About Richardson Charters & Travel
Your Captain and Guide
Capt. Craig was born and raised in South Africa, where his love for fishing began. He competed for the South African Youth and Men’s Fly Fishing Teams, winning a team bronze medal in Ireland in 2013. Capt. Craig started his guiding career in 2012 on the Pongola River in South Africa, before moving to Farquhar in the Seychelles later that year. He was then transferred to St Brandon’s Atoll in Mauritius, where he served as head guide from 2014 to 2019. During the off-season in St Brandon’s, Capt. Craig worked in the Maldives on Thaa Atoll for the Northern Hemisphere winter and in South East Idaho during the summer.
Our Trips
We offer a variety of fishing trips, from half-day excursions to multi-day adventures. Our trips are designed to take you to some of the best fishing spots in the world, and our experienced guides will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Whether you're looking to catch trophy fish or simply enjoy a peaceful day on the water, we have a trip for you.
General Information
Our Gear
Our boats are fully rigged with Orvis and G. Loomis rods ranging from 9wt to 12wt, matched with Orvis or Shilton reels and Scientific Angler fly lines.
What to bring
- Polarized sunglasses
- Adequate sun protection
- Sunblock/sunscreen and chapstick
- Hat
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch and snacks (we can provide these for an additional fee)
- Camera
We supply bottled water and a cooler stocked with ice. Feel free to bring any additional beverages you would like throughout the day.
Target Species
Our main target species are tarpon, snook, and redfish. We also encounter a variety of species on the flats and mangrove lines.
Indian Ocean Travel
Let Craig plan your dream trip. With years of experience and direct contact with the guides at each location, Craig ensures the difference between a good trip and a great trip. He will help you plan everything down to the last detail
Estero Bay
Estero Bay, Florida, is an estuary located on the west coast of the state, southeast of Fort Myers Beach. The bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, is long and very shallow, covering about 15 square miles (39 km²). Estero Bay is bordered on the west by a chain of barrier islands: Estero Island, Long Key, Lovers Key, Black Island, Big Hickory Island, and Little Hickory Island. Four outlets provide access to the Gulf of Mexico. Snook, redfish, and tarpon are abundant throughout Estero Bay.
Matlacha
In Calusa, Matlacha means 'shallow water,' and there is plenty of it. Mangrove creeks lead into hidden lakes where redfish, tarpon, and snook are waiting. The water in Matlacha tends to be clearer due to the hard bottom. As a result, sight fishing is a very effective way to target fish in these waters.