Chasing the tide with Marco Island Fishing Guide is not just a phrase but a condition. Winter tides here in the Ten Thousand Islands are much lower than other times of the year. At Marco Island Fishing Guide we are always balancing tide, wind and the barometer. It is essential to be observant.

Winter means several things here at snookhookerfishing.com. Tides are affected by wind and high pressure. Wind going in the same direction as a falling tide will create much lower tide. Here in the Marco Island area and south wind can push another foot of water out. This is the time to explore. You’ll find structure, runs, creeks you never knew existed. This is the time to fish the deep edges and drop offs and take note of the structures for fishing flooding tide. Snook and redfish live this tide. Baitfish, crabs and other forage bait are forced to retreat to deeper water.

As the tide turns and starts flooding the exposed areas, all those critters push up on the flats. This is time to sight fish if water clarity allows. But if not just start working areas where the tide is moving. This is where the chasing the tide comes into play. Working from outside into the next bays following the flood just makes sense.

Now the choice of your presentation. Scale back your size and weight. Go with 1/16th or 1/8th oz. Keep your lure smaller in the 2.5 to 3 inch range. I like using darker colors such as watermelon or coffee colors. These seem to emulate small crabs, shrimp  or mud minnows. Slow and low when water temps fall. Fish do not want to expend energy with cool temps especially ambush predictors like snook and big Seatrout. Redfish are roamers alway poking the bottom and oyster bars to push up a morsel to devour.

So in closing, low and slow, lighter weight, colors on the darker spectrum will be the ticket for cold water presentation. Check out Zman

Call, text, email  me for any questions on trips or just information.
Capt. John Pfeiffer/visit snookhookerfishing.com

 

 

 

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Tagged: #snookhookerfishing, Chasing The Tides

Christmas is coming and Marco Island Inshore Fishing trip would be a great gift. Take a kid fishing and make memories that they will never forget.

Right now there is plenty of action to keep everyone engaged and there’s nothing better than watching a child catch their first fish in the Marco Island Ten thousand Islands. Watching them get excited and just smile all day. Snook, redfish, ladyfish, snapper, Seatrout and all the other critters will make a day full of action.

When it’s just you and your son or daughter on the boat the memories fishing this beautiful area around Marco Island will be talked about forever. I will show them how to cast. I have great patience. It’s not all about fishing inshore around Marco Island. We will see birds, dolphin and the beautiful mangrove islands and you can take a few minutes walking a beach on one of the islands.

Now go a fishing report. The weather pattern this winter has been very predictable. We have been catching some decent redfish and the Marco Island mangrove are full of small snook. Seatrout are out in the grass flats and there are plenty of ladyfish and other species to fill in. Great action fishing. Naples fishing guides and Marco Island fishing guide have had consistent fishing in the moving water in the back islands as well as the out front grass flats.

So give me a call, Capt. John Pfeiffer and together we will tailor a trip for you and your guest angler.

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So as the fall season begins and rolls into winter we at Snookhookerfishing.com refresh is under way with all tackle and added new decking. With Marco Island fishing guide and Naples fishing guides at snookhookerfishing.com personal private fishing guide you always get the best.

It is important to always provide the best equipment and keep the skiff appearance clean and modern. New Aqua Traction Deck gives the boat a nice feel on the feet and legs. The cushioning and slip resistance is superior bar none. This classic skiff, SilverKing Signature is one of the best skiffs ever made.

New fresh tackle has always been a number one priority on the Snookhookerfishing .com updates every 3 months. 8 new St Croix rods and the new Penn Battle IV reels have been loaded with new braid to complete the refresh. 

Some new lure lines from Nomad and Zman this year have been added as well as new electronics and a new 70 lb 24v Powerdrive trolling motor by Minnkota.

Now to fishing. The water temps are dropping, the days get shorter and the sun is lower. This is all good. The season is changing and fish habits do also. Once the water gets below 74 it’s game on. There are still some tarpon around. Snook and Redfish become more active throughout the day. Tides are stronger and water movement means the conveyor belt of food is on. But that said you have to place yourself in the right spot. If the water is not moving go eat a sandwich. Once you see tide your back in the game.

So it’s time to call now for choice tides and dates. Christmas week is almost full but dates before Jan 1 are available. Take a kid fishing and make a memory. Christmas is just the beginning as the season really winds up and we start seeing more redfish.

Capt.John Pfeiffer

Fish the tides, Fish the Cold Fronts

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If you’re looking for a Naples Fishing Guide Experience fishing light tackle or Marco Island Fishing Guide you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been doing the light tackle experience for more than 30 years. I guide clients from Naples, Fl and Marco Island, Fl with professionalism and I keep it fun. There’s no yelling, no screaming. Just a relaxed atmosphere where I take 2 anglers to experience true light tackle fishing.

Tackle is always fresh and updated every few months. Top of the line St Croix Rods, Penn Battle Reels and always fresh braid to top of reel. Since I am mostly artificial angling it’s important to have full line when you need that long effortless cast. Using light tackle means you can cast all day as the weight of the outfit is feather light.

At the Naples Fishing Guide Experience you will not just be casting but you will learn skills that can be transferred to most types of fishing. You learn why at certain times we fish certain areas. Tides, winds, water temperature, structure and water clarity will be explained so you actually learn about this wonderful place, The Ten Thousand Islands of South Florida and Marco Island. This way I am giving you a full experience and not just saying cast over there. We are hunting trophies or maybe that first snook or redfish for your bucket list. There are so many techniques that you can carry in you tool bag no matter where you fish in any situation.
So get out your calendar and let’s plan a trip or 2. Bring a kid fishing. It’s what I do. Personalized trips tailored for 2 anglers whether your a novice or advanced angler. Top water fishing, casting spoons for reds and Zman soft baits for all species.

Capt.John

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Well it’s first day of fall and Marco Island inshore fishing will start to really ramp up. We’ve had a great deal of rain which has reduced salinity but we will be out of that soon. As a Marco Island fishing guide or even just someone who fishes in there own the prospect of a little cooler weather makes you get excited. The first cool front will come soon and with that activity increases. The fish become less stressed as the water cools and oxygen levels increase.
The shorter days and lower sun make it more comfortable for angler and your target. Start with a top water plug early like a Rapala Skitter walk. If there is bait visible try to match your plug size but if there is not sight able bait go for the larger. Top waters cast long so keep your distance and use the long cast. Fish oyster, mangrove points where you see water movement. Parallel cast along mangrove shore lines can also be productive. Marco Island inshore fishing is a multi species event. Snook, redfish and trout will center their activity in these feeding zones.
Once the sun gets a bit higher switch to suspended or soft plastics such as Zman Jerk Shad. If water is a bit dirty try a dark color such as Dark and Stormy. A little quick glue will keep your offering from sliding. Try different speeds and angles. Experiment a bit with your action.

So some of the best fishing comes with this transition of summer to fall. Tides get bigger. More water moves and the water stays very comfortable for snook, redfish and trout. Let get some trips booked and go fishing. Marco Island Fishing Guide and snookhookerfishing.com for info.

Capt John

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When I say Fishing Marco Island don’t think that’s a finite area. Fishing Marco Island means an area from Marco Island to 30 miles south in the Ten Thousand Islands. It’s a huge area but if you know how and why fish stage in certain areas and conditions you can create a game plan.
Starting with tide charts, the savvy anglers know tide movement is everything. If there’s no tide eat a sandwich and wait for the tide change or better yet leave the dock later. Fishing Marco Island and surrounding area it seems falling tide is best. There are factors that contribute to tide fall and influence the time you have. I’ll explain.

Wind is a huge factor affecting tides by as much as 12-18 inches and in the backwater that makes skinny into zero water at lower end of the falling tide. In the 10k islands East and Northeast will blow out the tide. It also will prolong the outflow and hold back the timing of the incoming tide. So if your chart says low tide is 1ft mean low you can bet it with be .1 ft or maybe less. And at moon tides, well the exaggeration is more enhanced. But don’t be concerned as it can be to advantage.

Fishing the falling tide you want to start in maybe the second bay in from the Gulf. You work out with the tide fishing the water movement that pushes the tasty little critters redfish and snook snack on out of the mangroves. Jigs tipped with shrimp, soft plastic like 3-4 in Zman jerk baits, live shrimp are really the wintertime fare for snook, reds and Seatrout. If you don’t get a bite in 10 minutes you move on to the next good flow around mangrove points, oyster bars and where shallow flats meet deeper water. These are all ambush and feeding areas where fish will stage for the conveyor belt of food.
I like using darker colors in stained or murky conditions for better profile presentation, lighter in clean water.

So make a plan and follow through. You will find a bite. Tight Lines

Capt. John Pfeiffer

Marco Island Fishing Guide

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Fall snook are on the agenda as the summer transitions into fall. In the Ten Thousand Islands the water temps will begin to drop. Fall snook fishing comes alive. Days get shorter and the sun gets lower. Now your opportunities increase as the cooler morning provides the snook and other game species a bit more comfort.
So let look at what these changes bring for your game plan. Now your become more interested in the tides as the water cools. During the summer it’s more about the magic hours. By magic hours I mean first light to about 9 am and 6 pm through dark to beat the heat of the Florida sun. But now you can change up. Yes mornings are still magic but you extend more into the day as the tides will be the factor now on the feeding.

Fall snook hunting now entails more fishing the tide not the clock. Your tide movement is key now. Fall snook becomes more active. The tide triggers them to feed and being in the spots where ambush points and tide movement come together is crucial. Snook are somewhat lazy and presentation is important. One foot can make the difference of a refusal or a savage bite.

So let’s get to what you are presenting. Morning provide a great time for top waters bite. The Rapala Skitterwwlk in bone color is one of my go to plugs. Walking the dog is a bit of work but the explosive strike of a trophy snook is worth it. On snookhookerfishing.come have my clients use a 7ft St Croix premier rod with a 3000 Penn Battle reel spooled with 15 lb braid. I use Beyond Braid brand. People ask why only 15lb braid well it’s all about distance and accuracy. Long cast allow you to be in stealth mode and with 30 lb flouro leader you’ll be surprised about the performance. After the sun is higher I like to switch my clients to a 4 inch Zman Jerk Shad in a 1/8 or 1/4 oz StrikeKing redfish jug head. It’s a wide gap jig and the business end had plenty of backbone.

Now is the time to book those October trips. I’ve got dates open later in the month.

Capt John Pfeiffer

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Marco Island Fishing Guide is a local trusted backwater fishing guide service. Capt. John Pfeiffer s Global Angler, has been guiding since 1990 in Naples, Marco Island and Goodland. Specialty is light tackle spin fishing but Capt John offers fly fishing as well.

This is true light tackle fishing using the finest St Croix rods and Penn Battle fishing reels. Mostly artificial lures are utilized and the occasional shrimp for those redfish who are just a bit shy. Employing top water lures such as Rapala Skitterwalks and search lures like Zman Jerk Shads has been very successful. With the proper presentation and technique redfish, snook and specked sea trout are very eager to bite.

Now let’s talk tarpon. From March until July these predictors come to our shores and are very catchable with artificials such as 6 in paddle tales. Yes we have to use a next class rod and reel but still we are in the light tackle realm.

At Marco Island Fishing Guide and snookhookerfishing.com I provide the service you deserve. I fish 2 anglers only giving personal attention. This is for the expert or the novice. I can teach you the techniques that will last you a life time. This is a layed back style with a focus on the reasons and techniques to fish certain areas and why. You don’t just get handed a rod you participate in all aspects of the adventure. You will get shown what signs to look for. What habitat to be aware of. The bottom structure and why it is important. You will learn about tide and the affect it has on feeding times and cycles.

So give Capt. John a call. Ask questions about his guide service. snookhookerfishing.com and Marco Island Fishing Guide can make you stay.

Capt. John Pfeiffer

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At Marco Island Fishing Guide, snookhookerfishing.com, you’ll find a 360 experience. You will find a willing partner not just a guide who takes you to a hole to drop a line in. You will learn not just the how’s but the whys, reasons and techniques that will make you a more savvy angler.

Light Tackle

What does the phrase light tackle mean? Let me answer this way. It is the scaling down of the rod, the reel and line class to make it easier to cast all day but you will still have an advantage. For snook, redfish and sea trout you will find at Marco Island Fishing Guide 7 ft St Croix light medium rods with Penn Battle III 2000 or 3000 series reels spooled with 10lb or 15 lb braid fishing line for snook , redfish and Seatrout and 30 lb for tarpon. Fluorocarbon leaders of 20, 25, 30, and 60lb are deployed depending on water clarity and species. You will learn more techniques on how to use artificial presentations. It’s important to learn a few new techniques as you are trying to entice bites on representations of bait. Yes, not using live bait does change the game. The satisfaction of fooling a trophy fish to bite will be a testament to your ability.

Expectations

When we chat I will fill you in on my philosophy and what your expectations should be. We will come up with a plan for your trip and incorporate time and tides in the conversation. Being honest about how the bite has been and conditions is how every guide should be. It’s easy to catch on live bait. But with the method, the lures and the proper presentation your odds of success are good. It may take a little coaching but you will be with a guide who has decades of experience. I am willing to pass the knowledge on. Also these techniques and analysis of condition can be used in any fishing situations and conditions.

So don’t be intimidated or think your casting ability is not good enough. In a short time everything will click and you’ll be on you way to bait free fishing.

Capt. John Pfeiffer

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It’s January and your winter redfish tactics come into play. The days of finding pilchard schools to locate feeding redfish and other gamefish such as snook are long gone. Instead we search for micro baits in protected ateas and shore birds looking for the same forage as redfish and snook. These birds are a sign, an indication of activity associated with redfish and snook which mean it’s time to deploy your winter redfish tactics. In the Ten Thousand Islands during winters negative low tides it is essential to read these interoperate these observations as action areas.

On the snookhookerfishing.com SilverKing skiff we seek these signs and observations. Don’t be fooled by just birds and micro baits. That is not the only factor. By micro baits I mean juvenile glass minnows, menhaden, anything that is easy prey in cool water conditions. Shore birds also show there are crabs, shrimp and yes sea worms. A savvy angler will take these observations and combine with factors. Water temp, wind direction, tide movement and sunlight penetration are part of it.

So it’s not just jump in the skiff and go. Preplanning checking tide, wind, the affects of the wind on the tide, sun or no sun all are major considerations. Check Google Earth for dark bottom or grass areas that warm quicker. When cold out and windy find areas out of the wind and waves. Waves create more surface area and will remain cold as low wind and sun will attracts the sunbathers. So in closing use your common sense, these tools I’ve showed you and create a memory. Don’t be disappointed with low catch rates. It’s the tough days that you make you show how to hunt for that one bite. Booking are still available.

Capt.John Pfeiffer

908-675-6700 Capt. John’s Cell

Results of Winter Redfish Tactics

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