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Fishing Is Hot South of Marco Island in The Ten Thousand Islands

Posted on by Captain John

Fishing Is Hot in the Ten Thousand Islands. The weather has been cool but it has not deterred the bite at all. I have been leaving a bit later in the morning to allow the sun to warm up the flats. Spotted seatrout have been very cooperative. The old reliable jig tipped with shrimp has been the answer.

The redfish have been cruising the edges of flats and oyster bars and the darker bottom. The water has been quite clear so dropping to 2o and 15lb fluorocarbon leader has produced many more bites. Most of the reds have been eager to bite the jig and also just a shrimp when you get a shot at cruising fish.

Leaving a bit later in the morning has advantages. The flats warm up a bit and the fish become more active. If the cards line up with an outgoing tide that only makes it better. That warmer water that was in the backcountry can be as much as 6 degrees warmer. It’s all timing this time of year. Fishing the tides and not the clock is part of it but giving that extra couple hours after a cold front is the key. I look for dark bottom with grass and light color sandy bottom mixed in.

This next week will prove to be one of the best as the temps are going back to 80 degrees. The flats will come alive and reds, spotted seatrout, pompano, jacks and some sharks will be cruising.

The next couple months will be some of best the winter fishery has to offer. There will be days we may have to leave late but the fish are here in good numbers. The bookings are very strong right now but there are days open in between bookings. Lets go fishing. Give me a call and I’ll tailor a trip for you. Remember to take a kid fishing. Its a great time for bonding with grandkids or your daughter or son. These trips are memories you will cherish and maybe start a spark for another fishing adventure.

So give me a call, send an email or text me. Just a heads up I am on the water everyday. This means that I do not have a cell signal most of the day as I am in the Ten Thousand Islands.   So please leave a message and I will get back to you by the evening. It means something that I am out everyday on the water.

FISH THE TIDE NOT THE CLOCK

Capt. John

 

 

 

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Naples Fishing Guide Report

Posted on by Captain John

Ok folks here is the Naples Fishing Guides report for snookhookerfishing.com for Naples and the Marco area. The backwater fishing in the Ten Thousand Islands has been very consistent. The speckled trout and redfish have been very eager to bite over the past two weeks. Rapala Shadow Raps and Xraps and jigs tipped with shrimp have produced good numbers and all the other suspects such as jack crevalle, mangrove snappers, ladyfish and silver trout have been keeping the anglers very busy.

The first cold front of thee season came through this weekend and the fish responded as usual. Leaving a bit later in the morning allowed the flats and backwater bays to warm up a bit. Fishing the tides and not the clock we connected with the trout and reds during both the incoming and outgoing tide. the speckled trout were stacked up at time along the deeper edges of flats. The offering of Rapala Xraps and jigs tipped with shrimp produced very good bite. Slowing down your presentation is critical when the water temps drop. The redfish were out on the flats on darker bottom and around the edges of the oyster bars. There are a few snook around as the day warms up. They will be on the darker bottom and will respond to a low and slow retrieve. I cant stress enough that when these cold fronts come through try to leave a couple hours after sunrise and find darker sun exposed bottom.

Shrimp and popping cork presentations have produced good trout, snook and snapper bites during lower light conditions. That popping cork is like ringing the dinner bell. Use light leader about 18 to 20 inches from the cork. Keep you rod low to water and give that cork a sharp pull to create that sound of fishing feeding.

I want to thank all my clients for a great 2017. I have been honored to guide you.

Above is a picture of Jake Flippen with a very nice speckled trout. Below is Jake with a redfish. He and his father John did a great job using the Rapala Jerk Baits and had fish on from the first cast.

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On Fire Naples and Marco Island Backwater Fishing

Posted on by Captain John

Fishing has been on fire in the Naples and Marco island area. Snook are still on the outside points and in the first bays. I have been guiding clients in the Ten Thousand Island south of Marco Island and the bite is as good as it gets.

Snook are still outside in good numbers. We have had good success with shrimp and suspended plugs. Early morning and the incoming tide have been best but now since the sun is lower in the sky the bite has been most of the tide.

Along with the snook the seatrout bite has also been on fire. Rapala Shad raps and Xraps have been the ticket. Some of the seatrout have been over slot and are just hammering the plugs. Shrimp tipped jig and popping cork presentation have also taken its share . If the tide is moving the trout are biting.

Redfish have been showing up now on the deeper edges adjacent to flats. The usual oyster bar areas have also produced good shots at reds and snook. The passage of a good cold front will drop the water temp and the reds should become more active. As the water cools they will move into the backwaters.

The holidays are coming and bookings are strong. If you are coming to the Naples/Marco Island area and want to experience the Ten Thousand Islands fishing give me a call or email. I’ll tailor a trip for you. I fish the tides not the clock! There will be days as it gets cooler when we might leave the dock at 7am or 10am. This all depends on wind and weather.

Now that the holidays are near don’t forget the kids. I have special trips designed to keep kids busy and get them hooked on fishing. I personally instruct them and keep their interest.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Capt. John

snookhookerfishing.com

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Snook, Redfish and Seatrout On artificials

Posted on by Captain John

Artificials such as jerk baits and suspended plugs have produced very well in Naples, Marco Island and Ten Thousand Islands. Double digit  days with trout for every client and some nice snook to spice things up. There is just something, a feeling you get when you catch a trophy on artificials.

The redfish have been roaming the edges and have no problem engulfing a jig tipped with shrimp or popping cork presentation. They have been also hitting artificials. Jerk baits worked slowly but erratically  have produced big strikes.

The weather has been cooperating all week. The water temps are hovering in the 75 Degree range. This should continue until we get another cool front. The tides are coming off the moon and the water should be clearing. The opportunity for sight fishing will improve. We will continue to focus on the snook first thing in the morning then switch to trout and redfish.

The best action has been at the lower end of low tide. That is how the tides are lining up for the weekend with outgoing every morning. Setting up on the edges of the points and casting artificials up on the flat and dragging over the edge has been very productive. The trout are lying in that trough just waiting to ambush your offering.

On the fly fishing front the usual bait and crustacean patterns have been doing their job. Now that the tides have settled we will have better chances at sight casting. With redfish a bit of a lead such as 10 or 12ft places your offering in the path. Short strips as the fish approaches will end up with a hookup.

Just a reminder that if you can pin down your dates now I can tailor a trip for you using the tides I can optimize your fishing time.

FISH THE TIDE NOT THE CLOCK!

Capt. John

Naples Fishing Guides

snookhookerfishing.com

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Redfish and Gator Seatrout Using the Rapala Jerkbait

Posted on by Captain John

Angling for redfish and gator seatrout using Rapala jerkbaits has been very productive this week. There is bait around the points and with the strong moon tides the redfish and gator seatrout have been waiting for the right presentation. The flashy Shadow Rap has been proven  winner with the higher water and turbid conditions. We always have off color water during the full moon phase when the range of tides is 4 foot or better.

Redfish

Redfish have been in their usual haunts cruising edges of oyster bars and flats. They have been waiting for enough tide to slide up on the flat at higher tide. The Rapala jerkbait and also jigs tipped with shrimp have been very productive.

Seatrout

The seatrout have been the largest I have seen in several years. 24 inch fish have been common. The seatrout have been very happy attacking the Rapala  jerkbait the Shadow Rap as well as jigs tipped with shrimp and popping cork presentation.

Snook

Snook have been around but a bit off on the bite this week. Once this turbid water clears up the next couple days it will improve. We have released many in the 20 to 24 inch range at first hour or so of daylight.

On The Fly

Its been a bit windy but the good caster can punch through it. With the turbid water from the full moon sight casting has been limited to higher tides. Shrimp and small baitfish patterns have been productive. Blind casting the points and oyster bars has produced reds and snook.

The season is really taking off. Bookings are very strong. Get your reservations on the books especially if you looking around the holidays. Days are becoming limited and I don’t want you to get shut out of some great fishing.

Capt. John

snookhookerfishing.com

 

 

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SNOOK AND REDFISH ON TOPWATER PLUGS

Posted on by Captain John

Well the late fall season is just incredible. Irma did its damage but the fishing for snook on topwater in the morning has been spectacular.  The outside points have been loaded with 20 to 30 inch snook and the reds are cruising hard bottom and oyster bars. Top water plugs have been also taking some very large jacks and we have encountered some early tarpon action also.

Redfish have been very eager to jump on the topwater Rapalas even with the 20 knot winds we have been experiencing. Walking the dog and poppers have been productive early then switch to suspended baits as the sun rises. The sun is getting lower in the sky so that has extended the morning bite for several hours.

Flyfishing has been excellent for snook around the outside points and redfish are on the oyster bars using baitfish and crab patterns. Also topwater gurglers that push water are also productive.

The next few months should continue to have a great deal of activity. As the water cools we will venture into the second bays and the seatrout should be showing along with all the other usual suspects. As the days get shorter snook and redfish will begin to get into their pattern in the back and will be eager to eat jigs and shrimp.

Now is the time to book your trips as I can pick the best tides for you and tailor a trip for you. The booking are coming in and you don’t want to miss out on choice dates that fit in with your schedule.

Remember kids are welcome and I will keep them busy and they will have a great experience in the Ten Thousand Islands. So if you are in Bonita, Naples or Marco Island over this winter give me a call and let me tailor a trip for you.

 

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Snook, Redfish, Big Jacks In the Ten Thousand Islands

Posted on by Captain John

Fishing this month has been very productive. Reds, trout, snook and 20lb jacks have been cruising the flats on the outside and the middle bays. The unseasonably warm water has been a factor and we are actually fishing like its April.

Redfish have been the target on the tides with many being taken by jigs and Gulps rigged with weedless presentations fishing the edges of flats and oyster bars.

Snook have been becoming more prevalent now. They maybe a bit confused with the warm water but again fishing like it is spring has been productive. We started using top waters last week and have connected with snook up to 25″ but I suspect the big girls will be on the points real soon.

Trout have been plentiful but seems to light up only during top of the high tide.

Now lets talk jacks. The big boys are starting to prowl the flats and edges out front. 20 and 30lb jacks have been exploding like concrete blocks dropped from the sky. If you can catch up to them with light tackle and a skitterwalk you are in for a 30 minute fight. Spectacular! When hooking up in shallow water the jacks only have one way to go and that is long runs.

So lets go fishing.  March is booking up but there are some choice dates left. Give me a call or send a request and get set up on the light tackle experience you been wanting to enjoy.

snookhookerfishing.com

Capt. John

 

 

 

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Redfish And Snook South of Naples

Posted on by Captain John

There have been a couple cold fronts come through the past week. Fishing in the backwater has been good on both sides of the front. Redfish have been prowling the shore line. Snook are still around despite it being winter. The water temp is still 69 and that is good.

Redfish have been biting jigs and shrimp under a popping cork. Gold spoons have also produced bites in the coves near moving water. Most have been just under slot or in the slot.

Sea trout are still plentiful. Jigs tipped with shrimp bounced right above the grass and hard bottom has produced slot trout and many just under.

Some large jacks are starting to show up and the other species such as sheepshead, black drum, and snappers have kept the anglers busy. Because of the winds running the trap lines for tripletail has been tough. Looking at the forecast we may get a chance late this week to try that.

Something I would like to touch on is the importance of getting kids involved in fishing. It is a great bonding tool for parents. I had Lilly out with her Mom Michelle. They had a great time and they are booking another trip during spring break. Lilly’s smile tells it all.

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TROUT AND REDFISH ARE EAGER

Posted on by Captain John

TROUT:

Fishing the tides, not the clock is my philosophy and that has been paying off. Jigs tipped with shrimp and whole shrimp on a jig have been producing lots of sea trout on the right tides.

REDFISH:

The reds have started to fall into the winter pattern after the cold front last week. Fishing the mangrove shore line and oyster bars has produced decent size redfish in the slot. Again fishing the tides and not the clock has given clients their chance at wrangling with these fish on light tackle.

Low and slow on the retrieve has been the ticket using jigs and gulps.

SNOOK:

Well it is winter so the snook are around but best on those sunny days and on dark bottom flats. Low and slow retrieve using soft plastic jerk baits has enticed some good strikes.

Give me a call or send a request and I’ll tailor a trip for your around the tides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Snook, Redfish and Even a few Tarpon Start 2017 in the Ten Thousand Islands

Posted on by Captain John

The first week of 2017 fishing south of Marco island in the Ten Thousand Islands is off to a great start. Snook, Redfish and even a few Tarpon have been cooperating readily to the daily offerings.

The back water is a magical place where life begins and the snook, redfish are plentiful. This week has been no exception with multiple releases. Redfish and snook along with sea trout, snappers, ladyfish and jacks have been feeding well. The action has been good and the water continues to be unseasonably warm so tarpon have showed themselves from time to time.

Slot and over slot redfish have been eager to bite when we have good tide movement. The offerings of jigs tipped with shrimp or a live shrimp on a popping cork has been very productive. Fishing the falling tide has been most productive. there is also a good bite during the flood tide, fishing the flats and edges of oyster bars with water flow. During the outgoing tide we hit the mangrove shore lines and have been connecting well with reds, snook and trout. We have had several slams this past week with 3 of the 4 main species being brought to the skiff.

There was little cool front that went through yesterday and it dropped the air temp a few degrees but the water temp remains higher than normal for this time of year. That is why  a few tarpon still lurking around.

January and February are starting to get booked up but there are a few days left with choice tides. So if you will be in the Naples, Marco Island area  give me a call or inquire by  email and we will discuss and create a trip to the Ten Thousand Islands for you. The fish are waiting.

The featured photo is an over slot redfish and a perfect release. The angler is Rob Laufenburg from NJ. Great job Rob!

FISH THE TIDES, NOT THE CLOCK……

Capt. John

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