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John Pipitone
Captain

John Pipitone

Marco Island, United States
100+ reviews
Grew up on the small island of Marco. I began fishing as a kid and got my own boat when I was 15. I started going fishing after school and on the weekend with my buddies. I fell in love with the backcountry and the abundance of fish that you can catch. After many years of fishing, I decided to start my own charter business to show people what I have learned over the years. Book a trip today and see what fishing around Marco is all about

Charter

Rating

4.9
196 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

97%
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
91%
Caught fish

All reviews (196)

Showing 1 – 5 of 196 reviews
  • Ryan Crook
    Ryan Crook
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Best Charter in Marco

    Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore • 2 adults

    It’s fishing not catching. The Captain put us on the fish. Captain John is a great time! We caught a ton of fish, keeping the rods bent for most of the day. He is super knowledgeable of the area and all the types of fish. The Captain knew I was staying at a house on the water and let me in on the local secrets. Will be back for another trip!

    Reported catch:
    Speckled Trout
    Mangrove Snapper
  • Dan Mueller
    Dan Mueller
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip with Captain John

    Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore • 4 adults

    Booked a morning charter with Captain John in late January. His pre trip communication was clear and accurate leading up to the trip. It was unseasonably cold and windy but that didn't stop us from catching many different varietys of fish. Captain was extremely knowledgeable and considerate to us novice salt water fishermen. We caught all kinds of species including sheephead,snapper,shark,trout,puffer fish, catfish and some others. John is easy going, very personalable and straight forward. He was very knowledgable about the 10,000 island fishing locations. His boat was very clean and very easy to find. Would definitely recommend a trip with captain John, and hope to come back in the future.

  • Tom Cox
    Tom Cox
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Full Day Trip w/ Captain John

    Full Day Trip – Extreme Inshore • 2 adults

    Had a great day, the weather was beautiful. Captain John took us to all the hot spots, but the fish weren't cooperating. We still managed to catch several jacks, a stingray (that was some work), a Snook, mangrove snapper, and a redfish. Along the way we may have got into a couple catfish and ladyfish. Ended up taking the redfish and snapper with us to a local reataurang and had them pan sear them as an appitizer. All in all it was a great day on the water, got to see lots of birds, a couple manatee and a aome dolphins. Would definitely book again with Captain John and Southbound Charters. Thanks for a great day Cap!!

  • Kenneth Clore
    Kenneth Clore
    Repeat angler
    us
    Maryland, US
    Member since 2022
    2 trips
    4.7
    Verified

    Very Good charter - 4.5 stars

    Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore • 4 adults

    The captain adjusted the time on us last minute and we would’ve preferred to leave at 7 AM. However, that was not a huge deal and Captain John is a good guy and very knowledgeable. The boat was great, And he had us set up well. We caught a decent amount of fish, including a small hammerhead shark.

  • Jason Vettraino
    Jason Vettraino
    Repeat angler
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2019
    7 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with John

    Half Day Trip (PM) – Shark/Tarpon • 2 adults

Real catches shared by our community

  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    A shark is seen swimming just below the surface, showcasing the excitement of fishing in coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Hammerhead Shark
    Kenneth .
    Kenneth .
    The captain adjusted the time on us last minute and we would’ve preferred to leave at 7 AM. However, that was not a huge deal and Captain John is a good guy and very knowledgeable. The boat was great, And he had us set up well. We caught a decent amount of fish, including a small hammerhead shark.
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Young angler reeling in a fish from a small boat in coastal mangrove waters, with the rod visibly bent under tension.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Mangrove Snapper
    Matt S.
    Matt S.
    Ideal trip. Professional and productive.
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Two adult anglers proudly display a freshly caught fish aboard a bay fishing boat, with calm coastal water and a landing net visible.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Speckled Trout
    Chris N.
    Chris N.
    Great Captain, great boat, wonderful day. Highly recommend to all.
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Young child photographed outdoors in a backyard; no boat, fishing activity, or catch is visible.
    Ramsey W.
    Ramsey W.
    I have been on 25 plus charters, from Hawaii to the Atlantic of North Carolina and Captain John is by far the best Captain I have used. Not only is he great company but he is very knowledgeable about the mangroves and the species of fish we are aiming for. Captain John is highly recommended.
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Young angler proudly holding a large snook aboard a center-console fishing boat in coastal waters.
    Adam P.
    Adam P.
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Angler proudly holds a large snook aboard a center-console fishing boat, with two adult companions nearby in a scenic coastal waterway.
    George C.
    George C.
    Overall the experience was great. Captain John was super friendly, very skilled, and knew right where to find the fish. The only drawback was that we wanted to eat our catch, but unfortunately our catches (approx 40) were too small or out of season.
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    An angler proudly displaying a caught shark while fishing on a boat in clear waters, showcasing a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Blacktip Shark
    Taylor T.
    Taylor T.
    Had a fun half day with family shark fishing with Captain John. I think we caught about 14 shark overall and lots of other fish! Captain John did a great job making sure we were always baited up & guiding us with the shark lines. We had a great time!!
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Group of adult anglers displaying a freshly caught silver fish on the bow of a boat over clear coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Jack Crevalle
    Nicole S.
    Nicole S.
    Had a great day on the water with Captain John, will definitely be back next time we’re in town! Go bills!
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Angler holds a large snook aboard a center-console fishing boat in calm coastal waters, with a second crew member visible near the helm.
    Ryan S.
    Ryan S.
    Had a great time with Captain John Pipitone. I caught my first snook and it was a BEAST!
  • Southbound Fishing Charters
    Southbound Fishing ChartersMarco Island, FL
    Angler aboard a center-console fishing boat proudly displaying multiple inshore fish, including a snook and redfish, in a mangrove-lined waterway.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Tom C.
    Tom C.
    Had a great day, the weather was beautiful. Captain John took us to all the hot spots, but the fish weren't cooperating. We still managed to catch several jacks, a stingray (that was some work), a Snook, mangrove snapper, and a redfish. Along the way we may have got into a couple catfish and ladyfish. Ended up taking the redfish and snapper with us to a local reataurang and had them pan sear them as an appitizer. All in all it was a great day on the water, got to see lots of birds, a couple manatee and a aome dolphins. Would definitely book again with Captain John and Southbound Charters. Thanks for a great day Cap!!

What's biting with Southbound Fishing Charters in Marco Island

The start of November may be your last chance to board a deep sea fishing charters for the year. Head offshore and catch large bottom fish or troll for a prize worth bragging about. The backwaters are promising, as always. 

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

An angler proudly displaying a large Jack Crevalle while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Afternoom Success

May 5, 2021 • Marco Island
Brian got on some nice ones this afternoon. Got some extra livebait from my buddy and it worked for the snook. Switched gears and threw jigs with shrimp and got rewarded with redfish and a nice permit. Dinner is served.
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An angler proudly displaying a large Snook while seated on a boat in a mangrove-lined waterway.

Big Big Fish

May 4, 2021 • Marco Island
The big Snook and redfish were chewing for the boys. Livebait was the key. Pilchards freelined. Book now.
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An angler proudly displaying a Snook caught while fishing from a boat in a scenic coastal environment.

Snook Bite

Apr 28, 2021 • Marco Island
Bill got a nice snook and big jacks with me on a half day. Big baits big fish. Book now to get on em.
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An angler proudly displaying a large Black Drum caught while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Cw and his family

Apr 17, 2021 • Marco Island
Cw and his family came back for their annual trip. Nice mixed bag of Redfish, Trout and snapper were biting on the shrimp. Awesome day with them.
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Snook while fishing from a Pathfinder boat in a mangrove-lined waterway.

Birthday Snook

Apr 16, 2021 • Marco Island
Elijah got himself a nice slot snook for his birthday. Got on some nice snapper and jacks as well. Awesome day with the crew.
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Afternoon delight

Apr 16, 2021 • Marco Island
Big Redfish and snook for the crew from Tennessee. Livebait was the key to getting them to bite. Also got some trout as well for the slam. Great trip.
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