Captain
Mike Chandler

Member since October 2023 Fort Myers Beach, United States
Background
Step aboard with Captain Mike Chandler, a seasoned explorer of the stunning southwest Florida coast for over 20 years. With a connection to the ocean and its rich marine life, he eagerly shares his expertise as a friendly and environmentally conscious guide. Captain Mike's passion and dedication to preserving nature have endeared him to the local community. Embark on a fishing adventure in the captivating landscapes of southwest Florida with Captain Mike by your side.
Techniques
Bottom fishing and trolling for big ones.

Hey, I'm Captain Mike Chandler

Fort Myers Beach, United States
Background
Step aboard with Captain Mike Chandler, a seasoned explorer of the stunning southwest Florida coast for over 20 years. With a connection to the ocean and its rich marine life, he eagerly shares his expertise as a friendly and environmentally conscious guide. Captain Mike's passion and dedication to preserving nature have endeared him to the local community. Embark on a fishing adventure in the captivating landscapes of southwest Florida with Captain Mike by your side.
Techniques
Bottom fishing and trolling for big ones.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(126 reviews)
Fort Myers Beach
 4 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400

Fishing Reports

January fishing report Fort Myers Beach
January fishing report Fort Myers Beach
Jan 7, 2025 Fort Myers Beach
**Fort Myers Beach January Fishing Report** January brings cooler waters and some of the best fishing opportunities of the year to Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This month, anglers are thrilled to see the **sheepshead** making their return in big numbers. These hard-fighting, stripe-patterned fish are congregating around docks, pilings, and jetties, especially in areas rich with barnacles and oysters. Live shrimp or fiddler crabs are the go-to baits to hook these delicious fish, known for their challenging bite and excellent flavor. The backwaters are alive with action, as **ladyfish**, affectionately known as "mini tarpon" by locals, are providing non-stop fun. These feisty fish are abundant and put on a spectacular aerial show, much like their larger namesakes. Theyโ€™re a perfect target for light tackle anglers looking for fast-paced action. Small jigs, soft plastics, or live shrimp under a popping cork will keep your rod bent all day. Meanwhile, **snook** remain a popular target despite the cooler water temperatures. Theyโ€™re hanging out in deeper holes, warm canals, and near mangroves, where they wait to ambush prey. Focus on fishing during sunny afternoons when the water warms slightly, and use live bait like shrimp or pilchards, or slow-rolled soft plastics and jerkbaits to entice a bite. With plenty of sheepshead, "mini tarpon," and snook biting, January is shaping up to be a fantastic month for fishing in Fort Myers Beach. Whether youโ€™re looking for a great fight or something for the dinner table, the waters are full of opportunity. Tight lines!
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Christmas break trips off fort Myers bea
Christmas break trips off fort Myers bea
Dec 29, 2024 Fort Myers Beach
Fishing Report: Fort Myers Beach โ€“ December 2024 As December rolls in, the fishing off Fort Myers Beach has been excellent, offering anglers a mix of inshore and nearshore action. Cooler water temperatures and calm conditions have created the perfect environment for a variety of species. Inshore Fishing โ€ข Redfish: The redfish bite remains strong, especially around mangroves and oyster bars. Live shrimp and cut bait have been the top choices, with artificial paddle tails working well for those casting. โ€ข Sheepshead: Sheepshead are in abundance around docks, piers, and other structures. These โ€œconvict fishโ€ are biting on live shrimp and fiddler crabs. Their numbers will only increase as we head further into winter. โ€ข Snapper: Mangrove snapper are holding steady in inshore waters near bridges and rock piles. Small pilchards and shrimp are producing solid results. Nearshore and Offshore Fishing โ€ข Goliath Grouper: These giants are providing plenty of excitement near wrecks and reefs. Theyโ€™re putting up strong fights for anglers using heavy tackle and live bait. โ€ข Grunts and Snapper: Grunts and lane snapper are plentiful around nearshore structures. A great option for those looking to fill the cooler with tasty catches. โ€ข Spanish Mackerel: Keep an eye out for Spanish mackerel blitzing schools of baitfish closer to shore. Theyโ€™re hitting spoons and fast-moving plugs. Fishing Strategies Most successful trips this month are hitting 2-4 spots before locking into the โ€œhoney hole.โ€ Using electronics to mark fish and structure is key to maximizing time on the water. As always, morning and late afternoon tides are proving most productive. Tips for December โ€ข Bring a variety of bait, including live shrimp, crabs, and cut bait, to target the different species. โ€ข Dress warmly, as mornings can be chilly, but the afternoons are pleasant. โ€ข Be prepared for mixed bags, as this is the perfect time of year to catch a little bit of everything! Overall, the fishing has been stellar this December, with plenty of action for both inshore and offshore anglers. Whether youโ€™re targeting redfish and sheepshead or heading out for snapper and grouper, itโ€™s a great time to hit the water and enjoy the bounty of the Gulf Coast. Tight lines! Charters n Paradise
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 126 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (94)
Great trip!
Best Day - Even with rain!
Best Day - Even with rain!
+91
Angler rating
113
6
3
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
96%
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Showing:
5 of 126 reviews
Christopher H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great experience as always with Captain Mile!!!

VERIFIED   Full Day Fishing Weekday - 10:00 AM on February 17, 2026
Captain Mike is absolutely fantastic! This was the second time that weโ€™ve had the honor of finishing with Captain Mike and...
Christopher H. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Christopher H. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Allan D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best trip

VERIFIED   NEW  1/2 day 4hr Reef Weekend on June 13, 2026
This was not my first charter but definately the hardest working captain ive seen!ย  Always chasing a bite and never a lull.ย ...
Allan D. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Allan D. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Jason F.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Afternoon inland Fort Myers trip

VERIFIED   1/2 day 4hr Fishing - 2:30 PM on April 6, 2026
This was our 2nd time with Charters n Paradise and once again we had a really enjoyable time.ย  The captain worked hard to...
Jason F. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Jason F. recommends Charters N Paradise
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

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

Great Trip!

VERIFIED   NEW  3hr Sanibel Causeway Fishing - 1:30 PM on May 28, 2026
We had a great trip!ย  The captain was great, he got us on the fish quickly and was great with our 8 year old daughter.ย  We...
Daniel M. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Daniel M. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Tyler L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Choice

VERIFIED   1/2 day 4hr Fishing on February 9, 2026
We enjoyed our fishing day with Captain Mike.ย  We liked his larger size boat and was well prepared for our trip. Mike was...
Tyler L. recommends Charters N Paradise
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Tyler L. recommends Charters N Paradise
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