Charter Captains
Back Water Charter Captain
Gulf Coast Limited Fishing Charters
Owner: Captain Bill Russell and Associate Captains
Berth: Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, and Charlotte Harbor. All trips depart from the Russell home dock (9:00 am or 1:00 pm), 2637 Clyde St., Matlacha, FL 33993. About a 50 minute drive from the Brooks.
Contact Information: Phone 239-283-7960; fishpineisland.com, gclfish@live.com
Rates: Half day (4 hours) $400 – BFC books only 3 anglers per trip.
Boat: 2017 Canyon Bay 24 ft. Bay Boat with Tower
Comments: As a native of Pine Island and professional fishing guide for the past 20 years, Bill specializes in light tackle fishing for Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snappers and a variety of other species including Tarpon. Bill’s wife Laurie handles the scheduling of trips with Bill and several associate captains.
Tackle and Bait: All fishing tackle, bait, and bottled water are provided. Fish are cleaned for your journey home. Captain’s license covers all anglers.
Back Bay Charter Captain
Owner: Captain Tony Fontana
Berth: Naples Bay, Rookery Bay, Marco Island
Trips depart from Bay View Park Boat Ramp (7:30 am or 12:30 pm), 1500 Danford St., Naples, FL 34112. About 45-50 minute drive from the Brooks
Contact: Captain Tony at (239) 280-6246 (call or text) or through website at: naplessaltwaterfishing.com
Rates: Half day (4 hours) $400 – BFC books only 3 anglers per trip.
Boat: 23 ft. Dorado Bay Boat with Tower
Comments: Professional fishing guide with over 10 years of experience fishing the waters in and around Rookery Bay – specializing in light tackle fishing for Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snappers and a variety of other species including Tarpon in season.
Tackle and Bait: All fishing tackle, bait, and bottled water are provided. Fish are cleaned for your journey home. Captain’s license covers all anglers.
Off Shore Charter Captains
Captain Marvel
Owner: Captain Clarence Fleck
Berth: Temporarily relocating to Pelican Bend Marina, 219 Capri Blvd, Isles of Capri, FL 34113 due to repair of City Dock
Contact Information: Phone (239) 261-7159; www.captmarvel.com; flecknique@live.com.
Boat information: 43-foot “Custom Sport Fisherman” with 16-foot beam, powered by 680hp diesel engine. Cruising speed is 15 knots.
Accommodations: Fully enclosed cabin with comfortable seating and toilet. Has padding at knee level on fishing rails. Boat accommodates six anglers with ease. Comfortable accommodations make this charter ideal for a family-friendly experience.
Crew: Capt. Clarence Fleck, assisted by a mate.
Fees: Call.
Range/Time: Typically 25 to 30 miles out for full-day trips (8-9 hours), 15 to 20 miles for three-quarter day trips (about 6 hours), and 8 to 15 miles for half-day trips (4-5 hours). Most members prefer three-quarter or full day trips.
Tackle & Bait: Use of all fishing tackle and bait are included with the cost of the trip.
Comments: Reliable and cooperative charter operation. This charter has a long history of excellent fishing experiences. This boat is the slowest of our recommended charter alternatives; therefore, for trips of equal duration to other charters, the actual dwell time during fishing stops and the range of the trips are less than the other two charters.
Findictive II Off-Shore Charter
Owner: Captain Mike Avinon
Berth: Temporary Location until Naples City Docks at Crayton Cove is completed.
Contact Information: Phone: 239-682-0059. Facebook
Boat Information: The craft is a new, center-console 32-foot Contender boat powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha engines. It is by far the fastest boat among off-shore charters, easily reaching 40+ MPH cruising speed in calm-to-moderate seas. The advantage is that this speedy boat reaches prime fishing grounds in much less time than other charter boats.
The new boat has a higher free-board than its predecessor, Findictive I; and with its walk-around design, anglers can fish comfortably with good separation among anglers. The boat is equipped with adequate storage capability and a toilet. However, it should be understood that this is an “open” boat with no cabin or covered area. As such, fishermen are exposed to the prevailing weather conditions. Seating is limited, but bean-bags are provided to accommodate all anglers. In the event of unexpected heavier seas, there is the possibility of salt-spray.
Comments: This charter is limited to five anglers. Capt. Mike has no mate, so he acts in all capacities – once he reaches the destination he fluidly prepares the equipment, baits the hooks, unhooks the fish, etc., all efficiently and with good humor. Because of boat speed as well as Mike’s experience, anglers generally get as much actual fishing time on a three-quarter day trip as other charters offer on a full-day’s trip. In about an hour’s time after clearing Gordon’s Pass, Findictive can be in prime fishing ground. Other charters take nearly twice the time to reach such grounds. Comparatively, other charter boats offer comfortable cabins and can accommodate six anglers per trip.
Fees: for the 2017-2018 season have yet to be determined.
Tackle and Bait: All fishing equipment is provided, and Capt. Mike cleans all the fish at trip completion.
CUDA
Owner: Mike Klein
Berth: 909 – 10th Street South, until Naples City Dock completed.
Contact Information: Phone: 239-777-7787; www.cudafishingcharters.com; CudaFishingCharters@gmail.com
Boat Information: 34-foot Custom Sport Fisherman with diesel inboard. Cruising speed is 18-20 knots/hour.
Accommodations: The CUDA has a covered cabin area, seating for six under roof and a head below deck. The CUDA has very adequate fishing space for up to six anglers.
Crew: Captain Mike is retired Navy and started as a charter captain a few years ago, but has quickly earned a great reputation.
Fees: Call.
Range/Time: Provides full, three quarter day and half day trips. Most members prefer three-quarter or full day trips. Range is dependent on weather and sea conditions, similar to the Findictive.
Tackle and Bait: Use of all fishing tackle and bait are included with the cost of the trip.
Comments: Mike is another superior captain who is very likable and does all he can to provide a good fishing trip with lots of fish. Mike is highly recommended by all who have fished with him. Like the Findictive, this charter is less comfortable than Capt. Marvel trips on days with rougher seas.