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Great fishing with great clients. I have been blessed with both. Chazz and Chrissy were a delight. We fished 5 days. Both are great anglers and have fished all over the world. They caught dozens of redfish and snook plus some gator trout. Truly just a great fishing week.

There have been sporadic shots a tarpon this past week. We jumped a few but a cool front coming may put them down for a while. Soft plastic 5 inch paddle tails have been the ticket but now we wait for the warm up and the tarpon will be back in force with in a few days.

Check out my Instagram page @captjohnpfeiffer for updates. Also at Facebook at snookhookerfishing.com for fishing reports.

Snook have become plentiful now. Using paddle tails and top waters has been the productive combo. Large shrimp tossed under the mangroves have also produced some respectable specimens. Hitting the tide just right, looking for shore birds and moving water will put you on the right track. Savvy anglers always look for the signs.

Working the edges of the mangroves and oyster bars are still producing nice numbers of redfish. Taking your time and being observant will serve you well. Watch for bait such as finger mullet and glass minnows and target those areas. These reds patrol shore lines and oyster bars looking for anything that moves. Crabs, shrimp, small baitfish and seaworms are all on the menu. Using Gulp 4 inch swimming mullet in white or gray with a red jig head have been producing strikes. Remember to close that bail just before your offering hits the water. Redfish are notorious for hitting within 2 to 3 turns of your reel when your presentation is inches from the shore line.

If you are looking for tarpon you better get your bookings in now. March is half full and going to close out fast. April is a great fishing month for big snook and tarpon. Don’t wait!

FISH THE TIDES, NOT THE CLOCK

Capt. John

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Snook, redfish and speckled trout have been the targets this week. The tides were tough this week as they were weak but clients pulled some great days out of it. We had a couple good days of catch and release snook fishing because of the decent outgoing tides. We have been using 4 inch swimming mullet by Gulp on 1/8 oz jig head. Also the gulp New Penny Shrimp has been productive. Most of the fishing has been good just south of Marco Island.

Redfish have been around. The bite was a bit slow this past week but clients have releasing a few everyday. Jigs tipped with shrimp, Gulp shrimp and baitfish paddle tails have been taking the bulk of the reds. There was a couple of cool mornings we had to slow down the presentation a bit but they were eager to bite.

Speckled trout have been very active. Using Rapala subwalks and 5 inch paddle tails has produced some good size trout. These bigger trout tend to be loners so casting long casts is the ticket. Incoming tide on the dark bottom flats has been productive. Casting past your target area and reeling though it has been the best method this week. We had some very clean water so the bigger trout are spooky.

There are some days still open this month and March is starting to fill up. Lets go fishing and get into some great winter fishing in the Ten Thousand Island south of Marco Island and Goodland.

“FISH THE TIDES, NOT THE CLOCK”

Capt. John

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The winter fishing is off the hook. We had our first real cold front come through a few days ago and dropped the water temps 10 degrees. Air temp on Tuesday was 38 dgrees in the morning so I postponed that days trip but this is what we were waiting for. Expect the fish to get into more of a predictable winter pattern.

The next day it was on. Got out on some of the dark bottom flats and started picking up some trout, pompano and ladyfish. As the day warmed up we got into some nice redfish because of the 3 degree warm up during the morning.

Redfish have been now taking up in the second bays around oyster bars and shorelines. The falling tide has been best but the flood tide has produced good numbers also. Slow and low is the presentation now the water temps have dropped, however, as the day goes on you can be more aggressive with your presentation. Swimming mullet Gulps have been working well.

Snook have moved to warmer backwaters but are still eager to attack a properly presented bait or lure. Again we have been using Gulp mullet with 1/8 oz. jig head. we have also used flashy 1/.8 oz. bucktails and have received our share of bites.

Sea trout will turn back on with the warm up. There are plenty of small trout in the deep cuts but if you want the bigger trout you have to fined some grass or dark bottom. Jerk bait, plugs and jigs have produced some trout over 24 inches.

I have some days in the first 2 weeks of February open still. You can catch up here or go to my Facebook page snookhookerfishing.com or also Instagram @captjohnpfeiffer

Give me a call and let me set up a trip in the Ten Thousand Islands. We leave from Calusa Island Marina in the fishing village of Goodland, FL. We will fish from Goodland to Everglades City. Lets go fishing.

“FISH THE TIDES . NOT THE CLOCK”

Capt. John

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Incredible fishing this season. The New Year started off with a bang. We have been banging the redfish, snook and seatrout. Its not just because we have had great weather. There have been challenging days with the wind but working with my clients and getting them to get the presentation just right has paid off.

We have our first real cold front upon us. That may change the game a bit but a quick warm up is in the forecast. Its all about acclimation. These fish get a little shock but they seal the little deeper water or the darker bottom flats that warm up quick from the sun.

I had several new clients this week who had zero experience casting a spin rod and they connected with their first redfish, snook and trout. It just take a little couching and you can do it. Booking 2 trips really give you the advantage. Second day you are all ready with the first cast. The photo of Desmond above is a case in point. He never casted a rod before but you see the results. You will see the rain behind him making the photo a bit fuzzy but he persevered and came out the winner.

I still have some dates open. A handful in January and some open in February. Give me a call and lets chat about your goals. I will do my best to make a memorable trip for you.

FISH THE TIDES, NOT THE CLOCK

Capt. John

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First redfish for this young man, Tanner. There is nothing better than father and son trips. This young man is now hooked on the Ten Thousand Islands fishing experience. Love it!

The redfish have been the predominant species this week. Because we have not had a real cold front the fishing has been in the first bays. I have clients using paddle tail soft plastics on jig head and they have taken some big reds this week. We have several over slot fish in the 28 to 30 inch range have been released. Still using light tackle therefore be ready for a good long fight. Makes for exciting trips.

Snook have shown back on the points. Using the same paddle tails and also some top waters early in morning. Rapala Skitter walks have also produced a few good bites. Fishing the edge of bars has produced but the grass flats have had their share of action also.

The bigger seatrout have been on the edge of flats where its a 2ft to 4ft change. Targeting these fish can be a challenge but worth the effort. Fishing the deeper holes with jigs tipped with shrimp has produced small seatrout but great action.

So the holidays are behind us. I still have some slots open in January and February. Give me call. Lets go fishing!!!

FISH THE TIDES, NOT THE CLOCK

Capt. John

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Redfish dominate the bite in the Ten Thousand Islands. Marco Island and Goodland have been some of the best redfish fishing so far this year. Many slot fish in the 24 to 27 inch range have been eager to strike our offerings. The slightly warmer than usual water because of the lack of cold fronts has kept us in the first bays. Fishing the islands and oyster bars on the moving tide has been the best. Jigs tipped with shrimp have been producing bites as soon as your offering hits the water.

Snook have been around the same areas therefore you just never know which will get to the bait first. Jigs and soft plastics have been working just great and there is no reason to think it will not continue. We have had some action early in the morning on Rapala Skitterwalks and Subwalks. Nothing better than a top water bite.

Speckled Sea Trout have been also biting on the flood tide on the grass flats and outside darker water points. Jigs and popping corks with a shrimp under it have been taking some large specimens over 20 inches. There are also all the other usual suspects such as jacks and big ladyfish that take up the slack in between the tides.

We have also found that some juvenile grouper have taken up the areas of deep undercut channels along with some decent mangrove snappers.

Bookings are strong right now. So if you are looking for a certain date the next few months, get in touch ASAP. My holiday schedule is tight but there are a few slots still available. Let me tailor a trip to the Ten Thousand Islands for you.

FISH THE TIDES, NOT THE CLOCK

Capt. John Pfeiffer

Tight Lines

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Just this week there have been 2 slams fishing the Ten Thousand Islands on the snookhookerfishing.com skiff. That is a snook, a redfish and a speckled sea trout caught by one angler. The cooler water has the fish moving into their usual haunts.

We have been catching at least 6 reds per trip because of the cooler water. The reds are all over the oyster bars and mangrove shore lines. Jigs tipped with shrimp and 3 inch gulps in the shrimp pattern have received eager bites. These fish are not shy on the take. Great fun on light tackle.

Snook are in the back bays and ready to pounce on jigs and soft plastic presentations. There have been a ton of 18 to 20 inch snook with the occasional 25-30 inch. Moving tide is the key as these guys are ambush predators. Lots of fun on the light tackle.

Speckled sea trout have just come alive because of the drop in water temps. Shrimp on a jig head or a spiked jig has been the ticket. We have been catching tons of slot fish and we had several in the 24 inch range just this week.

Lets get those reservations in soon. Bookings are beginning to really fly in. I don’t want you to miss out on our spectacular winter fishery here in The Ten Thousand Islands. We begin our trip at Calusa Island Marina in Goodland Florida, the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands. Let me guide you to a great day on the water.

The photo above is Cameron holding a snook just before releasing. Cameron caught his first slam, a snook, a sea trout and a redfish. Congrats Cameron!

“FISH THE TIDES NOT THE CLOCK”

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This past week the light tackle redfish bite has been off the chain. My clients are averaging 12 releases a day. I have been using light 7ft St. Croix rods with 2000 Penn Battle 2 reels. The reels are loaded with 10lb Sufix braid and 20lb leaders. Low and slow has been the presentation style so that is the reason the hook up ratio has been high.

Water temps have dropped a bit and that is making the fish more active. I have been starting to move back into the Ten Thousand Islands into the 2nd and 3rd bays. Fishing the falling tide has produced not just redfish but snook, seatrout and some large jacks.

I have been using tripped jigs and Gulp shrimp rigged weedless but you have to slow down the presentation. These reds are foraging on little crabs and shrimp so crawling your offering on the bottom has been the ticket.

I still have some days open in December. With the holidays coming those days will get booked quickly. I am anticipating a great season as proven by the past month of great activity. So lets go fishing! Give me a call and I will tailor a trip just for you. Its a great time to bond with your son, daughter or grandkids as this is personalized fishing since my limit is 3 clients on board. I can dedicate a great deal of time with the kids to make it a memorable experience.

FISH THE TIDES NOT THE CLOCK

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Well folks the snook and redfish season is off and running. Multiple double digit days this past week. Its been unseasonably warm and the water is still in the 80’s. We do have a cool front coming and I hope it just gets the water temps dropping a bit.

Redfish and snook have been hitting top waters like skitterwalks by Rapala early. We have been leaving first light to beat the heat as a result the fish have been appreciative.

Sea Trout should be showing up at the first cold front. We have been hooking up on a few but the cold front should get them chewing. Also we have been seeing some pompano and big jacks to just round out the day.

Lets go fishing. Get your reservations in now especially for around the holidays. I still have some days around Thanks Giving and Christmas. I will tailor a trip for you and give you the best tides. Don’t forget gift certificates for holiday gifts. They have no expiration date. Good forever.

So closing I want to thank all my old and new clients. I have clients that have been with me 15 years and more. Their kids and grandkids are now new clients and I love that. Kids are the future.

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Lets talk about taking kids fishing. I am especially fond of showing kids how fun fishing is. Because I run a small boat and only take 2 to 3 people I provide a very personalized trip. This allows me to spend time with your child. Its not just a fishing trip. I explain the whole ecosystem of the Everglades and why we fish in certain areas.

There is nothing better than the smile and excitement of your kid catching a fish. They just light up. In the photo above Lilly’s smile tells it all. She went on to catch sea trout and snook. Because of her experience, she and her parents have been back 3 years in a row now. She is hooked! I love that. So lets give your child a memory you will both enjoy forever.

So a short report. Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands are just alive right now. The days are getting shorter, therefore, the fish are on the move and starting to stage up in there usual haunts.

Snook are still on the outside points and are very eager to attack top water such as Rapala Skitterwalks and later in the morning suspended lures. Redfish are everywhere. We are finding them on all the hard bottom areas and shore lines. Soft plastic and Gulps are getting smashing strikes and live shrimp have also taken many reds.

So with the holidays coming, its a good time to book a trip as a gift. I have gift certificates available. Give me a call and I can fill you in. Also if you want a trip during the holidays you will need to book as soon as you have dates you will be in Marco Island or Naples, Florida. Choice dates are still available. Remember I “FISH THE TIDES NOT THE CLOCK”.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Ragards,

Capt. John Pfeiffer

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