Jonathan Gelman
Captain

Jonathan Gelman

Marco Island, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
Captain Jonathan has been fishing since he was big enough to hold a rod and has been exploring the waters around Marco Island for over 25 years. The captain has worked in the restaurant industry since he was 12 years old and has just recently made his passion a career, making his dream come true. He enjoys taking all anglers but has a real passion for teaching the basics to new anglers and getting a kid on its first fish. Captain Jonathan feels honored to get to be part of a special moment between family and friends.

Charter

Rating

4.9
242 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

98%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish

All reviews (242)

Showing 1 – 5 of 242 reviews
  • Chris Correira
    Chris Correira
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Stop looking! This is the charter you want.

    Family Fun Fishing 4hr • 3 adults

    Yesterday (July 13) was our 2nd time using Captain Johnathan and Red Snarpon for a 4-hour shark fishing charter, and once again he did not disappoint. He's extremely accommodating, friendly, professional, and the bottom line is simple: he delivers. Yesterday we caught 4 sharks total: 3 bulls and a nurse. Plus, we hooked a tarpon using catfish for bait believe it or not! It jumped twice but then spit out the hook. We also hooked some lady fish, snapper, and catfish. Last year we caught 3 bulls and a small lemon. He can make moody teenagers smile, and as a parent, that says a lot to me. 😁 I highly recommend Captain Johnathan and Red Snarpon Charters!

    Reported catch:
    Bull Shark
    Nurse Shark
    Tarpon
    Mangrove Snapper
  • Joe Foust
    Joe Foust
    us
    Ohio, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fantastic day on the water

    3/4 Day Trip • 4 adults • 1 child

    This was my second 3/4 day trip in 6 months with Jonathan of Red Snarpon Charters. The first was back in November for a guys trip with my 14-year old son, brother-in-law and father-in-law and just this week with my wife, son, and 11-year old daughter. Both trips were fantastic. Jonathan is a very easygoing captain, very hands on for baiting and releasing (for those that want that), and very knowledgeable of the area, the fish, and the wildlife. Both times we caught sharks (6 foot bull the first trip and two 5 ft black tips on the second trip). On both trips we caught a variety of cool fish including flounder, red snapper, redfish, trout, pompano, jack, stingray, and of course countless catfish and ladyfish. On this second trip, Jonathan was very attentive to my 11 year old daughter who has some emotional regulation challenges. She was upset that she wasn’t having a ton of luck in the first 30 minutes so he hooked her a fish which she was able to real in. Can’t say enough nice things about Jonathan and his easygoing but attentive manner. 100% would recommend Jonathan and Red Snarpon Charters for a guys trip or family outing!

    Reported catch:
    Jack Crevalle
    Redfish
    Mangrove Snapper
    Blacktip Shark
    +2
  • Abe D'amato
    Abe D'amato
    us
    Connecticut, US
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    Perfect day

    Family Fun Fishing 4hr • 2 adults • 1 child

    My son and I were lucky enough to book with Captain Jonathan. It was my son‘s first time fishing in the ocean. We caught at least seven species. Saw multiple different areas and had a wonderful time. Captain Jonathan was able to work with my seven-year-old teaching him good technique and getting him on to fish. Cannot recommend highly enough.

    Reported catch:
    Jack Crevalle
    Blacktip Shark
    Hammerhead Shark
    Mangrove Snapper
  • James Waters
    James Waters
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2025
    4.7
    Verified

    Fantastic!

    Half Day Trip Morning • 1 adult

    I had an absolutely fantastic time on this fishing trip—easily one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in a long while. From the moment we pushed off, the captain set the tone: welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making sure I had a great day on the water. The boat was comfortable and well-equipped, and the pacing of the entire trip felt effortless—never rushed, never slow, just the right rhythm for a perfect day. What made it truly special was how fun and hands-on everything felt. Whether it was learning small tips that instantly improved my cast or getting that burst of excitement when a line went tight, every moment had its own little spark. We pulled in a mix of fish throughout the day, and even when the action slowed, the scenery alone made it worth it. There’s something about being out on open water that resets you—and this trip delivered that feeling in the best way. By the time we headed back, I was already thinking about when I could do it again. If you’re looking for a trip that balances relaxation, fun, and just enough adventure, this is the one. Highly recommend

  • Paul Carlson
    Paul Carlson
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    So much fun!

    Fun Fishing 3hr (Read description) • 3 adults • 1 child

    Our Captain, Jonathan, was very personable and did a nice job to engage all of us in conversation around fishing. We had our 9 year old grandson with us and he felt just as much a part of the “team” as we did. Jonathan did a nice job of timing our moves to new locations. We caught 11 fish on our trip and enjoyed the trying to catch as much as our success! It was great afternoon. If we are in the area again we would use Red Snarpon Charters for sure.

    Reported catch:
    Speckled Trout

Real catches shared by our community

  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    great day on the water with Cptn. Johnathan
    Michael B.
    Michael B.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Great trip and captain!
    Chris W.
    Chris W.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Great Day on the Water
    Jason J.
    Jason J.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Stop looking!  This is the charter you want.
    Chris C.
    Chris C.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    My wife and I had a nice day
    Mike Y.
    Mike Y.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Best fishing trip ever!
    Megan T.
    Megan T.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Perfect day
    Abe D.
    Abe D.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Great day on the water
    Dan K.
    Dan K.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Fantastic day on the water
    Joe F.
    Joe F.
  • Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
    Red Snarpon Charters Inc.Marco Island, FL
    Shark Fishing
    Kim C.
    Kim C.

What's biting with Red Snarpon Charters Inc. in Marco Island

Autumn is a great time to fish the backwaters for Redfish, Speckled Trout, and other inshore species. Then again, the reef fishing isn't bad either--you can still catch anything from Barracuda and King Mackerel to Snapper. 

Top catches for October