Panfish guides near Ft Myers,FL

[M R Dux]

Got to be in Ft Myers next week and would be interested in a guided trip for redears or bull gills. Anybody know of any panfish guides in the area who specialize in these? Most panfish guides I have found down there are after crappie.

[M R Dux]

Would consider driving over to Okeechobee if somebody knew of a good panfish guide over there.

[deathb4disco]

Capt. Bob Marvin is an excellent guide. He does fly fishing (mostly saltwater), but I know he is a bluegill fan as well.

If you're interested, his cell is 239-877-9162.

[tnpondmanager]

Actually what you should do is make a stop in middle Tennessee on your way back, and fish with me. I specialize in trips for trophy bluegill, and my bluegill are bigger than what you'd catch in Florida. My rates are also less than what you'll pay down there. I just Googled it and you only live about 175 miles from me.

[T.C.]

They get pretty darn big in FL.......

[tnpondmanager]

Absolutely they get big down there - bigger than most places in the country, and as far as public water goes, probably bigger than anywhere outside of southern California. But the difference between an intensively-managed private water, and an unmanaged public water, even the best public water, can be pretty significant. Bluegill in the 24-oz. range are still uncommon on even the best public waters, but they were a regular thing last year on the ponds I guide on; and this year I expect two-pounders to be a regular thing. I weighed two last year that were 28 oz. or better, and the bigger one weighed 31. I've only been working with these ponds for a little under four years, meaning they're just now starting to reach their potential. There will be some sho-nuff whoppers caught this year.

[T.C.]

Yeah you have some nice fish. Richmond Mill Lake also is known for oversized gills.

[tnpondmanager]

Richmond Mill has some nice ones - and they charge $1,000 per person per day to fish for them, or $600 per person for groups of four or more. I charge $300 a day for one or two people.

[deathb4disco]

Richmond Mill has some nice ones - and they charge $1,000 per person per day to fish for them, or $600 per person for groups of four or more.

That's insane!

[T.C.]

yeah i know they are high, i contacted them before. i was thinking of taking my grandfather out there for his birthday but the price tag sttered me away....