Florida Friendly Fishing Guide Certification Program
Preserving The Future of Florida's Fisheries
The Florida Friendly Fishing Guide Certification Program, established by UF/IFAS, Florida Sea Grant and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recognizes fishing guides who are committed to preserving the future of Florida’s fisheries through sustainable boating and fishing techniques.
This online certification course covers science-based techniques that ensure minimal environmental footprint of fishing. Participation in the Florida Friendly Fishing Guide program is voluntary, and the program involves no regulatory component. The course can be accessed via computer or smart phone and tablet. The course takes approximately four hours to complete and can be taken at your own pace in 20- to 30-minute chunks.
The certification is valid for three years. The $130 fee covers gear for the welcome packages for certified guides, program upkeep and evaluation, and administrative expenses such as web hosting. Once you complete the course, you can display your certification on your website and vessel, letting your customers know that you adhere to the highest environmental standards.
Course Topics & Benefits
- Introduction to Fisheries Management
- Best Practices for Catch and Release Fishing
- Seafood Safety and Handling
- Sustainable Waste Management and Fueling
- Overview of Marine Ecology
- Environmental Ethics
- Sustainable On-board Materials
- Giving Back to Fisheries Management and Research
For a peek into the curriculum, check out Best Practices For Florida Friendly Fishing Guides and Basic Requirements for Florida Fishing Guides.
Following completion of the course, certified guides receive a ‘Welcome Package’ that includes:
- Vessel Decals
- 5-gallon Caddy Can and Liner
- Seaqualizer Descending Device
- 100% Cotton Towel
- Z-Man Baits
- Hurricane Brand Dehooker
- Floating Keychain
- Listing on the FFFG Directory
- Promotional Social Media Post on Florida Sea Grant’s Accounts
- Entry into the Florida Friendly Fishing Guide Facebook Group
What Guides Are saying
“I found the information in the course very helpful and informative and I will certainly be adjusting some of my practices to incorporate what I learned here… Thank you and all of the team that put this all together- well done!”
“I enjoyed taking the course and while I considered myself fairly knowledgeable on the topics, I definitely had a few misconceptions and learned quite a bit.”
“I really enjoyed the course. Since the completion, I have found myself being much more aware of the impact we as guides can make on our clients and the environment."
Scholarships available
A limited number of scholarships for 50% off the course registration fee are available.
Please fill out the short application to be considered.
Book With A Florida Friendly Fishing Guide
Search our statewide directory of certified Florida Friendly Fishing Guides to book your next outing with an eco-minded guide.
| Region | Guide | Business | City, State | Phone | Certified/Recertified | Current Through | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Capt. Sam Baker | Sol Margin Fishing & Conservation Foundation | St. Augustine, FL | 904-201-9579 | email [email protected] | Sol Margin Fishing & Conservation Foundation Facebook Page | Sol Margin Fishing Instagram Page | 23-Nov | 26-Nov |
| Northeast | Capt. Jim Britton | Salty Tales Fishing Charter | Palm Coast, FL | 386-931-1547 | Capt. Jim Britton Instagram Page | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Feb | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Chris Castle | Wide Open Charters and Guide Service | St. Augustine, FL | 904-669-3210 | Wide Open Charters and Guide Service Facebook Page | 21-Jan | 24-Jan | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Bill Duane | Playing Hooky Inshore Fishing | Jacksonville, FL | 904-479-6871 | Playing Hooky Inshore Fishing Facebook Page | Apr-2021/Sept-2022/Nov-2023 | 30-Apr | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Tony Fernandez | Jacksonville, FL | 21-Aug | 24-Aug | |||||
| Northeast | Capt. Drew A. Hawkins | Bald Eagle Fishing Charters LLC. | Palm Coast, FL, | 407-256-1433 | email [email protected] | Bald Eagle Fishing Charters LLC. Facebook Page | Mar-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Mar | |
| Northeast | Capt. Jacob Hardy | Fishardy Charters | St. Augustine, FL | 904-315-4758 | Fishardy Charters Facebook Page | 20-Feb | 23-Feb | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Fred Laager | Shallow Water Fishing Company | St. Augustine, FL | 904-429-6558 | Shallow Water Fishing Company Facebook Page | 21-Apr | 24-Apr | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Al Morris | First Coast Fishing Charters LLC | St. Augustine, FL | 904 655-7035 | First Coast Fishing Charters LLC Facebook Page | Capt. Al Morris Instagram Page | Apr-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Apr | |
| Northeast | Capt. Frank Timmons, Jr. | Off the Grid Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL | 904-669-1475 | Off The Grid Fishing Facebook Page | Mar-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Mar | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Chris Barr | Green Cove Springs, FL | 904-667-8858 | 22-Jun | 25-Jun | ||||
| Northeast | *Webb Skelton | Project Saltwater | Fernandina Beach, FL | 904-415-2179 | email [email protected] | Project Saltwater Facebook Page | 25-Aug | 28-Aug | |
| Northeast | *Tira Clyce | Reel Memories Fishing | St. Augustine, FL | 904-460-5757 | email [email protected] | Reel Memories Fishing Facebook Page | reelmemoriesfishingfl instagram | 25-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Northeast | Capt. Allen Mills | AC Charters | Amelia Island, FL | 904-261-9481 | email [email protected] | AC Fishing Charters Facebook Page | 25-Sep | 28-Sep | |
| Northeast | Capt. Randy Drozd | St. Augustine Bluewater Charters | St. Augustine, FL | 904-572-2282 | email [email protected] | St. Augustine Bluewater Charters Facebook Page | 26-Mar | 29-Mar | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Evan Sanders | Solfishing Charters | New Smyrna Beach, FL | 407-796-2088 | email [email protected] | Sol Fish Charters Facebook Page | Sol FIsh Charters Instagram Page | 23-Jul | 26-Jul |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Adam Coniglio | Solfishing Charters | New Smyrna Beach, FL | 407-796-2088 | email [email protected] | Solfishing Charters Facebook Page | 23-Mar | 26-Mar | |
| Indian River Lagoon | *John R. Caldwell | Adventure Culture Education Inc | New Smyrna Beach, FL | 502-532-1685 | Oct-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Oct | |||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Michael Bundy | Angler Management Fishing Charters and Aquatic Adventures LLC. | Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, FL | 407-399-5605 | email [email protected] | Angler Management Fishing Charters and Aquatic Adventures LLC. Facebook Page | 20-Jun | 26-Jun | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt Jeff Kraynik | The Coastal Sportsmen | Sebastian Inlet, FL | 321-863-9182 | The Coastal Sportsmen Facebook Page | 20-Mar | 26-Mar | ||
| Indian River Lagoon | *Capt. Drew Mixon | Grass Flats Mafia | Vero Beach, FL | 772-453-3989 | Grass Flats Mafia Facebook Page | Grass Flats Mafia Instagram Page | Apr-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Apr | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Corey Simmons | On The Hook Charters | Daytona Beach, FL | 386-631-8030 | On The Hook Charters Facebook Page | On The Hook Charters Instagram Page | Jan-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Jan | |
| Indian River Lagoon | *Bruce Skerbetz | Sebastian Inlet, FL | 732-762-1693 | 20-Aug | 23-Aug | ||||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Mark Wood | MWoutdoors Charters | Melbourne Beach, FL | 321-394-1001 | May-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-May | |||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Will Wolfson | Grassroots Guide Service | Melbourne Beach, FL | 407-620-5263 | Grassroots Guide Service Instagram Page | 21-Oct | 24-Oct | ||
| Indian River Lagoon | *Mathew Liberto | Fun Coast Fishing | DeLand, FL | 386-747-8390 | email [email protected] | Fun Coast Fishing Instagram Page | 24-Jul | 27-Jul | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Jeff Mahl | All Patched Up Fishing | Melbourne, FL | 321-209-1119 | email [email protected] | 25-May | 28-May | ||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Nic Stephens | Sea Spirit Deep Sea Fishing | Ponce Inlet, FL | 386-763-4388 | email [email protected] | Sea Spirit Deep Sea Fishing Facebook Page | SeaSpiritFishing on instagram | 25-May | 28-May |
| Indian River Lagoon | *Robert Lalli | Jolly-Lalli SURF FISHING | Tequesta, FL | 561-909-5067 | email [email protected] | jollylallisurffishing | 25-Aug | 28-Aug | |
| Indian River Lagoon | *Christina Higley | Take Me Fishing | Winter Spring, FL | 585-317-9866 | email [email protected] | Take Me Fishing Facebook Page | 25-Oct | 28-Oct | |
| Indian River Lagoon | *James Lewis | Surf Fishing Task Force | Cocoa Beach, FL | 304-208-4536 | email [email protected] | Surf Fishing Task Force - Charters and Creations Facebook Page | 26-Mar | 29-Mar | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Scott Wigal | Nauti Girl Sportfishing Charters | Palm Bay, FL | 321-474-3706 | email [email protected] | Nauti Girl Sportfishing Facebook Page | captainscottwigal | 26-Mar | 29-Mar |
| Indian River Lagoon | *Brittany Downs | Apogee Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 404-731-0917 | email [email protected] | Apogee Central Florida in Orlando Facebook Page | apogeecentralfl_in_orlando | 26-May | 29-May |
| Panhandle | *Patricia Lawson | Off the Beatn Path Kayak Charters | Milton FL | 850-281-3445 | email [email protected] | 22-Mar | 25-Mar | ||
| Panhandle | *John Bottcher | Monticello, FL | 850-728-6097 | Jan-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Jan | ||||
| Panhandle | Capt. Cody Clauson | 30A Inshore Charters | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | 850-699-0014 | 30A Inshore Charters Facebook Page | 30A Inshore Charters Instagram Page | Mar-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Mar | |
| Panhandle | Capt. John Edgar | Edgar Environmental, Inc. | Pensacola, FL | 832-784-3038 | The Reef Commander Facebook Page | Edgar Environmental Inc Instagram Page | 21-Jun | 26-Jun | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Jimmy Garibaldi | Twisted Anchor Charters LLC | Niceville, FL | 940-867-2448 | email [email protected] | Twisted Anchor Charters Facebook Page | Twisted Anchor Charters Instagram Page | 24-Jan | 27-Jun |
| Panhandle | Capt. Kevin Libby | Bust A Knot Charters | Carrabelle, FL | 850-879-3148 | Bust a Knot Facebook Page | 24-Jan | 27-Jun | ||
| Panhandle | Capt. Lance Moss | Strike Hunter Adventures | Niceville, FL | 850-353-3997 | Strike Hunter Adventures Instagram Page | 21-Mar | 24-Mar | ||
| Panhandle | Capt. Hunter Ray | Florida Boy Adventures | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | 850-499-4473 | Florida Boy Adventures Facebook Page | Florida Boy Adventures Instagram Page | 20-Aug | 23-Aug | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Chester Reese | Natural World Charters | Carrabelle, FL | 850-228-9060 | Jan-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Jan | |||
| Panhandle | *Blane Roberts | Panhandle Salt Beach Fishing Guide Service | Pensacola, FL | 305-910-9134 | email [email protected] | Panhandle Salt Beach Fishing Guide Service Facebook Page | Panhandle Salt Guide Services Instagram Page | 24-Mar | 27-Mar |
| Panhandle | *Rick Choate | Panhandle Salt Beach Fishing Guide Service | Pensacola, FL | 850-341-4307 | email [email protected] | Panhandle Salt Beach Fishing Guide Service Facebook Page | Panhandle Salt Guide Services Instagram Page | 24-Sep | 27-Sep |
| Panhandle | Capt. Larry Shults | Twisted Palms Salty Adventures | Pensacola, FL | 606-416-2716 | email [email protected] | Twisted Palms Salty Adventures Facebook Page | Twisted Palms Salty Adventures Instagram Page | May-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-May |
| Panhandle | *Michael Smith | Smitty's Surf Fishing | Navarre, FL | 850-529-5405 | Smitty’s Surf Fishing Facebook Page | Smitty’s Surf Fishing Instagram Page | June-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Jun | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Ryan McMahon | Ryan McMahon Panhandle Surf Fishing Guide | Freeport, FL | 763-360-7790 | email [email protected] | Ryan McMahon Panhandle Surf Fishing Guide Facebook Page | 24-Jun | 27-Jun | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Tim Wilder | T-Man's Charters | Port St. Joe, FL | 850-227-5802 | T-Man | Bali Hai Charters Instagram Page | 20-Feb | 23-Feb | |
| Panhandle | *Mark Robinson | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 937-631-6825 | email [email protected] | 22-May | 25-May | |||
| Panhandle | Capt. Lee Thompson | Shallow Seas Charters | Port St. Joe, FL | 850-247-0799 | email [email protected] | Shallow Seas Charters Facebook Page | Shallow Seas Charters Instagram Page | 22-Sep | 26-Sep |
| Panhandle | Capt. Dwight Deuce" Minnick | Eglin Airforce Base, FL | 850-333-1797 | email [email protected] | My Best Day Fishing Charters Facebook Page | 22-Apr | 26-Apr | ||
| Panhandle | Capt. Brian Bacher | Bachers Boat Charters | Pensacola, FL | 305-484-7073 | email [email protected] | Bachers_Boat_Charters | 25-May | 28-May | |
| Panhandle | *Justin Reed | Justin Reed Fishing | Navarre, FL | 850-737-4513 | email [email protected] | Justin Reed Fishing Facebook Page | JustinReedFishing | 25-Jul | 28-Jul |
| Panhandle | *Chip Gillikin | Apex Shark Charters | Orange Beach, AL | 251-480-1728 | email [email protected] | Apex Shark Charters Facebook Page | 25-Aug | 28-Aug | |
| Panhandle | *Spenser Brown | Pensacola, FL | 928-259-0075 | [email protected] | Spenser Brown Facebook Page | 25-Aug | 28-Aug | ||
| Panhandle | Capt. Chris Rogers | Sea 4 Ventures | Navarre, FL | 850-972-9087 | email [email protected] | Sea 4 Ventures Facebook Page | sea4ventures | 25-Aug | 28-Aug |
| Panhandle | Capt. Chris Williamson | Williamson Outfitters LLC | Eastpoint, FL | 850-251-8650 | email [email protected] | Williamson Outfitters Facebook Page | capt_chris_williamson | 26-Apr | 29-Apr |
| Panhandle | *Jimmy Hill | Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing | Pensacola, FL | 512-740-5505 | email [email protected] | Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing Facebook Page | panhandle_salt_surf_fishing_ | 26-May | 29-May |
| Big Bend | *Jeff Blanton | Bienville Plantation | White Springs, FL | 229-292-4587 | Aug-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Aug | |||
| Big Bend | Matthew Cook | Wild West Fishing Charters | Homosassa, Fl | 352-287-2098 | email [email protected] | 24-Mar | 27-Mar | ||
| Big Bend | *Bob Cut | Bob's Boats | St. Marks. FL | 850-925-1166 | 20-Sep | 23-Sep | |||
| Big Bend | Capt. Katie Jo Davis | KD Outdoors Fishing Charters | Yankeetown, FL | 772-882-8932 | KD Outdoors Fishing Charters Facebook Page | KD Outdoors Fishing Charters Instagram Page | June-2021/Sept-2022 | 26-Jun | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Bryan Frechette | Fish Hunter Tours | Crystal River, FL | 352-697-2874 | Fish Hunter Tours Facebook Page | Fish Hunter Tours Instagram Page | Oct-2019/Sept-2022 | 25-Oct | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Andrew Hammond | Big Bite Charters | Homosassa, FL | 404-803-8608 | Big Bite Charters Facebook Page | Big Bite Charters Instagram Page | 21-Mar | 24-Mar | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Dave Huston | Huston Outdoor Adventures | Crystal River, FL | 352-427-4814 | Huston Outdoor Adventures Facebook Page | Huston Outdoor Adventures Instagram Page | Aug-2019/Sept-2022 | 27-Aug | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Paul Kolacia | PT Airboat Adventures | Homosassa, FL | 352-262-4490 | PT Airboat Adventures Facebook Page | PT Airboat Adventures Instagram Page | 20-Aug | 23-Aug | |
| Big Bend | *Capt. Brandon Leggett | Brandon Leggett Freshwater Kayak Charters | Wildwood, FL | 352-459-9315 | email [email protected] | 24-Jan | 27-Jan | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. David Maki | Finntastick Charters | Homosassa, FL | 352-601-1525 | email [email protected] | Finntastick Charters Facebook Page | Feb-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Feb | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Kyle Messier | Reel Florida Fishing Adventures | Crystal River, FL | 352-634-4002 | Reel Florida Fishing Adventures Facebook Page | Reel Florida Fishing Adventures Instagram Page | Aug-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Aug | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Michael Neu | Salt Marsh Charters | High Springs, FL | 615-971-9536 | Salt Marsh Charters Instagram Page | 20-Sep | 23-Sep | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Kate Spratt | Captain Kate Spratt Charters | Homosassa, FL | 352-400-9747 | Captain Kate Spratt Charters Facebook Page | Apr-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Apr | ||
| Big Bend | *Brian Stauffer | Fishhead Kayak Charters | Homosassa, FL | 352-442-4311 | Fishhead Kayak Charters Instagram Page | Sept-2019/Sept-2022 | 25-Sep | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Denny Voyles | Voyles Guide Service | Cedar Key, FL | 352-339-2034 | Aug-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Aug | |||
| Big Bend | Capt. Nick Warrington | High Octane Fishing | Crystal River, FL | 352-212-5070 | High Octane Fishing Facebook Page | Nov-2019/Sept-2022 | 25-Nov | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Brent Woodard | Reel Native Fishing Charters | Horseshoe Beach, FL | 352-284-5514 | Reel Native Fishing Charters Facebook Page | Reel Native Fishing Charters Instagram Page | 20-Aug | 23-Aug | |
| Big Bend | Henry Bireline | Kingfisher Kayak Adventures | Gainesville, FL | 352-448-8101 | Dec-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Dec | |||
| Big Bend | Capt. Memphis Zachry | Fish Crystal River LLC | Crystal River, FL | 352-212-8327 | Fish Crystal River LLC Facebook Page | Fish Crystal River LLC Instagram Page | Oct-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Oct | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Randy Matheny | Muddy Tail Charters | Eustis, FL | 352-551-6304 | email [email protected] | Outdoors with Capt. Chris Wagoner Facebook Page | Muddy Tail Charters | 22-Sep | 25-Sep |
| Big Bend | *Patrick Abbott | PJ's Kayak Fishing & Adventures | Williston, FL | 352-681-0986 | email [email protected] | 22-Sep | 25-Sep | ||
| Big Bend | Zachery Davis | Banded Marsh Outdoors | Leesburg, FL | 352-636-8234 | email [email protected] | Banded Marsh Outdoors Facebook Page | Banded Marsh Outdoors Instagram Page | 23-Feb | 26-Feb |
| Big Bend | Capt. Garrett Kofmehl | Poon Point Company | Crystal River, FL | 352-257-1981 | email [email protected] | Poonpointfishingcompany_ | 24-Dec | 27-Dec | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Blake Shidler | Hang Em' High Sportfishing | Crystal River, FL | 352-586-1997 | email [email protected] | Hang Em | Hangemhighsportfishing352 | 24-Dec | 27-Dec |
| Big Bend | Capt. David Case | Hang Em' High Sportfishing | Crystal River, FL | 352-601-1973 | email [email protected] | Hang Em | Hangemhighsportfishing352 | 25-Jan | 28-Jan |
| Big Bend | Capt. Bobbi Brady | Florida Saltwater Flats Fishing Charters | Steinhatchee, FL | 352-318-8429 | email [email protected] | Florida Saltwater Flats Fishing Charters Facebook Page | 25-Feb | 28-Feb | |
| West Central | Capt. Christopher Barton | Reel Diversion Charters | Bradenton, FL | 941-405-9689 | Reel Diversion Charters Facebook Page | Reel Diversion Charters Instagram Page | 20-Sep | 23-Sep | |
| West Central | Capt. Josh Bibler | Palmetto, FL | 941-840-1008 | 20-Feb | 23-Feb | ||||
| West Central | Capt. Brandon Csaszar | Anclote Charters | Tarpon Springs, FL | 727-741-3394 | Anclote Charters Facebook Page | Anclote Charters Instagram Page | May-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-May | |
| West Central | *John Cento | Clermont, FL, | 352-432-2140 | Dec-2020/Sept-2022(Survey)/Nov-2023 | 29-Dec | ||||
| West Central | Capt. Jeremy Frioud | Frioud Family Charters | Clearwater, FL | 727-492-7362 | 21-Apr | 24-Apr | |||
| West Central | Capt. Jim Galbraith | Florida Memories | St. Petersburg, FL | 813-499-4608 | Florida Memories Facebook Page | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | ||
| West Central | *Buddy Harrison | EcoTrek Family Fishing and Kayak Tours | Tampa, FL | 813-928-3806 | Oct-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Oct | |||
| West Central | Capt. Charlie Howell | Ebb & Flow Charters | Tampa, FL | 813-598-1191 | Ebb & Flow Charters Facebook Page | Ebb & Flow Charters Instagram Page | Jun-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Jun | |
| West Central | *Capt. Arthur Jackson | AJ's Bass Guides | Orlando, FL | 407-288-9670 | AJ’s Bass Guides Facebook Page | AJ’s Bass Guides Instagram Page | 24-Dec | 27-Dec | |
| West Central | Capt. Steve Johnson | Flats Snookin Inshore Charters LLC | Port Richey, FL | 727-207-6067 | Flats Snookin Inshore Charters Facebook Page | Flats Snookin Inshore Charters LLC Instagram Page | 25-Sep | 28-Sep | |
| West Central | Capt. Scott Moore | Moore Fishing | Anna Maria, FL | 941-713-1921 | email [email protected] | Moore Fishing Charters Facebook Page | Aug-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Aug | |
| West Central | Capt. Kevin Murphy | Cowboys Trophy Charters | Largo, FL | 513-507-3726 | email [email protected] | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | ||
| West Central | Capt. Parker Pope | International Sailors | Tampa, FL | 813-382-2216 | International Sailors Facebook Page | 24-May | 27-May | ||
| West Central | Capt. Douglas C. Ricciardi | Tearin Em Up! Fishing Charters & Nature Tours | Sarasota, FL | 941-587-6150 | 20-Sep | 23-Sep | |||
| West Central | Capt. Zac Tapp | Niche Fishing Charters LLC | Bradenton, FL | 561-308-1398 | Aug-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Aug | |||
| West Central | *Joseph Urbino | Reel Honor Fishing | Hudson, FL | 21-Aug | 24-Aug | ||||
| West Central | Capt. Michael B. Yonker | Florida Sailing and Powerboat School and Charters | Sarasota, FL | 941-500-2485 | Florida Sailing and Powerboat School and Charters Facebook Page | Mar-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Mar | ||
| West Central | Capt. Brian Riley | Anclote Adventures | Tarpon Springs, FL | 813-629-2308 | email [email protected] | Anclote Adventures Facebook Page | Anclote Adventures Instagram Page | 20-Jun | 23-Jun |
| West Central | Capt. Matt Karwoski | Mow Fish Charter | Clearwater, FL | 727-331-1700 | email [email protected] | Mow Fish Charter Facebook Page | Mow Fish Charter Instagram Page | July-2022/Sept-2022 | 28-Jul |
| West Central | Capt. George Douglas Higgs | Sun Chaser Charters | Tampa, FL | 813-363-1239 | email [email protected] | Sun Chaser Charters Facebook Page | 24-Jul | 27-Jul | |
| West Central | Capt. Houston Thomas | SaltLick Outfitters LLC | St. Pete, FL | 813-375-1033 | email [email protected] | SaltLick Outfitters Facebook Page | 25-Mar | 28-Mar | |
| West Central | Capt. Steve Betz | Tampa Flats and Bay Fishing Charters | Tampa, FL | 813-727-8843 | email [email protected] | Tampa Flats and Bay Fishing Charters Facebook Page | 25-Apr | 28-Apr | |
| West Central | Capt. Doug Young | Tampa, FL | 406-481-6454 | email [email protected] | vifreshfoto | 26-Mar | 29-Mar | ||
| West Central | Capt. Joshua Taylor | Tampa Bay Fishing Charter Adventure | Tampa, FL | 813-484-3831 | email [email protected] | Salty Scales Facebook Page | Salty Scales Fishing | 26-Mar | 29-Mar |
| Southwest | Capt. Debbie Hanson | Shefishes2 | Estero, FL | 239-233-4930 | email [email protected] | SheFishes2 | SheFishes2 Instagram Page | 23-Jan | 26-Jan |
| Southwest | Capt. Colin Carpenter | Native Guides | Captiva, FL | 239-822-3337 | email [email protected] | 23-Jan | 26-Jan | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Bo Bartholomew | In the Loop Fishing Charters | Pineland, FL | 239-357-5104 | 21-Apr | 24-Apr | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Christian Hunter Brown | Hunter Brown Charters | Boca Grande, FL | 941-735-1820 | Hunter Brown Charters Facebook Page | Sept-2019/Sept-2022 | 25-Sep | ||
| Southwest | *Corey W. Campbell | Florida National Parks Association (Big Cypress Institute) | Ochopee, FL | 239-719-2483 | Florida National Parks Association (Big Cypress Institute) Facebook Page | Instagram Page | 20-Sep | 23-Sep | |
| Southwest | Capt. Rich Damianos | Reel Rich Fishing | Punta Gorda, FL | 607-327-0221 | Reel Rich Fishing Facebook Page | Oct-2019/Sept-2022 | 25-Oct | ||
| Southwest | Capt. John Dant | Get Some Charters | Everglades City/Naples, FL | 239-331-0209 | Get Some Charters Facebook Page | Apr-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Apr | ||
| Southwest | *Capt. Larry DeHays | DeHays Charters (non-fishing eco-tours) | Sanibel, FL | 239-691-7623 | Oct-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Oct | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Becca deRosa | Kids' Needs of Greater Englewood | Englewood, FL | 315-256-6613 | email [email protected] | 20-Oct | 23-Oct | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Kenny DiBiase | Florida Freedom Charters | Sanibel, FL | 239-476-2904 | Florida Freedom Charters Facebook Page | 20-Oct | 23-Oct | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Daniel T. Edwards | AmVetCharters | Punta Gorda, FL | 941-268-0810 | AmVetCharters Facebook Page | Nov-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Nov | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Van Hubbard | Family Fun Fishing | Englewood, FL | 941-468-4017 | Family Fun Fishing Facebook Page | July-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Jul | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Jeff Jarr | Punta Gorda, FL | 21-Sep | 24-Sep | |||||
| Southwest | Capt. Joe McNichols | Show and Tell Charters | Everglades City, FL | 239-821-3305 | 20-Aug | 23-Aug | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Chris Newberry | Outcast Charter Company | Ponce de Leon/Punta Gorda Isles, FL | 941-628-0359 | Outcast Charter Company Facebook Page | 19-Nov | 22-Nov | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Barry Nicholls | Capt. Barry Cuda Charters | Naples, FL | 239-860-7227 | Capt. Barry Cuda Charters Facebook Page | Nov-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Nov | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Harold Roebuck III | Go on the Water Charters | Venice, FL | 863-381-6734 | Go on the Water Charters Facebook Page | Mar-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Mar | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Bill Schwalm | Better Days Charter Service | St. James City, FL | 239-887-1494 | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | |||
| Southwest | Capt. William Schwartzmiller | Port of the Islands Charters | Naples, FL | 239-642-8818 | Mar-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Mar | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Don Taylor | Back Bay Charters | Punta Rassa, FL | 239-850-9569 | Oct-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Oct | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Scott Wilhelm | Bokeelia, FL | 941-979-0110 | Apr-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Apr | ||||
| Southwest | Capt. Bobby Woodard | Fly Em High Charters | Boca Grande, FL | 863-224-1418 | Fly ‘Em High Charters Facebook Page | 22-Feb | 25-Feb | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Joe Savoca | Estero Bay Adventures | Fort Myers FL | 215-534-0275 | Apr-2022/Sept-2022 | 28-Apr | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Rick Harrison Jr. | Gulf and Grove Fly Fishing | Englewood, FL | 941-237-9492 | email [email protected] | June-2021/Sept-2022 | 27-Jun | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Roger Gendron | Fly Fishing FL | Punta Gorda, FL | 941-769-7041 | email [email protected] | 22-Nov | 25-Nov | ||
| Southwest | *Jorge Gonzalez | JJ Everglades Tours LLC | Miami, FL | 561-690-2008 | email [email protected] | JJswampking Instagram Page | 24-Oct | 27-Oct | |
| Southwest | Capt. Mark Freeman | Gulf coast Anglers | Punta Gorda, FL | 941-585-2076 | email [email protected] | Captainmarkfreeman | 24-Dec | 27-Dec | |
| Southwest | Capt. Yanni Melissas | Boca Grande Florida Tarpon Fishing Charters | Boca Grande, FL | 941-999-1225 | email [email protected] | Boca Grande Florida Tarpon Fishing Charters | 25-Jul | 28-Jul | |
| Southwest | Capt. Glenn Sharp | Reel Sharp Sportfishing | Punta Gorda, FL | 941-889-8187 | email [email protected] | Reel Sharp Sportfishing Facebook Page | reelsharpsportfishing | 25-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Southwest | Capt. Ray Larson | Island Loop Adventures | Fort Myers, FL | 217-306-1720 | email [email protected] | Captain Ray Larson Facebook Page | razorcustomtackle | 26-Feb | Feb-29 |
| Southwest | Capt. Joe Perz | Wellen Park Charters | Venice, FL | 941-499-7412 | email [email protected] | Wellen Park Charters Facebook Page | 26-Mar | 29-Mar | |
| South | Capt. Brian Branigan | Keys Boat Tours | Big Pine Key, FL | 306-699-7166 | Keys Boat Tours Facebook Page | 20-Aug | 23-Aug | ||
| South | Capt. Diego Cordova | Flat Out Sportfishing | Marathon, FL | 305-395-1228 | Flat Out Sportfishing Facebook Page | Flat Out Sportfishing Instagram Page | Feb-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Feb | |
| South | Capt. Bob Dorchak | Medicine Man Fishing Charters of the Lower Keys | Summerland Key, FL | 305-900-7488 | June-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Jun | |||
| South | Capt. Charlie Filpes | Key Largo Adventures | Islamorada, FL | 305-975-4885 | Key Largo Adventures Facebook Page | Key Largo Adventures Instagram Page | 20-Apr | 23-Apr | |
| South | Capt. Steve Friedman | A Fishing Guide LLC | Islamorada, FL | 305-393-3474 | A Fishing Guide LLC Instagram Page | Oct-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Oct | ||
| South | Capt. Chris Gowens | Koko Charters | Key West, FL | 305-992-8517 | Koko Charters Instagram Page | Nov-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Nov | ||
| South | *Jim Harmon | School of Fish | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 561-376-0574 | School of Fish Instagram Page | Sep-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | ||
| South | Capt. Dax Hallock | Coast2Coast Charters LLC | 786-760-1006 | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | ||||
| South | Capt. Willie Howard | Capt. Willie's Charters | Riviera Beach, FL | 561-307-3047 | Capt. Willie’s Charters Facebook Page | Capt. Willie’s Charters Instagram Page | 20-Mar | 23-Mar | |
| South | Capt. Clyde Morgan Jewett | Flats Angler LLC. Florida Backcountry Fishing | Islamorada, FL | 305-790-5526 | Flats Angler LLC. Instagram Page | 20-Jul | 23-Jul | ||
| South | Capt. Kyle Kelso | All Water Charters | Key West, FL | 305-509-2201 | All Water Charters Facebook Page | All Water Charters Instagram Page | Jun-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Jun | |
| South | Capt. Ron Lawson | River Keys Fishing | Cudjoe Key, FL | 717-571-0179 | 20-Mar | 23-Mar | |||
| South | Capt. John M. Miller | Calypso Charters | Ramrod Key, FL | 305-735-4951 | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | |||
| South | Capt. Rich Mitchell | Phase One Backcountry Charters | Islamorada, FL | 305-393-0729 | Sept-2020/Sept-2022 | 26-Sep | |||
| South | Capt. Bill Taylor | Black Dog Fishing Charters | Jupiter, FL | 561-744-5700 | Black Dog Fishing Charters Facebook Page | Black Dog Fishing Charters Instagram Page | 24-Dec | 27-Dec | |
| South | *Johann Barata | 786-715-6282 | 21-Oct | 24-Oct | |||||
| South | Capt. Christopher Lenahan | Oracle Expeditions Fly Fishing And Light Tackle Charters | Riviera Beach FL | 561-444-6970 | email [email protected] | Oracle Expeditions Fly Fishing And Light Tackle Charters Facebook Page | Oracle Expeditions Fly Fishing And Light Tackle Charters Instagram Page | 22-Apr | 25-May |
| South | Capt. Scott Ray | Sea2Table | Key Largo, FL | 305-431-5179 | email [email protected] | Sea2Table - Scott E. Ray | 22-Sep | 25-Sep | |
| South | *Joseph Pence | 419 Fishing Academy | Loxahatchee, FL | 954-205-2499 | email [email protected] | 419fishingacademy | 25-Apr | 28-Apr | |
| South | *Michael Enck | Snookman Mike LLC | Pompano, FL | 561-563-4116 | email [email protected] | Snookman Mike LLC Facebook Page | snookmanmike | 25-Sep | 28-Sep |
| South | *Ray Brunetti | ZF Fishing | Boca Raton, FL | 561-613-9778 | email [email protected] | ZFfishing | 26-Feb | Feb-29 | |
| South | *Capt. Haley Twigg | Twigg's Gator Outfitter | Okeechobee, FL | 813-990-9905 | email [email protected] | Twigg | twiggs_gator | 26-May | 29-May |
Listed guides have completed an educational course and pledged that they were clear of resource-related fish and wildlife violations for 3 or more years prior to their certification date. They were also checked for appropriate state licensing at the time of certification. Guides who operate fishing charters from motorized vessels in saltwater are required to have both a valid Merchant Mariner credential from the US Coast Guard as well as hold state fishing charter license(s) issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Guides who operate in federal waters might be subject to additional licensing; FSG does not have the ability to verify federal licensing.
*An asterix denotes guides who operate fishing trips solely from kayaks, shore, or only on inland freshwater bodies are not required to carry state fishing charter licensing. Similarly, guides who charter tours from motorized vessels that do not involve fishing must hold a Merchant Mariner credential from the US Coast Guard (earning them the title “Capt.”) and operate a vessel that is registered commercially, but are not required to carry a state fishing charter license. Charter vessels carrying more than 12 passengers must undergo inspection by the US Coast Guard.
If you are curious about a guide’s credentials, please do not hesitate to inquire.
Thank you to our
Program
Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Your contribution will directly support program logistics, gear kits for guides and promotional materials. Contact Mike Sipos for more information.
Contact Us
Got questions about the Florida Friendly Fishing Certification Program? Reach out to our regional contacts listed below.
