My husband and I, beginner fishers, had such a great time with Capt Paul and had some great catches. I dont think we could have found a better fishing guide for our first ever fishing trip. Capt Paul is very knowledgeable, not just about fishing techniques, fishing species, good eating fish versus not, but also just about life. Would highly recommend and look forward to going out on the water again with Capt Paul.

My wife and I celebrated her birthday with a fly fishing trip with Captain Paul Hobby. Paul was extremely professional and persistent with us all day long. He taught us quite a bit about salt water fly fishing and quickly had us casting much better than we had started out. We hit up a few different spots and got into a handful of Snook and Snapper. My wife hooked a total of five different species of fish on a fly rod and the two of us had an absolutely blast! Paul’s experience is impressive. If you are a beginner to salt water fly fishing or an expert, Paul is your guy!!

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Guys had a great time. Lots of catches. Captain Paul is great! Snook, sea trout, red drum, Jack, lady fish…all in one day!

Fantastic day on the water with Paul. Not only was Paul a great guide, but was also a great conversationalist and had a few back up plans in case the fly fishing didnt go according to plan. Would not only recommend him to anyone who wants to go fishing around Fort Myers, but will also 100% be booking again for next year.Thank you Paul for an amazing experience with my dad.Rich & Rich

My wife and I fished yesterday with Capt. Hobby. We had a great time and put over 20 snook and redfish in the boat. Nice guy to fish with. Very attentive to our comfort. Highly recommended.

A+ guide. Took my dad and I out 2 times (2019 / 2021) both times did not disappoint. We will definitely be back for more. Thank you Paul!

Capt. Paul is one of the best charter Capt. I have ever fished with. He has all the knowledge one needs to be a fishing guide plus the attitude to make it enjoyable. I could of spent all day on the water with him and not caught a darn thing and it still would of been enjoyable. If you bring him a banana you might get lucky like me too. It was a pleasure thanks again.

Took my 7 year old out with Paul and he had a blast. We caught 6 different kinds of fish but mostly snook, redfish and snapper. The jack my son caught took him 5 minutes to reel it in it was so big. If you want to catch a bunch of fish and have a great time, book with Paul!

Paul-Dawn and I really enjoyed our time fishing with you. We both commented on your professionalism, local knowledge and ability to help us enjoy our time on the water. Thanks for teaching us along the way, as this is a very different type of fishing for us. Those 125 pound Tarpons behaved a little different from the 3 pound MN walleye we are accustomed to catching!Thanks again and we look forward to spending time with you in the future.By the way, Dawn says she will be ready next time for that big Tarpon - a weightlifting regime may be in her future!All the best-Tom

Paul put us on fish right away and kept us on them all day! Paul knows the area very well and is full of fishing knowledge. We had a great time and will be making trips back to Florida just to fish with Paul.

Was lucky to find Paul on short notice. He is very professional and knowledgeable about his area. We caught 5 different species of fish and his pictures are incredible.

Paul was able to put me on the fish as soon as he turned off the motor. Very knowledgeable, he saw I was having trouble casting and gave me valuable tips to improve my fishing skills. Shortly after the rod was bending with my first red drum! Couldnt be happier! He is very passionate about fly fishing and passing on his knowledge to those willing to learn. He takes awesome professional photos, text and emails you a copy! I will defiantly be coming back to Paul for more fishing trips. A++

My son and I have fished with Paul 3 times. Always an outstanding experience! This week was great. My son caught his first snook and can’t stop talking about it. Paul is the best if you want to have a great fishing trip. We will definitely fish with him again. Thanks for a great day Paul.

Last week was my first trip in the Ft. Myers area. I was there on business and my boss and I wanted to sneak in some fishing before our meetings. Capt Paul was extremely accommodating despite our challenging schedules. Conditions were tough but we still ended up with fish in the boat and having a great time. Our experience was so pleasant that we re booked with Capt Paul again later in the week after our meetings ended. Thanks again, Capt Paul! Hope to see you next time Im in town.

We had a beautiful day out with captain Paul, we come from some fly fishing experience in Minnesota and have not done any fly fishing in salt water before. We really were out to learn and the beginning was a great start in the mangroves. After that’s, we went out to more shallow water for reds and spot fishing and I felt there could have been more teaching given for such a difficult type of fishing. Unfortunately we did not catch anything and left feeling somewhat discouraged after really looking forward to that portion of our trip. Our pictures are amazing and we enjoyed the water and captain Paul was great company, but we should’ve disclosed more of our expectations for our afternoon.

My first experience saltwater fly fishing could not have been better. Capt. Paul was booked and suggested that I go with his son Spencer who was very patient and did not overload me with information. My expectations were to learn saltwater technique and improve from there. Spencer is great at teaching technique, demonstrating and helping to you visualize the what he is trying to convey. By the end of the trip I was casting out to 45ft with less effort.Things got better and I was able to hook and land two Tarpons. What an experience! I highly recommend Spencer and Capt. Paul. The boat and gear are top notch, great photos and booking the trip was very easy.Highly recommended and will book again in the future.Paco

Captain Paul is not only a 4th generation native guide but he is also a great guy and comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. He has VERY calm demeanor and is not cocky like many guides we have had in the past. He will take time to answer questions not only related to fishing but the area and boating in the area as well. It’s obvious he enjoys both teaching and catching which we did a lot of. We can hardly wait to book our next trip! Thanks for making our vacation Captain Paul! - Dave & Kara from Michigan.

I fished with Paul today. We were on fish the whole time. Zero pressure. Great pointers. Great conversation. This angler couldnt get the red fish and tarpon to cooperate, but the opportunity was there. Caught a half dozen sea trout and a Spanish mackerel on the flies in 4 hours. Great day!

Having fished with many guides up and down the east coast, and down in Florida, Id be happy to recommend Capt Hobby to anyone looking for good fishing in SW Florida. Paul is a professional, courteous and fun guide to fish with. his boat is comfortable, well outfitted, fast, and clean. He knows his water well, and works very hard to put you on fish. I set my trip up with Paul months in advance, and had mentioned in passing that Id like a shot at baby Tarpon if possible. Despite his large number of clients, Paul remembered this, and took me to some of his favorite places to try to accomplish that goal. I look forward to fishing with him again, and highly recommend him!

I dont leave reviews for hardly anything, but Paul is absolutely deserving of 5 stars and more! This was our first time on a charter, and he made the experience absolutely wonderful by putting us on numerous species of fish. He was able to cross 2 big ticket items off my list, with a fish over 50 pounds (bull shark) and the elusive tarpon! On a day when no other guides were able to get on any tarpon, Captain Paul still was able to get me hooked up, and I couldnt be more appreciative of it. I enthusiastically recommend Paul to anyone who has the itch to fish in Southwest Florida!

Captain Paul is knowledgeable and easy going. I had a great afternoon fishing with him. He took me to sleepy spots with a bunch of fish. He is able to execute a near silent approach with his boat and fish stalking skills, so we were able to see the fish, cast to them, and boated this red fish. Super fun day! Thanks, Captain Paul!

Captain Paul, gave my buddy and I a great morning on the water this past Friday. This was my 1st salt water experience and did Paul put us on fish. The weather was not as predicted but Paul was able to change tactics as needed and keep us in sweet spots. Both families loved the fresh fish we brought back and made for dinner. Maybe the best part of Captain Paul is his friendly laid back demeanor, he never got upset with either of us when mistakes were made but rather joked with us when we missed a hook set. It certainly showed that Paul not only wanted us to catch fish but also have as much fun as possible too. Still not sure who had more fun on the ride back in the rough water, us or Paul!Thanks again Paul, Dustin

My wife and I have been fishing all our lives. And we have been fortunate enough to have fished with many guides from many parts of the country. We have been blessed with 4 children with special needs, now adults. We are presently still blessed to have them living with us. Paul has fished with 2 of them and have made them feel like the best fishermen ever, and honestly, they are very good! Paul is very knowledgeable and very exciting to fish with. We always enjoy fishing with him...fishing with Paul is like fishing with family...he is the best! Thank you Paul! See you next week for the fishing we look forward to all year...every year...and many years to come!!!

We had a blast. The weather wasnt great the day of our trip, and Capt Hobby offered to cancel with no strings attached. When we asked if there was anywhere that we could safely go fish despite the high winds and choppy waters, he offered to take us out in some sheltered areas for less than the initially negotiated price. We ended up catching quite a few fish and staying out over an hour longer than agreed! I would definitely fish with him again. Great guy, knowledgeable, and easy to have conversation with too.

Gave Paul 5 stars because they didnt have a 10 star rating on the site. Have been fishing with Paul for the better part of 20 years. He is patient with children and beginners, instructive to those of intermediate ability, and will offer challenges to the expert angler. We have caught literally every species of fish that swims in Pine Island Sound. If the fishing is slow, (and it rarely is), Paul is a fascinating conversationalist on a variety of topics from sports, to cooking to local natural history. All of my trips with Paul, and there have been over 30 of them are memorable. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Pack a lunch and get ready for a great day fish or no fish.Walter ScheibWhite House Chef1994-2005

Capt Paul Hobby is truly a world class and professional fishing guide. I have travelled the world to fly fish and have never had a guide provide the fishing experience I had last week. Despite fishing in mid August, Capt Paul was able to help me land my very first tarpon on a fly rod! It was challenging and there were so many obstacles to overcome including casting in the dark, avoiding snags and tangles of the line, and landing the fish with a broken rod( yes, the tarpon cracked the fly rod mid fight) among other variables.All in all, Capt Paul provided a very comfortable boat, top of the line fly equipment (Scott Meridian, Hatch reel, Rio line) and just an overall enjoyable and memorable day! Thank you and I cannot recommend him any more highly! Cant wait to come back!Forgot to mention, he also helped me land my first redfish on the fly as well! Couldnt ask for a more perfect day of fishing! Hes patient and really caters to his clients wants and needs. He takes almost professional quality photographs as well.

I had the pleasure of being a guest on Pauls boat on Nov 9 2018. We had a blast and caught a mess of 30+ snook. Caught my personal best twice! A 32 and then late in the day at one of Pauls special spots a 37snook was wrestled to the boat. Paul is organized, punctual, courteous, and an all around professional guide. I appreciate his knowledge and his confidence as a captain and will happily guide with him again. Any questions about water conditions or fishing reports give him a call and he will tell you first hand whats going on. Trip will always be remembered as one of the best. Thanks Paul!

I was lucky enough to land a trip with Paul a few days before I arrived in Florida. It was A very last minute trip. We met at a spot right near my hotel and headed out around 7. We were immediately in the snook. Had multiple shots at really great fish right out of the gates. It basically continued all day as he found the fish all over the place. I only landed two, but had my casting been more on the mark the number would have been significantly higher haha.He was courteous, friendly and definitely relaxed. Also felt very safe.I can’t wait to return to fish with him again!!

I can’t say enough good things about Paul and his guide service. This was my first time to fly fish in the Fort Myers area and Paul made a great first impression. Patient and accommodating, Paul guided me to more tailing reds than I have ever seen. His boat was clean and his equipment ready.He has a real passion for fly fishing and was quick to give me tips so I could become acclimated to the area.No matter your experience, Paul’s years of knowledge with the area will land you on some of the best shots you can get at catching a red.Thanks again Paul and we will see you again!

What a great day we had with Captain PaulHis knowledge of the area was invaluable for getting us to many great fishing spots. He was a great gentle teacher on how to adapt our level of fly fishing to allow us to catch fish. It was great fun spending the day with him and cant wait to fish with him again in the future.

Southwest Florida is a beautiful place and Captain Paul knows the waters better than any other! He is engaging and a genuine Floridian with deep knowledge of the all the right spots to visit. A charter with him is memorable! Regardless of age or skill, techniques are taught to newbies and local advice given to those with more experience. If youre looking for a short trip (or a longer day on the water) that blends breathtaking scenery and the thrill of the catch, Captain Paul is the only one to call!Thanks again for the great tips and trips!!

I have fished twice with Paul in the last few months. One is always wary of a new guide and wondering if you will get along: a day spent with an uncongenial companion can spoil things. Paul is a great guide: always trying his hardest to get among the fish and extremely helpful for someone like me, a foreigner unused to the waters around here and the style of fishing. As well as that he is a most interesting and amiable fellow with whom to spend a few hours: fishing or not. Strongly recommended.

Was lucky enough to get back out with Paul this April. He wasnt kidding about hooking me into that 100lb tarpon. Paul works very hard to put people on fish. An AMAZING Guide and a fun person to be out on the water with. See you next year! Unless I can make it out sooner..Had a great day fishing with Paul today. A very experienced, and highly skilled guide. He poles the flats so quietly and can get you VERY close to fish so you can make accurate casts. And he does not give you any grief when you miss those good opportunities he creates for you haha. Will definitely be booking with him again when I am back in Fort Myers.

I have fished with Paul for more than fifteen years. If you want a quality light tackle and fly inshore experience then fish with Paul. Youll have a great time and move quickly up that learning curve. Great fly casting instructor.

Paul Hobby delivered the BEST fishing experience that my wife and I ever had.Paul is a very experienced inshore fishermen and guide.When he asked what we wanted to catch. We merely answered, fish. Pauls response was, Will do. See you in the morning!We arrived at the pier at 0800, per instruction. Paul was launched and tied up, waiting for us.Pauls boat was clean, tidy, and operationally sound.We were fishing by 0815, with FISH ON by the fourth cast! We caught grouper for two straight hours.We then moved on to more open water for the very feisty spotted trout. First cast was FISH ON! We caught over a dozen.Well be fishing with Paul again. He has my highest recommendation.Thank you, Paul!

My Dad and I had a great day of fishing with Capt Hobby. Worked hard, very knowledgeable, friendly and will definitely book with him again. Thanks for a great trip!

We really enjoyed our afternoon with Captain Paul. He was informative, knowledgable and patient with young and amateur fisherman like us. We promised a well deserved great review so here it is!One Fish Two Fish Jack Fish Snook FishBy Cullin and MomIf you can hook a Snook at allYou can hook a Snook with PaulHe’ll take you in a tiny boatTo mangrove grass flats you will floatHe’ll bait your hook and cast your lineIn secret spots on the lovely coast lineHe won’t even want to bring you backUntil you’ve caught a ferocious Jack!FishingHobby is the dealIf you want to cast your reelIn the waters of San Carlos BayThere will be BIG smiles and BIG fish all day!

My boyfriend and I had a fantastic time with Paul. He was prepared for everything, knew great spots and was a fun guide to go with. The weather was bad in the morning but Paul was super flexible and met us later. I would highly recommend Captain Paul to anyone in the area.

... great guide who knows the water like his backyard. Give him a call you wont regret it.

Took my first trip to the Ft. Myers area a few weeks ago. Captain Paul put me onto some tailing reds right at sunrise. He worked with me to get my cast down and more accurate so that I didnt spook the fish. I am relatively new at fishing saltwater so he gave me a number of tips and was very patient. I would recommend him as a good guide and a great person to fish with.

I recommend Paul Hobby Fishing as we got exactly what we came for. We caught fish, and in particular I enjoyed the fight the tuna gave. Paul is experienced and very accommodating. My wife and I enjoyed the charter and highly recommend it to others.

Paul is the man! Ive been fishing with him with my dad since I was a kid. Always a really good time and last time we went out we did really well- two large reds and tons of other wacky fish. Highly highly suggest!!!

For some reason my wifes name is showing up. I have fished with Paul several times now and he is by far the best in the area. Over the years, we have used other guides until finding Paul. During multiple boat trips, Paul always beat the other guides with quantity and quality of fish. We fished this week in 30+ knot winds and brutal conditions. I think we were the only people on the water....still he delivered by finding fish in sheltered areas that were huge. The biggest snook I have ever encountered! Great guy, great guide, fantastic equipment, do waste your time with anyone else.

Awesome Guide. A true professional who takes his time and listens to his customers. Great fishing, great lessons about the local waters and youll learn a lot no matter youre experience.

My father and I had a wonderful time catching an array of fish, although a few got away I particularly enjoyed the numerous baby sharks we hooked. It was amazing and I would recommend Paul to anyone looking for a great day of fishing.

Very knowledgeable fishing guide who was born and raised in the areas he guides. Great instruction, great gear, and great local knowledge. Cant ask for much more out of a fishing guide.

Ive been fishing with Paul for years. He knows where the fish are and is great with people of all levels. Always a fun day.

I visited Cape Coral in the early April an booked 3 trips with Paul. All the consversation was quick and simple dispite my english speaking skills. We met at the meeting point and Paul was allways on time and very friendly. I cought some Snook and a spottet Seatrout and had several shots at Reds, Jacks, Tarpon and a lot of snook. The reason i only cought a very few fish was me imprecise casting. You often need to cast very close or under the mongroves to get the hidden ones. So working on your casting never is wasted time. Thanx Paul for the great time and your help. I alredy booked a house in CC for next year at the same time and looking foreward to fish with you again! Lars from Germany

Great fishing trip! Paul took care of every detail, especially putting us on the fish. From the raped fire of the Snook bite to a once in a lifetime Sawfish, he always put us in a spot for success. Paul has an easy way about him that would be perfect for all experience levels. I highly recommend him. Thanks, Paul for a memorable experience. Greg and I are looking forward to next year. (Or sooner if we can) I think we need to check a Tarpon off the list.Jeff and Greg

My son and I had a great time fishing with Captain Paul at the end of February. A slight cold front slowed the bite from prior days but it was not long until we he put us on fish. We landed a healthy number of snook along with a redfish, jack, sea trout and ladyfish for the day. Very nice boat and gear provided. Hope to get back and do some fly fishing in the future. Highly recommend.

Captain Paul took us out on 2/6/19. We had a great time! We saw two dolphins playing in our wake, Amazing animals! We saw a stingray as well.The captain got us on fish right away, catching Snook and Red Fish. We had red snappers stealing our bait off the lines. Next time well get one...The wife did catch more fish than me, however, I caught the biggest fish of the day. The Snook reminded me alot like a fresh water northern, they put up a great fight.Next time we are in Fort Myers FL we will book another trip with Captain Paul

Best day of flats fishing Ive had in my life. Paul is a great guide, laid back but puts you on the fish.I WILL FISH WITH PAUL AGAIN

If theres a perfect first time salt water fishing experience, this was it. My brother in law and I caught just about every fish the bay area had to offer. Captain Paul put us on Tarpon, Mangrove Snappers, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Catfish, Jack, and a couple of Manatees visited while we fished. He knew where the spots were to find the fish. Ill recommend him to anyone going to the Ft Myers area. Thanks again Paul.

I spent the afternoon of October 15, 2014 fly fishing the Pine Island Sound for Reds with Captain Paul Hobby. It was my first occasion to fish with him. I have had the good fortune of being able to fish some really great rivers around the Great Lakes, in Montana, Alaska and even Norway. Still, I dont consider myself to be a really good flycaster and I have had very little experience in salt. Captain Paul called me twice after I booked the afternoon to talk about tides, weather and what I was looking for that afternoon. It was a windy day and he worked hard with the pole. I also got some great tips on how to lengthen my cast in a headwind. He was able to put me on two separate schools of Reds multiple times so I had optimum opportunities to make the right cast. Pauls a great coach offering good advice and encouragement but leaving me to handle all the plays to land the fish. That day I added 3 new members to my listing of fish caught on the long rod. More importantly I walked off his boat with some refined techniques which will serve me well next time I fish the salt.Bonus: The next day Paul sent me a dozen pics from the many more he snapped on his go-pro. He was out of the boat to get some of the shots. It was low tide and the depth was less than 3 feet. Dont expect that when you are in wetter water! Great day. Great guide. Captain Paul gets my tip top rating. Tight lines.

A colleague and I had a great day of fishing with Captain Paul. He was very attentive to our wishes--really went the extra mile not only to find fish for us but to show us a great time. Highly recommended!

I have been fishing with Cpt. Paul Hobby for almost 20yrs, and every experience has been great. From chasing tailing reds in December, to going after Tarpon on a fly in June, there is always something happening in the Ft. Myers area and Cpt. Hobby always does his best to get you on the fish. Without a doubt he is the best guide I have ever gone out with.

I went out with Capt. Paul on TH 10/6. Yes this was when we were under a Tropical Storm Watch, but it was the only day I could go and Capt. made it happen. Extremely accommodating!We were after Redfish, and though I had never fished for them (bucket list) Capt. made me feel like I had a real chance before we got out there. He explained to me how to be successful. LISTEN TO EVERYTHING THIS MAN SAYS, it is gold.We talked about how to approach them, casting techniques with the wind, proper hook sets, and retrievals. Again, I had no experience with these fish, and they are known to be a solid 9 in the difficulty category, not to mention the 20 MPH winds, and rough water.I went two for two in my first two casts to Redfish. I could not believe it, actually Im still stunned. BUT it was without question due to Capt.s expertise. He will put you in the positions to succeed, AND you have to listen to him. I try to leave my habits at the door. I know a lot of people do not always listen to the guides, but you would be doing yourself a huge disservice to miss out on his amazing knowledge.We went on to catch some more Reds, and had a once in a lifetime day.The fish were great, but the learning was just as good.I recommend Capt. Paul as highly as possible. Friendly, patient, honest, and as real as they come.

Captain Paul did a great job putting me on fish! I will definitely use him again!

My father, who is now 90, has been with Paul about 50 times or more over the past 20 years and I have had the pleasure of being with them about a half dozen times. Always a great day - like being with a family member ! We have caught all kinds of fish ranging from Snook, and Redfish to big Grouper to a 100 pound Tarpon about a month ago. Paul knows his business. He loves to fish and makes it a real pleasure for the true angler as well as those of us who arent very experienced . I highly recommend calling Captain Paul..

Paul-I had a great time fishing with you over the past month and am already looking forward to coming back. I caught my biggest snook, redfish and jack, and really appreciate all of your efforts to find fish under tough conditons. The redfish was so big that it destroyed the jig I was using. The split ring that attaches the weight to the hook was bent and pulled apart. Ive never seen a split ring bent like this, but I also dont catch fish over 10 pounds all that often. Have a great fishing season and see you next year.---Ken

I went fishing with Paul this past Saturday & had a fantastic trip. It was my first experience saltwater fishing other than huge party boats that arent really much fun. I was supposed to split a charter for the afternoon, but the second person backed out. Paul took me out anyway, which speaks to the kind of guide he is. He answered all the questions of a newbie and we had good conversation throughout the trip. To top it off, I caught tons of fish: a couple mangrove snapper, three jacks, a puffer, and enough snook that I lost count! I think it was 8 or 10. A great trip and I would certainly recommend him as a guide.

Great guy knows the waters and will put you on fish even in tough conditions to catch fish. Very friendly and easy to get along with.

Captain Paul Hobby took us out near Sanibel Island for a few hours of Redfish fishing during the last week of August. It is clear that Paul is a knowledgeable guide and worked very hard to put us on fish. It was my sons first time fishing for Redfish and Paul didnt disappoint.

Fished with Capt. Paul for many years and it has always been a pleasureable experience. I have caught Tarpon,Snook,Redfish and yesterday big Sharks on light spinning tackle. I would recommend him as a good guide and a great person to fish with.

I have had lots of trips with Paul Hobby fishing really big snook, Tailing redfish, cobia, tarpon, sharks, triple tail, grouper and lots of unexpected species from the deep. He will put you on fish and adapt to what the ocean will give any particular day. That is his strength. My best recommendation is to go early in the day when no one else is on the water yet---spectacular!!

Our trip was awesome! The early morning trip had the prospect of nasty weather; Captain Paul monitored the weather to ensure our saftey on the water while we enjoyed fishing, under his instruction, throughout the day. The trip started with bait netting in the bay then moved to structure casting for grouper. After an hour or so, we moved to mangrove casting for snook and redfish. The casting for snook and redfish in the mangroves was educational and fun. Finally we ended with open water spooning for more redfish, and luckily the bigest one of the day. Unfortunaely, the weather finally cut our trip shorter than we wanted. We enjoyed the trip. Thank you Paul. TT

I have been fishing with Captain Paul Hobby for 18 years. We fish at least twice a year and it never gets old. Paul is an enthusiastic guide and always willing to help the novice or expert angler. Whether were fishing for snook, tarpon, redfish or trout I always have a good time. I caught my personal record best 44 inch snook with Paul as well as a 100 pound tarpon and numerous redfish, trout, tripletail, and the occasional mackerel or bluefish. If youre looking for a fun day of fishing and catching around Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island Sound, Id highly recommend Captain Paul Hobby.Dr. Howie Schwartz