Stuart and Jupiter area beaches
Most of the time the west coast beaches get all of attention, but the east coast can be phenominal. While many beaches there can be crowded and offer poor fishing, I have found a few areas in the Stuart and Jupiter region where you can avoid the crowds and experience sometimes amazing action! What's best about the east coast is that the fish on average are much larger....most of them are in the mid to upper 20 inch range and very thick bodied. Every single time we have ventured over there during peak times it has yielded at least one fish close to 10lbs with shots at ones well over 20lbs. Don't let anyone tell you there is "no sightfishing" on the east coast...there is, and it can be great! Prime time here for a guide trip is from June through August when the Snook are feeding and spawning outside of the rivers and the water is at its calmest.
Naples beaches
The beaches around Naples, Florida are often mentioned when talking about beach Snook fishing. They offer easy access, and often very calm surf. While the fish do not average as large as those found on the east coast, the sheer numbers of fish encountered can amaze first-timers. The calm surf and smaller fish make for great sight fishing using 5 to 7 weight fly tackle or light spinning gear. When conditions are optimal, it's nothing to see 200 fish in a morning. These fish are often both spooky and shy, so precise and quiet presentations, as well as patience are important! Fishing here can last much of the year depending on the weather. The range generally is March thru November, but the best time lies between May thru October. This is a great guide trip if you are new to saltwater flyfishing, or just simply want to learn some local hot spots. The gear is light, and casts are generally between 10 and 30 feet. It also provides a more comfortable and bug-free experience rather than fishing the backcountry during the hot months!
Tamiami Trail canal systems
The Tamiami Trail canals, located east of Naples, offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. While not exactly the same "backcountry" experience as you'd get by boat, it offers a relatively natural setting offering a vast array of fish species. Small Tarpon, Snook, Tilapia, Ladyfish, and Largemouth Bass are just a few species you'll encounter. While all these species are fun, my emphasis is on the Tarpon that inhabit a few of these waters. While generally in the 8-20lb range, we often see and are sometimes lucky enough to hook into fish in the 50lb class. These Tarpon don't come easy, but it's a special thrill to entice and hook one while fishing from shore! This fishing takes place from November through April, and really gets going after a few strong cold fronts come through and cool off the water.