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.
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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."
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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
Check out our statewide directory of Florida Friendly Fishing Guides to book your next outing with an eco-minded guide.
| Region | Guide | Business | City, State | Phone | Certified | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Capt. Jim Britton | Salty Tales Fishing Charter | Palm Coast, FL | 386-931-1547 |  | Feb-2020 | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Christ Castle | Wide Open Charters and Guide Service | St. Augustine, FL | 904-669-3210 |  | Jan-2021 | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Bill Duane | Playing Hooky Inshore Fishing | Jacksonville, FL | 904-479-6871 | | Apr-2021 | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Tony Fernandez | Jacksonville, FL | Aug-2021 | |||||
| Northeast | Capt. Drew A. Hawkins | Bald Eagle Fishing Charters, LLC. | Palm Coast, FL, | 407-256-1433 |  | | Mar-2020 | |
| Northeast | Capt. Jacob Hardy | Fishardy Charters | St. Augustine, FL | 904-315-4758 | | Feb-2020 | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Fred Laager | Shallow Water Fishing Company | St. Augustine, FL | 904-429-6558 | | Apr-2021 | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Al Morris | First Coast Fishing Charters LLC | St. Augustine, FL | 904 655-7035 | | | Apr-2021 | |
| Northeast | Capt. Frank Timmons, Jr. | Off the Grid Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL | 904-669-1475 | | Mar-2020 | ||
| Northeast | Capt. Christopher Barr | Green Cove Springs, FL | 904-667-8858 | Jun-2022 | ||||
| Indian River Lagoon | John R. Caldwell | Adventure Culture Education Inc | New Smyrna Beach, FL | 502-532-1685 | Oct-2020 | |||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Michael Bundy | Angler Management Fishing Charters and Aquatic Adventures LLC. | Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, FL | 407-399-5605 | | | Jun-2020 | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt Jeff Kraynik | The Coastal Sportsmen | Sebastian Inlet, FL | 321-863-9182 | | Mar-2020 | ||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Drew Mixon | Grass Flats Mafia | Vero Beach, FL | 772-453-3989 | | | Apr-2021 | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Corey Simmons | On The Hook Charters | Daytona Beach, FL | 386-631-8030 | | | Jan-2020 | |
| Indian River Lagoon | Bruce Skerbetz | Sebastian Inlet, FL | 732-762-1693 | Aug-2020 | ||||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Mark Wood | MWoutdoors Charters | Melbourne Beach, FL | 321-394-1001 | May-2020 | |||
| Indian River Lagoon | Capt. Will Wolfson | Grassroots Guide Service | Melbourne Beach, FL | 407-620-5263 | | Oct-2021 | ||
| Panhandle | Patricia Lawson | Off the Beatn Path Kayak Charters | Milton FL | 850-281-3445 | | Mar-2022 | ||
| Panhandle | John Bottcher | Monticello, FL | 850-728-6097 | Jan-2021 | ||||
| Panhandle | Capt. Cody Clauson | 30A Inshore Charters | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | 850-699-0014 | | | Mar-2021 | |
| Panhandle | Capt. John Edgar | Edgar Environmental, Inc. | Pensacola, FL | 832-784-3038 | | | Jun-2021 | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Lance Moss | Strike Hunter Adventures | Niceville, FL | 850-353-3997 | | Mar-2021 | ||
| Panhandle | Capt. Hunter Ray | Florida Boy Adventures | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | 850-499-4473 | | | Aug-2020 | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Chester Reese | Natural World Charters | Carrabelle, FL | 850-228-9060 | Jan-2021 | |||
| Panhandle | Capt. Larry Shults | Twisted Palms Salty Adventures | Pensacola, FL | 606-416-2716 | | | | May-2021 |
| Panhandle | Michael Smith | Smitty’s Surf Fishing | Navarre, FL | 850-529-5405 | | | Jun-2021 | |
| Panhandle | Capt. Tim Wilder | T-Man’s Charters | Port St. Joe, FL | 850-227-5802 | | | Feb-2020 | |
| Panhandle | Mark Robinson | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 937-631-6825 | | May-2022 | |||
| Big Bend | Jeff Blanton | Bienville Plantation | White Springs, FL | 229-292-4587 | Aug-2020 | |||
| Big Bend | Bob Cut | Bob’s Boats | St. Marks. FL | 850-925-1166 | Sept-2020 | |||
| Big Bend | Capt. Katie Jo Davis | KD Outdoors Fishing Charters | Yankeetown, FL | 772-882-8932 | | | Jun-2021 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Bryan Frechette | Fish Hunter Tours | Crystal River, FL | 352-697-2874 | | | Oct-2019 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Andrew Hammond | Big Bite Charters | Homosassa, FL | 404-803-8608 | | | Mar-2021 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Dave Huston | Huston Outdoor Adventures | Crystal River, FL | 352-427-4814 | | | Aug-2021 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Paul Kolacia | PT Airboat Adventures | Homosassa, FL | 352-262-4490 | | | Aug-2020 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. David Maki | Finntastick Charters | Homosassa, FL | 352-601-1525 | | | Feb-2020 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Kyle Messier | Reel Florida Fishing Adventures | Crystal River, FL | 352-634-4002 | | | Aug-2020 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Michael Neu | Salt Marsh Charters | High Springs, FL | 615-971-9536 | | Sept-2020 | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Kyle Skipper | Marker One Flats Charters | Steinhatchee, FL | 352-317-1654 | | | Aug-2020 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Kate Spratt | Captain Kate Spratt Charters | Homosassa, FL | 352-400-9747 | | Apr-2020 | ||
| Big Bend | Brian Stauffer | Fishhead Kayak Charters | Homosassa, FL | 352-442-4311 | | Sept-2019 | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Houston Thomas | SaltLick Outfitters LLC. | Steinhatchee, FL | 813-375-1033 | | Feb-2020 | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Denny Voyles | Voyles Guide Service | Cedar Key, FL | 352-339-2034 | Aug-2020 | |||
| Big Bend | Capt. Nick Warrington | High Octane Fishing | Crystal River, FL | 352-212-5070 | | Nov-2019 | ||
| Big Bend | Capt. Brent Woodard | Reel Native Fishing Charters | Horseshoe Beach, FL | 352-284-5514 | | | Aug-2020 | |
| Big Bend | Henry “Buz” Bireline | Kingfisher Kayak Adventures | Gainesville, FL | 352-448-8101 | Dec-2021 | |||
| Big Bend | Capt. Memphis Zachry | Fish Crystal River, LLC | Crystal River, FL | 352-212-8327 | | | Oct-2021 | |
| Big Bend | Capt. Chris Williamson | Williamson Outfitters LLC, | Apalachicola, FL | 850-251-8650 | Apr-2022 | |||
| West Central | Capt. Christopher Barton | Reel Diversion Charters | Bradenton, FL | 941-405-9689 | | | Sept-2020 | |
| West Central | Capt. Josh Bibler | Captain Bibbs Fishing Charters | Palmetto, FL | 941-840-1008 | | | Feb-2020 | |
| West Central | Capt. Brandon Csaszar | Anclote Charters | Tarpon Springs, FL | 727-741-3394 | | | May-2021 | |
| West Central | John Cento | Nature Tours USA | Clermont, FL, | 352-432-2140 | Dec-2020 | |||
| West Central | Capt. Jeremy Frioud | Frioud Family Charters | Clearwater, FL | 727-492-7362 | Apr-2021 | |||
| West Central | Capt. Jim Galbraith | Florida Memories | St. Petersburg, FL | 813-499-4608 | | Sept-2020 | ||
| West Central | Buddy Harrison | EcoTrek Family Fishing and Kayak Tours | Tampa, FL | 813-928-3806 | Oct-2020 | |||
| West Central | Capt. Charlie Howell | Ebb & Flow Charters | Tampa, FL | 813-598-1191 | | | Jun-2020 | |
| West Central | Arthur “AJ” Jackson | AJ’s Bass Guides | Orlando, FL | 407-288-9670 | | | Sep-2020 | |
| West Central | Capt. Steve Johnson | Flats Snookin Inshore Charters LLC | Port Richey, FL | 727-207-6067 | | | Mar-2021 | |
| West Central | Capt. Scott Moore | Moore Fishing | Anna Maria, FL | 941-713-1921 | | | Aug-2020 | |
| West Central | Capt. Kevin Murphy | Cowboys Trophy Charters | Largo, FL | 513-507-3726 | | Sept-2020 | ||
| West Central | Capt. Parker Pope | International Sailors | Tampa, FL | 813-382-2216 | | Sept-2020 | ||
| West Central | Capt. Douglas C. Ricciardi | Tearin’ Em Up! Fishing Charters & Nature Tours | Sarasota, FL | 941-587-6150 | Sept-2020 | |||
| West Central | Capt. Zac Tapp | Niche Fishing Charters, LLC | Bradenton, FL | 561-308-1398 | Aug-2020 | |||
| West Central | Joseph Urbino | Reel Honor Fishing | Hudson, FL | Aug-2021 | ||||
| West Central | Capt. Michael B. Yonker | Florida Sailing and Powerboat School and Charters | Sarasota, FL | 941-500-2485 | | Mar-2020 | ||
| West Central | Capt. Brian Riley | Anclote Adventures | Tarpon Springs, FL | 813-629-2308 | | | | Jun-2020 |
| Southwest | Capt. Bo Bartholomew | In the Loop Fishing Charters | Pineland, FL | 239-357-5104 | Apr-2021 | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Christian Hunter Brown | Hunter Brown Charters | Boca Grande, FL | 941-735-1820 | | Sept-2019 | ||
| Southwest | Corey W. Campbell | Florida National Parks Association (Big Cypress Institute) | Ochopee, FL | 239-719-2483 | | | Sept-2020 | |
| Southwest | Capt. Rich Damianos | Reel Rich Fishing | Punta Gorda, FL | 607-327-0221 | | Oct-2019 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. John Dant | Get Some Charters | Everglades City/Naples, FL | 239-331-0209 | | Apr-2020 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Larry DeHays | DeHays Charters (non-fishing eco-tours) | Sanibel, FL | 239-691-7623 | Oct-2020 | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Becca deRosa | Kids’ Needs of Greater Englewood | Englewood, FL | 315-256-6613 | | Oct-2020 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Kenny DiBiase | Florida Freedom Charters | Sanibel, FL | 239-476-2904 | | Oct-2020 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Daniel T. Edwards | AmVetCharters | Punta Gorda, FL | 941-268-0810 | | Nov-2020 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Van Hubbard | Family Fun Fishing | Englewood, FL | 941-468-4017 | | Jul-2020 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Jeff Jarr | Punta Gorda, FL | Sept-2021 | |||||
| Southwest | Capt. Joe McNichols | Show and Tell Charters | Everglades City, FL | 239-821-3305 | Aug-2020 | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Chris Newberry | Outcast Charter Company | Ponce de Leon/Punta Gorda Isles, FL | 941-628-0359 | | Nov-2019 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Barry Nicholls | Capt. Barry Cuda Charters | Naples, FL | 239-860-7227 | | Nov-2020 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Harold Roebuck III | Go on the Water Charters | Venice, FL | 863-381-6734 | | Mar-2021 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Bill Schwalm | Better Days Charter Service | St. James City, FL | 239-887-1494 | Sept-2020 | |||
| Southwest | Capt. William Schwartzmiller | Port of the Islands Charters | Naples, FL | 239-642-8818 | Mar-2020 | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Don Taylor | Back Bay Charters | Punta Rassa, FL | 239-850-9569 | Oct-2020 | |||
| Southwest | Capt. Scott Wilhelm | Bokeelia, FL | 941-979-0110 | Apr-2021 | ||||
| Southwest | Capt. Bobby Woodard | Fly ‘Em High Charters | Boca Grande, FL | 863-224-1418 | | Feb-2022 | ||
| Southwest | Capt. Joe Savoca | Estero Bay Adventures | Fort Myers FL | 215-534-0275 | | Apr-2022 | ||
| South | Capt. Brian Branigan | Keys Boat Tours | Big Pine Key, FL | 306-699-7166 | | Aug-2020 | ||
| South | Capt. Diego Cordova | Flat Out Sportfishing | Marathon, FL | 305-395-1228 | | | Feb-2020 | |
| South | Capt. Bob Dorchak | Medicine Man Fishing Charters of the Lower Keys | Summerland Key, FL | 305-900-7488 | Jun-2020 | |||
| South | Capt. Charlie Filpes | Key Largo Adventures | Islamorada, FL | 305-975-4885 | | | Apr-2020 | |
| South | Capt. Steve Friedman | A Fishing Guide LLC | Islamorada, FL | 305-393-3474 | | Oct-2020 | ||
| South | Capt. Chris Gowens | Koko Charters | Key West, FL | 305-992-8517 | | Nov-2020 | ||
| South | Jim Harmon | School of Fish | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 561-376-0574 | | Sept-2020 | ||
| South | Capt. Dax Hallock | Coast2Coast Charters LLC | 786-760-1006 | Sept-2020 | ||||
| South | Capt. Willie Howard | Capt. Willie’s Charters | Riviera Beach, FL | 561-307-3047 | | | Mar-2020 | |
| South | Capt. Clyde Morgan Jewett | Flats Angler, LLC. d/b/a Florida Backcountry Fishing | Islamorada, FL | 305-790-5526 | | Jul-2020 | ||
| South | Capt. Kyle Kelso | All Water Charters | Key West, FL | Key West, FL | | | Jun-2020 | |
| South | Capt. Ron Lawson | River Keys Fishing | Cudjoe Key, FL | 717-571-0179 | Mar-2020 | |||
| South | Capt. John M. Miller | Calypso Charters | Ramrod Key, FL | 305-735-4951 | | | Sept-2020 | |
| South | Capt. Rich Mitchell | Phase One Backcountry Charters | Islamorada, FL | 305-393-0729 | Sept-2020 | |||
| South | Capt. Bill Taylor | Black Dog Fishing Charters | Jupiter, FL | 561-744-5700 | | | Jan-2020 | |
| South | Johann Barata | 786-715-6282 | Oct-2021 | |||||
| South | Capt. Christopher Lenahan | Oracle Expeditions Fly Fishing And Light Tackle Charters | Riviera Beach FL | 561-444-6970 | | | | Apr-2022 |
Thank you to our
Program
Sponsors
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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.
