Southbound Fishing Charters
Visit Marco Island and enjoy top-tier fishing with Southbound Fishing Charters! Captain John and his elite team of native captains grew up on the beautiful island, and spent their lives exploring the abundant fishing its surrounding waters have to offer. They’ll take you to all their favorite spots, and show you a great time on the water!
Fish aboard a brand new 24’ Pathfinder performance fishing boat powered by a 300 HP Yamaha outboard motor or 2021 25’ Carolina Skiff as we get skinny through the backwaters of Marco Island and the 10,000 Islands. These beautiful vessels have a wide and spacious deck that can comfortably accommodate up to 6 guests, where the large bow offers a stable platform to fish from. There are 2 livewells for bait and catch, along with a clean icebox to keep refreshments chilled throughout the day.
Capt. John and his crew will have quality Shimano fishing equipment ready to put you on the fish. Trips include all the gear you’ll need for a productive day of fishing, as well as live bait (Shrimp, Pilchards, or Mullet), fishing licenses, and bottled water. The locals always know best and guarantee we’ll clean and fillet your catch so you can take it home or the best places in town.
You have the chance to fish Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands targeting Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, Pompano, Snapper, Black Drum, Trout, Grouper, and Shark.
Children are very welcome on board, as are anglers of all skill levels. With access to a premium fleet of vessels, Southbound can accommodate large groups and unique trips upon request.
Book your trip with Southbound Fishing Charters and enjoy some of the best fishing Florida has to offer!
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (180)
+177Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Appropriate for children
95%
Friendly captain
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Caught fish
91%
Jan 31, 2025
Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore
Best Charter in Marco
It’s fishing not catching. The Captain put us on the fish. Captain John is a great time! We caught a ton of fish, keeping the rods bent for most of the day. He is super knowledgeable of the area and all the types of fish. The Captain knew I was staying at a house on the water and let me in on the local secrets. Will be back for another trip!
It’s fishing not catching. The Captain put us on the fish. Captain John is a great time! We caught a ton of fish, keeping the...
Mar 24, 2025
Half Day Trip (PM) – Shark/Tarpon
Fishing with John
New Lenox, IL
Jan 27, 2023
Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore
Great trip with Captain John
Booked a morning charter with Captain John in late January. His pre trip communication was clear and accurate leading up to the trip. It was unseasonably cold and windy but that didn't stop us from catching many different varietys of fish. Captain was extremely knowledgeable and considerate to us novice salt water fishermen. We caught all kinds of species including sheephead,snapper,shark,trout,puffer fish, catfish and some others. John is easy going, very personalable and straight forward. He was very knowledgable about the 10,000 island fishing locations. His boat was very clean and very easy to find. Would definitely recommend a trip with captain John, and hope to come back in the future.
Booked a morning charter with Captain John in late January. His pre trip communication was clear and accurate leading up to the...
Grand Rapids, MI
Apr 24, 2022
Full Day Trip – Extreme Inshore
Full Day Trip w/ Captain John
Had a great day, the weather was beautiful. Captain John took us to all the hot spots, but the fish weren't cooperating. We still managed to catch several jacks, a stingray (that was some work), a Snook, mangrove snapper, and a redfish. Along the way we may have got into a couple catfish and ladyfish. Ended up taking the redfish and snapper with us to a local reataurang and had them pan sear them as an appitizer. All in all it was a great day on the water, got to see lots of birds, a couple manatee and a aome dolphins. Would definitely book again with Captain John and Southbound Charters. Thanks for a great day Cap!!
Had a great day, the weather was beautiful. Captain John took us to all the hot spots, but the fish weren't cooperating. We still...
Jul 2, 2024
Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore
Very Good charter - 4.5 stars
The captain adjusted the time on us last minute and we would’ve preferred to leave at 7 AM. However, that was not a huge deal and Captain John is a good guy and very knowledgeable. The boat was great, And he had us set up well. We caught a decent amount of fish, including a small hammerhead shark.
The captain adjusted the time on us last minute and we would’ve preferred to leave at 7 AM. However, that was not a huge deal...
Trip availability and prices
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (180)
+177Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Appropriate for children
95%
Friendly captain
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Caught fish
91%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Best Charter in Marco
Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore on January 31, 2025
It’s fishing not catching. The Captain put us on the fish. Captain John is a great time! We caught a ton of fish, keeping the rods bent for most of the day. He is super knowledgeable of the area and all the types of fish. The Captain knew I was staying at a house on the water and let me in on the local secrets. Will be back for another trip!
It’s fishing not catching. The Captain put us on the fish. Captain John is a great time! We caught a ton of fish, keeping the rods bent for most of the day. He is super knowledgeable of the area and all the types of fish. The Captain knew I was staying at a house on the water and let me in on the local secrets. Will be back for another trip!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fishing with John
Half Day Trip (PM) – Shark/Tarpon on March 24, 2025
New Lenox, IL
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great trip with Captain John
Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore on January 27, 2023
Booked a morning charter with Captain John in late January. His pre trip communication was clear and accurate leading up to the trip. It was unseasonably cold and windy but that didn't stop us from catching many different varietys of fish. Captain was extremely knowledgeable and considerate to us novice salt water fishermen. We caught all kinds of species including sheephead,snapper,shark,trout,puffer fish, catfish and some others. John is easy going, very personalable and straight forward. He was very knowledgable about the 10,000 island fishing locations. His boat was very clean and very easy to find. Would definitely recommend a trip with captain John, and hope to come back in the future.
Booked a morning charter with Captain John in late January. His pre trip communication was clear and accurate leading up to the trip. It was unseasonably cold and windy but that didn't stop us from catching many different varietys of fish. Captain was extremely knowledgeable and considerate to us novice salt water fishermen. We caught all kinds of species including sheephead,snapper,shark,trout,puffer fish, catfish and some others. John is easy going, very personalable and straight forward....
Grand Rapids, MI
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full Day Trip w/ Captain John
Full Day Trip – Extreme Inshore on April 24, 2022
Had a great day, the weather was beautiful. Captain John took us to all the hot spots, but the fish weren't cooperating. We still managed to catch several jacks, a stingray (that was some work), a Snook, mangrove snapper, and a redfish. Along the way we may have got into a couple catfish and ladyfish. Ended up taking the redfish and snapper with us to a local reataurang and had them pan sear them as an appitizer. All in all it was a great day on the water, got to see lots of birds, a couple manatee and a aome dolphins. Would definitely book again with Captain John and Southbound Charters. Thanks for a great day Cap!!
Had a great day, the weather was beautiful. Captain John took us to all the hot spots, but the fish weren't cooperating. We still managed to catch several jacks, a stingray (that was some work), a Snook, mangrove snapper, and a redfish. Along the way we may have got into a couple catfish and ladyfish. Ended up taking the redfish and snapper with us to a local reataurang and had them pan sear them as an appitizer. All in all it was a great day on the water, got to see lots of birds, a couple...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Very Good charter - 4.5 stars
Half Day Trip (AM) – Inshore on July 2, 2024
The captain adjusted the time on us last minute and we would’ve preferred to leave at 7 AM. However, that was not a huge deal and Captain John is a good guy and very knowledgeable. The boat was great, And he had us set up well. We caught a decent amount of fish, including a small hammerhead shark.
The captain adjusted the time on us last minute and we would’ve preferred to leave at 7 AM. However, that was not a huge deal and Captain John is a good guy and very knowledgeable. The boat was great, And he had us set up well. We caught a decent amount of fish, including a small hammerhead shark.
FAQs about Southbound Fishing Charters
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
