Create a memory for a life time! Take the kids on one of the affordable charters Southwest Florida has to offer. Spend a day relaxed, fishing some of the best areas in the Gulf. You have never lived until you have fought a ferocious Tarpon until your arms are sore, or tasted the exquisite texture of a freshly caught Snook. Enjoy the exotic eco system of the Red Mangrove, from the brackish water to the intricate waterways. You will delight in the in many fish found locally here. Don’t be surprised if everyone on the boat catches a different kind of fish!

I have included some links for current reports of the backwater angling and gulf fishing locally. Please ask and our staff will point you in the right direction. We are all experienced boaters!
http://www.floridasportsman.com/regions/sw/
http://www.floridagulfcoastcharters.com/
http://www.fishing-florida.com/

What you Must Know Before You Go

This article is for all anglers. It contains the do's and don'ts of fishing along Florida's coastline and from off its shorelines. It explains who needs and who does not need a fishing license, and it tells what fish - and how many may be taken home. Saltwater Fishing licenses are sold at all county tax collectors' offices and at many bait-and-tackle shops. Licenses may also be obtained over the telephone by dialing Toll Free, 1-888-347-4356. The cost differs for residents and nonresidents.

The law says anyone who takes, attempts to take, or possesses marine fish for noncommercial purposes must have a saltwater fishing license, except for those qualifying for exemptions listed below.

Florida Residents
When applying for a saltwater fishing license, you are considered to be a Florida Resident if you are:
-- any person who has resided in this state for six continuous months prior to the issuance of a license and who has an intent to continue to reside in Florida as their primary residence.
-- any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is stationed in this state (includes spouse and dependent children residing in household).

Florida residents may buy a lifetime saltwater fishing license or a lifetime sportsman license. Holders of lifetime saltwater fishing licenses may fish in saltwater as long as they live and will pay no additional fees. The license fee includes the taking of snook or crawfish - which would otherwise require a separate fee. A lifetime sportsman license allows holders to fish in fresh water or salt water and to hunt in Florida. Both of these licenses require holders to obey fishing or hunting laws in effect at any given time.

You Do Not Need a License If You Are:
-- A Florida resident fishing from land or a structure fixed to the land - a pier, bridge, dock, floating dock, jetty or similar structure - but not from a boat.
-- A Florida resident who is 65 years old or older.
-- A Florida resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, who is not stationed in this state, while on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders. This does not include family members.
-- A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in fresh water--with a valid Florida fresh water license.
-- A Florida resident who is fishing for saltwater fish in fresh water from land or from a structure fixed to the land.
-- Under 16 years of age.
-- Fishing from a boat that has a valid recreational vessel saltwater fishing license.
-- A non-resident fishing from a pier that has a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
-- A holder of a valid commercial saltwater products license. (Only one person fishing under a vessel saltwater products license may claim the exemption on the vessel for which the saltwater product license is registered.)
-- Any person who has been accepted as a client for development services by AHCA (Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration) or any licensed provider of services through contract with AHCA, where such service involves the need, normally, for possession of saltwater fishing license and such service is provided as part of a court-decided rehabilitation program involving training in Florida's aquatic resources.

A Florida resident who is certified permanently and totally disabled may obtain a "disabled persons certificate" which allows them to fish in both saltwater and freshwater at no charge from a county tax collector.