Best Fishing Charters in Fort Myers

Owner, Captain Matt is a Fort Myers native, born to a family of fishing enthusiasts dating back four generations. With more than a decade of charter fishing experience, he has a number of customized packages for the experienced fisherman and novice alike. From light tackle and fly fishing to heart-pounding tarpon fishing, you can find whatever you like. Captain Matt uses a Silver King flats boat that is perfect for accommodating families, as well as a 22' Pathfinder Bay boat for more serious sports enthusiasts. If you land a big catch, he can even aid with the mounting of your fish through taxidermy.

Paradise Charters sets sail from the heart of Fort Myers Beach at Snook Bright Marina, where you will conveniently find a Publix Supermarket to fill your cooler with all kinds of goodies before you board. The boat, a 24-inch Tidewater perfectly outfitted for fishing and can seat up to six. Captain Shawn is patient and flexible once out on the water. His knowledge about the area's wildlife and history makes for an enjoyable ride to where the fish are biting, and he has a great knack for getting them on the line. After he cleans your catch, he'll give you tips on cooking or at least steer you in the direction of a restaurant that will do it for you.

This charter service has two 24-foot Morgan Boats, perfect for exploring the inland waters and back bays. Docked at a marina found just before you cross the Sanibel Causeway, you'll get fast access to areas teaming with fish. Arrangements can also be made for pick up on the area's barrier islands (Sanibel and Captiva) and select resorts. These boats are capable of getting into shallow water and are also good for sightseeing. The popular Fish and Chips excursion offers four hours of fishing and lunch at a waterfront restaurant. With a good amount of shade, you'll be able to fit a party of six maximum. Repeat customers rave about the service and the success they have on the waters, catching all kinds of fish that are keepers.

Good Time Charters is a family friendly company that is not only known for its dolphin and sunset cruises but also it's fishing charters. The flat deck boat is perfect for the calm waters of the back bays. While they can go out into the Gulf of Mexico, it's only by a couple of miles, no deep sea adventures but you can still haul in creatures from the deep--like sharks. The boat is wheelchair accessible, there is some shade and all of your equipment is provided for you. Most adventures are four hours and can accommodate two to six people. Perfect for families, girls trips or experienced anglers, Good Time truly is a good time.

Whether you're an avid angler or new to fishing, FishSkinner Fishing Charters offers great, guided trips, from a Fort Myers native; including half-day and full-day charters. While specializing in fishing the flats and in the back bays, the company also has more targeted trips for anglers specifically seeking snook, tarpon and shark. You can book a trip on the 23-foot Aquasport that has lots of room and shade; perfect for a combo shelling and fishing trip with the family. Then there is the 18-foot Hewes, great for shallow water and light tackle fishing, with a casting platform to scout your prey. Shimano rods are provided along with all necessary equipment, including a camera to capture your catch. Trips last from 4-8 hours and boats can carry 2-6 people.

Operated by a 5th generation Floridian, the captain of this fishing charter loves looking for tarpon and fishing for snook. The 23-foot Carolina skiff is perfect for fishing the back bays with a new boat recently added to the lineup. The redesigned Aqua Sport is customized for fishing tours, with a 10-foot tower, appropriately placed bait boxes, coolers and no dead space. All equipment is provided on the customized tours that typically last four hours and can accommodate two to six people. Leaving from the Marina at Pink Shell Resort, the owners also offer a summer camp for junior anglers through the resort.

While this charter has a home base of Rick's Marina, if you are staying on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel or Captiva, the captain can come to a marina closer to you for pickup. Like many local fishing charters, this one does a great job exploring the back bays, but the deep-sea adventures lead by Captain Kyle are something special. The twin diesel engine, 36-foot Luhrs Open, has plenty of power to get you out into deep waters with speed and ease. The young captain keeps a GPS database to keep track of his offshore sweet spots and well-populated wrecks. This boat also has a small air-conditioned cabin below, if you need a break from the heat. It's comfy and clean, with well-maintained equipment and great service, regardless of your skill level.

Captain Frank is a Florida native and former Marine Sargent who also has commercial fishing experience in Hawaii. His custom-built boat is like no other you'll find in the area; aluminum, unsinkable, like the rescue boats of the US Coast Guard. The 27-foot twin engine craft has lots of power to get you offshore fast. Because the boat is so light, he can also maneuver the inland waters as shallow as 2 ½ feet. Because the boat is versatile, when the weather is rough and other charters cancel, Frank can usually still find a clear spot. He also has a federal license that allows for pelagic and reef fishing. You'll be able to fish for everything from Mahi and blackfin tuna to snook and redfish. There is a hardtop roof for shade and comfy couches underneath when you need a break.

This Fort Myers charter company offers an array of tours including numerous fishing excursions to suit anglers of all experience levels. Daily backwater fishing trips take patrons out into the usually calm waters surrounding Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Islands, to fish for jack, mackerel, cobia, pompano and spotted sea trout. Experienced private guides are also available for fly-fishing, light tackle fishing, backcountry fishing and tarpon fishing. Adventures In Paradise provides all necessary equipment, bait (usually live shrimp), tackle and licenses.The Miss Paradise pontoon is perfect for families, affordable, with wide open space and plenty of shade. Besides fishing, Adventures in Paradise offers a wide range of tours on local waterways.

Endless Summer Charters is not only one of the premier choices for shallow, back bay fishing's they also venture off shore. Their 25-foot bay boat is one of the largest private charter boats in the area, and it's also available for tarpon fishing and shark fishing, among other exciting adventures. May-July, Captains Bill and Matt set their sites on tarpon. Both men know the waters, where to find the fish and they are patient with kids. Endless Summer also offers combo trips to some of the area's famous islands for shelling and lunch, with some fishing along the way, so everyone in your party is happy. Depart from Port Sanibel Marina for a half-day, full day or night trip.