Fort Myers Fly Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5-hour fly fishing charter targeting multiple inshore speciesCaptain Tommy provides personalized guidance for all skill levelsIncludes fishing licenses and water with flexible cancellation policy
Captain Tommy's got something special waiting for you on the waters around Fort Myers. This isn't your typical fishing trip – we're talking serious fly fishing action targeting some of Southwest Florida's most prized gamefish. Starting at 7:00 AM sharp, you'll have five solid hours to work the flats, mangrove lines, and backcountry spots that make this area legendary among fly anglers. With space for just two anglers, this private charter gives you the personal attention and prime fishing spots that bigger boats simply can't offer.
Captain Tommy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's built his reputation on putting anglers onto fish while teaching proper fly fishing techniques. Whether you're new to the fly rod or you've been casting for years, he'll adjust the day to match your skill level and goals. The morning start gives you the best bite times when gamefish are most active and the water conditions are typically calm. You'll be fishing the shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where Snook, Redfish, and Tarpon cruise looking for their next meal. The boat stays in close, working depths from two to eight feet where sight fishing opportunities are at their best. Your fishing license and bottled water are covered, but make sure to bring your own fly gear – this gives you the comfort of using tackle you know and trust.
Fort Myers fly fishing is all about precision casting and reading the water. You'll be working with floating lines and intermediate sinking tips depending on conditions and target species. Captain Tommy focuses heavily on sight fishing – spotting fish before you cast to them. This means you'll learn to identify wakes, pushes, and the subtle signs that give away a feeding fish. The typical setup involves 8 to 10 weight rods with leaders ranging from 12 to 16 feet, depending on water clarity and spookiness of the fish. Popular fly patterns include Clouser Minnows, shrimp patterns, and crab flies that imitate the natural forage these gamefish feed on. The key technique here is the strip set rather than a trout-style lift, since these saltwater species have much harder mouths. You'll also master the double haul cast to handle the wind that's always a factor in saltwater fly fishing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida fly fishing, and Fort Myers has some of the best Snook fishing in the state. These ambush predators hang around structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars – waiting to crush baitfish. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, with peak action in summer when they're in their spawning cycle. What makes Snook so special is their explosive strike and their ability to jump clear out of the water. They're also incredibly line-shy, making the fly fishing approach perfect for getting close without spooking them. A good Fort Myers Snook will run anywhere from 20 to 35 inches, with the occasional monster pushing over 40.
Tarpon fishing on fly is what legends are made of, and Fort Myers sits right in the heart of their migration route. From May through August, these silver kings move through the area in massive schools, giving fly anglers shots at fish ranging from juvenile "poons" in the 30 to 60 pound range up to giants over 150 pounds. Tarpon are famous for their aerial displays – once hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. The key is keeping a tight line and bowing to the fish when it jumps. Landing a Tarpon on fly gear is considered one of the ultimate achievements in saltwater angling, and the waters around Fort Myers provide some of the most consistent opportunities in the world.
Sea Trout might not get the same headlines as Snook or Tarpon, but they're incredibly fun on light fly tackle and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. These spotted beauties cruise the grass flats year-round, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're perfect for beginning fly anglers since they're less spooky than other species and more forgiving of casting mistakes. In Fort Myers, you'll find good numbers of keeper-size Trout in the 15 to 20 inch range, with the occasional "gator" Trout pushing over 24 inches. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March when they school up in deeper pockets of the flats.
Redfish are arguably the most popular target for fly fishermen in Fort Myers, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs are aggressive feeders that aren't easily spooked, making them ideal for sight fishing. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, pushing wakes across the flats, or cruising the mangrove shorelines. Redfish are available year-round in Fort Myers, but fall and winter provide the best opportunities for larger schools and bigger individual fish. A typical Fort Myers Red runs 22 to 28 inches, though you'll encounter plenty of oversized fish that require immediate release. What sets Redfish apart is their powerful runs and ability to use their broad tails to dig hard, making even average-size fish feel much larger on fly gear.
Crevalle Jack might not be the prettiest fish in the water, but they make up for it with raw power and aggression. These yellow-tinged fighters travel in schools and will absolutely demolish a well-presented fly. Jack fishing is fast and furious – when you find a school, you can often hook multiple fish before they move on. They're perfect for working on your fighting techniques since they pull incredibly hard for their size. Most Fort Myers Jacks range from 15 to 25 pounds, though larger specimens over 30 pounds show up regularly. They're most active during the warmer months and often feed aggressively on the surface, creating some of the most visual fishing you'll find in Southwest
This 18' Floyd Skiff is your ticket to productive fly fishing in Fort Myers' prime inshore waters. Built for just 2 anglers, this nimble boat gets you into the shallow flats where snook, redfish, and tarpon cruise. Captain Tommy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this skiff is perfectly rigged for stalking fish in skinny water. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working a school, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during the 5-hour morning trip, and GPS ensures you hit the hottest spots. The compact design means you can slip into backcountry areas that bigger boats can't reach - perfect for sight fishing and working mangrove lines where the big fish hide.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and attitude packed into 12-24 inches and 3-8 pounds of fighting fish. They travel in schools around grass flats, structure, and wherever baitfish gather. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. While they're not great eating, what gets anglers fired up is their raw power and tenacity - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They'll bend your rod double and test your drag. Look for diving birds - jacks push bait to the surface and create feeding frenzies. Cast big streamers or poppers into the chaos and hang on. Pro tip: use a wire leader - their rough mouths will chew through regular tippet in seconds.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - aggressive, beautiful, and built for a fight. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with their copper-red backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. They cruise oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action. What clients love is their power - they'll strip line and make long runs even in shallow water. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. The key is sight fishing - look for tailing fish or cruising shadows. Cast ahead of them and let your fly sink to the bottom, then strip it slowly to mimic a fleeing crab.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for fly fishing with their willingness to hit topwater patterns. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with some reaching 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs. Fall and winter provide the most consistent action when they school up. They're aggressive feeders that eat well - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the table. The trick with specks is fishing early morning or late evening when they're actively feeding. Match your fly to local baitfish and work it with short strips. They have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure without jerking too hard.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. Most fish we catch run 18-24 inches, but they can hit 4 feet if you're lucky. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. Best action happens during warmer months when they're more active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and hard runs - plus they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. They're ambush predators, so work your fly slowly near structure. Pro tip: always keep your rod tip down when fighting them - they love to jump and throw the hook on a tight line.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what fly fishing dreams are made of. These prehistoric fish average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around Fort Myers, though giants over 200 pounds show up. They cruise shallow flats, bridges, and passes in 3-15 feet of water. May through September is prime time when they're here to spawn. What hooks anglers isn't the eating - they're bony and not great table fare - but those acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pounding. When hooked, they can leap 10 feet out of the water. They're incredibly strong and will test every bit of your tackle. Local secret: when they jump, bow to the king by pointing your rod at them to keep tension off the line.
Fort Myers, FL