SUBJECT: # 39337: Bigger Lanes, Mangs, Redfish: Naples, FL Fishbuster Dave

Submitted by Captain Dave Hanson (68.85.71.42) from FLORIDA on 11/28/04 1:58:00 PM

Monday, fishing off Naples, 17 out of New Pass with live shrimp, we caught ten mangrove snapper to 15 inches, porgies and large white grunts—No keeper grouper, but we released lots of shorts.

A weather front predicted to pass through our area this Wednesday arrived early, and I faced gusty 15 to 20 knot winds and rough 3-5 foot seas Tuesday, fishing off Naples. We caught lane snapper, triggerfish, grunts and porgies, but it was not comfortable out there for long. I cancelled my offshore trip for Wednesday, with more of the same predicted.

Friday, with seas still rough in the morning, I fished inshore in central Estero Bay. We released three redfish to just short of keeper size, one keeper-sized but out-of-season trout, two stingray, jack cravalle, and mangrove snapper.

I fished offshore Saturday, 17 miles off Naples. We caught some nice snapper-- mangrove snapper to 16 inches and five lane snapper to 18 inches. We also caught porgies and triggerfish, and released grouper shorts.

Sunday, seas were predicted to be 2-3 feet, but it was pretty sloppy out there, with occasional 6 foot swells. I fished 17 miles off Naples again, using live shrimp. We caught snapper, which was the main catch this week—mangroves and lanes, along with porgies and triggerfish.