Fort Myers Offshore Fishing with Captain Neil
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Inshore and offshore fishing trips with Captain NeilTarget mackerel, snapper, shark, and seasonal speciesAccommodates up to 6 guests on Always Fun Charter
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter that knows these waters like the back of their hand? Captain Neil and the Always Fun Charters crew have been putting anglers on fish in Fort Myers for years, and they're ready to show you why Southwest Florida is a fishing paradise. Whether you're targeting hard-fighting offshore species or working the productive inshore waters, this 6-person charter is built around what's biting and what you want to catch. No cookie-cutter trips here – just honest fishing with a captain who adjusts tactics based on conditions, seasons, and what the fish are telling him.
Captain Neil runs a fishing operation that's all about reading the water and putting you where the fish are. You'll start your day with a briefing about current conditions, target species, and the game plan based on what's been producing. The boat heads out equipped with quality tackle and the local knowledge that separates good trips from great ones. Expect to cover different depths and structures as the day unfolds – from nearshore reefs where snapper stack up to deeper waters where pelagic species cruise. The crew keeps things relaxed but focused, helping with everything from rigging baits to landing fish. This isn't a party boat atmosphere; it's serious fishing with people who respect the resource and want you to experience what makes Fort Myers waters special.
The fishing approach changes based on what's moving and where. Inshore trips often mean working mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and structure where species like sheepshead and snapper hold. You'll see live bait presentations, bottom fishing with cut bait, and sometimes sight fishing when conditions allow. Offshore excursions take you to deeper reefs, ledges, and blue water where the action can range from trolling for pelagics to bottom dropping for reef fish. Captain Neil stocks the boat with circle hooks for conservation, quality rods that can handle different species, and fresh bait that produces. The key is staying mobile – if one spot isn't producing, you move until you find cooperative fish. GPS marks, fish finder technology, and years of local experience all come into play, but reading water conditions and fish behavior is what separates this charter from the rest.
Grey Snapper are the bread and butter of Fort Myers fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, structure-oriented, and put up a solid fight pound for pound. They school around reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 30 to 100 feet of water, with larger fish often found deeper. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're most active, though you can find them year-round. What makes grey snapper exciting is their wariness – you need the right bait presentation and often have to earn each fish. When you find a good school, the action can be steady, and these fish make excellent table fare.
Sheepshead fishing is like underwater chess – these black-and-white striped fish have crushing jaws designed for eating crustaceans off structure. They hang around pilings, rocks, and anything with barnacles or oysters. The challenge with sheepshead is their ability to steal bait without getting hooked, which is why they're called "convict fish." Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they're staging for spawning. Landing a big sheepshead requires patience, the right tackle, and perfect timing on the hook set. They're excellent eating and a favorite target for anglers who appreciate technical fishing.
Permit are the holy grail of inshore fishing – a species that tests every angler's skill and patience. These silver, disc-shaped fish cruise flats and nearshore waters, often in small schools or as singles. They're incredibly spooky and selective feeders, making them one of the most challenging fish to catch consistently. Fort Myers waters offer shots at permit year-round, with spring and fall being prime times. What makes permit special isn't just their difficulty – it's their explosive runs and the respect they command among serious anglers. Even experienced fishermen get excited about a permit bite.
Blacktip Shark bring raw power to Fort Myers fishing. These sharks are common in nearshore waters, especially during warmer months when they move into shallow areas to feed and reproduce. Blacktips are known for their aerial displays when hooked – they'll jump, spin, and put on a show that gets everyone's attention. They typically run 20 to 50 pounds in these waters, providing serious arm-burning fights on appropriate tackle. What's great about blacktip fishing is the visual aspect – you can often see them cruising or feeding, adding an element of sight fishing to the experience.
African Pompano are the speed demons of the reef fish world. These deep-bodied fish with long, flowing fins are found around deeper structure and blue water, where they hunt smaller fish with impressive bursts of speed. They're not as common as other species, which makes landing one memorable. African pompano can reach substantial size – fish over 30 pounds are possible – and they fight with a combination of power and speed that tests tackle and angler endurance. They're most active during warmer months and often show up as bonus fish when targeting other offshore species.
Captain Neil and Always Fun Charters represent what Fort Myers fishing is all about – local expertise, quality equipment, and a genuine commitment to putting you on fish. This isn't about guarantees or overpromising; it's about honest fishing with people who know these waters and respect what they offer. Whether you're looking to target specific species or just want to experience productive Southwest Florida fishing, this charter adapts to conditions and works hard for every fish. The 6-person capacity keeps groups manageable and ensures everyone gets attention. Ready to see why anglers keep coming back to fish with Captain Neil? Book your spot and experience Fort Myers fishing done right.
Step aboard the "Always Fun Charters," a rugged 1999 Tiara Offshore sport fishing vessel built for serious anglers. This 41-foot beauty cuts through Gulf waters with twin 550HP Detroit Diesel engines, cruising at 24 knots to get you to the best fishing spots fast. The spacious deck comfortably accommodates up to 6 anglers, giving everyone room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Neil knows these Fort Myers waters like the back of his hand, targeting everything from Spanish and King Mackerel to Blacktip Sharks and Mangrove Snapper. The boat's fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS and radar keep you on course and safe in changing conditions. Between catches, relax in the cabin with a bed, kitchen, and toilet – plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Whether you're chasing offshore gamefish or working inshore shallows for Trout and Pompano, this well-equipped vessel handles whatever the Gulf throws your way.
Alectis CiliarisThese silvery members of the jack family are speed demons that'll test your tackle and skills. Adults typically range 15-40 pounds and cruise in 30-250 feet of water over reefs and structure. Juveniles have those distinctive trailing filaments but adults are sleek and powerful. They're around year-round but more common in warmer months. What makes them exciting is their speed and strength - they make long, powerful runs and fight hard to the boat. They're also excellent table fare. Being jacks, they're attracted to movement and flash, so jigs work great along with live bait. Here's a tip: when you hook one, be ready for multiple runs. Keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they've got soft mouths that'll tear if you're too aggressive.
Carcharhinus LimbatusThese energetic sharks put on quite a show, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. Most run 3-6 feet, but we see some pushing 8 feet around here. They patrol shallow waters over reefs and in muddy bays, usually 30-100 feet deep. They're around year-round but most active in warmer months. What guests love is the acrobatic fight and that classic shark experience without the massive size. They're also pretty social, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Despite their excitement, they can be surprisingly timid. Pro tip: get a good chum line going with oily fish like mackerel or sardines. Use circle hooks on heavy braid, and when they take the bait, let them run before setting the hook. They'll jump and spin, so keep that drag smooth.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso known as Mangrove Snapper, these guys are opportunistic feeders that hang around docks, mangroves, and structure. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, but offshore specimens can hit 20 pounds. You'll find them in canals, grass flats, and around any cover they can ambush prey from. They're most active at night but bite well during the day too. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also smart fish that'll test your skills. Here's a local tip: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then bring it up just a foot. Don't jerk when you feel that first nibble - let them take it before setting the hook firmly.
Trachinotus FalcatusOne of the most challenging fish in our waters, Permit are the holy grail for many anglers. These silver, disc-shaped fish typically run 10-30 pounds and have incredible eyesight - they can spot you before you spot them. You'll find juveniles on shallow grass flats while adults patrol deeper wrecks and reefs in 30-200 feet. Spring through fall is best, especially during their spawning season. What makes them special is the pure difficulty - they're spooky, smart, and fight like crazy once hooked. Many consider them harder to catch than tarpon. The meat is also top-notch. Here's the key: live blue crabs are your best bet. Present them naturally without a lot of weight, and when fishing shallow, stay quiet and make long, accurate casts.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are some of the trickiest fish to hook, but they're worth the challenge. Most run 2-5 pounds around here, though we occasionally see 10+ pounders. They live around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings - anywhere barnacles grow. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're most active. What guests love is the fight and those human-like teeth that make for great photos. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. These guys are notorious bait thieves, so here's the trick: use fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep your bait tight to structure, and when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. They'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Fort Myers