Damn Good Florida Fishing Charters

The best fishing charters in Florida are:

• Captain GW Guide Service guided by Gw D. with 30 years of experience
• Ken Diaz Charters guided by Ken D. with 23 years of experience
• Leatherneck Backcountry Fishing guided by Ben T. with 18 years of experience
• Captain Kevin Grainger guided by Kevin G.
• Born And Raised Charters guided by Mike B.

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 11 trips in Florida, and the most popular trips in the area are SWFL Fly Fishing guided by Kevin, Experience The Everglades guided by Cody, and 5-8 Hour Fishing Trip guided by Brock.

Our guides in Florida are rated a 4.5 out of 5 based on 8888 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly charters / fishing lessons in Florida? Check out our beginner and family friendly charters in Florida.

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing in Florida as well as inshore fishing, flats fishing, and nearshore fishing.

The most commonly sought after species in Florida are: 1. snook, 2. speckled trout, 3. tarpon, 4. redfish, and 5. permit.

The most common fishing techniques in Florida are artificial lure fishing, light tackle fishing, and sight casting but fly fishing and live bait fishing are popular as well.

Prices in Florida can range anywhere from about $695 to $1,900, but the average price for a half day trip in Florida is $1,022. The average price for a full day trip in Florida is $1,383.

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

The most popular season for fishing in Florida is summer, and most anglers book their trips 33 days in advance.

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Florida, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Florida. When in doubt, your guide will always know all the relevant rules and regulations in Florida.

Fishing in Florida is more than a hobby—it’s a way of life, a call from the salt and freshwater that runs through the veins of the Sunshine State. From the white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast to the winding backwaters of the Everglades, Florida offers some of the most diverse and exciting fishing on the planet. Whether you’re chasing snook in the mangroves, reeling in mahi-mahi offshore, or casting for largemouth bass in a glassy lake at sunrise, there’s always something biting in Florida’s endless waters.

The saltwater scene is legendary. On the coasts, tarpon patrol the flats, redfish tail in the shallows, and bonefish dart through the skinny waters of the Keys. Offshore, the deep blue beckons with the promise of sailfish, tuna, and wahoo for those willing to venture out past the reefs. Every cast here carries the potential for something spectacular, the kind of fish that makes your heart race and your hands shake as you reach for the net. Fishing in Florida isn’t just sport—it’s an adventure.

Inland, Florida’s freshwater fishing is just as compelling. The state’s countless lakes, rivers, and canals are home to trophy-sized largemouth bass, feisty peacock bass, and schools of panfish perfect for a family outing. The peace of a quiet morning on Lake Okeechobee or the thrill of battling a bass in the winding St. Johns River offers a change of pace from the saltier pursuits. No matter where you drop a line, Florida delivers, with its unparalleled mix of natural beauty, teeming waters, and the promise of an unforgettable day.

In Florida, fishing isn’t bound by a calendar—it’s a year-round pursuit shaped by the ever-changing rhythm of the water and the wanderings of its wild inhabitants. Spring kicks things off with a flourish, as the flats come alive with redfish, snook, and the much-coveted tarpon making their annual migration. Offshore, mahi-mahi and sailfish begin to light up the deep blue, while freshwater anglers find largemouth bass spawning in the shallows of Florida’s countless lakes. It’s a season of renewal, where the possibilities feel as endless as the shoreline.

Summer in Florida is pure fishing magic. The Gulf and Atlantic are buzzing with life, from kingfish and grouper lurking around the reefs to tuna and marlin cruising further offshore. The flats remain prime territory for snook and bonefish, especially during the cool morning hours, while night fishing for tarpon around the bridges adds a dose of adrenaline to the warm summer nights. Meanwhile, inland lakes and rivers offer steady action for bass and panfish, making summer a season where every kind of angler can find their perfect moment.

As fall rolls in, the pace shifts but the action stays hot. Cooler temperatures draw big redfish into the inshore waters, creating prime opportunities for sight-casting in the shallows. Offshore, wahoo and blackfin tuna take center stage, offering fast, hard-hitting battles for those willing to chase them. Freshwater anglers enjoy some of the year’s best bass fishing, with active fish feeding aggressively ahead of winter. Fall in Florida is a season of transition, where every trip feels like a gift, wrapped in golden sunsets and the crisp promise of cooler days ahead.

Fishing in Florida is as diverse as the state itself, offering a spectrum of techniques that range from laid-back to adrenaline-charged. Start with inshore fishing, where the calm waters of bays, mangroves, and estuaries invite you to cast for redfish, snook, and spotted sea trout. Light tackle or fly rods are the tools of choice here, and precision is key. Whether you're sight-fishing for tailing reds or working topwater plugs for snook at sunrise, these shallow water adventures deliver action and scenery in equal measure.

Head to the beaches, and surf fishing takes center stage. Anglers set up rods on sandy shores, targeting pompano, whiting, and the occasional black drum. The rhythm of the waves and the quiet hum of the surf create a meditative backdrop as you wait for the rod tip to bend. For a more mobile approach, wade into the surf with a spinning rod and lures to chase bluefish or Spanish mackerel running near the shoreline.

For the thrill-seekers, Florida’s offshore fishing is in a league of its own. Venture out into the deep blue to troll for mahi-mahi, sailfish, and wahoo, or drop baited lines to the reefs below for grouper and snapper. Big-game anglers often target marlin or tuna, turning a fishing trip into a battle of strength and endurance. No matter your style, Florida’s waters cater to every kind of angler, offering countless ways to connect with the ocean and reel in memories that last a lifetime.

Florida’s waters are a fishing paradise, teeming with species that’ll keep any angler coming back for more. Inshore, redfish are the crown jewels of the mangroves and flats. These copper-hued bruisers are built for a fight, and whether you’re casting live shrimp or working a topwater lure, they’ll test your skills with powerful runs. Right alongside them, snook cruise the estuaries and backwater creeks, blending stealth with speed. Hooking into one of these silver rockets is the stuff of legend, especially if you’re lucky enough to land a trophy under a Florida sunset.

The beaches and nearshore waters bring a whole new lineup. Pompano, prized for their delicate flavor, are a favorite among surfcasters, while Spanish mackerel streak through the shallows in search of baitfish, offering fast-paced action for lure anglers. Keep an eye out for tarpon rolling near the shore—the "silver kings" of Florida. These giants are pure muscle and aerial acrobatics, making every hookup a heart-pounding event. Landing one is an achievement you’ll be bragging about for years.

Offshore, Florida’s deep waters are home to the true heavyweights. Mahi-mahi, with their vibrant colors and high-speed runs, are a favorite for bluewater anglers. Sailfish offer a spectacle, leaping and dancing on the surface like aquatic fireworks. Down on the reefs, grouper and snapper provide a mix of hard-fought battles and unbeatable fillets for the dinner table. Whether you’re exploring the flats, the surf, or the Gulf Stream, Florida’s species list reads like a fisherman’s dream come true.

Florida isn’t just good for fishing—it’s a bona fide angler’s paradise. From the Panhandle to the Keys, the Sunshine State serves up an unrivaled mix of freshwater and saltwater adventures that could fill a lifetime. With over 8,000 miles of coastline, countless lakes, and a web of rivers, Florida has every kind of fishing you can dream up. Whether you’re after the adrenaline of offshore battles or the calm focus of casting in a quiet mangrove forest, this state has it all, and then some.

The variety here is staggering. Offshore waters in the Gulf and Atlantic are home to mahi-mahi, sailfish, and grouper that will test your strength and skill, while the state’s expansive flats and backcountry teem with redfish, snook, and tarpon—the holy grail of inshore angling. Meanwhile, Florida’s freshwater bounty includes world-famous bass fisheries like Lake Okeechobee, where double-digit largemouths are always a possibility. No matter the time of year, there’s a species in season, and the weather rarely gives you an excuse to stay home.

But Florida isn’t just about the catch—it’s about the experience. Picture yourself poling across a glassy flat at sunrise or standing knee-deep in a tannin-stained river, the quiet only broken by the splash of a tailing fish. It’s about the camaraderie of a deep-sea charter or the solitude of a kayak in a hidden creek. Florida doesn’t just offer fishing; it offers stories, memories, and a connection to the water that’s as boundless as the horizon. It’s more than good—it’s iconic.