Fort Myers Boat Tour & Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Cruise
Customizable fishing charter targeting Snook, Redfish, and Spotted SeatroutIsland exploration with dolphin and manatee wildlife viewing opportunitiesSmall group boat tour with shell collecting and sunset experiences
When you're ready to experience the best of Southwest Florida's waters, this Fort Myers boat tour delivers everything you've been dreaming about. Day 5 Charters combines sightseeing with serious fishing opportunities, creating a perfect day on the water for couples or fishing buddies. You'll cruise through some of the most pristine waters in the region while your captain shares local knowledge that only comes from years of navigating these coastal gems. The intimate setting with just two guests means personalized attention and the flexibility to adapt your tour based on what's biting or what catches your eye along the way.
Your Fort Myers boat tour begins with exploring the accessible islands scattered throughout this beautiful region. These barrier islands offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, and your experienced captain knows exactly where to find the action. You'll have front-row seats to watch dolphins play in the boat's wake and spot gentle manatees grazing in the shallow grass flats. The tour timing works perfectly for catching those famous Southwest Florida sunsets that paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. Between wildlife encounters, you'll have chances to collect beautiful conch shells and intricate murex shells that make perfect souvenirs from your day. The boat tour aspect seamlessly blends with fishing opportunities, so you're never stuck doing just one activity. Your captain reads the water conditions and adjusts the itinerary to maximize both sightseeing and fishing success. The small group size means you get personalized guidance whether you're spotting birds or fighting fish.
Day 5 Charters provides all the fishing equipment you need, including quality rods and reels suited for the target species in these waters. Your captain sets up the gear based on current conditions and what fish are actively feeding. Light tackle fishing dominates here, giving you the sporting chance to feel every head shake and run from the fish you hook. The boat positions in shallow grass flats, around structure like docks and mangroves, and near deeper channels where different species hang out. Live bait and artificial lures both produce results, and your guide switches tactics based on fish behavior and water conditions. Sight fishing becomes possible in the clear, shallow waters when conditions align, letting you actually see your target before making the cast. The captain handles boat positioning and net work, so you focus entirely on the fishing experience. GPS technology helps mark productive spots, but local knowledge trumps electronics when it comes to reading subtle changes in tide, wind, and fish movement patterns.
Snook reign as the crown jewel of Southwest Florida fishing, and these ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and dock structures around Fort Myers. These fish grow large here, with slot-sized snook averaging 26-34 inches and providing incredible fights on light tackle. Peak snook activity happens during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed aggressively on baitfish. Their distinctive black lateral line and pike-like head make them unmistakable, and their acrobatic jumps when hooked create memorable moments. Snook fishing stays productive year-round in these waters, though summer months offer the most consistent action.
Spotted Seatrout patrol the grass flats in large schools, making them a favorite target for anglers seeking consistent action. These beautiful fish display distinctive spotted patterns along their silver sides and grow to impressive sizes in Fort Myers waters. Trout between 15-20 inches provide excellent table fare, while larger "gator trout" over 24 inches offer trophy potential. They respond well to both live shrimp and soft plastic lures worked slowly over grass beds. Early morning and late afternoon feeding periods produce the best results, and these fish stay active throughout most of the year in Southwest Florida's temperate climate.
Redfish, also known as red drum, cruise the shallow flats and provide some of the most visual fishing experiences available. These copper-colored fighters display distinctive black spots near their tails and grow quite large in these productive waters. Bull reds over 30 inches put tremendous pressure on tackle and test angling skills with their bulldogging fights. Slot-sized redfish between 18-27 inches offer excellent eating and sporting qualities. These fish feed by tailing in shallow water, creating opportunities for sight fishing that gets your heart pumping. Redfish stay active year-round, with slightly better numbers during cooler months when they school up in larger groups.
Permit represent the ultimate challenge for many anglers, and Fort Myers waters hold good populations of these wary fighters. These silver, disc-shaped fish display incredible wariness and require perfect presentations to fool. When hooked, permit make blistering runs that can empty a reel in seconds. Most permit caught here range from 15-25 pounds, though larger specimens certainly swim these waters. They prefer deeper grass flats and channel edges, often feeding on crabs and small baitfish. Permit fishing requires patience and skill, but landing one creates bragging rights that last a lifetime. Spring and fall months typically produce the most consistent permit encounters.
This Fort Myers boat tour offers the perfect combination of sightseeing and fishing that you won't find with larger tour operations. The two-person limit ensures personalized attention and the flexibility to customize your experience based on your interests and current conditions. Whether you're more excited about collecting shells, watching dolphins, or battling trophy fish, your captain adapts the day to maximize your enjoyment. The provided equipment eliminates the hassle of bringing your own gear, and local expertise significantly improves your chances of success. Fort Myers' year-round fishing season means great opportunities exist regardless of when you visit, though your captain will share insights about seasonal patterns during your tour. Day 5 Charters' reputation for putting guests on fish while showing them the natural beauty of Southwest Florida makes this a top-rated choice among visitors and locals alike. Don't miss your chance to experience this world-class fishery with guides who know these waters better than anyone.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - incredibly challenging but absolutely worth the effort. These flat, silvery fish average 20-30 inches with a tall profile and deeply forked tail. You'll spot them on shallow sand and grass flats, often in just 2-4 feet of water, using their excellent eyesight to hunt crabs. Spring through fall brings the best opportunities, especially April to October during spawning season. What draws serious anglers is the challenge - permit are notoriously spooky and selective, making each catch a real achievement. They fight hard too, using that flat body like a sail against the current. Live blue crabs are the gold standard for bait, though crab-pattern flies work for the fly fishing crowd. My best advice: stay patient and quiet on approach - these fish have nearly 360-degree vision and will bolt at the slightest disturbance.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in Fort Myers. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches and are easily spotted by their distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - we're talking 1-3 feet around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer peak action when they're most active. What makes reds special is their power and stamina - they'll make long, bulldogging runs that'll test your equipment. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky eaters either, crushing everything from live crabs to gold spoons and soft plastics. Here's an insider tip: look for "tailing" fish with their backs out of the water while feeding - approach quietly and drop your bait right in front of their nose for an almost guaranteed hookup.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are fantastic fish for anglers of all skill levels. These beauties average 14-18 inches with plenty of black spots decorating their silver sides. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure like oyster bars. They're year-round residents here, but cooler months see them schooling up in deeper channels. What guests love about trout fishing is the steady action - they're aggressive feeders and great table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics and topwater plugs. My go-to trick is working the grass edges right at first light with a popping cork and live shrimp - the sound drives them crazy and brings them up from the grass beds below.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's most prized gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-24 inches around Fort Myers, though we occasionally hook into 30+ inch bruisers. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. They love structure and ambush points where they can dart out at baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and dogged fight - they'll jump, run to cover, and test your drag. Plus, they're temperature sensitive, so cooler winter months push them into deeper holes. Pro tip: cast your bait past the structure and work it back slowly - snook often follow before striking, so don't rush the retrieve.
Fort Myers Beach, FL