Boca Grande Fishing Charters 

5.0/5 (65 reviews)
 
State licensed
 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida, FL 33946, United States

Boca Grande Fishing Charters 

Up to 9 miles
Placida, FL, United States
24 ft
4
5.0/5 (65 reviews)

Boca Grande Fishing Charters and Captain John Kelso welcome you to a fine day of fishing in Florida. Captain John has over 25 years of experience fishing the waters of Florida and will help you catch fish regardless of your skill level. He will meet you in Placida and take you to the best inshore as well as backcountry spots, making sure you have the biggest chance of landing a great catch. Join him aboard and have a great time on the water!

You will be fishing aboard a restored 24' custom-built Aquasport bay boat. The spacious design allows for up to 4 anglers and the captain. The boat is equipped with safety gear as well as GPS, VHF radio, and fishfinder electronics used for efficient navigation on the water. It has also got a large livewell, an ice-box, a fighting chair, and a Power Pole shallow water anchoring system. The boat runs on a 200 HP Honda engine.

You and Captain John will fish inshore and nearshore spots, flats, and the backcountry for Shark, Goliath Grouper, Snook, Redfish, Mangrove Snappers, and Spotted Seatrout. You will use light and hard tackle to attract your prey and you can keep the fish you catch. Kids are welcome to join the trip.

Captain John will provide all of the necessary fishing equipment on this charter as well as a fishing license. What you should bring are just the snacks and drinks of your choice.

Join the captain and Boca Grande Fishing Charters, their guests always have fun!

Boca Grande Fishing Charters and Captain John Kelso welcome you to a fine day of fishing in Florida. Captain John has over 25 years of experience fishing the waters of Florida and will help you catch fish regardless of your skill level. He will meet you in Placida and take you to the best inshore as well as backcountry spots, making sure you have the biggest chance of landing a great catch. Join him aboard and have a great time on the water!

You will be fishing aboard a restored 24' custom-built Aquasport bay boat. The spacious design allows for up to 4 anglers and the captain. The boat is equipped with safety gear as well as GPS, VHF radio, and fishfinder electronics used for efficient navigation on the water. It has also got a large livewell, an ice-box, a fighting chair, and a Power Pole shallow water anchoring system. The boat runs on a 200 HP Honda engine.

You and Captain John will fish inshore and nearshore spots, flats, and the backcountry for Shark, Goliath Grouper, Snook, Redfish, Mangrove Snappers, and Spotted Seatrout. You will use light and hard tackle to attract your prey and you can keep the fish you catch. Kids are welcome to join the trip.

Captain John will provide all of the necessary fishing equipment on this charter as well as a fishing license. What you should bring are just the snacks and drinks of your choice.

Join the captain and Boca Grande Fishing Charters, their guests always have fun!

John Kelso
Captain
John Kelso
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2026
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $600
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 hour trip starts at 1:00 PM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $600
Entire boat: up to 4 people
5 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
5 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $700
Entire boat: up to 4 people
5 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
5 hour trip starts at 1:00 PM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $700
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $800
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 hour trip starts at 1:00 PM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $800
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip - Tarpon (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
5 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Jul 1
Tarpon
US $900
Entire boat: up to 4 people
5 Hour Trip - Tarpon (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
5 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Jul 1
Tarpon
US $950
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip - Tarpon (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Jul 1
Tarpon
US $1,000
Entire boat: up to 4 people
8 Hour Trip – Inshore
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
8 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+2
US $1,000
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
65 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

What anglers say

100%
Great experience
95%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
100%
Recommended
91%
Caught fish

All reviews (65)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 15 of 65 reviews
Justin Pajl
Justin Pajl
us
South Dakota, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
April fishing trip
4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) on April 16, 20263 adults1 child

John and Mark were great all around! They picked us up on time, traveled 15 minutes and we were catching fish as soon as we put our bait in the water! They were great with helping and teaching my kids about how to fish, what to look for to catch fish and was always attentive when they were having troubles. Would highly recommend John and Mark for your next fishing experience!

Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
John Kelso
Response from Captain

Thank you for the review. I really appreciate it. We really enjoyed have you guys on the boat. The kids are great. It makes me happy seeing kids catching fish and having a good time. Thanks again. John

Trent Jackson
Trent Jackson
us
Louisiana, US
Member since 2017
5.0
Verified
Best Trip
4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) on May 29, 20264 adults

The guys went above and beyond to make our trip enjoyable. One of the most enjoyable trips we have taken. The crew knew where the fish were at and how to make the experience too notch.

Reported catch:
Sheepshead
Snook
Mangrove Snapper
Jack Crevalle
Shelby Waltemath
Shelby Waltemath
us
Wisconsin, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Great for Families!
4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) on April 19, 20262 adults3 children

Cpt John and Mark definitely put in the work to find us some good fishing! Were great and patient with my 11, 8, and 4 year old. Fishing was a little slow but fishing is fishing.

Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Jared Roberts
Jared Roberts
Repeat angler
us
Georgia, US
Member since 2024
3 trips
5.0
Verified
Great Experience
5 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) on June 30, 20262 adults1 child

Both of my boys caught inshore slams. This was our second trip with Captain Kelso. He delivered again.

Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Kyle Carpenter
Kyle Carpenter
us
Ellijay, GA, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
May fishing trip
4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) on May 28, 20261 adult3 children

John Kelso
Response from Captain

Thank you.

FAQs about Boca Grande Fishing Charters

Boca Grande Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $700 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $700 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $900 per group - 4 Hour Trip - Tarpon (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $950 per group - 5 Hour Trip - Tarpon (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 6 Hour Trip - Tarpon (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Inshore (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Boca Grande Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Wireless trolling motor
  • Ice box
Trips booked with Boca Grande Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First mate
  • Fishing license
Boca Grande Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Flats fishing
  • Backcountry fishing
Boca Grande Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
Top targeted fish species with Boca Grande Fishing Charters include:
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Bonnethead)
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Speckled Trout
  • Tarpon

Your captain

John Kelso
John Kelso
John Kelso

Placida, Florida, United States

ID & license verified
65 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since May 2021

Captain John welcomes you to Placida and offers to take you on a memorable sea adventure full of fishing action and fun!

ID & license verified
65 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since May 2021

Captain John welcomes you to Placida and offers to take you on a memorable sea adventure full of fishing action and fun!

The fish you can target

Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Redfish
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
Bonnethead Shark
Bonnethead Shark
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Snook
Snook
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Tarpon
Tarpon
Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Redfish
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
Bonnethead Shark
Bonnethead Shark

Real catches by this captain

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What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
24 ft
Year built
1986
Restored in
2018
Boat manufacturer
Aquasport
Boat type
Bay boat
Engine model
Honda
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
40 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Wireless trolling motor
Ice box
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First mate
Fishing license

How cancellations work

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.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child friendly
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Pay online in full

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

No additional fees.

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

 PayPal

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Placida right now

Grouper (Goliath)Grouper (Goliath)
Jack CrevalleJack Crevalle
RedfishRedfish
Snapper (Mangrove)Snapper (Mangrove)
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout
TarponTarpon

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Boca Grande Fishing Charters
Boca Grande Fishing Charters
State licensed
5.0
(65)
24 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
Fish 2
+8
4 hour trip • 4 persons
US $600