Captain Information

Captains Name: Capt. Lex Barnes

Company: Barnes Charter Service

Region: West Central Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 352-634-0435 �
Website Address: citruscountyfishingguide.com/
Email Address: capt.lexbarnes@earthlink.net
Address:7730 N Hargrove Pt. Crystal River, Florida 34428

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: Crystal River
Ozello
Homosassa

Specialty: Redfish, Sea trout, Cobia, Inshore, Nearshore

Boat Information

Boat Name: Boondocker
Boat Equipment:20 ft. Proline powered by 200 H.P. Yamaha, powerpole
Max Party: 4

Additional Information

More About Us:3rd generation guide in area.

Captain Information

Captains Name: Captain Leon Veilleux

Company: Captain Leon Inc.

Region: Southwest Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 239 222 6175 �
Website Address: captainleon.com/
Email Address: captain-leon@hotmail.com
Address:1411 wells Avenue, Lehigh, Florida 33972

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: Boca Grande
Charlotte harbor
Sanibel
Pine island sound

Specialty: Snook, Redfish, Trout, Shark, Snapper, Flats and Bay

Boat Information

Boat Name: 22′ Shearwater
Boat Equipment:The boat is fully equipped for a great day of fishing including quality rods, reels, tackle, live bait and artificial. It is equipped with a trolling motor for the days when we need to stalk our trophy.
Max Party: 4

Additional Information

More About Us:Captain Leon has fished the waters from Stump pass to Estero Bay for 25 years. His knowledge of fish habits and local history are sure to keep you entertained. Fishing is his passion.

Captain Information

Captains Name: Captain Richie Price

Company: Adrenaline Fishing

Region: Southwest Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 239-209-1091 �
Website Address: AdrenalineFishing.com/
Email Address: Qsearch2@aol.com
Address:715 Hutto Rd, North Fort Myers, Florida 33903

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: Bokeelia, Four Winds Marina
Boca Grand
North Captiva
Pine Island Sound

Specialty: We Catch Fish. Flats, Bays and Passes. We make sure you have a great time. Average time to fishing spots are 10 minutes from the marina. From novice to the top fisherman in the world.

Boat Information

Boat Name: Promaster 22.5
Boat Equipment: The perfect setup for your fishing needs. Minnkota trolling motor, Hummingbird fish finder. Yamaha 150
Max Party: 4

Additional Information

More About Us:When fishing the flats, Captain Richie is known for getting his Redfish and has caught one of the biggest snook ever seen in Florida. Tarpon, Shark, Trout. How about some snapper out of the local passes. We supply license, Rods, Reels, Bait. Tackle and a bag of ice. Bring a hat, shades and a camera.

Captain Information

Captains Name: Captain Rick Moseley

Company: Scales N Tales Charters

Region: Northwest Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 850-578-2627 �
Website Address: scalesntalescharters.com/
Email Address: fishrick@gtcom.net
Address:15619 Pompano Place. Keaton Beach, Florida 32348

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: Keaton Beach

Crystal River

Specialty: inshore,nearshore,back country fishing for Trout-redfish-cobia-flounder-snook-black drum-and other inshore species

Boat Information

Boat Name: SCALES N TALES
Boat Equipment: We supply all bait and tackle bottled water, a small variety of sodas, fishing license’s. You supply lunch for your party, sunscreen and when scalloping you bring your own dive equipment for health reasons.

Max Party: 4

Additional Information

More About Us:Please do not bring beverages in glass containers, no oil based sunscreen, no boots or black sole shoes. you may bring beer as long as it is used in moderation NO Banana’s, they are bad luck.

Captain Information

Captains Name: Captain Jay Masters

Company: Fat Cat Fishing Charters

Region: West Central Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 727-522-4301 �
Website Address: fatcatfishingcharters.com/
Email Address: jaymasters@hotmail.com
Address:5420 65th terrace North. Pinellas Park, Florida 33781

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: St Petersburg

Tampa Bay

Clearwater

Eggmont Key

Specialty: Catch Tarpon, Kingfish, Trout, Snook, Cobia, Grouper, Sharks and more. Inshore, near shore and up to twenty miles out. Capt Jay was the winner of the 2008 Suncoast Tarpon Roundup Finale Day.

Boat Information

Boat Name: Fat Cat
Boat Equipment: FISH A 22 FOOT SEA CAT WITH TWIN 2009 SUZUKI 100 hp 4 stroke outboards, TOWER, T-TOP, DUAL COLOR GPS, DUAL FISH COLOR FINDER MACHINES, OUT RIGGERS, DOWN RIGGERS , Am/FM.CD. VHF Marine Radio.EPERB ON BOARD. High end Shamono and Pinn reels custom rods.
Max Party: 4

Additional Information

More About Us:Fat Cat Charters will take you where the fish are for a great day of fun and Tight Lines.

All license’s, bait, rods, reels, everything you need to catch fish like a pro and have a great time while in Sunny Florida. If you have questions your welcome to call or e-mail me.

Some of Florida’s finest saltwater fishing occurs in the southwest. This area of Florida has some of the best backcountry and flats fishing in the state, using light tackle or fly fishing is angling at its best. Florida’s extensive network of bays, mangrove islands and tidal creeks that permeate the region present angling challenges to the accomplished angler as well as the novice. There are thousands of miles of shoreline, oyster bars and acres of sea-grass flats that attract an abundance of saltwater fish. The canals, bridges and numerous boat docks that also populate our area present their own unique fishing challenge to every angler.In addition to the fishing, Florida’s wildlife helps to provide an extraordinary sight seeing experience. Birds of prey, bald eagles and ospreys as well as wading birds commonly observed include snowy egrets, reddish egrets, great blue herons, white and snowy ibis, and roseate spoonbills. Dolphins are usually seen on almost every trip.

Captain Information

Captains Name: Captain Bill Hammond

Company: Endless Summer Charters, Inc.

Region: Southwest Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 239-410-3454 �
Website Address: EndlessSummerCharters.net
Email Address: CaptainBill@EndlessSummerCharters.net
Address:16301 Vesta Ln. Fort Myers, Florida 33908

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: Fort Myers

Sanibel

Captiva

Fort Myers Beach

Specialty: We specialize in Family Adventures and Fishing Excursions.

Boat Information

Boat Name: Endless Summer
Boat Equipment: 24′ Action Craft Coastal Bay Tournament Edition
Max Party:

Additional Information

More About Us:Fishing Excursions & Family Adventures in S.W. Florida

Captain Information

Captains Name: Captain Jeremy Stewart

Company: Catch Me If U Can Fishing Charters

Region: Southwest Florida
Contact Information
Phone: 239-210-8339 �
Website Address: catchmeifucanfishing.com
Email Address: jc.stewart@comcast.net
Address:9149 Gladiolus Preserve Circle Fort Myers, Florida 33908

Fishing Information

Fishing Locations: Fort Myers

Sanibel and Captiva Island

Estero Bay and Pine Island Sound

Gulf of Mexico and Caloosahatte River

Specialty: Along with our top of the line equipment we offer the very best in customer service backed by Professionalism and Courtesy.

Boat Information

Boat Name: 2008n Lake and Bay 22′ Back Water
Boat Equipment: This is a true custom tournament boat built for the best by the best. 36 vold motorguide bob’s jackplate, garmin 545s, 8ft powerpole 275 Mercury verado supercharged 4 stroke
Max Party:

Additional Information

More About Us:Experience some of the finest back country fishing that Southwest Florida has to offer, including the World Famous Pine Island Sound, Estero Bay and Caloosahatchee River.Seasoned anglers and eager beginners have the chance to enjoy some of the most spectacular world class fishingin Florida .No matter your pleasure, Capt. Jeremy’s skill and knowledge of the area will provide you with the trip of a lifetime.

Along the north shoreline of the Guana River dam could be found the best crabbing in Northeast Florida. Intently looking, you will recognize some elaborate crabbing rigs comprised of running a horizontal main line from stake to stake. Tied multiple bait lines spaced evenly run the main line.

It’s easy to attract crabs, just put in a piece of fresh mullet, ladyfish or pogy to get them chewing. A chunk of chicken is another favorite bait of these crabs which is a lot more easier to produce.

Once all the baits are in place, a sharp eye will detect a slight disturbance of a bait line. The crabber simply wades out and slowly handlines in the crab while sliding a landing net under the shelled-creature.

In addition to the crabs, during the evenings in the summer, another crustacean is targeted: shrimp. Shrimpers lay their baits along the north shoreline of the dam and along the southeast and southwest edges of the lake. If you make runs up and down the stake line as you throw a castnet, this will produce some very large shrimp.

When viewed from a helicopter, you will immediately know that the appeal of Guana Lake is not limited to fishing. There is good waterfowl hunting here and seasonal opportunities to gather crabs and shrimp as well.

Guana is fortunately one of the few publicly accessible waterfowl hunting areas in Northeast Florida. September is marked here as an early teal and wood duck hunting season but the regular hunting season begins in November. Hunters are required to check in and out of the Six Mile Landing located off of A1A.  Do not bring your retriever as a hunting companion during the early duck season if you don’t want the surplus of lurking large alligators to feed on it. Wait for the cold weather. During this time, the alligators are less active.

Wildlife Biologist (from FWC) Justin Ellenberger said, “Greenwing teal are the most abundant species with bluewings a close second, behind that, ringnecks.” Ellenberger adds, “Guana Lake is similar to Merritt Island and T.M. Goodwin in that it is an impoundment, where it differs is in its size. Guana Lake is by far the smallest of the three.”

According to Ellenberger, Guana Lake is not managed primarily for waterfowl alone. “The management practices we use for the ducks are also good for the fish. One of the preferred types of vegetation is widgeon grass. In addition to it being an excellent food source for the ducks, it also serves as a nursery for shrimp and other marine life,” he said.

To enhance the growth of desirable plants and at the same time benefit the marine life, the FWC draws down the water level to expose the shorelines to the air and sun after the close of hunting season.  This practice becomes beneficial once the water level is raised with salt water from the Guana River during the early summer.

It is advisable to use boat even if you are hunting for two reasons: alligators and the soft mud.  Of the 2,200 acres, nearly half is good ducks’ habitat. This area is situated in the northern half of the lake. Hunters are allowed to do their thing every Saturday and Wednesday during the waterfowl season.

Ducks are not the only species visited by the hunters in Guana. Hogs and deer are also targeted during archery, muzzleloading and general gun seasons. Adding to these are six small game hunts that start in December.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) limits the maximum horsepower on Guana Lake at 10. This means no jet- or air-propelled watercraft are permitted. Nevertheless, it’s a great place for johnboats or paddle craft, such as canoes and kayaks. Many species of water birds inhabit the northern end of the lake and there is no better way to cruise smoothly than with a canoe or kayak. If you happen to paddle into the turf of a bull aligator, you may want to alter course since these have been known to stand their ground, especially during the breeding season.

It is easy to dichotomize kayakers in Guana: those who enjoy the scenic opportunities Guana provides and those who rig the kayaks for battle with Guana’s inshore lineup.

One thing Mike Kogan (creator of jaxkayakfishing.com) has developed in the shallow water found in Guana is using a stakeout pole. “You can quietly deploy the pole when you want to work an area or when you spot a fish moving through the shallows. Toss a topwater or a weedless twitchbait and get ready to get slammed,” Kogan explains.

A word of advice from Kogan with regards to the alligators: “Don’t put your fish on a stringer.” Other than respect for the alligators, Kogan finds Guana Lake very inviting to the paddling community, “since there are not any tides and for the most part, you can always find protection from the wind; Guana is made for what we love to do.”

Because of the relatively placid water and lack of strong tides, large vessels and such, Guana provides a first class experience for paddlers.