Bent Rod Charters LLC
Operating out of Bokeelia, Florida, Bent Rod Charters LLC specializes in providing their clients with epic inshore and flats fishing trips. Captain John Middleton has over 35 years of experience, fishing freshwater, inshore, and offshore. He's a 4th generation Floridian who grew up fishing Pine Island Sound, Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha, and Bokeelia.
His boat is a 22' Pathfinder bay boat that can carry up to 5 anglers, 4 of them fishing comfortably at the same time. It comes with a 200 HP Yamaha VMAX engine, a live bait tank, a cooler for your food/drinks, and top-quality navigational electronics and safety gear.
The captain will take you to the most productive fisheries and do everything he can to put you on the likes of Tarpon, Spotted Seatrout, Shark, Snook, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Flounder, and so much more. Depending on the targeted species and the package you choose, you can expect to do some epic bottom fishing, trolling, drifting, and even bow fishing (gear for 2 guests is provided).
You'll be supplied with all the other fishing gear, lures, frozen bait, and live bait (freshly caught the morning before the trip). The captain uses Daiwa Black Gold reels along with light tackle rods. He also uses some Shimano Stratic. Aside from fishing gear, he also provides snorkeling equipment for all 6 guests – the clients should just let him know if they want to mix their fishing with snorkeling.
You can keep whatever fish is legal at that time, and the captain will clean your catch free of charge. Feel free to bring your food, drinks, and sunscreen. The captain has a cooler with ice on board where you can store your goods.
Bent Rod Charters LLC will do everything in their power for you to have a comfortable, productive, and fun fishing experience!
Operating out of Bokeelia, Florida, Bent Rod Charters LLC specializes in providing their clients with epic inshore and flats fishing trips. Captain John Middleton has over 35 years of experience, fishing freshwater, inshore, and offshore. He's a 4th generation Floridian who grew up fishing Pine Island Sound, Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha, and Bokeelia.
His boat is a 22' Pathfinder bay boat that can carry up to 5 anglers, 4 of them fishing comfortably at the same time. It comes with a 200 HP Yamaha VMAX engine, a live bait tank, a cooler for your food/drinks, and top-quality navigational electronics and safety gear.
The captain will take you to the most productive fisheries and do everything he can to put you on the likes of Tarpon, Spotted Seatrout, Shark, Snook, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Flounder, and so much more. Depending on the targeted species and the package you choose, you can expect to do some epic bottom fishing, trolling, drifting, and even bow fishing (gear for 2 guests is provided).
You'll be supplied with all the other fishing gear, lures, frozen bait, and live bait (freshly caught the morning before the trip). The captain uses Daiwa Black Gold reels along with light tackle rods. He also uses some Shimano Stratic. Aside from fishing gear, he also provides snorkeling equipment for all 6 guests – the clients should just let him know if they want to mix their fishing with snorkeling.
You can keep whatever fish is legal at that time, and the captain will clean your catch free of charge. Feel free to bring your food, drinks, and sunscreen. The captain has a cooler with ice on board where you can store your goods.
Bent Rod Charters LLC will do everything in their power for you to have a comfortable, productive, and fun fishing experience!
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (77)
What anglers say
Reviews (113)
Greg Kyrytschenko5.0VerifiedGreat day on the water!
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (PM) on May 13, 2026 • 2 adultsCaptain John is the real deal top notch and knows exactly where the fish are. We were hooked up fast and had a great time on the water. Whether you’re new or experienced, this charter delivers. Can’t wait to go again!
Steven PendellRepeat angler5.0VerifiedCapt John is fabulous Knowledgeable,Witty,from what I saw and heard well respected by his peers.On a slow day for all he put us on the fish and helped by grandson catch both quantity and quality fish.
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (PM) on December 27, 2025 • 2 adultsI have been out before with other captains in different situations.I can say with confidence that Capt John not only put us on the fish but he enable both my grandson and myself tp have a spirited competition on number and size of different species.I dont think I have seen my grandson so happy and proud with his catch..again thankyou Captain John.
Brian Hill5.0VerifiedCaptain John is the man!
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (PM) on December 31, 2025 • 5 adults • 3 childrenCaptain John was amazing with my 3 children, keeping us on fish all day. He is great with kids and adults alike! We were able to catch 9 keepers and about 50 other fish. I couldn’t recommend him more!!!
Sarah Manzo5.0VerifiedIs that my towel?
Half Day Trip (AM) on April 2, 2026 • 5 adults • 1 childOur family had a blast! We caught about 18 fish.....6 keepers! Captain John was hilarious!
Joanna NavasRepeat angler5.0VerifiedSpring Break Fun
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (AM) on March 9, 2025 • 3 adultsWe had a wonderful time with Captain John. He took us out with our college age daughter for a Spring Break fishing trip and we all caught several fish and quite a few keepers. Capt. John knew all the right spots to take us and was a great conversationalist. We had a Dolphin companion and saw a couple Manatee. Just a great family day. Can’t wait to do it again.
Jessica Mata5.0Verified3 hr trip
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (AM) on June 11, 2023 • 2 adultsCaptain John put us in the best spots, we caught fish nearly the entire trip! Managed to reel in a few species, including an huge snook- which is our biggest catch to date. We had a super fun time and gained some knowledge. Great experience, would def recommend anyone looking to fish in this area to book this charter. Our only complaint would be we didn’t book a longer trip!
Michael Chieppor5.0VerifiedHalf day trip with Captain John
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (PM) on March 21, 2022 • 2 adultsMy son and I had a great day and experience with Captain John. The boat and equipment were awesome and Captain John was very friendly and helpful. He knew where the fish were, he had the right bait and we had a great day of catching several species of fish. We kept a few legal ones, he cleaned and filleted them when we got back and we had a great dinner! I highly recommend Captain John and Bent Rod Charters. I am already looking forward to my next opportunity to go again.
Edward Spangler5.0VerifiedJune fishing trip
Half Day Trip (AM) on June 23, 2025 • 3 adults- Melanie Morris5.0Verified
Perfect 3 hour trip!
3 Hour Relaxing Trip (AM) on August 2, 2021 • 4 adults • 2 childrenWe loved our 3 hour fishing trip with Captain John!!! He was so kind, patient, and knowledgeable. He picked us up on North Captiva Island and was so easy to communicate with and accommodating. Our daughter had never really fished and he helped her catch some keepers! She now loves fishing! He patiently baited all our hooks with live bait fish and then helped remove the ones we caught… keepers or not! We even caught enough for a delicious dinner. We all learned a lot about the different fish in Pine Island Sound… the ones to keep and the ones to stay away from! We also saw a bonnet head shark and a ray. We even got a great lesson in throwing a casting net! We all enjoyed our time with Captain John and highly recommend booking a trip with him whether you are a beginner fisherman or highly experienced!
Spenser Sellers5.0VerifiedGreat trip for my boys!!!
2hr on March 27, 2024 • 4 adults • 2 childrenCaptian John was great with my kids and they had a great time. Just wanted to catch some fish and we did. Would recommend to anyone.
Rating
Anglers' gallery (77)
What anglers say
All reviews (113)
Captain John is the real deal top notch and knows exactly where the fish are. We were hooked up fast and had a great time on the water. Whether you’re new or experienced, this charter delivers. Can’t wait to go again!
I have been out before with other captains in different situations.I can say with confidence that Capt John not only put us on the fish but he enable both my grandson and myself tp have a spirited competition on number and size of different species.I dont think I have seen my grandson so happy and proud with his catch..again thankyou Captain John.
Caught fish and we were enjoying the experience. While on the water the Captain sensed a quickly developing rain storm and wisked us to a St. James restaurant that was on the water. While we enjoyed some drinks and snacks at the restaurant, he cleaned the fish. After the storm passed he returned us to the dock. All in all a great experience.
Been with Captian John twice. Always catch fish, even when bite is slow. Great personality and tons of fun!
Captain John was great, he was very helpful, helped my 8 year old hook into some fish and made the experience fantastic. We stopped at a spot with our time running out and he helped my son hook into a nice snook that ended up being a great highlight to the morning.
