Fl Fishing Guides
You Choose the Guide, leave the Fishing Experience to US
Choosing a Florida fishing Guide
Below you can investigate the different captains by regions where our guides are located. We’ve listed two for each region, under each region you will find a complete list. Each captain has a detailed guide page, the best in the industry so you can read about the locations they service, the boat & equipment they use and so much more. Our fishing guide bio also list the fishing areas and then refine the guides displayed by their particular specialty, or species they target. Please use this map below, click on area of interest.
Popular Lakes: Rodman Reservoir | St johns River | Lake Monroe | Harris Chain |Johns Lakes | Lake Toho | Fellsmere Lake | Lake Tarpon | Lake Istopakga | Lake Ida | Everglades | Golden Gate | Airport Lakes
Local Lake Okeechobee Fishing Guides
Meet the TEAM of local Okeechobee fishing guides, click here for a complete list.
Capt Mark Shepard
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Mark Shepard is a full-time fishing guide and touring professional with experience including BASS Master, FLW, BFL, and many more. Mark was born and raised [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Full Time
1 to 3 people
Capt Mark Rogers is a full-time Southwest Florida fishing guide for bass and saltwater offshore fishing. Fished 15 yrs as professional as a B.A.S.S. Elite Pro. Mark was raised [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Dave Lauer is a full-time Lake Okeechobee fishing guide and 15+ year FLW professional angler with increditable experience and knowledge to share with all[Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Local South Florida Fishing Guides
Capt Brett Isackson
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Brett Isackson is and has been a full-time fishing guide in South Florida for over 15 years. Is the go-to guide for all exotic species specialist, peacock, clown knife fish and [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Robert Miley
Full Time
1 to 3 people
Capt Robert Miley is a full-time South Florida fishing guide and started fishing Everglades in 1970. A well known as the “King of Peacock,” and has over 20 years of knowledge [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Mike Groshon
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Captain Mike Groshon was raised in Northern Virginia, he grew up fishing lakes and rivers in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia then as most headed south for warmer [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Local Southwest Florida Fishing Guides
Meet the TEAM of Local Southwest Florida fishing guides, click for a complete list.
Capt Mark Rogers
Full Time
1 to 3 people
Capt Mark Rogers is a full-time Southwest Florida fishing guide for bass and saltwater offshore fishing. Fished 15 yrs as professional as a B.A.S.S. Elite Pro. Mark was [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Rick Mitchell
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Rick Mitchell is a full-time freshwater and saltwater inshore guide. After 25yrs as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army he is falling his passion fishing tournaments and [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Nick Pasquarello
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Nick Pasquarello is a fishing guide out of Naples, Florida. My first experience with fishing, like many people, was with my dad. He took my two brothers and me fishing for [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Local Central Florida Fishing Guides
Capt John Leech
Full Time
1 to 3 people
Capt John Leech is a full-time Central Florida fishing guide, a master at his craft, and considered a local legend in the industry. Fishing over 30yrs in Orlando & Kissimmee area [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Steve Niemoeller
Full Time
1 to 9 people
Capt Steve Niemoeller is a full-time Central Florida Master Captain for more than 15 years. Capt Steve offers conventional bass boat tours and also can accommodate grps of 8+ on pontoon [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Devin Dickerson
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Devin Dickerson is a licensed master captain from a small town in central Florida where I’ve spent my whole life. I grew up with a fishing pole in my hand between fishing in my backyard pond [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Local West Central Fl Fishing Guides
Capt Bill Goudy Jr
Full Time
1 to 3 people
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Gino Losi
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Gino Losi Captain Gino is a second-generation guide and tournament angler from Central Florida with over 30 years of experience on local waters. Captain Gino fell in love with fishing at a very [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Joe Gruny
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Joe Gruny grow up in Medford, New York, although I grew up surrounded by saltwater, freshwater bass fishing was my love and passion. I would spend the summer days fishing the lower [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Local North Florida Fishing Guides
Capt Kenneth Walker
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt Kenneth Walker is an Air Force Veteran, Father, grandfather, and retired firefighter paramedic. A Florida Native Kenneth grew up in Gainesville [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt Peter “T”
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Captain Peter T hailing from St Augustine, Fl., Peter Thliveros, better known as “Peter T”, has been fishing bass tournaments for more than 32 years. Thliveros started [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Capt David Lang
Full Time
1 to 4 people
Capt David Lang was raised in North Florida and has fished and enjoyed bow hunting for most of his life. His focus has been fishing on the St. Johns River, Crescent Lake [Read More]
USCG Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Choice
Local Florida Panhandle Fishing Guides
Capt Wanted
USCG Credential Verified
Child Friendly
Angler’s Top Choice
Full Time
Part Time
NOT A FISHING GUIDE DIRECTORY
All Florida fishing guides on this website work exclusive to Bass Online, you will not find them listed on the many captain listing sites. These websites only take commission and are not concerned with quality. One thing you will find in common with most other Florida bass fishing guides is that they work part-time, being a fishing guide is there second job. This does not make them a bad fishing guide, just simply limits what they can provide to you on your big day. Our TEAM of guides not only specializes on a given body of water, but we also have guides that specialize in flipping, top-water, cranking and other techniques as well as the use of all live-bait!
A nice website and maybe even a nice bass boat do not qualify someone as a fishing guide. Be sure to ask them “When was the last time you were out fishing?”.
Why Bass fishing guides work for Bass Online
It is hard to be a good fishing guide and also carry a full or part-time job, it’s almost impossible to regularly catch trophy-sized bass when you are getting used information from your friends. Our guides are on the water almost daily and guarantee more hours than any other guide service in Florida. Which means the money you are spending is being spent on the best guides available. We have our own fishing guide guide school that is required and part of our Florida fishing guide requirements. We want to say to you “please do your homework”, Florida is a wonderful place to fish and unlike most guided trips that end at the dock we work hard at providing you fishing experiences that last a lifetime.
FISHING GUIDES REVIEWS
Capt Bill Goudy Jr
Great day out with Capt Bob Miley!
Fishing the Glades near Ft. :Lauderdale
CLICK HERE TO WRITE A FISHING GUIDE REVIEW
Read Fishing Guide Reviews
The best way to ensure a quality fishing experience is to spend some time researching a guide service’s qualifications, background, experience, and knowledge, by checking them out. Listen, the Internet is one of the most powerful tools we have ever seen but it can also be very deceiving. Most fishing guides will have a website covering all aspects of the services they provide as well as current fishing reports. This is where the truth in most cases stops. Remember the fishing reports are written by people and some people will almost say anything to get your business. I’ve always heard the best way to tell if an angler is a good fisherman is to see how well they can stretch the truth. So if the report sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Remember, fishing is fishing, and catching is catching, both are fun, but catching is a lot better than lip service. (Suggestion: Drop from “I’ve always heard…” as it does not make sense. It’s also not needed and serves no purpose.)
Read testimonials about the guide and contact them to see if the report (?) is true. Also, call other anglers for recommendations. (Drop quotes) Most guide services rely on repeat business, so they will go out of their way to provide a level of service worth recommending.
Currently, there are over 500 freshwater fishing guides working in the State of Florida. All guides are required to have a current US Coast Guard captain’s license but do not have to have an occupational license or liability insurance covering passengers.
Freshwater guides cannot purchase a boat license for our customers, as with saltwater they are allowed, so anglers are required to purchase their own. (No clue as to what this means nor how it would be important to someone hiring a guide?)
A quality guide will provide top quality tackle and equipment, like GLoomis Rods, Revo Reels and Berkley Fishing Line (or something similar) and they should be in good working order. All fishing tackle, lures, and ice should be included. All you will need to bring are your own personal items such as polarized sunglasses, hat, camera, and sunscreen
When researching guide rates you will find most services will offer a selection of time frames to facilitate the desires of the client and most charters are conducted in 1/2 day (four hours), 3/4 day (six hours), and full-day (eight hours) sessions. In most areas, prices are generally standard from one guide service to the next but some inexperienced or (part-time) guides will offer cut-rate prices. But remember, you get what you pay for. Think about it for a minute, if you were a first-class guide and confidant in what you do why would you reduce your value to say you are not as good as the others! Good full-time professional guides just don’t do it…which just leaves the rest. In most of Florida, the freshwater bass rates for two anglers range from $275.00 for 1/2 day to $400.00 for a full day, and a third person is an additional $50.00 to $75.00. In-shore saltwater and offshore rates are generally higher based on the number of anglers and the distance traveled.
Check to see if the guide is a member of a professional guides association. Check to see if they are involved in the future of their fishing area. For instance are they concerned with conservation, etc.? These organizations hold their members to higher standards and members are required to prove legitimacy annually (huh?), so check the web sites of an organization like SAFER, Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition and other associations.
Book your charter early: Most top-ranked guides book charters many months or even a year in advance and they require deposits to secure specific dates. As with a hotel reservation, you should never have to pay anything in advance. By applying a credit card to your reservation it should be sufficient to hold your dates. Always ask about the cancellation policy because things happen and you should have a way to cancel with out costing you money as long as it is within the terms of the guide service. Never send money in advance, you will never see it again!
Call for all of the information and as much as you need: Most good professional guide services provide toll-free numbers so clients can call for information at no cost to them.
Unlike most guide services where you have to call in the early evening, because all of the guides are on the water we provide a guide on the phones at all times so it is convenient for you and you are talking with a professional that fishes. Not a booking agent with no concept of the fishing conditions or questions you might ask. Book online here!
Discuss your desires and needs with your guide: Some charter services specialize in specific skill levels so make sure you mention your skill level and experience and if inexperienced anglers will be fishing. Also, be sure to mention if small children or persons with special needs will be fishing.
Ask your guide if lunch is provided: Many services provide water and soft drinks but they do not provide lunch. Many will provide lunch if requested and in many locations marinas or restaurants are available close by on the water. We are one of the only services that offer trips like this so make sure you book a trip that fits your needs.
Let your guide know if you want to bring your own equipment: Many guides will let you bring your own equipment but discuss your desires and intentions with them beforehand so that they can help you prepare your equipment for the location you are going.
Listen to your guide: Our guides want you to catch fish as much as you do so if you are serious about catching fish accept your guide’s instructions and directions. Your guide knows how to read the water and he knows what to look for so pay close attention to his instructions. We understand some of you know how to fish, some pretty well as a matter a fact. But just as if we were to fish your home waters we would need your help. The bass fishing in Florida is quite different then most places in the world.
Remember to bring your camera: Many guide trips are a once in a lifetime experience worth recording. In most cases, our guides do have cameras onboard but it’s always nice to have your own.
Bring your own adult beverages: If you are planning to bring alcohol with you be sure to discuss it with your guide service. Many guide services will not let you drink alcohol on the boat. Our guide service does allow alcohol. We feel that for a lot of people the two go hand in hand and this trip should be as enjoyable as we can make it for you. With that said, our policy is any time we feel you or anyone in your party becomes under the influence we will take you and your party directly back to the dock and you will be responsible for the full cost of the trip.
Wear may wear black sole shoes: Many guide service, mostly saltwater, request you do not wear black sole shoes. Our bass boats are lined with carpet so please get comfortable and feel free to wear your most comfortable shoes even if they are black sole.
Smokers beware: Because of the carpet on the boats we do ask that you be careful of your ashes. it burns holes in our carpet. But we do still allow you to smoke.
Tip your guide: It is traditional to tip your guide. An eight-hour charter is equivalent to a ten-hour workday when you consider preparing the boat, tackle, and other equipment for the day, handling the charter, travel time, cleaning the boat, and preparing for the next day. A 15% gratuity is standard, and if your guide goes above and beyond the call of duty, you should tip accordingly.