Captain
Jim Fortman

Member since July 2017 Naples, United States
Background
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.
Techniques
Light tackle, spinning gear, live and artificial bait, fly fishing, back country, mangrove forest, sight fishing,

Hey, I'm Captain Jim Fortman

Naples, United States
Background
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.
Techniques
Light tackle, spinning gear, live and artificial bait, fly fishing, back country, mangrove forest, sight fishing,
147
Reviews
4
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listings

Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands

State licensed
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(135 reviews)
Naples
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $450

Captain Jim Fortman - Wiggins Pass/Estero Bay

State licensed
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(13 reviews)
Naples
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $550

Fishing Reports

Red October!
Red October!
Oct 28, 2018 Naples
October has been phenomenal in the Ten Thousand Islands, Naples, FL. The fish have been plentiful and the dinners have been even better. Snook, Redfish, Black Drum, Tarpon, Tripletail, Sea Trout, and Shark have been moving in to the area in quite the numbers. Clients have had a blast tackling these fish.
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No Red Tide in The Ten Thousand Islands
No Red Tide in The Ten Thousand Islands
Aug 3, 2018 Naples
July was a phenomenal month for Snook, Trout, Black Drum, and even Flounder. We have been releasing many slot sized Snook and above. Big Black Drum have been released and invited to the table. The Trout bite is still on fire, and we’ve caught a couple of quality Flounder. Other species are still hanging around. Juvenile Tarpon still litter the canals and river mouths, as well as juvenile Red Fish. We expect conditions to remain the same throughout the month of August. There is no Red Tide or Green Algae in our water. Everything is healthy for the table and quality of life. Tight Lines, Captain Jim Fortman
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Fintastic Fishing in the Ten Thousand Is
Fintastic Fishing in the Ten Thousand Is
Jul 4, 2018 Naples
The summer bite is hot in the Ten Thousand Islands. It has not been affected by by the Red Tide or Algae Bloom to our north. Fishing has been great! Many fish coming over the rails, including 35 inch Black Drum, 35 inch Snook, 18 inch Flounder, Shark, Redfish, large Jacks, and all the Trout you can take home.
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First Two Weeks of July
First Two Weeks of July
Jul 16, 2017 Naples
I was able to get back out on the water for some backcountry fishing. Snook and Redfish are still in abundance on the points and deep shorelines. Trout are hanging out on the outside, but not as much on the inside. My favorite species to catch on light tackle showed back up...The Black Drum is a great dinner fare and one of my favorites to eat. They can be found in the same areas as the Snook and Redfish. Tarpon and Shark are still making appearances in the backwater bays and flats. I know of one lucky tarpon that I stalked for at least an hour, on a mudflat. He was interested, but not hungry. We watched him gorge himself on the fry.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 147 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (94)
If you want to catch fish, this is the Guy!
If you want to catch fish, this is the Guy!
Great day out on the water
+91
Angler rating
129
10
7
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
92%
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Showing:
5 of 147 reviews
Darren T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

If you want to catch fish, this is the Guy!

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day First Responders (AM) on July 23, 2026
We arrived and Captain Jim was ready. Not only was the boat a great fishing boat, we really enjoyed one another’s company....
Darren T. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Darren T. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Juan G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day out on the water

VERIFIED   Half Day – Backwater Fishing (AM) on January 18, 2026
My son and I had an awesome fishing trip! Captain Jim was super knowledgeable and put us right on the fish. We caught a ton,...
Juan G. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Mark P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Jim is the bomb!

VERIFIED   Half Day – Backwater Fishing (PM) on March 25, 2025
Captain Jim worked his tail off to put us on the fish. He has a great personality for the job. We had a ball and will be booking...
Mark P. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Mark P. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Jose V.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Father-Daughter

VERIFIED   Half Day – Backwater Fishing (AM) on June 21, 2024
Went out to the 10,000 islands with Captain Jim on a Father-Daughter fishing trip. Learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Right...
Jose V. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Jose V. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Krista M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

We had a great time

VERIFIED   Half Day – Backwater Fishing (AM) on August 9, 2025
Captain Jim made sure we both caught fish and taught tip and tricks for the future. It was an amazing time. And he made sure...
Krista M. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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Krista M. recommends Captain Jim Fortman – Ten Thousand Islands
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