Welcome to SPI Freedom Fishing! Now is the time to have an amazing fishing experience and create great memories with your loved ones. Captain John Fowler is eager and fighting to make every trip better than the last. He thrives off of seeing smiles on the faces of his guests and hoping each one gets to create a memorable experience.

You’ll be fishing aboard a 1985 38’ Delta, repowered in 2021. The boat is upgraded with twin 375 HP Caterpillar engines and reaches the speed of 20 knots. The boat offers modern navigational electronics and top-notch fishing equipment. For better comfort, there’s also a private toilet, an air-conditioned cabin, kitchen appliances, and a perfect ride on a flybridge.

The trips range from 5-hour family tours to 12-hour hard-core adventures. It all depends on what you want to go after and how much you want to challenge yourself. Closer to the shore, you get to target King Mackerel, Snapper, Cobia, and Triggerfish, while far offshore spots bring big game fish into the game - Sailfish, Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Barracuda, and many more.

All fishing equipment and bottled water are included in the price. Feel free to pack your food, drinks, and sun protection for your day out. The crew will also let you keep the catch and clean it for you when you get back to the marina.

The crew hopes everyone aboard Freedom gets to feel how great freedom is on the Gulf of Mexico! SPI Freedom Fishing hopes to catch fish with you on our next trip!



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Half day A.M.
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $975
    On this trip we will troll out the jetty targeting fast swimming pelagic species. Once we get to the reef we will be bottom fishing for reef species that include, red snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and any other species we can catch on the reef. This is a great trip to get your family on the water and experience the beautiful waters off of South Padre Island.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
  • Private trip
    Half day P.M.
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $975
    On this trip we will troll out the jetty targeting fast swimming pelagic species. Once we get to the reef we will be bottom fishing for reef species that include, red snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and any other species we can catch on the reef. This is a great trip to get your family on the water and experience the beautiful waters off of South Padre Island.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $1,350
    On this trip, you'll get more time to target multiple species of fish and try different fishing tactics. This will include, trolling for King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Cobia, Bonito, and always have the chance for a possible Marlin or Tuna!
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $1,950
    This trip is a trip for more experienced anglers who are not afraid to spend a good time on the water. The time you have on this enables you to do some more serious fishing. On this trip, you'll target all the species of the 8 hour but work harder towards landing bigger gamefish. This trip will allow the customer to get a great experience on the water and a higher shot at the fish of a lifetime!
  • Private trip
    12 Hour Trip – Angler’s Dream
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $2,350
    On this trip it will be all about targeting a trophy. This trip is not for the faint of heart and is for anglers who really want to put in the time and try and catch the fish of their dreams. If it’s a slow day and everything else fails, the crew will be sure to put you on different species. But this trip is all about targeting trophy fish and giving you an amazing experience.
  • Private trip
    14 Hour Trip – Marlin
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    14 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 AM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $2,750
    On this trip, you will be focusing solely on trophy fish and Marlin. It’s a long day spent trolling and possibly live bait throwing at Marlin, or Tuna busting the surface. This is a trip specifically for hunting a trophy. You can go bust or you can go home with the memory of a lifetime. One thing is for sure, the crew will do everything possible to put a monster on board!
  • Private trip
    Swordfish Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    24 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $3,950
    On this trip we’ll be targeting the mighty swordfish. Reeling up a giant from depths of 1500-2500 feet. Along the way we’ll troll for mahi mahi, wahoo, and tuna. When we bottom drop for the swords we also have opportunities at giant blue fin tuna, tile fish, and other deep drop species.
    Targeted fish
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Marlin (Blue)
    Blue Marlin
    Swordfish
    Swordfish
    Tuna (Yellowfin)
    Yellowfin Tuna
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna
There are 19 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 139 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (138)
SPI Freedom Fishing
Best trip ever
Best trip ever
+135
Angler rating
107
23
7
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
84%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
92%
Appropriate for children
92%
Satisfied with the boat
91%
Caught fish
90%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 139 reviews
Andy C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent!

VERIFIED   Half day A.M. on October 12, 2024
Our group of 6 had a great morning fishing. Capt and deckhand were friendly and very knowledgeable. Put us right on the fish...
Andy C. recommends SPI Freedom Fishing
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  John D Fowler Sr Captain replied

Joe M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

SPI Freedom Fishing

VERIFIED   NEW  Half day P.M. on December 21, 2024
Tight lines and big smiles - this crew knows how to find the fish!”
Joe M. recommends SPI Freedom Fishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  John D Fowler Sr Captain replied

Brian J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good day of fishing

VERIFIED   Half day A.M. on September 19, 2024
Had a good day of fishing, nothing to brag about but we put plenty of fish on the boat and in the cooler. Crew was top notch...
Brian J. recommends SPI Freedom Fishing
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You found this review helpful
  John D Fowler Sr Captain replied

Armando R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First time deep-sea fishing

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip on July 27, 2024
Had a great time.  Caught targeted fish. Captain and crew knew exactly what they were doing. Can’t wait to go again. Thank...
Armando R. recommends SPI Freedom Fishing
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  John D Fowler Sr Captain replied

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

Best trip ever

VERIFIED   10 Hour Trip on November 22, 2024
Capt John put us on the fish all day long! Him and his deck mate were amazing.  We caught 7 huge barracuda and 10 red snapper...
Leslie W. recommends SPI Freedom Fishing
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  John D Fowler Sr Captain replied

FAQs about SPI Freedom Fishing

SPI Freedom Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $975 per group - Half day A.M. (6 hours)
  • US $975 per group - Half day P.M. (6 hours)
  • US $1,350 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,950 per group - 10 Hour Trip (10 hours)
  • US $2,350 per group - 12 Hour Trip – Angler’s Dream (12 hours)
  • US $2,750 per group - 14 Hour Trip – Marlin (14 hours)
  • US $3,950 per group - Swordfish Trip (24 hours)

When you book a trip with SPI Freedom Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair Top of the line
  • GPS One of the best Simrad
  • Fishfinder Top of the line transducer with 3D
  • Bed
  • Flybridge When aboard enjoy riding up on the flybridge to se
  • Live Bait Well On boat
  • Kitchen Microwave
  • Multimedia System
  • Outriggers We can set outriggers out as we steam out of jetty
  • Ice Box Also microwave to heat
  • Radar Simrad top of the line USCG

Trips booked with SPI Freedom Fishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • First Mate (We provide 2 Deck mates)

SPI Freedom Fishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

SPI Freedom Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with SPI Freedom Fishing include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Spadefish
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Triggerfish (Gray)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)

Your captain

John D Fowler Sr
South Padre Island, Texas, United States
7 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
139 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2021
I’ve been fishing since I could walk. I lost my father at a young age but it never stopped me from the outdoors. A lot of my younger life was spent in freshwater but as I went on through the years I felt like I mastered it, so I moved to saltwater. My inspiration has always been to show people a great experience and watch the smiles on people, and I love to make kids have a good time with their parents or family.

The fish you can target

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
38 ft
Year built
1985
Restored in
2021
Boat manufacturer
Delta
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
3208 Caterpillar
Powered by
2 x 375HP
Max cruising speed
20 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Fighting Chair
Top of the line
GPS
One of the best Simrad
Fishfinder
Top of the line transducer with 3D
Bed
Flybridge
When aboard enjoy riding up on the flybridge to se

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
First Mate
We provide 2 Deck mates

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

What’s biting in South Padre Island right now

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