record was caught in Costa Rica and weighed in at 59 lbs 8 oz. and 47.6 inches in length. ## Distribution and Habitat  ## Common Snook Fun Facts Common Snook changes from male to female after maturation. Most large snook are female because the larger ones are more apt to change to female. Common Snook have very wide tails and are capable of short but incredibly fast bursts of speed to ambush or attack prey. Snook spawning season occurs with the new and full moon cycles from May to September. The fish gather in networks of high current areas that will take the eggs seaward. The males bump the females causing them to release the eggs, which are then fertilized. When the eggs hatch, the juvenile common snook return inshore, finding their way to the small streams where they can better avoid their many predators. During the spawning season, the snook's fins turn a bright yellow. Common snook are carnivores that eat fish, crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans that live in both fresh water and salt water. ## Common Snook Habitat The Common Snook is an estuarine dependent species, found in both fresh and saltwater. Adult Common Snook are normally found in lagoons and estuaries along with shallow, coastal waters of around 60 feet in depth. At times they will even enter fresh water creeks and inlets in the areas. These estuaries, lagoons and mangroves, and other shallow water areas are sanctuaries for the juvenile snook to grow to adult sizes and have cover from predators. They are also capable of surviving in a wide range of salinities from higher to lower concentrations, using a process known as osmoregulation. The snook family has 12 other closely related species, throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Snook family is very temperature sensitive and sudden drops to unusually cold temperatures in their habitat can produce a winter kill, in which large numbers of snook population die-off. However, adult common snook can withstand the cooler water temperature better than the larvae or young juvenile snook. ## Snook Fishing Snook are a very popular game fish for the angler. Fishing for the common snook is actually fairly similar to fishing for largemouth bass, with some of the top snook lures originating in the bass-fishing world. Snook are very cover-oriented and can be found around areas with brush and mangroves In the estuaries, lagoons and creeks and other waters that they call home. Snook are also a very popular species for fly fishing, and fly fishermen can fish for them in a variety of ways including sight fishing. ## Snook Fishing Lures Many lures that are used for bass fishing can be used in snook fishing. Soft plastic swimbaits and jerk bait style minnows work great. Jigging shrimp imitations, as well as topwaters and crankbaits, can all work very effectively while fishing for snook. Flies like the imitator or the Dahlberg diver are excellent choices for fly fishermen. ## Distribution and Range Common Snook can be found throughout the warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. Reaching as far north as North Carolina and south down to Brazil, including the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Central America. The coloration of these fish may vary slightly from location to location mostly due to water color and habitat, along with variations in size.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Naples backwaters, and hooking one is an experience you won't forget. These prehistoric beasts average 80-100 pounds but can top 200. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels or laid up on shallow flats, depending on the season. Spring and early summer are prime, as fish migrate through our waters. Tarpon are pure muscle, known for spectacular aerial displays when hooked. It's all catch-and-release, but the thrill of the fight keeps anglers coming back. Live bait like mullet or crabs work well, but nothing beats the rush of a tarpon crushing a topwater lure. Pro tip: when you see a pod of fish, lead them with your cast. A well-placed lure can trigger a competitive strike.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
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