The 15 Best Private Fishing Charters in the USA

1.Private Fishing Charter in Ketchikan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 367 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $900Our pick

Spend about five hours on a private Ketchikan boat with guides such as Joey or Alex, fishing for salmon and halibut among protected islands. Gear, snacks, bottled water, and soda are included. Meet at your cruise berth, bring a fishing license and king salmon stamp, and expect real weather, changing tides, and no guaranteed catch.

“We did this as part of an Alaskan Cruise…and let me tell you, it was THE HIGHLIGHT of our trip! We caught so many salmon and were able to be completely hands on with the fishing (I’ve done trips where they don’t let you even reel in the fish all the way yourself). It was my boyfriend’s second time fishing ever, and he is now hooked! Memory of a lifetime with the perfect guide, perfect scenery, and perfect fishing!!!”

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2.Private Sportfishing Charter For Up To 6 People

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 180 reviews

Head from Hollywood Marina on a private four-hour charter for up to six people. The captain and mate provide bait, tackle, licenses, ice, coolers, and fish cleaning while helping you target sharks that can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Bring your own food and drinks, and expect a family-friendly trip with possible mahi-mahi, tuna, or sailfish.

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3.Private Luxury Sportfishing Experience Aboard Limitless

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Fish Oahu’s offshore waters aboard the private catamaran Limitless with a captain and first mate. You’ll troll for ahi, mahi-mahi, marlin, and other pelagic fish, then switch nearshore if needed. Gear, ice, a refrigerator, cabin, restroom, Wi-Fi, and catch cleaning are included. Bring your own food, drinks, and fishing license.

“Great day! Max and Jerry were patient and hard working. We caught two tuna…the boys were thrilled. Thank you!”

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4.Private 2 Hour Kids and Family Fishing Marco Island, FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Fish Marco Island’s calm mangrove waters on a private two-hour charter for up to six people. Captains Jason, Kevin, or Joe provide rods, bait, licenses, and patient instruction, while you look for catfish, snapper, sharks, dolphins, and coastal birds. The trip begins and ends at Goodland Boat Park and suits first-time fishers and families with young children.

“Simply outstanding service with experienced captain and impressed with how family-friendly and enjoyable the experience was! Would absolutely go again.”

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5.Private Bay Fishing South Padre Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Fish South Padre Island’s bay on a private 4 to 5-hour trip for up to six people. Captain Brady, Chapo, Rett, and other local guides provide rods, bait, tackle, and hands-on help. Bring drinks and snacks, keep your catch, and add fish cleaning or a restaurant fish-cooking option.

“Our family had a fabulous time! Wonderful experience and had a great guide, Chapo, he made sure we were all having a great time and also knowledgeable about the best way to fish!”

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6.Half-Day Private Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $900

Set out from Ketchikan’s cruise ship docks for about five hours of private halibut fishing with The Alaska Catch. Captains such as Jacob, Jimmy, Dylan Hodge, and Alex provide instruction, bait, snacks, and bottled water. Good days can bring halibut, cod, salmon, flatfish, whales, or even a released shark.

“Our captain Jacob was awesome! He was very friendly and professional. There was a group of 5 of us and he helped all of us catch a halibut and then went to a different area and we caught Salmon too! It was a very fun day! We will definitely use Jacob again next time we are in Alaska!”

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7.Private Fishing Charter for Family and Friends in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $265

Set out from Kewalo Basin Harbor with up to five companions for a private two-hour bottom reef fishing trip. The crew provides rods, bait, safety instruction, ice chests, and hands-on help. Captains such as Sundance, Rick, Zach, and Marcus have helped families catch several species while watching for turtles and dolphins.

“🙂great experience and was very friendly and nice to our grandson. Very exciting fishing day and caught a lot of fish.”

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8.Half-Day Private Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $750

Spend about four hours fishing Southeast Alaska’s salmon waters with The Alaska Catch. Your private group gets a guide, boat, snacks, and water, with pickup at your cruise ship ramp or Thomas Basin Harbor. You may catch silver, pink, or king salmon, though king salmon must be released when required.

“Chris was fantastic! Brought his boat right next to our cruise ship for pick up. He knew where to go to help us catch our limits! Highly recommend him for anyone who wants to catch there limits and have a really great time doing so.”

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9.Private Ketchikan Fishing Combo & Whale Watching/ Wildlife 5 HR

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $700

Spend five private hours fishing Ketchikan’s calm waters with captains such as Tony, Lukas, or Grayson. Your group can target salmon, halibut, cod, rockfish, and snapper, while keeping an eye out for whales, sea lions, eagles, and other wildlife. Gear, bait, snacks, and bottled water are included. A fishing license costs extra.

“Capt. Luke took my family out for a fantastic day of fishing..we tagged out in less than 2 hours…Great boat and equipment …I would highly recommend this charter!”

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10.KeyWest Half-Day Inshore Fishing Private Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Start at 7:30 am from Stock Island for four hours of private fishing in Key West’s shallow channels and backcountry. Captain Justin or Captain Jagger may guide your group, using live crabs, pilchards, and pinfish for tarpon, sharks, snappers, jacks, barracuda, and permit. Rods, tackle, bottled water, and the fishing license are included.

“Trolling motor not working correctly, so lost lots of fishing time. Would not hold position, and was very noisy.wasted dayJustin was great guy.”

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11.Private Fishing Boat Charters in Naples Bay and the Gulf

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Captain Paul takes your private group of up to five from Naples into the bay and Gulf for a three- or four-hour fishing charter. Gear, bait, licenses, drinks, snacks, and rain ponchos are included. You fish for about 2 hours 45 minutes or 3 hours 45 minutes, then the captain cleans and bags your catch.

“We took 4 hour boat for a family of 5, and we were pretty sure that between 5 of us with prior fishing experience, will catch a lot of fish. The experience was great, captain had the equipment ready and told us many new facts about fishing, however all the fish we were catching was too little to keep. We had to let go almost all of it and ended up with only 4 fish that just made the 12 inch size to keep. Captain took us to different spots, but it didn’t help much. It was way below our expectations as we had much better catches in other places…”

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12.Private Lake Tohopekaliga Fishing Charter near Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend about four hours on Lake Tohopekaliga with a licensed captain such as Steve, Devin, John, or Mike. Your private trip leaves from Big Toho Marina in a 21-foot boat with rods, reels, tackle, water, and safety gear provided. Choose morning or afternoon fishing, and ask about the no fish, no pay policy and live bait.

“Enjoyed Capt John and his company. Easy to talk to and a pleasure to be with. Very patient and knowledgeable about the area and fishing techniques. Fish weren't biting at the beginning, but he found a spot late that morning. WE got a hit almost every cast after that. I even caught one when I laid my pole down with the bait on the side of the boat to take a picture of my wife with her bass. Will definitely be back to go fishing with Captain John.”

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13.Private Fishing Charter from Ramrod Key

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Captain Jim takes your private party into the shallow Florida Keys backcountry from Ramrod Key. Fish clear two-to-eight-foot water for snapper, tarpon, barracuda, shark, and other species. Gear, bait, water, ice, and your fishing license are included. Afterward, you return to the dock near Looe Key Tiki Bar & Grill.

“Captain Jim was an awesome fishing guide - friendly, patient and knowledgeable. He even fetched me a beer while I was reeling in snappers! Great experience and highly recommended.”

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14.Half-Day Alaska Private Fly Fishing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $225Best value

Meet FishHound Expeditions in Willow, about 75 minutes north of Anchorage, for a private four-hour fly-fishing lesson. Guides such as Hayden, Keagan, Robert, and Blake teach casting, fish handling, and how to play a fish. Waders, boots, rods, flies, and drinks are included.

“My guide, Robert was very knowledgeable and helpful. I learned quite a bit and had a good time fishing.”

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15.Full Day Private Fishing Trip (8 Hour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews

Spend eight hours aboard Lady Pamela II Sportfishing from Hollywood, Florida, with a captain and mate who handle bait, tackle, licenses, and fish cleaning. The longer trip allows changing tactics and fishing areas, with an air-conditioned lunch break while lines remain in the water. Crews have included Captain Adam, Captain Jen, Jimmy, Hunter, and others.

“Our favourite part of the charter was how friendly Captain Mike and First Mate Kyle were. They put us on some big fish and were phenomenal in their communication in regards to what needed to be done and how it was to be performed. We will most definitely be back!”

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