Capt. John Stark
Fishing Guide: Everglades - Naples - Fort Myers
Fish Southwest Florida With Capt. John Stark
Born and raised in Texas, John Stark grew up fishing for spotted seatrout and redfish on the grass flats and developed a passion for saltwater fly fishing. His passion led him to the Great State of Florida in 2001 to chase the fish that inhabit its Southwest Coast.
Before becoming a full time fly fishing guide, Capt. John played professional soccer, taught high school marine sciences, worked as a ecological consultant, and has dabbled in writing after attending Wake Forest University and the University of Texas. Preferring the classroom of the backcountry he replaced his chalk with a 22' push pole.
Using the knowledge and patience acquired from teaching kids and playing professional sports, Capt. John has the unique ability to help his clients maximize their time on the bow of his boat creating memories that will last a lifetime. Capt. John has the experience, knowledge, and the equipment to take you where the big fish swim shallow and eat flies and lures with reckless abandon.
Q&A With Capt. John Stark
Q: What is the biggest highlight of your fishing career?
A: The greatest highlight of my career would be guiding my dad to his first big snook in the Everglades. He had been waiting for over 60 years.
Q: What is your most memorable catch?
A: It would be my first big 20lb snook. It gave me the shakes. They act differently than snook half their size. They might as well be a different species!
Q: What is your most memorable client catch?
A: The first big tarpon on fly with one of my best friends and clients, Beat. It was a monster and the adrenaline was flowing for a few days. I showed Steve Huff who is a legend in these parts and he agreed with me!
Q: Do you enjoy fishing as much as you enjoy guiding?
A: I like them both but I really enjoy guiding people more because I have already caught plenty of fish.
Q: Who got you into fishing?
A: My dad was the best outdoorsman I ever knew. He was the real deal and loved the Everglades and all its little critters in and out of the water.
Q: What is your favorite fish in the world to fish for?
A: The common Snook (.Centropomus undecimalis,). They are like a bass on steroids and they get bigger!!
Q: What is your dream fishing location?
A: I would like to travel to the Amazon and fish for peacock bass and explore the jungle. I already know most of the plants and animals in the Everglades, and I would enjoy learning about the plants and animals of the Amazon.
Q: Music or no music on the boat?
A: No music on my boat. The Everglades has its own music!
Q: What is your opinion of bananas?
A: Some folks think bananas are bad luck on the boat, however on my boat we always seem to do well. So they are good luck to me. I wouldn’t mind sneaking bananas into the boats of some of my friends during fishing tournaments, you know, as a joke!
Q: What can everyone do to help the environment of Southwest Florida?
A: Join Captains for Clean Water. This group represents my views on protecting our wonderful Everglades.
