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.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM)
    Just booked! Last booked: 55 minutes ago
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $395
    This trip will have you using both live bait and artificial bait to target Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish. All live bait and gear are provided for. You need only remember to bring your snacks and water.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Backwater (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $395
    You will be using live bait and artificial lures for Snook, Tarpon, and Redfish.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Peacock Bass & Snook
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    $395
    On this shorter trip you will target Snook, and Butterfly Peacock Bass. You will use artificial plugs.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Nearshore
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $495
    Hit the close reefs and run crab traps for Tripletail.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Backwater
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $600
    This trip is great for targeting Snook, Redfish, and even Tarpon. Test your skills against the Silver King! You will use both live bait and artificial lures. Don't forget to bring plenty of water and food along too.
There are 10 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Fred Gowdy
Bonita Springs, Florida, United States
66 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
224 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2018
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Captain Fred Gowdy has been fishing for over 15 years. He recently decided to change this love of fishing into his occupation. He can't wait to show you the waters and hope you will have a great time out there with him. He knows where the fish are and have your lines in the water in no time!

About this listing

Targeted species

Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Bass (Peacock) Peacock Bass
Cobia Cobia
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper

Boat specs

Carolina Skiff JVX (Skiff) originally built in 2015. Powered by a 90HP Yamaha engine.

Length
20 ft
Capacity
3 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 day prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 1 day before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Min. age 7, life vests provided
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Checks

Bonita Springs Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Recent Fishing Reports

No redtide where peacock bass live!!!
No redtide where peacock bass live!!!
March 15, 2023
Using topwater lipped plugs and shiners...peacock bass have been very cooperative!!!
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 220 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (485)
4 hour trip Capt Fred
4 hour trip Capt Fred
4 hour trip Capt Fred
+482
Angler Rating
194
20
2
2
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Catch intended fish
88%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 220 reviews
Wendy U.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Fred

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on April 26, 2022
Captain Fred is as good as they come, no doubt like his other local fishing boat Captain friends.  We saw four bald eagles...
Wendy U. recommends Fred Gowdy Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Fred Gowdy Captain replied

William K.
Cape Coral, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good Captain

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on April 14, 2022
I really liked Fred’s captaining. He wasn’t controlling but he helped and let you do your own thing. If you wanted to cast...
William K. recommends Fred Gowdy Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Fred Gowdy Captain replied

Brandon J.
Hebron, KY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Peacock Pivot

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on April 6, 2022
When life gives you lemons 🍋 (WIND), just make lemonade. The windy conditions today meant poor conditions most areas, but...
Brandon J. recommends Fred Gowdy Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Fred Gowdy Captain replied

Quentin J.
Fort Myers, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip with Cap’n Fred

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on January 21, 2023
Me and the old man booked a half day trip with Fred this morning. All I can say is expectations were exceeded! Fred has no...
Quentin J. recommends Fred Gowdy Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Fred Gowdy Captain replied

Rick T.
Minnetrista, MN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Fred

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) on March 16, 2023
Bad fishing day but Fred kept us on fish and was a great guide, informative, fun trip….not trophy’s but a windy day and...
Rick T. recommends Fred Gowdy Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Fred Gowdy Captain replied

FAQs about Fred Gowdy Charters

Fred Gowdy Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $395 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Backwater (AM) (4 hours)
  • $395 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Backwater (PM) (4 hours)
  • $395 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Peacock Bass & Snook (4 hours)
  • $495 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Nearshore (4 hours)
  • $600 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Backwater (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Fred Gowdy Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Fred Gowdy Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License

Fred Gowdy Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Fred Gowdy Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Fred Gowdy Charters include:
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Bass (Peacock)
  • Cobia
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Tarpon
  • Tripletail