captain mike merritt's native guide service

Wind was not good for fishing that day. We saw few boats out. But we caught fish. It was a cast and catch morning. Loved talking to Mike about growing up as a kid fishing and camping with friends in the islands. Amazing that he did not need a compass , knows the islands like we know our streets. He cleaned our fish and had wonderful dinner of a nice Pompano. Already had my limit of trout from the morning when I caught 2 4lb trout. Did get a black drum almost 9 lbs Was my best fishing ever. What a fun day

I have taken my family out with Capt Mike several times, it is always the highlite of our trips to the Everglades. Capt Mike grew up in the area and knows the waters like the back of his hand. He can find fish under any conditions, expect to catch a variety of species like snook, redfish, and speckled trout. Cpt Mikes boat and gear are always top quality. To top it off Mike is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Be sure to bring a camera to record all the fish you will catch as well as the beautiful scenery ans wildlife.

We went fishing on a very windy day with Captain Mike. He wasn't quite sure if we would have a good day of fishing or not. As it turned out we had a blast!!! My wife caught her first snook about 15lbs & a huge black drum. I caught my first snook as well. But also caught a 20+lb red!! We also caught many trout & other species. Capt. Mike is the best bet for a fishing guide in the Everglades. We had a blast & would hire him again, no questions!! Thanks Mike Dan & Anne

We had fairly low expectations for the fishing, given the time of year, but knew that Mike was a great guide and had our best chance with him. As it turned out, we caught two big redfish, two big black drum and a bunch of trout. There was action all day and when it slowed down, he was off to another spot. Can't say enough about his attitude and expertise.

The best guide in the Everglades. Been out with Capt. Mike several times and have never been disappointed. Capt. Mike will get you on the fish. Great variety, mixes it up if one species is not biting. A great experience.

I and my wife have been fishing with Mike out of Chokoloskee for over 15 years. He uses only the best equipment, maintained in the best condition. He was born and raised in Everglades City, and he has lived his entire life on the water there. If the fish are eating anywhere, he will find them. If you want to catch fish and have a great time doing it, you want to use Mike Merritt. If your target is snook or redfish or tarpon or sea trout, you will want to fish using Mike.

Been fishing with Mike many times over the past 12 years. My biggest Redfish, biggest Tarpon, biggest Trout, biggest Snook have all been caught while fishing with Captain Mike. I don't really need to say much more than that about Captain Mike. Everglades are amazing. No fishing grounds compare.

I have been fishing with Mike for quite a few years now. I've fished with several guides in the area but have settled in with Mike as my go to guy. I think it is because he has that perfect combination of being able to alway find fish as well as being somebody I genuinely enjoy spending my day with. I did a charter a few months back with my nine year old son who has ADHD. It is a challenge getting him to sit still on a small boat all day, and some guides simply would not have had the patience for it. Mike is just like family, that is the best way I can put it. We had no problems and my son wound up catching plenty of fish, including a 25 pound snook. Definitely give Mike a shot if you are looking to fish this very special part of Florida.

What makes for a great guide? Understanding his waters, knowledgable about fishing, good tackle, personality, hard working and a commitment to make his charter feel good about the day, whether you catch fish or not. Mike Merritt is all of the above and then some. He brought along outstanding smoked mullet to munch on. Mike navigates the 10,000 islands as if they were a one lane road in the country. He handles all levels of fisherman well. He'll help those who need help and give sage advice to those who fish a lot. If you tell him what you'd like to catch he works hard to find it for you. On my last trip the snook and redfish were BIG. In addition we had sharks, jacks, catfish and a ladyfish which he used for bait. We had caught our limit by 9:30 and then fished the rest of the day for the BIG one out there. By the time we headed home my arms and wrists ached. On top of all that I got to spend a day with Mike!

This was our first trip fishing the 10,000 Islands. Capt. Mike was outstanding. He was able to put us on exactly the fish we were looking for including a very large Snook and some big Reds. He was professional, knowledgeable, and and very friendly. He will be the first thing we book next time we head that way.Linda N.

Capt. Mike Merritt was everything you could hope for in a guide, prepared, patient, insightful and highly knowledgeable about finding fish. I am a resident in the area and have taken dozens of charter trips and can say without hesitation that Mike is at the top of the list. Do not hesitate to book his services.

We could have asked for a better day. Weather was perfect. Capt. Mike is professional, personable, and an excellent guide. He works harder than most guides to make sure your happy. A must go adventure.

This was my forth trip with Capt. Mike. I brought my friend who is 8 years old for his first back county trip. We had a great time catching reds, sharks, trout and hooked up with lots off big fish that we lost due to the size. There was never any pressure from him and we learned so much from him. He cleaned all of our fish that we kept also. I would recommend his service to anyone who wants to have a fun time on the water.

My wife and I had a blast with Captain Mike Merritt yesterday fishing the back country shallow water of the 10,000 islands. From before we got to the boat through cleaning our fish, Mike was prepared for everything and anything that could happen. We caught bait with shrimp, sabiki rigs, and Mike threw the net (which a lot of lazy captains don't do!!). We fished for and caught snook, redfish, trout, and had shots site fishing for tarpon and permit! We saw manatee, stingrays, and sharks on the flats. And we targeted larger fish, missing some, breaking other unknowns off, and landing a 7 foot 150 pound lemon shark, a 200 pound + nurse shark, and a speedy little reef shark. With very little experience fishing for this species or in this area at all, we felt extremely comfortable and safe with Captain Mike Merritt. And....we were in fish ALL day. Every time a spot got quiet, we moved to another location. Mike worked really hard and it was obvious he cared about us not only getting strikes, but landing the fish! Mike also taught us both a few tricks on setting hooks and playing fish too.If you are visiting this area and want to see the park from the water, or if you are a fisherman, I highly recommend Captain Mike Merritt. We will go back and fish with Captain Mike Merritt every time we visit the 10,000 Islands, Chokoloskee, Everglades City area!

Took my 16-year old son and his best friend out for their first-ever salt water sport fishing trip with Captain Mike. They had an unbelievable day they will never forget. He took them to several different locations where they caught two trophy snook, each over 3-ft in length, a big tarpon, an 8-ft lemon shark, a 6-ft bull shark, two black-tip sharks, a sting ray and several pompano and trout. Not to mention the two enormous tarpon and snook the boys couldn't quite land, but gave them a great fight and show. They were worn out by day's end, but what an amazing memory Mike made happen for both of them. He was patient, instructional and very personable.