Are you a seasoned angler who wants to fish from sunrise to sunset? Or maybe you’re looking to bring your family on an adventure that offers a little bit of everything, from fishing, to shelling, to island-exploring, and more? Day 5 Charters in Fort Myers Beach, FL has it all!

Captain John Gauntt has been fishing the backcountry and nearshore waters of Southwest Florida for over 20 years. With his expert knowledge spanning everywhere from the 10,000 Islands to Boca Grande, you’re sure to catch some impressive fish – and the memories of a lifetime, too!

Capt. John prides himself on offering any trip you could dream of, from full-on fishing adventures packed with angling action, to family–friendly shelling excursions, to nightly jaunts that target some seriously impressive marine life. Your trip can be completely customized to suit your wants and needs, so let him know what you want to do – you can combine all of the above, if you want!

When it comes to the fishing on offer, you’ll have the choice of cruising the seriously shallow flats and backcountry for Permit, Tarpon, Snook, and more, or heading up to 9 miles out to nearshore waters to hook huge Redfish, Cobia, and other world-famous species. Want to come face-to-gills with some fish that will give you serious bragging rights? Join Capt. John on a night adventure to hook a variety of fierce Shark species!

No matter what you choose to do, your adventure will take place on board your captain’s 23’ Robalo bay boat, built to comfortably transport up to 6 guests to the hotspots. On board, you’ll find top-of-the-line navigational gear, life jackets for all ages, and a full toilet. There’s even a wireless trolling motor, so you won’t spook the fish when cruising shallow waters!

Each trip includes top-notch rods and reels, bait, tackle, and a fishing license. Shelling gear will also be provided when needed. Come aboard Day 5 Charters, where you’ll experience an incredible Floridian fishing adventure like no other!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Fishing (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $600
    This 4-hour trip is perfectly suited to budding anglers, families with little ones, or more experienced fishermen who want to spend a morning on the water. You'll be exploring a variety of world-famous Floridian waters, including the flats, backcountry, and inshore and nearshore fishing grounds. Let your captain know where you want to go! You'll target anything from Permit, to Snook, to Redfish, and plenty more. Rods, reels, bait, tackle and your fishing license are included.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Fishing (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $600
    This afternoon adventure will see you exploring a variety of Florida's famous fishing grounds – you can cruise the seriously shallow backcountry and flats for Permit, and Snook, or head to nearshore waters to come face-to-gills with huge Redfish or Cobia. Let your captain know what you want to do! This trip is suitable for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Top-notch rods and reels, bait, tackle, and your fishing license are all included.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Night Shark Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $800
    Want to experience the thrill of wrestling some monster Shark species? Then this night fishing trip is an absolute must! Your captain will take you out to the hottest spots around Fort Myers Beach. You'll be provided with top-notch rods and reels, bait, tackle, and a valid fishing license.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $1,200
    This 8-hour trip is fully flexible to suit you. Want to fish for some world-famous species (such as Redfish) from sunrise to sunset? Or let the family play, picnic, explore, and find shells on a boat-access-only island? Maybe you want to go for lunch at an amazing water-accessible restaurant? No matter what, your captain will make it "your" trip! Just let him know what you want to get out of your day on the water. Rods, reels, bait, tackle, and everything you need for a fun day will be included.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Island Adventure
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $1,200
    Adventure, fish, shell, and enjoy the boat-access-only islands of this area to your heart's content! See dolphins, manatees, and incredible sunsets, as well as finding giant conch shells and beautiful murexes for your collection. This trip is fully customizable, so when it comes to the angling action you want to experience, just let your captain know. You'll have the chance to hook some Floridian favorites, including Snook, Permit, Spotted Seatrout, Redfish, and more. Rods and reels are included.
There are 8 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Day 5 Charters

Day 5 Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Fishing (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Fishing (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Night Shark Fishing (4 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip – Fishing (8 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip – Island Adventure (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Day 5 Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Full head
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Multimedia System
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Spearfishing Equipment Must bring own spearfishing equipment and have exp
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Day 5 Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Water and ice provided)
  • First Mate ( Depending on trip at discretion of Capt. )
  • Fishing License
  • Lunch (Can stop for lunch at boat access restaurants . )

Day 5 Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing (Up to 9 miles)
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Day 5 Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Drift Fishing
  • Spearfishing

Top targeted fish species with Day 5 Charters include:
  • Cobia
  • Pompano
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Bull)
  • Shark (Hammerhead)
  • Shark (Tiger)
  • Sheepshead
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon
  • Tripletail

Meet the Captain

John Gauntt
Fort Myers Beach, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
90 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since December 2018
"As soon as I was old enough to hold a rod, I was fishing. I moved to Fort Myers Beach in 2001 and haven’t stopped fishing the Gulf since then! In 2015 my friends and family said I should quit my day job and become a charter captain…so I did!" Capt. John's best part of his job is simple: doing his favorite thing in the world! He's a lifelong fisherman who loves nothing more than being on the water, spending time with guests of all ages and angling abilities, and reeling in plenty of world-famous species. As well as plenty of first-hand experience under his belt, he's also a certified regional forecast guide for Saltstrong, where he works on fishing reports – so he knows exactly where the fish are, and when they'll be there!
Our Team
Parker G.
Captain

About this listing

Targeted species

Cobia Cobia
Pompano Pompano
Redfish Redfish
Shark (Bull) Bull Shark

Boat specs

Robalo (Bay boat) originally built in 2022. Powered by a 300HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 49 knots.

Length
26 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Up to 9 miles
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Drift Fishing
Spearfishing

Amenities

Toilet
Full head
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Water and ice provided
First Mate
Depending on trip at discretion of Capt.
Fishing License
Lunch
Can stop for lunch at boat access restaurants .

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days 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 agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
No minimum age
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 30% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 30% 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
Visa
Mastercard
Checks
Bank Transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Fort Myers Beach Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 90 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (139)
Captain Parker was the man!
Captain Parker was the man!
Captain Parker was the man!
+136
Angler rating
89
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
95%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 90 reviews
Buck D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Parker was the man!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Fishing (AM) on December 27, 2023
Truly an awesome time. Cpt. Parker got us on plenty of fish even when all other boats were struggling.  I am local and will...
Buck D. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Buck D. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Melissa S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day on the water!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Fishing (PM) on December 30, 2023
Parker is a great Captain. He was dogged in making sure we found the right spot to catch multiple fish. He was also very knowledgable...
Melissa S. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Gauntt Captain replied

Matthew T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day on the water

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Fishing (AM) on February 17, 2024
We went out with Parker and had a fantasist day. he was very knowledgeable, easy going and comfortable to fish with. A well...
Matthew T. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Gauntt Captain replied

Chris W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Parker is great!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Fishing (AM) on January 1, 2024
Great time with captain Parker. Very accommodating and overall awesome dude.
Chris W. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Chris W. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Frank S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

January fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Fishing (PM) on January 1, 2024
Frank S. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Frank S. recommends Day 5 Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful