These acrobatic sport fish come in all different sizes in the Park. During the month of March they start to move into the outside island bays, where, they will lay up high on the water to absorb the warmth of the sunlight, making it great for sight fishing. Later on in the months of April - July, Tarpon will gather in schools off of the outside beaches. The fight of a mighty Tarpon is a true battle, and a experience of a lifetime. Tarpon are strictly sport fish and the satisfaction of a fully revived healthy fish is almost better than the battle itself.

Speckled trout are one of out most popular fish to target on the shallow flats here in Southwest Florida. They are not only fantastic table fare, but they are a fantastic topwater fighter too!  When you hooke a trout on light spinning tackle, they give you quite a show as they thrash and dance wildly on the surface of the water as they attempt to regain freedom.  Speckled Sea Trout are called many different names in different areas, but most commonly are referred to spotted sea trout, trout, or just specks.  They are mainly silver in color with some green tints on their back and numerous small dark dots which extend over their dorsal fin and into theer tails.  Season is now open to keep Trout 12 months of the year.

The Redfish is a super-challenging opponent on the grass beds and flats using light spin tackle. The shallower the water, the more thrilling the fight. The bulk of small marine life and food will be found in shallow water around structures and near grassy cover. This offers the small fish, crustaceans and mollusks protection from predators. Therefore, Redfish will be found near this abundant food supply. Redfish are easily identifiable by the body spot near their tail. They typically have one spot on each side, but I have seen as many as 12 spots on these pretty fish.

Is there a better eating fish than the mangrove snapper? I’d say no, which makes it that much more surprising that so many anglers take for granted these smart, delicious, feisty, abundant and widely distributed species. Moreover, with limits tight in places on snook, redfish and trout, Mangrove snapper are excellent candidates for a fish fry. They are a great target fish on those super windy days that keep you pressed up against the mangroves for shelter. (Continued) Fishing in Chokoloskee and the 10,000 Island area of the Everglades National Park.

I like to use light tackle for shark, particularly the smaller sharks which inhabit the near-shore Gulf.  Juvenile blacktip, bonnet head and small spinner sharks are all common in the 12' - 30" Range. Larger bull sharks and nurse sharks are also common in the area with the most common size being about 75 lbs. After you catch a shark, the next question is "What do I do with it?" It might surprise you, but smaller sharks provide delicious meat if you follow several important steps after you boat the shark (I'll get into the gory details when you catch one). I call it poor man's sword fish at the table.

They use these teeth to crush small crustaceans and shells to get at their food. The inside of their mouth is lined on the top with a very hard grinding surface, which aids in further pulverizing the shells it picks up for food. They love shrimp on a hook, but not as much as you will love sheepshead in a pan!

Thank you for wanting to learn more about Captain Pete Rapps!

I am a full time charter captain and fishing guide in both the Everglades National Park and Florida Keys. I run a charter booking service and have several other top notch guides available for charters.

I am also a published outdoor writer and fishing author. You can hit the "Press" link above to see my current columns in Coastal Angler Magazine, Gaff Fishing Magazine, Coastal Breeze News, and several other publications.

Throughout the year I do public appearances, talks, and seminars for groups and outfitter shops.

I also have a line of superpremium micro-blended seasonings and rubs called "Captain Rapps Seasonings".

What I feel differentiates me from many other captains is my ability to understand my clients, and assure that they have a memorable day no matter what. Unfortunately I hear the horror stories of some captains yelling at their clients, being bossy, showing frustration, using excessive foul language, and the list goes on. I completely understand that a charter is an expensive endeavor, so why pay someone good money to be treated like an idiot? This is your day to enjoy and be taken care of! Between my easy going demeanor and my ability to teach, coach, laugh, and enjoy, I guarantee you and your guests will have a great day, whether it be spent with me, or one of my hand selected captains! Please have a look and enjoy the smiles on my clients faces in the photo gallery section of my site.

I have several other captains doing charters along with me that all have the same values, easy going demeanors, great boats, and top notch equipment. They all "get it" that guiding is a service business and customer satisfaction is priority!

My grandfather Al Rapps got me hooked on fishing in the 70’s.  His life revolved around either being on the water, or preparing to be on the water.  He was a total fish-a-holic.

His blood runs in my veins. I share his addiction.  By the time I was 10, I was tying my own knots and filleting our catch.

I met my Wife Jill and we married in 1991. We have owned our place in Chokoloskee since 1999

I feed my addiction by spending my days on the water.  When I am off the water I am either preparing to be back on the water, cooking seafood , swapping fish recipes, talking about fish, or reading about fishing.

I hear reels screaming in my sleep.

I see recipes in my head before a hooked fish even gets into the boat.

My name is Captain Pete Rapps, and

Captain Pete Rapps

- US Coast Guard licensed and certified Master Captain. Licensed Everglades National Park Guide.

- Published outdoor writer: Gaff Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine, Coastal Breeze News.