Angler casting from a flats skiff beside the mangroves at sunrise

Find Your Captain. Fish Like a Local.

SWFL Fishing Insider is a free directory of local fishing guides across Sanibel, Pine Island, Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands. Every captain posts real trip reports with the date, tide, species and area, so you can see who is catching what before you book. Browse guides by area or species, or read the latest reports.

Local guides. Incredible waters.
Unforgettable days.

Local knowledge. Proven results.

Featured Captains

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Captain Capt. Jake Mercer

Home Port: Ten Thousand Islands

Capt. Jake Mercer

BackcountrySpecialty
6Trip reports
  • Snook
  • Redfish
  • Tarpon
Captain Captain Rum

Home Port: Naples

Captain Rum

BackcountrySpecialty
0Trip reports
  • Grouper
  • Pompano
  • Redfish
Captain Capt Ryan Cole

Home Port: Fort Myers

Capt Ryan Cole

InshoreSpecialty
6Trip reports
  • Redfish
  • Snook
  • Trout

Recent trips. Real stories.

Latest Trip Reports

View all reports

Amberjack and Catfish Limit Near Gordon Pass

Captain Jake Mercer fished out of Naples on Tuesday the 13th, working Naples Bay near Gordon Pass. He limited out on amberjack and catfish. What's Working - Naples Bay near…

  • Amberjack
  • Catfish
  • Naples

Mike's First Fly Rod Grand Slam in Pumpkin Bay

Mike and I were out today on a solo trip, working some technical fly fishing in the back country. We saw saltwater crocodiles and watched drug planes circling overhead looking…

  • Tarpon
  • Snook
  • Ten Thousand Islands

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a fishing guide in Southwest Florida?

Browse the guide directory by area or target species. Each listing shows the captain's home port, fishing style and recent trip reports, so you can see who is actually catching fish right now. Each guide page lists the captain's phone, email or booking link, and you book with the captain directly.

What is the difference between inshore, backcountry and offshore fishing?

Inshore fishing works the flats, passes and estuaries for redfish, snook and trout. Backcountry fishing runs the mangrove creeks and the Ten Thousand Islands for snook, redfish and tarpon. Offshore fishing heads out into the Gulf to reefs and wrecks for grouper and snapper.

What fish can I catch in Naples and Marco Island?

Common targets include snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, tarpon, pompano, mangrove snapper and grouper. What is biting depends on season, tide and water temperature. The latest trip reports show exactly what local guides are catching and where.

What is a fishing trip report?

A trip report is a short write-up from a local guide after a day on the water. It covers the date, area, tide, conditions, species caught and what bait or technique worked. Reports are reviewed before they are published on the site.

Does it cost anything to use SWFL Fishing Insider?

No. Browsing guides and reading trip reports is free for anglers, and listings are free for captains. When you are ready to fish, you book directly with the captain by phone, email or their booking link. The site does not handle bookings or payments.

I am a fishing guide. How do I get listed?

Claim your listing from the Claim Your Listing page. Once verified, you get your own profile and a private email address. Email in a photo and a few notes after a trip and it becomes a published trip report on your profile. Listings are free.

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