Mid-Winter Fishing Update | Naples, FL We closed out 2025 strong and have started 2026 even stronger. The winter bite has been outstanding down here in Naples, and we’re looking forward to another couple of months of this phenomenal action before gearing up for spring. The offshore bite between passing cold fronts has been epic. With Cobia, Amberjacks, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Kingfish, and plenty of other species in the mix, it’s safe to say our hands have been full. This is hands-down the best time of year for putting quality fish in the box offshore. On our six-hour and full-day trips, you can expect a great mix of delicious table fare along with hard-fighting sportfish. Timing the cold fronts is the name of the game, and when the weather lines up, the action is lights out. The inshore and nearshore bite has been solid as well. During warm-ups, we’ve had some fun sport action nearshore with plenty of Jacks, Barracudas, and Sharks to pull on. The big Sheepshead have also started to show up, giving our clients another excellent dinner option. Inshore fishing during winter is more of a quantity-over-quality game, and it’s perfect for families and kids. Cold-water shrimp fishing produces steady action with Sheepshead, Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Jacks, and the occasional Snook or Redfish mixed in. The temperatures may be cold, but the bite is hot down here in Naples. If you have any questions or are looking to book a charter, please reach out to any of our captains—we’re happy to help. Happy fishing, – Captain Perry

November wrapped up on a high note, capped off by a busy holiday week and some incredible catches for our clients. As we transition toward winter and the water continues to cool, our offshore fishery shifts into an entirely different gear. This time of year, you truly never know what you might run into offshore—and that unpredictability is part of the fun. Just this week, we ran across a school of massive Blackfin Tuna surprisingly close to land. Encounters like these are exactly the kind of bonus opportunities winter can bring. Along with the occasional surprises, all of our reliable staples have been showing nicely too. Cobia schools have been consistent from the nearshore wrecks out to the offshore structures, and they’ll remain one of our primary targets throughout the winter season. With the cooler temperatures, big Amberjacks are also pushing in closer. These fish provide an absolute blast on rod and reel—we'll chum them up and throw artificials or flies right at them on the surface. Winter also brings some of the best bottom fishing of the entire year, and it’s prime time for serious meat runs. Grouper and Snapper will continue to be major players offshore through the coming months. On the inshore side, we’re right on the edge of switching fully into our winter pattern, transitioning from live pilchards to shrimp and jigs once the backcountry water temps reach that key threshold. Live bait is still producing well with Snook, Redfish, and plenty of Jack Crevalles. As things cool a bit more, shrimp fishing will light up with Trout, Sheepshead, Pompano, Redfish, and the occasional winter Snook. We’re also heading into the busiest two weeks of the entire year, and our books are filling up rapidly. Christmas through New Year’s is always packed, and daily slots are disappearing fast. Come celebrate the holidays and close out the year with the On a Mission team. Feel free to reach out with any questions—happy fishing, and we hope to see you soon!

The first real cold front of the season pushed through, and with it the fall bite lit up like a switch. This is one of the best times of year to fish the Naples region. Every day carries that element of surprise, where you might run into something completely unexpected alongside the usual fall staples. The drop in water temps has kicked off the cobia migration, and we’ve been running into some impressive schools. These fish are hands-down one of our favorite fall targets: perfect for sight-fishing, willing to crush both live bait and artificials, built like linebackers, and top-tier on the dinner table. We’ve been catching them from the nearshore wrecks all the way out to the deeper offshore structure. Nearshore action has been loaded with Snook, Redfish, Bonita, Kingfish, Sharks, Gags, and even some fired-up Goliaths. Offshore has been equally strong with more Cobia showing up, a lights-out snapper bite, and even a few surprise African Pompano making an appearance. Inshore, the backcountry has held quality Snook and Redfish with steady action all around. As we push deeper into fall and edge toward winter, the offshore bite will only continue to build. Fishing has been stellar, and this stretch of gorgeous weather has only made it better. We’re filling trips quickly for the coming weeks and even into Christmas. Holiday dates go fast, and you won’t want to miss getting out with friends and family during this prime window. Reach out to any of our captains with questions or to lock in a date. Happy fishing, and we hope to see you on the water soon.