Charter Status: Booking Now Tide: Rising Wind: NE 8 kt Today's Bite: Redfish on the grass flats Water: 74°F & clear Call: (941) 500-2943 Charter Status: Booking Now Tide: Rising Wind: NE 8 kt Today's Bite: Redfish on the grass flats Water: 74°F & clear Call: (941) 500-2943
The 10,000 Islands · Charlotte Harbor

Where the tide turns into a great story.

USCG Captain-led inshore and near-offshore fishing charters through the wild, mangrove-lined backwaters of Southwest Florida. Built for families, serious anglers, and everyone in between.

Book by phone (941) 500-2943
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Coast Guard Licensed
USCG Master Captain
FL Charter Licensed
All Anglers Covered
5-Star Rated
47+ Verified Reviews
Family-Friendly
All Ages & Skill Levels
Book Direct
No Fees · No Middlemen
Est. on the water

The best memories
are made between casts.

We run the kind of fishing trips you'll talk about long after the rods have been put away — the kind where the kids land their first fish, your dad finally outfishes you, and the dolphins come by to say hello.

Whether you're an experienced angler chasing a personal best or trying your hand at fishing for the first time, our charters are designed for everyone. Every trip launches from one of Southwest Florida's most scenic marinas, follows a quick safety briefing, and heads straight into productive water — calm backwaters one day, structure-rich near-offshore wrecks the next.

Not into fishing? Bring a camera. Bring a book. Bring the grandparents. The sun, the breeze, and the views do the heavy lifting.

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Near-offshore range
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Islands to explore
Plan your trip

How many anglers?

Slide to see live pricing for every trip type. Up to six anglers per boat.

4 anglers aboard
123456
Half Day · 4hr
$550
$138 per angler
3/4 Day · 6hr
$700
$175 per angler
Intro · 2.5hr
$375
$94 per angler
Today on the water

Read the tide
before you go.

A live tide for the 10,000 Islands, straight from NOAA. The bite follows the water — we build every charter around it.

Tide now
Next turn
Station
Naples · GoM
Reading the tide…

Choose your day on the water.

From a two-and-a-half-hour first lesson to a six-hour, two-tide adventure offshore. Every trip is captain-led, all-inclusive, and built around what's biting.

Most Popular Half-day fishing charter
№ 01 · Half Day

Four hours of fast-paced inshore action.

Duration
4 hours
From
$525
Up to
6 anglers

Perfect for families or anyone short on time. We hit the productive inshore hotspots — targeting snook, redfish, and trout — for a fun, action-packed half-day. Quick to book, quick to load, and you're back at the dock by lunch.

$525 for up to 3 anglers · +$25 per additional angler up to 6
Reserve a Half Day
Three-quarter day fishing adventure
№ 02 · Three-Quarter Day

Six hours, two tides, twice the water.

Duration
6 hours
From
$675
Up to
6 anglers

The trip we'd book if we were you. Six hours lets us fish two tide changes, cover more water, target more species, and take the time to chase a big one if the moment comes. Snacks, sunscreen, and stamina recommended.

$675 for up to 3 anglers · +$25 per additional angler up to 6
Reserve a 3/4 Day
Near offshore fishing trip
№ 03 · Near Offshore

Natural bottom & wrecks, up to 9 nautical miles out.

Range
≤ 9 nm
Pricing
Varies
Weather
Dependent

When the Gulf cooperates, we run the center consoles out to natural bottom and artificial wrecks within nine nautical miles. Many of the same fighters you'd find in the backcountry — plus a different rhythm, a different horizon, and the chance to mix it up.

Pricing varies by conditions and group — call for a custom quote
Inquire About Offshore
Introduction to fishing tour
№ 04 · Introduction to Fishing

Two-and-a-half hours, made for first-timers.

Duration
2.5 hours
From
$350
Best for
Beginners

Ideal for young kids and total newcomers. The focus is simple: catch fish — any fish — and learn the basics in a relaxed, low-pressure setting. A short, sweet introduction to why people get hooked on this for life.

$350 for up to 3 anglers · +$25 per additional angler up to 6
Reserve an Intro Trip
Compare All Trips Side-by-Side →
What's biting

A field guide to the catch.

Southwest Florida is one of the most diverse inshore fisheries in the world. Here's what you'll be casting at — depending on tide, season, and a little bit of luck.

Snook

Snook

Centropomus undecimalis
Year-round · Inshore
Redfish

Redfish

Sciaenops ocellatus
Fall peak · Flats
Seatrout

Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus
Spring · Grass flats
Tarpon

Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus
May–July · Migratory
Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove Snapper

Lutjanus griseus
Year-round · Structure
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus maculatus
Spring/Fall · Nearshore
Sheepshead

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus
Winter · Pilings
Cobia

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum
Spring · Nearshore
Snook Redfish Tarpon Seatrout Mangrove Snapper Spanish Mackerel Sheepshead Cobia Permit Tripletail
"
The 10,000 Islands aren't a place you fish so much as a place that fishes you. You go in for a redfish and come out with a story.
From the logbook
Where we fish

The 10,000 Islands.
One of the wildest fisheries left in America.

Tucked between Marco Island and the Everglades, the 10,000 Islands are a labyrinth of mangrove-lined backwaters, oyster bars, grass flats, and tidal passes. We know it like a backyard — every cut, every flat, every tide line that holds fish.

Most of our trips launch from a quiet marina just minutes from the heart of it. By the time you've finished your coffee, you're in the kind of water most anglers never get to see.

Also launching from

Charlotte Harbor — Punta Gorda. For the crystal-clear water and lush grass beds of beautiful Charlotte Harbor, we also launch from Laishley Marina (120 Laishley Ct) in the heart of downtown Punta Gorda — bright flats, tailing redfish, and miles of room to roam.

Launch Points
Two
Charlotte Harbor
Punta Gorda
10,000 Islands
SW Florida
Naples Marco Island Goodland Everglades The 10,000 Islands Gulf of Mexico Launch N ≈ 5 nm
All-inclusive

What's aboard.

Show up with sunscreen and snacks. We handle the rest — from the rod in your hand to the local knowledge that puts you on fish.

  • 01

    All Rods, Reels & Tackle

    Premium inshore and near-offshore setups, tuned for the species we're chasing that day. Step on, start fishing.

  • 02

    Live Bait & Cast Net

    We pull bait fresh that morning. What's running — pilchards, shrimp, threadfins — comes with the boat.

  • 03

    Coast Guard–Licensed Captain

    Decades of local water under the keel. Knows the spots, the tides, and how to put first-timers on their first fish.

  • 04

    Ice, Cooler & Cleaning

    Bring drinks; we'll ice them. Catch your dinner and we'll fillet it for you back at the dock.

  • 05

    Florida Fishing License

    Covered under the boat's saltwater charter license. No paperwork on your end — just show up.

Before you cast off

Frequently asked.

Everything most guests want to know — about what to bring, what to catch, what happens if the weather turns. If you have a question that isn't here, just call.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses (polarized is best), a hat, a light jacket or windbreaker if you're sensitive to the breeze, and any snacks or drinks you want. We provide everything else — rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice, and a cooler.

Soft-soled shoes only, please — black-soled or hard-soled shoes mark the deck.

No. Everyone aboard is covered under the boat's saltwater charter license. There's no paperwork on your end — just show up and fish.

Yes, within Florida regulations for size and bag limits. We'll fillet your catch back at the dock at no charge, and you'll take home table-ready fillets. Some species — like tarpon and snook in certain seasons — are catch-and-release only; we'll let you know what's keeper-legal each trip.

Safety first. If conditions aren't safe to fish, we'll reschedule your trip at no charge — or refund you in full.

A little rain doesn't usually cancel a trip; lightning, high winds, or rough seas do. We make the final call the morning of, based on the latest marine forecast.

Absolutely. Our Introduction to Fishing trip is designed specifically for kids and total beginners — short, low-pressure, and built around just catching fish (any fish that bites).

All our trips are family-friendly, and we've had everyone from five-year-olds to ninety-year-olds enjoy themselves.

Our inshore trips run in protected backwaters — almost no swell. Near-offshore trips can have some chop. If you're prone to motion sickness, take a non-drowsy Dramamine an hour before the trip, eat a light breakfast, and stay hydrated. Ginger candy helps too.

Cancellations made 5 or more days in advance are fully refunded. Inside 5 days, your deposit holds your spot — but we'll work with you to reschedule. If the captain cancels for weather, you always get a full refund.

The easiest way is to call us at (941) 500-2943. We'll talk through what kind of day you're looking for, check the calendar, and lock it in. You can also use the contact form and we'll get back to you the same day.

On the water with the captain
A note from the captain

Family Fun isn't just the name.

I started running these waters because nothing else in my life felt like a true calling. The 10,000 Islands don't care what you do for a living. They reward patience, curiosity, and being willing to laugh when the fish outsmart you.

Every charter I run, I'm trying to give somebody a version of the day that made me fall in love with this place. Sometimes that's a personal-best redfish. More often it's a kid pulling in their first trout, a couple watching dolphins from the gunwale, or a grandfather finally getting to hand his grandson a rod.

If you're thinking about a trip, pick up the phone. We'll talk about what you want out of the day and build it from there.

See you on the water,
Capt. Jesse Karen Family Fun Fishing Charters
Logbook

What the guests say.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"My two boys caught their first snook on this trip. Captain put us on fish from the first cast and was patient with the kids the entire time. We've already booked our next trip."
M
Marcus T.
Visiting from Ohio
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Best charter we've taken anywhere in Florida — and we've taken a lot. Real local knowledge, no rush, and we came home with dinner. Cannot recommend enough."
S
Sarah & Dave R.
Naples, FL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Took my dad out for his 70th. Saw three dolphins, two manatees, and caught more redfish than we knew what to do with. He hasn't stopped talking about it."

From the journal.

View all stories →
The Bite Report

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What's biting, where, and on what — straight from the captain's logbook. A short, no-frills email every Friday morning. Unsubscribe whenever.

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Ready to cast off

Your best day on the water
is one phone call away.

Book direct with the captain. No middlemen, no hidden fees, no apps — just the boat, the tide, and the next great story.

(941) 500-2943
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