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Capt. Jeff Watkins Sr.
US Coast Guard Licensed
40 yrs local fishing knowledge
SW Florida's top rated guide

Welcome to Anchors Away Charters!

Fort Myers Fishing Charters

 

Looking for a Fort Myers Fishing Charter? Anchors Away Charters offers private inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing charters for guests staying in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and the surrounding Southwest Florida area.

Led by Captain Jeff Watkins, a full-time local fishing guide with more than 40 years of experience on Southwest Florida waters, every charter is customized around your group, experience level, and the type of fishing you want to enjoy.

Anchors Away Charters operates from Gasparilla Marina in Placida, Florida, providing access to some of Southwest Florida's most productive inshore and offshore fishing waters. Visitors searching for Ft Myers fishing charters can enjoy a private fishing adventure with an experienced local captain while exploring more of Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast.

🎣 VIEW FISHING TRIPS & PRICING

📅 BOOK YOUR FORT MYERS FISHING CHARTER

Choose Your Fort Myers Fishing Charter

Inshore Fishing Charters

Fish the protected waters of Southwest Florida, including Charlotte Harbor, Gasparilla Sound, Pine Island Sound, and surrounding backwaters for Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snapper, Sheepshead, Pompano, and other Southwest Florida favorites.

Great for families, beginners, and anglers who prefer staying closer to shore.

🔗 INSHORE FISHING DETAILS & PRICING

Nearshore Fishing Charters

Experience Gulf fishing without making the longer offshore run. Our nearshore trips provide excellent fishing for Snapper, Grunts, and other Gulf species, with opportunities for Kingfish, Cobia, Permit, and more.

For visitors comparing Fort Myers fishing charters, a nearshore trip can be a great choice for experiencing Gulf fishing while still keeping travel time on the water reasonable.

🔗 NEARSHORE FISHING DETAILS & PRICING

Offshore Fishing Charters

Head farther into the Gulf of America in search of Grouper, Snapper, Amberjack, Kingfish, Cobia, and other offshore species.

Anchors Away Charters holds Federal Reef & Pelagic fishing permits, allowing Captain Jeff to take guests beyond Florida state waters when seasons and conditions allow.

If you're looking for an offshore fishing charter near Fort Myers Florida, Captain Jeff offers trips ranging from shorter Gulf adventures to full-day offshore fishing excursions.

🔗 OFFSHORE FISHING DETAILS & PRICING

Cabbage Key Boat Cruises & Island Adventures

Looking for more than just fishing? Join us for a Cabbage Key boat cruise, a great way for visitors to experience another side of Southwest Florida. Enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful Southwest Florida waters as we take you to Cabbage Key, a charming island famous for its Old Florida atmosphere and waterfront dining.

Perfect for families, couples, or groups, our lunch cruises to Cabbage Key combine sightseeing, wildlife encounters, and island exploration into one memorable day on the water.

→ VIEW BOAT TOURS & CRUISES

Fishing Charters for Fort Myers & Fort Myers Beach Visitors

Staying in Fort Myers or Fort Myers Beach and looking for a fishing charter? Anchors Away Charters welcomes visitors from throughout the Fort Myers area for private inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing adventures.

Our charters depart from Gasparilla Marina in Placida, Florida, providing access to Southwest Florida fishing waters including Charlotte Harbor, Gasparilla Sound, Pine Island Sound, Boca Grande, and the Gulf of America.

Whether you're planning a family fishing trip, your first charter, or a serious offshore adventure, Captain Jeff will help you choose the trip that best fits your group.

If you're searching online for the best fishing charter near Fort Myers Florida, Anchors Away Charters combines more than 40 years of local knowledge with private, personalized fishing trips for anglers of all experience levels.

🎣 VIEW TRIPS & PRICING

📍 DIRECTIONS TO GASPARILLA MARINA

📅 BOOK YOUR FORT MYERS FISHING CHARTER TODAY

Whatever your ideal day on the water is, Captain Jeff can provide that charter for you.

 

Looking for an unforgettable day on the water? Whether you're dreaming of a rod-bending fishing adventure or a relaxing cruise along the coast, Anchors Away Charters in Placida, Florida makes it happen. With over 40 years of experience, Captain Jeff Watkins is dedicated to creating the perfect outing—just the way you want it.

Craving action? Head offshore for thrilling catches like Grouper , Snapper , Amberjack, and more on our federally permitted Fort Myers fishing charters. Prefer staying closer to shore? Enjoy nearshore and inshore fishing trips targeting Snook, Redfish, Speckled Seatrout , and Snapper. If fishing isn’t your thing, Captain Jeff also offers sunset cruises, sandbar trips, dolphin tours, and the ever-popular lunch cruise to the iconic Cabbage Key Restaurant —a must-see destination famous for its island charm and legendary burgers.

No matter what kind of experience you're after, Captain Jeff will tailor your trip to make it one to remember. From serious anglers to families and first-timers, Anchors Away Charters delivers the best in Fort Myers fishing charters and coastal adventures. Book your custom day on the water today!!!

Fort Myers • Boca Grande • Charlotte Harbor • Placida • Venice • Palm Island • Punta Gorda • Gasparilla • Englewood

Custom trips based your needs, preferences, and skill level

 

Whether you’re a local or planning a vacation to Southwest Florida, an experienced angler or just learning the ropes, Anchors Away Charters can fulfill all your Fort Myers fishing charter expectations. Most importantly, our trips can be customized to suit your needs, preferences, and skill level. Imagine surprising your family with a day of fishing and fun in the sun, a relaxing day at the sandbar, a picturesque sunset cruise, or a wildlife exploration. The options are endless, creating memories that will last a lifetime! Book your Fort Myers adventure today!!

Safety is our number one priority on your Fort Myers fishing charter!

 

At Anchors Away Charters, safety is our number one priority. With over 40 years of local fishing knowledge, Captain Jeff is a United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain and holds federal fishing permits, ensuring you’re in good hands. We equip our vessel with essential safety gear, including offshore Type 1 life preservers, an EPIRB emergency locator device, a satellite phone, NOAA GPS tracking, and a VHF radio. Additionally, Captain Jeff is certified in CPR and First Aid, providing you with peace of mind while you enjoy your adventure.

Ft Myers Fishing Charters

Book Your Fort Myers Fishing Charter Today!

Ft Myers Fishing Charters

Not All Englewood Fishing Charters Are the Same
What Sets Captain Jeff Apart

Not All Englewood Fishing Charters Are the Same
What Sets Captain Jeff Apart
✓ United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain
✓ Over 40 Years of Local Experience
✓ CPR & First Aid Certified
✓ One of the Few SW Florida Captains with Federal Fishing Permits
✓ 5-Star Rating Across All Platforms
✓ Insured for Your Safety
✓ NOAA Federally Regulated & Permitted Vessel
✓ Full-Time Charter Captain

[LEARN MORE ABOUT CAPTAIN JEFF]

What People are Saying About Anchors Away Charters

Anchors Away Customer Profile Pic

Great Offshore Fishing Trip

Took a offshore fishing trip with Captain Jeff, my dad, and two sons. Captain Jeff was great. He got us to the fish quick and worked really hard to make sure we always had bait on and lines in the water. He was great with my young kids, teaching them as we went along but in a nice and friendly tone. We probably caught 50 fish or more with plenty of keepers. He certainly keep us busy and moved when we needed too. He kept an eye on the storms and got us home a little early but wisely ahead of the afternoon storms. Best charter trip we have been on and I have done quite a few. Thanks Captain Jeff. See you next time we are in town.-Andres D
TripAdvisor Review

Inshore Fishing Charter Reviewer Profile Pic

Excellent Inshore Fishing Experience

Had a great time on the waters inshore today! Hot day, but we didn't let that stop us from enjoying the fish we landed! Captain Jeff was great at pointing out local wildlife and teaching us some flats fishing techniques we needed to know. Looking forward to booking an offshore trip with him next time! great guide, worth the time! Thanks captain Jeff!-Kathryn P
Facebook Review

Offshore Fishing Charter Reviewer Profile Pic

Highly Recommend This Charter

Awesome experience !! Best fishing guide out there. We went 40 miles offshore and was catching fish all day. Caught our limit of grouper and snapper. Captain Jeff cleaned our catch and bagged it to take home. He even provided an excellent recipe for the grouper that we tried the same night and it was amazing !! I've been on a lot of charters and this was probably the best one yet. Boat was spotless and clean. Captain Jeff was very professional . I highly recommend this charter.-Darrell H
Google Review

Offshore Fishing Charter Reviewer Profile Pic

A Consummate Professional

We thoroughly enjoyed our charter out of Boca Grande with the captain. We went 38 miles out but he made us feel very safe and was very thoughtful of my grandsons. Most importantly, he put us on the fish and we fished until our arms were tired. Legal groupers, big mangrove snappers, lane snappers and a few other species was what we caught. New boat, highly recommended, he’s a consummate professional.-Ed Dieppa
Google Review

Nearshore Fishing Charter Reviewer Profile Pic

Thank you Captain Jeff!

What a fantastic day we had yesterday! I lost count of how many fish we caught, dozens for sure. We started inland which was great for me to relearn how to fish in the gulf. We then traveled further out for the "big ones." I've never seen such big mangrove snappers. Caught quite a few big grouper. Apparently there was a super big one that "got away". It would pulled me in for sure! We caught squirrel fish, a lizard fish, porgy, trigger fish, lane snapper, mangrove snapper, grouper and more. So much fun. Captain Jeff knows the best spots. I caught four fish on one bait tail - all keepers! Had pan sauté snapper for dinner last night, snapper tacos for lunch today and grilled grouper planned for tonight. Captain Jeff is very safety conscious and has an immaculate, beautiful boat. Can't wait to come back.-StlSheller
TripAdvisor Review

Offshore Fishing Charter Reviewer Profile Pic

An Experience I Will Never Forget

This was my first charter in the gulf and it was amazing. Jeff was very friendly and accommodating. We did the offshore fishing trip and he did everything right to make sure we had a great time. Throughout the trip we were constantly catching fish and when a hole dried up we were moving to another location. His equipment helped in ensuring that we maximized our opportunities and was always there to assist with landing the catch and making sure we had new bait right away. No question, I would recommend this charter. Thanks for the great time.-Christopher G
Facebook Review

Book Your Fort Myers Fishing Charter Today!

Fort Myers Fishing Charters

Offshore Fishing Charters

Charlotte Harbor Fishing Charters

Inshore Fishing Charters

Boca Grande Kid-Friendly Fishing Charter

Family Friendly Fishing

What Can I Catch Inshore?

 

Inshore Fort Myers fishing charters offer the chance to catch tailing Redfish, glimmering Snook, and Speckled Sea Trout. You may also be surprised by other inshore species, including Ladyfish, Tarpon, Snapper, Shark, and Sheepshead. Book your Fort Myers Inshore charter today!!!

Please note that Redfish and Snook are catch-and-release only on our charters. If you’re looking to bring home fish for dinner, we recommend an offshore trip, as there are limits on what you can keep inshore.

What Can I Catch Offshore?

 

Offshore Fort Myers fishing charters promise an exciting day on the water. The deeper offshore waters are home to numerous natural and artificial reefs, providing ample opportunities for a fantastic catch. Depending on your chosen trip, you could reel in a variety of fish, including Snapper (Red, Mangrove, Lane, Vermilion, and Yellowtail), Red, Gag, and Scamp Grouper, as well as Kingfish, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Amberjack, Barracuda, African Pompano, and more. Book your Fort Myers offshore charter today!!!

Fort Myers Information

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Fort Myers, FL
8:59 am, Oct 14, 2026
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Sunrise: 7:25 am
Sunset: 7:00 pm
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73° / 77°°F 0 inch 0% 8 mph 86 % 1017 hPa 0 mm/h
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                                                                            About Ft Myers Florida 

Ft Myers Florida

Fort Myers, located on the coast of Southwest Florida, offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, culture, and modern amenities. Known for its pristine nature preserves, waterways, and beaches, Fort Myers is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

For beachgoers, Bowditch Point Park and Bunche Beach Preserve are ideal spots to enjoy the sand and surf. Kayakers and paddleboarders can launch from the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, and fishing enthusiasts can explore the waters of the Gulf of Mexico for a great catch.

Shopping is plentiful in Fort Myers, with large shopping centers like Gulf Coast Town Center and Edison Mall offering a wide range of retail and dining options. Sports fans can enjoy spring training games at the homes of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, while culture seekers can explore local museums.

Fort Myers’ prime location also makes it an excellent base for island hopping to nearby Gulf Islands such as Sanibel and Captiva. These islands provide even more opportunities for nature exploration, wildlife viewing, and relaxing on beautiful beaches. At the same time, Fort Myers offers all the shopping, entertainment, and cultural activities of a larger city, making it an ideal destination for a well-rounded vacation.