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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

We'll discuss the meet up location the day before the trip, whichever boat launch works best for you and the best bite! Placida, Gasparilla, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Charlotte harbor, Pine Island sound, Matlacha pass, Sanibel, Captiva, Estero bay, the Caloosahatchee, Peace and Myakka rivers are all areas the we fishing on a daily basis.

We will be fishing the shallow flats and back country waters in search of some of the worlds most prized inshore gamefish… and depending on the season our main target species include tarpon, redfish, snook and speckled trout along with a list of other fish that live in the areas we fish.

We will be fishing from a technical poling skiff, which will accommodate myself and a maximum of 2 anglers and the gear for the specific day we have planned.

Whether light tackle with artificials or fly fishing is your game, I will provide you with top quality tackle and equipment to get the job done.

Excited to fish with you!

Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Disability Friendly

This trip can accommodate those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 hours	6 hours	8 hours
1 Person	$400.00	$525.00	$650.00
2 People	$400.00	$525.00	$650.00
3 People (two boats)	$800.00	$1,050.00	$1,300.00
4 People (two boats)	$800.00	$1,050.00	$1,300.00

Pay 20% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

About Your Guide

Michael S.

Independent Guide

Talkative

Intense

Instructional

Beginner Oriented

Adventurous

Quality

About Your Guide

Michael S.

Independent Guide

I grew up on the Great Lakes and started fishing with my father around 3 years old… this soon turned into my passion spending every free minute I had on the water. In 2008 I relocated to Florida and quickly became obsessed with inshore saltwater fishing, spending 150-200 days a year on the water. After guiding part time for several years and realizing that all I really wanted to do was fish I decided to make my passion my full time career.

In 2023 I had a custom Beavertail skiff built to better serve his customers and be able to take my fishing to the next level.

I specialize in light tackle artificial and fly fishing… but I will do whatever is necessary to see my customers catch a fish and put a smile on their faces.

While skilled anglers are always a pleasure to have on the bow of my skiff it is sometimes even more rewarding to teach a person how to do something they’ve never done before and watch them succeed.

My home waters are Pine Island sound, Matlache, Charlotte Harbor and Estero bay. Depending on the time of year, customers location and our targeted species for the day will determine exactly where we go.

SW Florida is a beautiful place and a day on the flats and in the backcountry is filled with nature and wildlife truly unique to this area.

I hope to be able to share this bountiful estuary with you.

Your fish of a lifetime is only a cast away!!!

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

200 lb tarpon, 49” snook, 39” redfish

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

Steak and shrimp

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

200 lb tarpon, 49” snook, 39” redfish

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

Steak and shrimp

What’s your favorite band?

Florida Georgia line

What’s your favorite movie?

The godfather

What’s your favorite sports team?

Don’t have one

What’s your drink of choice?

Arnold Palmer

What was your last halloween costume?

BamBam from the flintstones

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Good health for family and friends and a 200 trips next year

How did you get started guiding?

I’ve been passionate about fishing my whole life and decided to turn it into a career

What makes you different from other guides?

I spend my days off fishing… the first thing I ask my client is if they have a specific species they would like to catch or something they would like to do… and then I do everything I possibly can to make that happen for them on their trip with me.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.

You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.

Matlacha, Florida

Areas Fished

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Charlotte Harbor Inshore Fishing

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Beavertail Skiffs , Elite
Year Built: 2023
Boat Length: 17'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Beavertail Skiffs , Elite
Year Built: 2023
Boat Length: 17'
Boat Restroom: No
Engine Manufacturer: Suzuki
Total Horsepower: 90
Number of Engines: 1

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Disability Friendly

This trip can accommodate those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Fly Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Sight Casting
Topwater Fishing

Everything Else to Know

All rods, reels, and tackle are included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and any gear of your own you want to use on the trip.

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Russ

Verified Review

December 17

Excellent Guide. He knows the fishery very well. Made sure we caught fish. I highly recommend.

Russ

Verified Review

December 17

Excellent Guide. He knows the fishery very well. Made sure we caught fish. I highly recommend.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.