Naples Backwater Fishing with Chasin' Tails
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, snook, and tarpon in Naples backwatersCaptain Geoff guides groups to productive fishing spotsInshore saltwater fishing for up to three guests
When you're ready to get away from the crowds and fish some of the most productive shallow water in Southwest Florida, Captain Geoff and his crew at Naples Fishing Charters know exactly where to take you. The Naples backwaters are a maze of mangrove creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars that hold some of the best inshore fishing you'll find anywhere. This isn't your typical charter boat grind – we're talking about getting up close and personal with fish in their natural habitat, where every cast counts and the action can go from zero to hero in seconds.
Your day starts early when Captain Geoff picks you up at one of Naples' boat ramps, ready to head into the backcountry where the big boats can't follow. With only three anglers max on each trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home empty-handed or with fish stories that'll last a lifetime. The shallow draft boat slides through water barely deep enough to float, putting you right where the fish live and feed. These backwater spots change with the tides, seasons, and weather, so Captain Geoff's local knowledge becomes your biggest advantage. He's been working these waters for years, reading the subtle signs that tell him where to find feeding fish – bird activity, bait movement, tide changes, and those little ripples that mean game fish are working below the surface.
Backwater fishing is all about finesse and knowing when to switch tactics. Captain Geoff keeps the boat stocked with everything you need, from light spinning gear perfect for sight fishing redfish on the flats to heavier tackle when the tarpon show up. You'll learn to work live bait around structure – letting a pinfish or pilchard drift naturally past a mangrove undercut where a big snook might be lurking. When the fish are spooky, we'll switch to artificial lures, throwing soft plastics on jig heads or working topwater plugs that drive fish crazy in the early morning calm. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts. In these shallow backwaters, fish can see and hear everything, so stealth matters as much as skill. Captain Geoff will coach you through reading the water, spotting fish before they spot you, and making those crucial presentations that turn follows into hookups.
The Naples backwaters hold an incredible variety of saltwater species, each with their own personality and fighting style. Redfish are the bread and butter here – these copper-colored bruisers love cruising the shallow flats and hanging around oyster bars where they can ambush crabs and baitfish. They're aggressive fighters that make long runs and test your drag, typically running 18 to 30 inches with the occasional oversized bull pushing 35 inches or more. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they school up in deeper pockets. What makes reds so special is the way they eat – sometimes delicate as a whisper, other times crushing a bait so hard it nearly pulls the rod from your hands.
Snook are the glamour fish of the backwaters, and Captain Geoff knows every mangrove point and creek mouth where they set up to feed. These silvery predators with the distinctive black lateral line are ambush hunters that explode from cover to nail prey. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so expect to make precise casts tight to mangroves, docks, and fallen trees. A good backwater snook runs 24 to 32 inches, with true trophy fish over 35 inches always a possibility. The warmer months from May through September are prime time, when snook move shallow to spawn and feed aggressively. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs straight back to cover.
When tarpon roll into the backwaters, everything else takes second place. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20 to 40-pound class up to full-grown giants over 100 pounds that somehow squeeze into surprisingly shallow water. Tarpon fishing requires patience and strong tackle – these fish are pure muscle and attitude wrapped in prehistoric scales. They jump repeatedly when hooked, shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. Even a smaller tarpon will test every knot and connection on your tackle. Peak season runs from April through July, when fish move through the area as part of their annual migration. Landing one is always a celebration, but the real thrill is watching a six-foot fish launch itself completely out of the water just boat-length away.
Sea trout might not be the strongest fighters, but they make up for it with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. These spotted beauties love grass flats where they feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. A good trout runs 15 to 20 inches, with bigger fish called "gator trout" pushing 24 inches or more. They're perfect for learning backwater techniques since they're relatively easy to hook and forgiving of presentation mistakes. Cooler months often produce the biggest trout as they school up in deeper holes and channels. Their soft mouths require a gentle touch, but their distinctive spotted pattern and sweet meat make them a customer favorite.
Black drum round out the target species list with their bottom-feeding habits and bulldogging fight style. These fish use crushing pharyngeal teeth to crack open oysters, crabs, and other shellfish, making them perfect targets around oyster bars and shell bottom. They're not fancy fighters – no jumps or blazing runs – but they use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. Drum range from schooling fish in the 2 to 5-pound range up to true giants over 30 pounds that look more like small sharks when they surface. They bite year-round but peak during cooler months when they congregate in deeper backwater holes.
Captain Geoff's motorboat is built for serious backwater fishing in Naples' productive inshore waters. This reliable fishing machine comfortably handles up to 3 anglers while navigating the shallow flats and mangrove-lined channels where redfish, snook, and tarpon love to hang out. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh all day, while the GPS navigation system ensures we hit all the prime fishing spots without wasting time searching. Perfect for targeting those trophy fish that cruise through Naples' backcountry waters, this boat gets you into the action quickly and quietly. Whether you're casting around oyster bars for redfish or working the mangrove shorelines for snook, this setup handles the shallow water fishing game like a champ.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our backwaters, typically running 5-15 pounds but capable of hitting 30+ pounds. These dark, chunky fish have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs on the bottom. You'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek channels, usually in 2-8 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. They're known for that distinctive drumming sound they make, especially during spawning season. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - they don't jump but they'll test your tackle with long, stubborn runs. Smaller ones make great table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom, and be patient - they're methodical feeders that take their time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our backwater fishing, typically running 18-27 inches in the slot size. These copper-colored fish with the distinctive black spot near their tail are perfectly built for shallow water living. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes break the surface. Fall and spring offer the best fishing, though they bite year-round in our warm waters. Redfish are favorites because they eat almost anything, fight hard with strong runs, and the slot-sized ones are fantastic on the table. They're also easier to spot than most fish, often "tailing" in skinny water. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and mud clouds - that's usually redfish rooting around for crabs and shrimp on the bottom.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable targets, typically running 12-18 inches with occasional 20+ inch "gator" trout. These silver fish with distinctive black spots love grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months, with fall and winter providing consistent action. Dawn and dusk are prime times, but they'll bite throughout the day in cooler weather. Trout are popular because they're aggressive biters, reasonably easy to catch, and make excellent table fare with mild, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up, so finding one often means finding several. Local trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastic jigs, and work the edges of grass beds where they ambush small baitfish and shrimp.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting targets in these backwaters. These golden, torpedo-shaped fish typically run 18-30 inches, with that distinctive black lateral line making them easy to spot. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and cover, so we'll work the edges where they feel comfortable. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local tip: when you see one, there are usually more nearby, so work the area thoroughly with different presentations.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate trophy fish in our Naples waters, ranging from juvenile "baby" tarpon around 10-30 pounds up to mature fish pushing 100+ pounds. These silver giants prefer deeper cuts, channels, and passes where they can gulp air at the surface. We target them year-round, but late spring through summer brings the best opportunities when they're more active. What makes tarpon fishing special is their explosive jumps - they can leap 8+ feet out of the water in spectacular displays. The fight is pure adrenaline with multiple jumps and powerful runs that can last 30 minutes or more. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the thrill of the catch is unmatched. Key tip: keep your rod tip down and bow to the fish during jumps to prevent them from throwing the hook on their acrobatic displays.
Naples, FL