Fishing Guides Charters Fort Myers Beach Florida Gulf of Mexico Pine Island Southwest Florida

 
 

Captain GiddyUp Florida Fishing Guides

Latest News

2/12/20  - Maryland & DC Tribute to OOA

3/19/18  - Secretary of the Navy awards highest Navy Medal to CaptGiddyUp

1/15/18  - Charitable veteran denied government assistance

12/17/17  - Army again honors Operation Open Arms founder

9/16/16  - General Mark Milley presents Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal to CaptGiddyUp

9/14/16  - Open Arms' offers free vacations for redeployed Soldiers'

9/14/16  - US Army to award OOA Outstanding Civilian Service Medal

6/24/16  - Dad of fallen US Marine pays tribute to GiddyUp

5/24/16  - Captain GiddyUp named as MVP of Hospitality, Tourism, and Business

2/11/16  - CaptGiddyUp assists US Marines lost in Hawaii

1/16/16  - USA Today Columnist Takes a Look at OOA

1/28/15  - Science Seeks GiddyUp

8/21/2014  - Goliath grouper video goes viral

10/7/2013  - Captain GiddyUp finding more than just Fish

10/2/2013  - Support group helping troops

2/8/2012  - A tribute to Capt GiddyUp by Florida Weekly

11/1/2011  - Author Brad Wiegmann and Ron Pressley recognize Florida's Top 20 Best Saltwater Fishing Guides

2/1/2011  - Capt GiddUp to throw first ball at Red Sox game on March 2, 2011

2/1/2011  - OOA organizes Sanibel vacation for Air Force mom

1/3/2011  - OOA founder Bunch receives key to city of Fort Myers

12/13/2011  - Cape couple gets dream wedding thanks to Operation Open Arms

11/15/2010  - Founder of OOA receives key to city of Fort Myers

4/2//2010  - Costa Del Mar Sunglasses endorsed by Capt GiddyUp

1/1/2010  - Fox 4 TV announces Capt GiddyUp as 2010 Fishing Expert

White House designates Capt GiddyUp and US Marine VIP's for Obama visit to Ft Myers

Boston Red Sox honor Capt GiddyUp with Ceremonial 1st Pitch (Red Sox vs Cinn Reds)

"Capt. GidddyUp awarded Merit of Honor and Elaine Mclaughlin E-Award by Lee County"
Sanibel Harbor Resor


"Florida Sportsman Magazine names Capt GiddyUp expert speaker at Ft Myers/Sarasota/Tampa for 7th straight Year" See GiddyUp on Offshore Stage at 1PM March 7-8 (2009)


Bonita Living Magazine (March 2007) considers Capt GiddyUp as One of the Top Saltwater Professional Guides in Florida. Click for story.

Lee County declares 12-4-2007 to 12-11-2007 as "Official Week dedicated to Captain GiddyUp"

Capt GiddyUp invited to meet President of the United States but makes difficult choice"

Operation Open Arms -  A great way to help a Military Service Member on leave in our area - Click here to learn more
 

IGFA Certified Fishing Captain
United States Coast Guard L
icensed and Approved Fishing Guide
OUPV License #1001206 & Master 50 Ton License #1041734

 
Captain John G. Bunch Email:  captgiddyup@gmail.com
3624 Bayview Avenue Website: www.CaptGiddyUp.net
St. James City, FL 33956 Telephone: (239) 822-8888
 
  (239) 283-8838 (Fax)
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     If you want to catch fish in Southwest Florida,
you have come to the right place.

Captain John Bunch Florida Fishing GuideCaptain Bunch is a professional fishing guide with a passion for fishing. Born and raised on a small barrier island off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, he grew up with fishing as a major part of his life. His favorite song "I'm gonna miss her (The Fishing Song)" by Brad Paisley sums up his devotion to the sport.

Captain Bunch is perhaps one of the best known and respected Professional Saltwater Guides in Florida. As the vastly popular media personality "Capt. GiddyUp" he was an instant sensation on SW FL Outdoors and became a viewer favorite. Bob Stewart, Executive Producer of SW FL Outdoors, composed the following introduction for TV audience on his website. They quote.

"Even though Capt. GiddyUp is the only non-native on our staff, his well-spoken manner on camera and his intense desire to produce fish has him at the forefront of many of our shows. Capt. GiddyUp is always looking for that little 'trade-secret' to pass on to our viewers."

A once in a lifetime opportunity soon surfaced to join the cast of the vastly popular TV Fishing Show "Light Tackle Angler" with Capt. John Follweiler. After the filming of their first TV show together Capt John Foeweiller offered this observation of Capt GiddyUp.

"It took me less than 20 minutes to realize I had found the perfect fishing partner for filming a great TV Fishing Show. On the day we chose to film it was so windy that I didn't think we had a prayer of completing a show. GiddyUp simply said, "Let's go to one of my favorite docks. We will be sheltered from the wind and we will catch fish." In less than 4 Hours we filmed one of my favorite and best episodes of "Light Tackle Angler." Capt GiddyUp put us on some trophy fish but his on camera manner made us relax, laugh, and feel as though we had known him for all our lives. Personally, I find him to be a remarkable fisherman but more remarkable as a human being. His contributions to US Troops on their combat leave actually inspired me to do more for my Country. Very few men have ever inspired me like Capt GiddyUp. Operation Open Arms is a miracle to US Troops and their families. Capt GiddyUp is the founder. Not a lot more needs to be said except this. I am proud of the close friendship we now share."

It was not long before the The Today Show (NBC) sought to feature Capt GiddyUp for his legendary status within the Florida fishing community and to recognize his contribution to US Troops as Founder of Operation Open Arms (www.operationopenarms.com). In May 2006, he was the subject of a Wall Street Journal article. In March 2007, Bonita Living Magazine recognized Capt.GiddyUp as one of the premiere fishing guides in the State of Florida. On December 4th 2007, The Lee County Commissioners declared the week of 12/4 to 12/10 "Captain John "GiddyUp" Bunch and Operation Open Arms week."

The most popular fishing magazine in Florida, Florida Sportsman has selected Capt. GiddyUp as a seminar speaker for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 in Ft Myers and Sarasota He has appeared an an expert for both the Inshore and Offshore Stages. This is what Robin Smiley of Florida Sportsman Magazine has to say about his witty and well spoken seminar speaker:

"... He has developed “nearshore” trolling with big lipped lures to a science, catching grouper in six feet of water around mangroves and big breeding snook over reefs several miles offshore. "

Captain GiddyUp also appears as a contributing editor for the "Waves" section of the News- Press reaching a circulation of 525,000. His feature "Nautically Speaking" appears in the Naples Daily News Boating & Fishing Section, The Bonita Springs Banner, and the Marco Island Gazette. He is genuinely regarded as one of the top outdoor writers in Florida and perhaps the funniest. Scott Clair of the Naples News had this to say - "As a contributing writer to Nautically Speaking, Capt. John "GiddyUp" Bunch has proven to be just as deft with a punch line as he is with a fishing line. One of the top professional fishing guides in Florida, Capt. GiddyUp's articles mix expertise with humor, always providing the reader with a wondrous adventure. Read Capt. GiddyUp's monthly article in Nautically Speaking, you're guaranteed to learn...and laugh!"

 

Capt GiddyUp is the recipient of my prestigious awards. Please visit his tribute to those who serve in the US Armed Forces at www.operationopenarms.com. He is the fishing guide of choice for US Senators, Heads of State, Movie Stars, Sports Stars, and for all regular people just like the Captain. Says the Captain, "Everyone has fun when they fish with me. All of God's children are treated the same. I treat others as I wish for them to treat me." Captain Bunch firmly believes the hours spent on the water fishing should be enjoyable and free of a grouchy ole salty Capt. "If you're going to spend the day with someone fishing, I strongly recommend they be fun, courteous and understanding." Requires a Java Enabled Browser.

 
 Read what my clients have to say!!    

Rates

 

Half Day Charter (4 hours) - $375.00 + $50 Gas Surcharge - For 1-3 Adult Anglers

3/4 Day Charter (6 hours) - $575.00 + $50 Gas Surcharge - For 1-3 Adult Anglers

$125.00 for 4th Adult. Kids fish free. US Troops on Combat Leave fish free. (www.operationopenarms.com)
* A 4 hour GiddyUp charter requires 5 hours. The Captain starts the clock when the lines get wet not at pick-up.

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