Fish the calm unspoiled waters of South Florida near Fort Myers.

Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Everglades are famous for the best tarpon fishing in the world.

Captain Mark Bennett, a full time fishing guide since 1992, has a lifetime of experience fishing for tarpon along the west coast of Florida.

I take the path less traveled

Days and weeks ahead of the rest.

I DO NOT FISH IN BOCA GRANDE PASS!!!

March and April

I fish the backcountry for snook and juvenile tarpon.

May, September and October

We fish the vast wilderness of the Florida Everglades.

June and July

I fish the beaches near Boca Grande.

Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton.

This is what I do.

100% No B.S.

FAQ

If we book a trip are you the guide that will be taking us fishing?

Yes. I am not a booking or referral service. I am a fishing guide. I will be the one taking you fishing.

Are you the guy in the gray boat?

Yes

I see you fish for tarpon in the Boca Grande/Charlotte Harbor area as well as the Everglades. Which location is better?

Tarpon are a migratory species.  The peak times for each location are different.  I fish the peak season in both locations.  May, September and October is peak tarpon season in the Everglades.  June and July is peak tarpon season in the Boca Grande area.  Having said that, the fishing is very different in both locations.  So different in fact I use different boats and even different tackle.

In the Boca Grande area I use my bigger boat.  It can handle up to 4 people.  We are usually fishing large (40-100 fish avg.) pods along the beaches and back in the bays.  Generally we ramp close to where we are fishing.  Runs are shorter.  Definitely more accessible.  You can literally step off the boat and be back to your hotel or eating at a restaurant in minutes.

Fishing in the Everglades area I use my skiff/flats boat.  I can take 1 or 2 passengers maximum.  Here we launch right square in the middle of nowhere.  From the entrance of the Everglades National Park it is a 38 mile drive to the ramp at Flamingo.  The closest ramp to the South is a 40+ mile run in Islamorada and to the North it is 100 miles to Chokoloskee.  We fish in the back bays, jungle rivers and shallow flats.  A true fishing adventure.  You might as well leave your phone behind, it won’t work here anyway.

I love both places.

So it really is up to you.  Depending on the type of trip you want and the time of year you want to go.

For more information on our Everglades adventures: www.GladesTarpon.com

Why do mullet jump?

Mullet jump because they are happy.

What Our Clients Say

“Capt. Mark is bar-none the most dedicated and avid tarpon fisherman that I’ve ever been associated with.”

– Jason Cannon, Sport Fishing Magazine

“Fourteen years ago I was fortunate to have had Capt. Mark Bennett recommended to me as a tarpon guide and I have had no reason to search further. Capt. Bennett has consistently put me on fish and has created productive days often at times when it was obvious that other local guides were struggling.”

-Jeff Milley, St. Petersburg Florida

“I wanted to take a moment and thank you both for the Tarpon trip of a lifetime. I could have never imagined a more exciting trip in my wildest dreams. To say the trip was “Awesome” would be an understatement.”

-Rod Luke, Luke Brothers Custom Homes

“Mark and Jenni are truly invested in fishing and providing their clients with the absolute best experience possible.  This fishing was spectacular, the scenery was breathtaking, and the people were truly exceptional.  I look forward to many more trips to come.”

-Mark Galloway, Corpus Christi, Texas

Captain Mark Bennett's 1971 24' Proline
Silver King Boat

My Boats

1971 24′ Proline

I am very proud of this boat.  I built it with my own hands.  One of the largest flats boats in our area.  This boat can accommodate up to 4 anglers.  With a full crew she draws less than 12″ of water.

I use this boat for most of my tarpon fishing in the Boca Grande area.

1992 Silver King Skiff

Traditional backcountry skiff.

The perfect boat for fishing deep in the backcountry of the Florida Everglades and Charlotte Harbor.

I use this skiff for all of my trips in the Everglades.

Contact Us

phone

941-474-8900

Text

941-650-9476

Email

 Capt. Mark

Follow us on social media!!!