Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Book Now

Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay

State licensed
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(13 reviews)
Vanderbilt Drive
Naples FL, United States

Join Captain Jim Fortman at Wiggins Pass for an enchanting backwater fishing experience. Bring your family and reel in some of the most sought-after fish in Florida!

Step aboard a brand new 24’ Sea Born 2020. Powered by a 250 HP Yamaha engine, this craft boasts a maximum cruising speed of 45 knots. On board you will find rods, reels, tackle, and an ice box to store your catch. Capt. Jim will clean and fillet any keeper fish you take home, so you can enjoy a fresh and tasty meal after a full day of Florida fishing.

Your journey begins at the Cocohatchee River Park and takes you on a scenic tour of the surrounding area. In these waters you can target Snook, Flounder, Tripletail, Redfish, Black Drum, Trout, Shark, and more. You will catch their attention mostly by jigging and popping, but if you are feeling ambitious, you can also target some of these species by fly fishing. Live bait and lures are provided.

Trips launch from the Cocohatchee River Park on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Captain Jim Fortman provides a fishing license and all the gear you need. You are welcome to bring food and drinks on board, including alcohol (but no glass containers). There is room on board for four passengers and children age four and above are welcome.

Book your own unforgettable experience today!

  • Fishing License
  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Child Friendly
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - Backwater Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    $450
    This trip launches from Cocohatchee River Park and takes you through Wiggins Pass, where you can try jigging, popping, or fly fishing for some of Florida's favorite fish. Target Flounder, Trout, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Snook, Shark, and Tarpon when in season. A fishing license and gear are provided. You may keep your catch and Capt. Jim will clean it for you. Starting time may vary depending on the tide.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Backwater Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    $600
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Backwater Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    $800
    Launching from Cocohatchee River Park, you will experience a full day of backwater fishing through Wiggins Pass. Target local favorites by jigging, popping, or fly fishing. Common catch includes Redfish, Snook, Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel, and more. A fishing license and gear are provided, children four and older are welcome. This trip is a minimum of 7 hours and the starting time may vary depending on the tide.
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Jim Fortman
Naples, Florida, United States
4 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
124 Customer reviews
Member since July 2017
Capt. Jim Fortman is a Florida native who has been fishing the waters of South Florida for 40 years. Capt. Jim is also a knowledgeable guide, having studied Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Horticultural Science, and Agricultural Science at Broward Community College and Florida Atlantic University. Bringing friends and soon-to-be friends fishing and teaching them about the marine environment is his passion. Capt. Jim has also been designing and building custom fishing rods and jigs for over 25 years.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Flounder Flounder
Grouper (Goliath) Goliath Grouper
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle

Boat specs

Sea Born (Bay boat) originally built in 2020. Powered by a 250HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 45 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly 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 3 days prior to trip

Customers can cancel or modify their booking up to 3 days before the trip date free of charge. If the trip is canceled or modified later, or in the event of a no-show, 100% of the deposit will be charged.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Age 4 and up
You Keep Catch
Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout are catch and release
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% 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

Naples Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 13 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (4)
Half day trip with Captin Jim
Half day trip with Captin Jim
Half day trip with Captin Jim
+1
Angler Rating
11
0
1
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
89%
Recommend this charter
92%
Appropriate for children
88%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
89%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 13 reviews
Mike P.
Avon, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captin Jim

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - Backwater Fishing on April 29, 2021
Awesome day out fishing! Capt. Jim knew where to go to find the fish. Very knowledgeable on local species and where to find...
Mike P. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mike P. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read More
Phyl Z.
Naples, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3/4 Day Trip w/ Captain Jim Fortman

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Backwater Fishing on September 15, 2020
Captain Jim took time ahead of the trip to ask us about our fishing experience and our expectations.  His boat was super clean...
Phyl Z. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Phyl Z. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read More
Ron D.
Naples, Florida
Very good
3.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Good
3.0 / 5
Crew
Good
3.0 / 5
Overall

Half day morning trip with Capt Mike

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - Backwater Fishing on July 21, 2021
We had a mostly inexperienced group of 3 and Capt Mike did all the long casting that was needed to get us to the productive...
Ron D. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Ron D. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read More
Mike H.
Minneapolis, MN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3/4 day trip with Capt Jim

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Backwater Fishing on December 30, 2020
Jim put us on fish all day.  Wasn’t afraid to burn gas and move from spot to spot.  We hit eight total and seven of them...
Mike H. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mike H. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read More
Dave R.
Naples, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day fishing with captain Jim

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - Backwater Fishing on February 6, 2020
Had a great day of fishing with captain Jim. Caught a lot of fish on a day that had tough weather conditions for fishing.
Dave R. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Dave R. recommends Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read More

FAQs about Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay

Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay offers the following trips to customers:
  • $450 per group - Half Day Trip - Backwater Fishing (5 hours)
  • $600 per group - 3/4 Day Backwater Fishing (7 hours)
  • $800 per group - Full Day Trip - Backwater Fishing (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
Trips booked with Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License
Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing
Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
Top targeted fish species with Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon
  • Tripletail