Fred Gowdy Charters 

4.8/5 (299 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Imperial river boat ramp S Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 27551, United States

Fred Gowdy Charters 

 
State licensed
4.8/5 (299)
 Angler's Choice
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Imperial river boat ramp S Tamiami Trail
Bonita Springs, FL, United States

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 summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 299 reviews
Boat
4.8/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (628)

Southwest Florida Peacock Bass
Southwest Florida Peacock Bass
September fishing trip
+625

Angler rating

265
27
3
2
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

96%

Appropriate for children

95%

Friendly captain

99%

Satisfied with the boat

98%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

91%

Showing 1 - 5 of 299 reviews
Showing: 5 of 299 reviews
Samuel Asebrook
Samuel Asebrook
5.0
Verified
Go on this charter!
2 hour backwater am on June 6, 20252 adults
We took this charter since we had a morning to kill and love to fish. Captain Fred was absolutely amazing, communication was excellent and he was as friendly as could be. Additionally, he was extremely knowledgeable about the species in the water and how to go about catching them. We hit multiple honey-holes, caught multiple species of fish, and even though the time of year we were fishing in the bites can be few and far between we saw a lot of action. I couldn’t recommend Captain Fred and any of his charters any more!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 1
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Response from Captain
June 6, 2025
Thank you sir....hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Lawrence Gibbs
Lawrence Gibbs
5.0
Verified
Easy access, put us right on the fish.
2 hour backwater am on July 30, 20253 adults
Took my 17yoa grandson and his girlfriend who are visiting me from California for a morning fishing trip with Captain Gowdy. Was prompt at the dock, and provided ample guidance and direction for 3 novice fishermen. Put us on the fish in first hole and we had a wonderful time, even in the extreme heat of Florida summers. Would chatter again if the opportunity arises. Teens loved the experience and we all caught fish (snapper), which we ate that afternoon.
Response from Captain
July 30, 2025
Hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Jacob Digby
Jacob Digby
5.0
Verified
Great trip
4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on July 16, 20251 adult2 children
Went with Captain Fred for 4 hour backwater trip with my 2 sons. We went to a variety of locations to catch different types of fish. We were catching fish almost the entire time including snook and mangrove snapper. We're not from the area, but Captain Fred was a great source of information the entire time. Caught plenty for a huge dinner!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
July 26, 2025
Thanks guys....hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Kevin Gould
Kevin Gould
5.0
Verified
Great experience
6 Hour Trip – Backwater on April 21, 20253 adults
The mark of a great captain, making a trip fun even if the fishing is slow. We caught snook, redfish, jacks and snapper. So to me it was a very successful trip, but it seems like the whole fleet struggled. Fred worked his butt off to find the fish covering miles of water. He gave us great instruction, and helped whenever it was needed. Fred is definitely a pro at pulling lures out of the trees we casted into! Will definitely book again
Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Jack Crevalle
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
April 21, 2025
You guys were great company today...hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Joseph Borelli
Joseph Borelli
5.0
Verified
Fred is a great guide!
2 hour backwater am on September 8, 20252 adults
Really enjoyed my time with Captain Fred. He quickly got us to some spots and had fish on the line. My son is 7 years old and he took down a dozen fish. Gladly would head out with Fred again, as he is great with kids and making sure they have a good time. Highly recommend.
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Snook
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
September 8, 2025
Had fun guys!!!
1

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
November 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
2 hour backwater am
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
2 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Oct 31
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US $250 
Entire boat: up to 3 people
2 hour backwater pm
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
2 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Oct 31
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US $250 
Entire boat: up to 3 people
4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $450 
Entire boat: up to 3 people
4 Hour Trip – Peacock Bass & Snook
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
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US $450 
Entire boat: up to 3 people
4 Hour Trip – Backwater (PM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
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US $450 
Entire boat: up to 3 people
6 Hour Trip – Backwater
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $650 
Entire boat: up to 3 people
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 299 reviews
Boat
4.8/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (628)

Southwest Florida Peacock Bass
Southwest Florida Peacock Bass
September fishing trip
+625

Angler rating

265
27
3
2
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

96%

Appropriate for children

95%

Friendly captain

99%

Satisfied with the boat

98%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

91%

Showing 1 - 5 of 299 reviews
Showing: 5 of 299 reviews
Samuel Asebrook
Samuel Asebrook
5.0
Verified
Go on this charter!
2 hour backwater am on June 6, 20252 adults
We took this charter since we had a morning to kill and love to fish. Captain Fred was absolutely amazing, communication was excellent and he was as friendly as could be. Additionally, he was extremely knowledgeable about the species in the water and how to go about catching them. We hit multiple honey-holes, caught multiple species of fish, and even though the time of year we were fishing in the bites can be few and far between we saw a lot of action. I couldn’t recommend Captain Fred and any of his charters any more!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 1
Review media 2
Response from Captain
June 6, 2025
Thank you sir....hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Lawrence Gibbs
Lawrence Gibbs
5.0
Verified
Easy access, put us right on the fish.
2 hour backwater am on July 30, 20253 adults
Took my 17yoa grandson and his girlfriend who are visiting me from California for a morning fishing trip with Captain Gowdy. Was prompt at the dock, and provided ample guidance and direction for 3 novice fishermen. Put us on the fish in first hole and we had a wonderful time, even in the extreme heat of Florida summers. Would chatter again if the opportunity arises. Teens loved the experience and we all caught fish (snapper), which we ate that afternoon.
Response from Captain
July 30, 2025
Hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Jacob Digby
Jacob Digby
5.0
Verified
Great trip
4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on July 16, 20251 adult2 children
Went with Captain Fred for 4 hour backwater trip with my 2 sons. We went to a variety of locations to catch different types of fish. We were catching fish almost the entire time including snook and mangrove snapper. We're not from the area, but Captain Fred was a great source of information the entire time. Caught plenty for a huge dinner!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
July 26, 2025
Thanks guys....hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Kevin Gould
Kevin Gould
5.0
Verified
Great experience
6 Hour Trip – Backwater on April 21, 20253 adults
The mark of a great captain, making a trip fun even if the fishing is slow. We caught snook, redfish, jacks and snapper. So to me it was a very successful trip, but it seems like the whole fleet struggled. Fred worked his butt off to find the fish covering miles of water. He gave us great instruction, and helped whenever it was needed. Fred is definitely a pro at pulling lures out of the trees we casted into! Will definitely book again
Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Jack Crevalle
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
April 21, 2025
You guys were great company today...hope to fish with you again!!!
0
Joseph Borelli
Joseph Borelli
5.0
Verified
Fred is a great guide!
2 hour backwater am on September 8, 20252 adults
Really enjoyed my time with Captain Fred. He quickly got us to some spots and had fish on the line. My son is 7 years old and he took down a dozen fish. Gladly would head out with Fred again, as he is great with kids and making sure they have a good time. Highly recommend.
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Snook
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
September 8, 2025
Had fun guys!!!
1

FAQs about Fred Gowdy Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
20 ft
Year built
2015
Boat manufacturer
Carolina Skiff JVX
Boat type
Skiff

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 90HP
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