2 Lagoon Charters with Captain Experiences

About Your Guide

Fred Pharis

Independent Guide

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Beginner Oriented

Comfortable

Quality

Captain Fred has fished the northern Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon within the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge for more than 30 years, 15 years as a permitted USCG Captain/Guide. Located just minutes from Orlando area attractions on Central Florida's East Coast you'll have the opportunity to spend time on a truly unique estuary catching Redfish, Sea Trout, Black Drum, Snook and Tarpon.

Captain Fred is laid back and offers a stress free experience on the water for anglers of all experience levels! He will work hard to put you on fish, make some memories and enjoy your trip!

Kids are always welcome, Captain Fred will take time to teach them the "ropes" of fishing the flats while pointing out the wildlife in this beautiful estuary.

When you book a trip, all tackle, bait/lures, fishing license, ice and water is provided! All you need to do is bring a hat sunglasses, sunscreen and whatever else you want to drink or snack on for the trip.

About Your Guide

Fred Pharis

Independent Guide

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

I don't want to brag about the big fish I've caught over my fishing life. I have caught Marlin, Sailfish, big bull dolphin offshore. However, my favorite is to see a bull redfish pushing 35 to 40lb in 2 or 3 feet of water and making that perfect cast! Or a catching a 10lb Sea Trout, a 40+" Snook or a 30+lb Black Drum whether I'm or my client is catching!

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Blackened fish tacos!

What’s your favorite band?

I like a wide range of music from country to rock

What’s your favorite sports team?

Tampa Bay Bucs, Rays and Orlando Magic

What’s your drink of choice?

While on the water, Gatorade and water! Afterwards, you cant beat a nice cold beer!

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Spend quality time with my family!

How did you get started guiding?

It's always been a dream! Over the years local guides got to know me, I earned their respect and became good friends with a couple of them that pushed me to get my captains license. After I got my USCG Captains license I started as a part time guide for about 5 years and now I'm full time! I'm living that dream, truly enjoying every moment on the water meeting new and interesting people from all over the world!

What makes you different from other guides?

I'm laid back! I DO NOT bark at anglers for making mistakes! We're all human, I make mistakes and I always learn something new when I'm on the water! Some days on the water the "catching" is easy, other days you have to work hard to get tight lines, that's fishing, any guide who says otherwise is just plain wrong! I will work hard to make sure we catch fish even if that means to go beyond the booked timeframe! If we're on fish and catching at the end of scheduled trip, I'm staying until the bite slows or my clients tell me their ready to go! My main goal is to ensure you have an awesome fishing experience whether its an epic, average or slow day of catching!