Fred Gowdy Charters
If you want to fish all year round for a variety of species in a variety of places, then Fred Gowdy Charters is for you. Captain Fred Gowdy has over 15 years of experience, and runs trips both nearshore and inshore.
You will spend your day on a 2015 20' Carolina Skiff JVX. These beauties are known for their quality and style, and can comfortably fit 3 anglers. So grab your friends, partner, or even kids over 7 years old.
The 90 HP engine will have you on the fish in no time. Coupled with the fishfinder and Capt. Fred's extensive knowledge of the area, you'll have your lines in the water and hooking your target fish before you know it.
Each trip heads out to different fisheries, so your target species will vary. Capt. Fred knows where to go to fish for Cobia, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle, Bass, Great Barracuda, Blacktip Shark, and many more. Just choose your species and the trip to match.
Even Tarpon can be caught year round here. These 'Silver Kings' break the line in over 60% of cases. This is a great opportunity to test your skills and see who will end up on top – you or the Tarpon!
Capt. Fred is happy to catch live bait before the trip, or to wait for customers to catch it together. Whether you want the extra time fishing, or the added experience of catching your own live bait, just let Capt. Fred know before the trip. For some species that only need shrimp as their bait, it will be unnecessary to catch any more during the day.
For those with more experience, you are welcome to bring your own fly fishing equipment. For everyone else, the standard light tackle is all included. You don't need to worry about your rods, reels, lures, or live bait – Capt. Fred will have everything prepared for you for your fishing adventure.
He can't wait to welcome you on board and looks forward to showing you a great time on the water.
If you want to fish all year round for a variety of species in a variety of places, then Fred Gowdy Charters is for you. Captain Fred Gowdy has over 15 years of experience, and runs trips both nearshore and inshore.
You will spend your day on a 2015 20' Carolina Skiff JVX. These beauties are known for their quality and style, and can comfortably fit 3 anglers. So grab your friends, partner, or even kids over 7 years old.
The 90 HP engine will have you on the fish in no time. Coupled with the fishfinder and Capt. Fred's extensive knowledge of the area, you'll have your lines in the water and hooking your target fish before you know it.
Each trip heads out to different fisheries, so your target species will vary. Capt. Fred knows where to go to fish for Cobia, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle, Bass, Great Barracuda, Blacktip Shark, and many more. Just choose your species and the trip to match.
Even Tarpon can be caught year round here. These 'Silver Kings' break the line in over 60% of cases. This is a great opportunity to test your skills and see who will end up on top – you or the Tarpon!
Capt. Fred is happy to catch live bait before the trip, or to wait for customers to catch it together. Whether you want the extra time fishing, or the added experience of catching your own live bait, just let Capt. Fred know before the trip. For some species that only need shrimp as their bait, it will be unnecessary to catch any more during the day.
For those with more experience, you are welcome to bring your own fly fishing equipment. For everyone else, the standard light tackle is all included. You don't need to worry about your rods, reels, lures, or live bait – Capt. Fred will have everything prepared for you for your fishing adventure.
He can't wait to welcome you on board and looks forward to showing you a great time on the water.
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (708)
What anglers say
Reviews (328)
Marty Boykin5.0VerifiedFantastic trip!
4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on August 8, 2026 • 2 adultsWhat a fantastic freshwater experience! My husband is an experienced fisherman and I have fished on occasion. Captain Fred easily accommodated both of us. We went to several sweet spots and caught red fish, snapper, trout, lady fish and catfish. The 4-hr trip went by quickly. Captain Fred filleted our red fish and snapper and recommended Fish House to cook it for us. We had it blackened, jerk and fried. It’s the best food we’ve had on our trip! This was an excellent charter and one that we would both HIGHLY RECOMMEND! We had a great time! Thank you, Captain Fred!!
Jennifer O'brien5.0VerifiedFabulous trip!
4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on March 2, 2026 • 2 adultsI booked this trip for my dad (81) and daughter (21) and they both had a terrific time. My dad was impressed with how much effort Captain Fred put into the trip, moving to spots where they had great success catching fish. He is knowledgeable, personal and helpful. My daughter loved the whole experience and both said would book Captain Fred again in a heartbeat. It was definitely a memory-maker! Also, Captain Fred expertly filleted their trout and they took it to The Fish House in Bonita Springs where they were able to have it prepared for lunch! It was delicious! Fabulous trip!
Luke Peterson5.0VerifiedOn Fish!
2 hour backwater am on June 4, 2026 • 2 adultswill do again! great dude and we boxed the fish we are eating for dinner! thanks!
James Kuhns5.0VerifiedAwesome time
2 hour backwater am on August 21, 2026 • 2 adultsGreat Captain and experience. 10/10 recommend
John Cooksey5.0VerifiedGREAT time!!!!!
2 hour backwater am on July 15, 2026 • 2 adultsHighly recommend Fred…Knowledgeable, laid back, FUN!!!! Great trip!!!!
Amanda Redman5.0Verifiedgreat fishing trip
2 hour backwater am on July 7, 2026 • 2 adultsCaptain Fred was very kind and professional and very knowledgeable
Mike Mike4.7VerifiedNice fishing trip
2 hour backwater am on July 6, 2026 • 2 adultsCaptain Fred was very nice and accommodating. Wished we would have caught bigger fish like we did last time with him but we did catch many different kinds.
Zachary ParkerRepeat angler5.0VerifiedGreat day great captain
4 Hour Trip – Peacock Bass & Snook on May 8, 2026 • 2 adultsCaptain Fred was great. He put us on the fish we caught lots of snook, snapper and even a red fish. He worked hard to put us on the fish and we would recommend him to anyone looking for a fun time on the water
Elizabeth Massé5.0VerifiedGreat fishing
2 hour backwater pm on August 15, 2026 • 2 adultsEasy and efficient
Wayne IngalsbeRepeat angler5.0Verifiedsuper fun
4 Hour Trip – Peacock Bass & Snook on July 10, 2026 • 2 adultshighly recommend put us on some nice fish!
FAQs about Fred Gowdy Charters
- US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 2 hour backwater am (2 hours)
- US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 2 hour backwater pm (2 hours)
- US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) (4 hours)
- US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Backwater (PM) (4 hours)
- US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Peacock Bass & Snook (4 hours)
- US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Backwater (6 hours)
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live bait well
- Wireless trolling motor
- Ice box
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait (Live bait is included in the price. If the opportunity arises we may get some while trip is underway.)
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Will filet any fish back at dock if we decide to keep any.)
- Fishing license (Freshwater license required for peacock bass.)
- River fishing (Freshwater trips are in the Golden Gate canals.)
- Inshore fishing
- Nearshore fishing
- Reef fishing
- Wreck fishing
- Flats fishing
- Backcountry fishing
- Light tackle
- Heavy tackle
- Bottom fishing
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Bass (Peacock)
- Cobia
- Grouper (Gag)
- Jack Crevalle
- Redfish
- Shark (Blacktip)
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Tripletail
Your captain
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
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Which amenities are available onboard
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Cash
ChecksWhat’s biting in Bonita Springs right now
Cobia
Grouper (Gag)
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Snapper (Mangrove)
Snook
Tarpon
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