Gainesville fishing charters
Bass and crappie on Santa Fe Lake, Orange Lake and Rodman Reservoir.
Book a local bass guide near Gainesville. Bass trips on Santa Fe Lake, Orange Lake and Rodman Reservoir start at $325 for 4 hours, and crappie trips on Santa Fe Lake and Rodman start at $350.
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Book your Gainesville fishing trip today.
Tell us what sounds fun and we’ll show the trips that fit, or pick a trip and the fish you want.
1. What sounds fun? Optional
2. Pick your trip Start here · select one
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2. Your options
Where do you want to fish? How longPick a trip to see your options and the live calendar.
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm. Your guide or captain confirms the meeting spot and start time with you before the trip. Distances are straight-line estimates; drive times vary with traffic.
Reviews from Gainesville-area trips
5.0272 reviews
Had a great time with my grandson. Ken put us onto some nice fish. Thank you Ken
Keith Wilkes · October 2026 · Google
Great experience, beautiful day, plenty of fish.
Roy Melvin · September 2026 · Google
Great day , very relaxing & peaceful morning on the St.John’s river. Caught a bunch! Captain Robert is very easy going , patient & professional. Will repeat! 👊🏻🎣
Maggie Carames · September 2026 · Google
Bass Fishing with great capt. David
Great captain, David! fantastic trip, caught loads of bass, 17 plus in total, fun for all! Excellent value for money; would highly recommend.
Absent S · August 2026 · TripAdvisor
Excellent day on the water. Weather didn't cooperate, but we were able to get in enough fishing time. Guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. Recommend for anyone needing a charted day on the water. Will use again.
Bill · August 2026 · Google
Caption Ken Walker is great. We will be back. He knows exactly where the fish are and we were able to get a huge one.
Justin Miller · July 2026 · Google
Great experience on a comfortable boat. Ken was very patient with beginners. I would recommend to others.
Terry Parkman · July 2026 · Google
Captain Scott called me the day before the charter. He Wanted to switch locations. Because he pre scouted at orange lake and the water level was super low. So , When someone that fishes a particular water way says we will do better at a different place you just say yes! Captain Scott and I fished…
Scott Luebcke · July 2026 · Google
5 out of 5...YOU ARE IN EXPERT HANDS.
After booking a charter with David, it was on time, and the weather that day was perfect. I would recommend them any time. In fact, I can't wait to go again; they made me feel so welcome. My daughter came along on her 1st trip, and they made her feel very welcome and answered all her questions, and…
Jackson P · July 2026 · TripAdvisor
Another awesome trip with kenny. Our first fish, was ten pounds three ounces. We always seem to find the big ones.
Dave Wetherill · June 2026 · Google
Wonderful experience with Captain Walker! 100% recommended. We caught 4 different species and enjoyed lots of wildlife. Will definitely come back!
Diana Cortes Blanquicet · June 2026 · Google
Amazing time and a great captain! We will definitely be back again! Don’t let the picture fool you there were some big fish missed today.
Brandon Cottrell · June 2026 · Google
What fishing charters can you book in Gainesville?
iOutdoors books guided bass and crappie fishing near Gainesville on Santa Fe Lake, Orange Lake and Rodman Reservoir. Bass trips start at $325 for 4 hours and crappie trips at $350. Anglers 16 and older need a Florida freshwater fishing license.
Compare Gainesville fishing trips
| Bass · Santa Fe Lake | Bass · Orange Lake | Bass · Rodman Reservoir | Crappie · Santa Fe Lake | Crappie · Rodman Reservoir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Melrose · northeast of Gainesville | South of Gainesville | Ocklawaha River · near Palatka | Melrose · northeast of Gainesville | Ocklawaha River · near Palatka |
| Main target | Largemouth bass | Largemouth bass | Largemouth bass | Crappie (speckled perch) | Crappie (speckled perch) |
| Trip lengths | 4, 6 or 8 h | 4, 6 or 8 h | 4, 6 or 8 h | 4 or 6 h | 4 or 6 h |
| Price | From $325 (4 h), $425 (6 h), $525 (8 h) | From $325 (4 h), $425 (6 h), $525 (8 h) | From $325 (4 h), $425 (6 h), $525 (8 h) | From $350 (4 h), $450 (6 h) | From $350 (4 h), $450 (6 h) |
| License | Florida freshwater license needed (16+) | Florida freshwater license needed (16+) | Florida freshwater license needed (16+) | Florida freshwater license needed (16+) | Florida freshwater license needed (16+) |
| Best for | Families, big bass, up to 4 people | Families, big bass, up to 4 people | Families, big bass, up to 4 people | Families, first-timers | Families, first-timers |
| Book bass | Book bass | Book bass | Book crappie | Book crappie |
What’s biting in Gainesville by season
Santa Fe Lake fishing pageWinter Dec–Feb
- Bass: Pre-spawn; big females start moving shallow
- Crappie: Peak crappie season
Spring Mar–May
- Bass: Spawn and post-spawn
- Crappie: Crappie on the spawn
Summer Jun–Aug
- Bass: Early mornings and deeper grass edges
- Crappie: Deeper water
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bass: Bass feed up as the water cools
- Crappie: Crappie start to school
What you can catch in Gainesville
Gainesville is surrounded by good bass lakes: Santa Fe Lake to the northeast, Orange Lake to the south and Rodman Reservoir on the Ocklawaha River to the east.
- Bass: largemouth bass all year on all three lakes, with trophy fish in the cooler months.
- Crappie: Santa Fe Lake and Rodman Reservoir, best in winter and spring.
Crappie
Speckled perchBest in the cooler months.
Size and bag limits apply: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Where you’ll fish
Open in Google Maps: Santa Fe Lake · Orange Lake · Rodman Reservoir
Santa Fe Lake is near Melrose, northeast of Gainesville. Orange Lake is south of Gainesville near Micanopy. Rodman Reservoir is east, toward Palatka. Your guide confirms the ramp and start time before the trip.
How to plan your Gainesville fishing trip
Gainesville is in Alachua County, home to the University of Florida, with several of Florida’s best-known bass lakes within an hour.
Which lake should we pick?
Rodman Reservoir and Orange Lake are known for big bass. Santa Fe Lake is a clear, sandy lake and good for both bass and crappie.
How long should we go?
4 hours is a good first trip and works well with kids. 6 or 8 hours gives the guide time to fish more water.
Bass or crappie?
Crappie bite steadily in the cooler months and are great for families. Bass trips are for anglers after a bigger fish.
Gainesville fishing charter FAQ
How much does a fishing charter in Gainesville cost?
Bass on Santa Fe Lake trips start at $325 for 4 hours, $425 for 6 hours, $525 for 8 hours. Bass on Orange Lake trips start at $325 for 4 hours, $425 for 6 hours, $525 for 8 hours. Bass on Rodman Reservoir trips start at $325 for 4 hours, $425 for 6 hours, $525 for 8 hours. Crappie on Santa Fe Lake trips start at $350 for 4 hours, $450 for 6 hours. Crappie on Rodman Reservoir trips start at $350 for 4 hours, $450 for 6 hours. The booking calendar shows the exact price for your date and group.
What can I catch near Gainesville?
Largemouth bass all year, and crappie (speckled perch) on Santa Fe Lake and Rodman Reservoir, best in the cooler months.
How many people can go?
Bass trips take up to 4 people. Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, about larger groups.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
What’s included?
Bass trips include the guide, bass boat, fuel, life jackets, rods, reels, tackle and lures. Crappie trips include the guide, boat, fuel, life jackets, rods, reels, tackle and bait. Not included: the tip (10–20% is customary) and food and drinks.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the guide or captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
