634 North Yachtsman Drive, Sanibel, Florida 33957, United States
INSHORE BAY BOAT CHARTERS
Aboard the 23 ft, 200 hp motor, Soft Top Shaded,
"Iron Maiden"
All Trips / Tours are customized to your specifications.
They can be FISHING ONLY or some combination of FISHING, SHELLING, WILDLIFE VIEWING - TOURING, BEACH HOPPING and LUNCH IN THE BARRIER ISLANDS.
Base Rate is $125 Per Hour on all inshore bay trips of any type or combination.
Prices include the first 1-3 passengers when any FISHING is included.
Each additional passenger is $100.
IF THE CHARTER DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY FISHING, the base rate covers
1-6 passengers.
6 Passengers is the maximum allowed onboard.
Private Charter / All Ages Welcome
2 Hour Dolphin -Wildlife Tour $350
4 Hour Charter: $550
5 Hour Charter: $675
6 Hour Charter: $800 (Most Popular Family Trip!)
7 Hour Charter: $925
8 Hour Charter: $1050
9 Hour Charter: $1175
PLEASE NOTE: Trying to fish more than 3 fishing rods at a time in the Bay is often difficult or sometimes even impossible. Wind and / or tidal currents will effect the amount of fishermen that can fish at the same time.
You will be limiting the quality of your fishing charter experience by trying to bring more than 4 total fishermen. If you are serious about fishing please limit your total fishermen to 3 or less, if 4 or more be prepared to take turns.
Scroll Down Further For More Complete Details And Descriptions Of Our Different Types of Charters.
A Fun trip for the Entire Family on the beautiful waters surrounding Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, North Captiva Island, Pine Island, Cayo Costa Island, Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach.
Depending on the length of trip you selected and the weather conditions, clients will Fish and Explore locations just off of our Beautiful Beaches or inside the Protected Bays and the maze of Mangrove Islands that make up our Inshore Waterways.
Typically the Inshore / Bay Charters are booked as 6 HOUR TRIPS,
this allows you the range of travel (radius available to fish from the departure dock) and time required to fish an entire tide change.
TIDES are approximately 6 hours and they are the fishes feeding clock so to speak, they always eat at some point during a tide, sometimes for the entire tide and sometimes for only a portion of it.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND booking the charter as a 6 HOUR TRIP for adults and people who like to fish.
If your budget only allows a shorter time period that is ok too, we will work hard for you within any time period you allow us.
What exactly is a “Inshore or Bay Fishing Charter”, where will we be fishing Captain?
The Captain will take your INSHORE / BAY FISHING CHARTER into the best areas surrounding the Barrier Islands of Southwest Florida and/or in the bay inside the Islands of Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva, Cayo Costa, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Pine Island, and Cape Coral, a body of water generally known as PINE ISLAND SOUND.
Weather, Tide, Time of Year and other factors effect where the boat will fish from day to day.
On certain days INSHORE / BAY FISHING CHARTERS could be best spent by fishing in the Caloosahatchee River which separates the towns of Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
The Caloosahatchee River is famous amongst Snook fishing enthusiasts, known for some of the best BIG SNOOK FISHING in the world.
All possible fishing charter options are on the table from nine miles off the beach in the Gulf of Mexico, to nine miles up the river, to Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor.
What types of fish will we catch on an INSHORE - BAY FISHING CHARTER?
Typical species caught while on an Inshore - Bay Fishing Charter in Southwest Florida include Sea Trout, Sand Trout, Whiting, Black Drum, Snook, Redfish, Jack Crevalle, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Grunt Snapper, Catfish, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Goliath Grouper, Barracuda, Tarpon, Pufferfish, Lane Snapper, Flounder, Bluefish, Bonnethead Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Bull Shark, Lemon Shark, Blacktip Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Spinner Shark, Nurse Shark, Stingray, Skate, Cobia, Tripletail, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Permit, Pompano, Ladyfish, and probably a few more.
Can Fishing Charters be combined with Lunch, Shelling or Wildlife Tours?
Yes! Absolutely.
We will go to great lengths to make you trip a perfect mix of options to suit your particular ideal itinerary.
Southwest Florida's best hidden secrets are it's lovely Barrier Islands, these remote outer Islands are only accessible by boat or Sea Plane, and include lovely North Captiva, Gasparilla, Historic Cabbage Key and Pine Island. You can catch some fish, watch Dolphins play as you cruise and then have a Drink and perhaps a Delicious Seafood Lunch at one of our Barrier Island waterfront restaurants. (Have a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise) After lunch relax by doing some Shelling and
Beach Hopping / Exploring at a remote boat access only beach or the Captain will take your group to check out some Dolphin and Manatee in their natural surroundings.
Fish-Shelling-Lunch itineraries are our most popular combination trip;
they require a minimum of six hours to do comfortably. Most families enjoy combo trips 7 to 8 hours in length, fishing then lunch and after lunch some shelling is often the ideal plan.
MORE DETAILS
Everything you need to fish is Included:
- Fishing License for every member of your group is included in the trip price | Rods, Reels and Bait / Tackle are included.
- We provide use of a small cooler with Ice for your refreshments, it is a wet cooler, ice melts quickly here.
(no need to bring a cooler, please bring bottled waters or whatever you may want to drink or eat, we do not provide any food or drinks.) - You may also bring a small NON STYROFOAM cooler pre packed if you desire and then overflow into our drink cooler, this is very common for larger groups or groups that plan on drinking plenty of beverages such as beer.
- No Styrofoam is allowed onboard, please if you bring a cooler do not bring the styrofoam type of cooler.
- We always have a separate fish cooler with Ice to keep your catch ice cold.
- Our Captains will always clean your catch and bag it for your trip home as part of the standard service.
- All charters are Private, only your family or group will be aboard the boat, we do not mix groups unless you request it.
What to Bring
- Whatever you want to eat or drink, Gatorade and bottled water are recommended.
- Appropriate attire for the weather / time of year, if the skies are grey on the day of your charter a light rain jacket or poncho may be advised.
- Please wear clothing items that have been previously washed and are not brand new, we have a problem with typically new items of clothing, especially jeans bleeding dyes onto our seats when damp.
- A hat and long sleeve shirt for the sun.
- We recommend wearing shoes that can be splashed or get wet; rubberized shoes, sandals, flip flops, water shoes or Crocs. The Captain's wear Crocs typically, they are unattractive but work great.
- All Cell Phones, Go Pros, GPS and any all Electronic Devices brought aboard the vessel will be completely powered down in front of the Captain and put in storage before leaving the dock. We are concerned with loosing fishing spots to the geo location embedded in the customers pictures and go pro videos. Also a few previous customers have been caught using geo location phone apps to track and store fishing positions and vessel map tracks.
- The Captain WILL gladly photograph you and your fish and email or text the photos to you after the charter.
- Liquid type sunscreen. Absolutely No Spray Sunscreen or Tanning Oils or Sprays of Any Kind Are Allowed!
- A few beach towels are always nice to have along, to make a place to stretch out and catch some sun, or after getting in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions and Policies.
Please reach us at sanibeloffshore@yahoo.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
1) Your Deposit of $200 (plus any online booking fees or credit card fees if booked by phone)
IS NON REFUNDABLE inside of 72 hours before departure, but IT IS RESCHEDULE-ABLE within 2 Years of the date the Booking is made.
2) If the Captain cancels your charter prior to departure any monies paid are 100% refundable.
3) All Weather Cancelations, Are Made At The Captains Discretion Only.
The Captain reserves the right to cancel any charter for any reason he deems necessary.
If the Captain cancels your charter prior to departure any monies paid are 100% refundable.
4) Once the charter departs the dock, all deposits are Non Refundable and a minimum charge is applied.
5) Minimum Charge for Offshore / Deep Sea Charters and / or (any trip taken aboard the 29 ft "Miss Hayden") have a 6 hour minimum charge, once the boat leaves the dock, if the charter is ended early for any reason the minimum charge due is equivalent to a 6 hour Offshore / Deep Sea Full Trip Price. Exception would be for a 2 Hour Dolphin Tour aboard the 29 ft boat in which case it would be a minimum charge of the full trip price.
6) Minimum Charge for Inshore / Bay, Shelling, Wildlife, Combo Charters and /or (any trip taken aboard the 23 ft "Iron Maiden") have a 4 hour minimum charge, once the boat leaves the dock, if the charter is ended early for any reason the minimum charge due is equivalent to a 4 hour Inshore / Bay Sea Full Trip Price.
7) Online booking or credit card transaction will add 3.5% to your total,
(this is because the credit card company adds a fee of 3.5%)
however we do not charge any other state or federal taxes.
8) Any Payments made on board the boat with a credit or debit card adds a 3.5% credit card fee to your total.
9) There are no added state or federal taxes added.
10) If the Captain cancels the charter early during the course of the trip, because the client or any member of the embarked group cannot or will not;
follow the general boat safety rules,
fishing safety instructions,
boat rules and guidelines as agreed upon here, and any boat rules that may be posted onboard the vessel, or because the client or a member of the embarked group will not follow the Captains instructions or orders, the client will be returned to the dock and charged for the full trip price or remaining balance to the credit card used to make the reservation. As an example; this has only very rarely happened but generally has involved passengers bringing drugs or becoming heavily intoxicated and getting physical while onboard with other passengers.
In extreme cases, (the client or group becomes belligerent, threatening, overly intoxicated or brings or uses illegal drugs while onboard) the client will be returned to the dock at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Sheriff Dock or to the closest possible dock regardless if this is the original departure location.
The Captain will call, or email you within about 24 hours after you have made your online booking, usually it will be an email reply, or a text, in case any changes need to be made to the reservation and to answer any remaining questions or concerns you may have.
It is very common that the scheduled departure time will change + / - an hour or so based on weather, tides and time of year. Dialing in your trip to the optimum conditions will be covered in your booking confirmation discussion with the Captain.
Please Let Us Know Your Alternate Days,
that is your total possible availability for days you could come aboard, if we know all of your possible alternate days we may be able to schedule you into better weather, when in THE WEEK BEFORE THE TRIP, the weather reports solidify.
We do this in order to give you the best experience possible.
Your Captain will Call and/or Text you the Evening before your charter
after his fishing trips for the day are finished.
Typically this will be between 5 - 7 pm please expect this confirmation call or text.
If on the evening prior to your charter you have not heard from your Captain by 7 pm please call us at 239-337-4275.
We do not charge for the cleaning of fish (filleting and bagging), although many boat services do charge for this service. We do not scale clean fish.
Gratuities Are Appreciated and are customarily 15 - 20 % percent.
Valid ID is Required to board the vessel.
- All Baggage or Any Items brought aboard the vessel will be searched/inspected by the Captain and Crew prior to or Immediately after boarding the vessel.
- All Guests or their Guardians will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver completely before the charter leaves the dock.
- Minors will need a Parent or Guardian to complete a waiver on their behalf.
- Please let us know of any Health Concerns that you or any member of your group may have at the time of your booking, and again upon boarding the boat at the start of your charter.
- Please Let Us Know if any member of your group Cannot Swim!
What to Bring
- Whatever you want to eat or drink, Gatorade and bottled water are recommended.
- Appropriate attire for the weather / time of year, if the skies are grey on the day of your charter a light rain jacket or poncho may be advised.
- Please wear clothing items that have been previously washed and are not brand new, we have a problem with typically new items of clothing, especially jeans bleeding dyes onto our seats when damp.
- A hat and long sleeve shirt for the sun.
- We recommend wearing shoes that can be splashed or get wet; rubberized shoes, sandals, flip flops, water shoes or Crocs. The Captain's wear Crocs typically, they are unattractive but work great.
- All Cell Phones, Go-Pros, GPS and any all Electronic Devices brought aboard the vessel will be completely powered down in front of the Captain and put in storage before leaving the dock. We are concerned with losing fishing spots to the geolocation embedded in the customer's pictures and go pro videos. Also, a few previous customers have been caught using geolocation phone apps to track and store fishing positions and vessel map tracks. This policy is strictly enforced when OFFSHORE - DEEP SEA FISHING and situationally enforced when INSHORE - BAY FISHING and basically not enforced when doing Shelling and Wildlife Viewing activites.
- The Captain WILL gladly photograph you and your fish and email or text the photos to you after the charter.
- Liquid type sunscreen ONLY. Absolutely No Spray Sunscreen or Tanning Oils or Sprays of Any Kind Are Allowed!
- A few beach towels are always nice to have along, to make a place to stretch out and catch some sun, or after getting in the water.
What NOT to bring
- GPS equipment, it will be confiscated.
- All Cell Phones, Go-Pros, and any Electronic Devices will be turned off at the start of the charter (during the fishing portion of the trip) and placed in the Captain's waterproof case for storage during the charter. This is because of GPS coordinates that are embedded in cell phone pictures and because clients often use them to track fishing locations.
- During any Shelling and / or Wildlife portions of the charter clients may use their phones freely for taking pictures and video.
- NO Illegal Drugs or NO Firearms
- No Hard Alcohol, but Beer in moderation is Ok.
- NO SPRAY SUNSCREEN, TANNING OILS OR SPRAYS OF ANY KIND!!! these may not be
applied onboard the boat. - No Styrofoam Coolers, they always break and end up blowing into the water.
- Please do not bring a bunch of unnecessary baggage as storage space is very limited.
PLEASE NOTE:
Trying to fish more than 3 fishing rods at a time on INSHORE / BAY FISHING CHARTERS is often difficult or sometimes even impossible. Wind and/or strong currents will affect the number of fishermen that can fish at the same time.
You will be limiting the quality of your fishing charter experience by trying to bring more than 4 total fishermen.
If you are serious about fishing please limit your total fishermen to 3 or 4 total or be prepared to take turns.
OFFSHORE FISHING REELS and INSHORE FISHING REELS are set up to the International Standard. Our Boat fishes many reels in the course of a charter, often we bring a few dozen rods and reels to be prepared for various fishing situations.
Spinning Reels are set up with the handle on the left and Conventional Reels are set up with the handle on the right.
WE Will NOT CHANGE THE HANDLES ON ANY FISHING REELS for any reason, we will, however, bring a reel or two as backups if requested by the client prior to the charter.
The high stress demands placed on the offshore / deep sea Spinning Reels in particular ( while fishing for powerful ocean fish such as Grouper, Snapper, Shark, Barracuda, King Mackerels etc. ) Make it impossible to simply switch spinning reel handles over as you would while lake fishing or freshwater fishing.
Reels have been broken in and stressed from multiple charters worth of fishing for larger ocean fish, and switching the stress points on the gears by switching the handles after they have been broken in changes the stress patterns and will cause the spinning reels to strip the gears and break.
Another factor to consider is that on all of our Offshore - Deep Sea Charters and to some extent on our Inshore - Bay Charters will have the client using multiple different rod and reel combinations during the course of the charter. So each client typically has multiple sets of fishing equipment pre-rigged and stored on the hardtop roof for the many possible fishing scenarios that are expected to be encountered.
We will have onboard a reel or two set up incorrectly for the lake fisherman who simply cannot change, but this will limit your access to many types of fishing prospects the boat may encounter in the course of a charter.
Clients who alter reel handles, drop equipment overboard or break equipment, will be charged for the retail price of the equipment to the credit card used to make the reservation.
Combo Tours that have LUNCH stops as part of the itinerary take you to a nice restaurant in the Islands, where you may purchase whatever you may prefer to eat or drink. No food or beverages are provided on any of our Charters or Trips.
SHELLING and landings on the Barrier Islands often require wading through knee to thigh deep water and sometimes, above the waist deep water on windy days, to get to the beach.
Guests step or slide off the back of the swim step of the boats ladder, and walk the remaining distance to the beach.
Most beaches are secluded with no docks to use, Re-boarding the boat requires the physical strength to walk up a three step boarding ladder.
If any member of your group is unable to accomplish the above, then leaving the boat to visit and shell the remote barrier islands may not be possible for them.
Please let us know your concerns and we will try to develop a plan to visit a less secluded island where docks may be present and open to our use.
If any member of your group is UNABLE TO SWIM or a WEAK SWIMMER, we require that They or You notify the Captain prior to boarding the boat and again prior to any excursions where you may leave the boat such as the Shelling portion of a Combo Trip.
We Accept All Major Credit Cards and Cash Only, No Checks Please.
No, it is Included in the cost of your trip. Everything you will need to Fish is Included.
Our fishing tours can accommodate groups of up to six people. This is by US Coast Guard Regulation, and is applied across the entire fleet of charter boats in our area. For More Than Six Passengers You Will Need Either Two Boats Or End Up On One Of The Huge Boats That Take 20 to 100 People Packed On Like Cattle. For larger groups of 7-12 etc, please contact us for multiple boat availability and rates.
SANIBEL OFFSHORE FISHING CHARTERS
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