Meet The Crew
Captain Rob Jones
Originally from Northeast Indiana, Captain Rob grew up surrounded by inland lakes and developed a love for boating at an early age. Family vacations frequently brought him to Florida, and even as a kid, he knew that someday he wanted to call Florida home. As a young adult, much of his time on the water was spent boating on Lake Erie, where he once dreamed of becoming a fishing captain.
Years later, with two young daughters who had developed the same love for the Florida lifestyle, Rob and his wife decided it was time to make that dream a reality. They moved their family to Southwest Florida, an area they had vacationed in often and one that already felt like home.
After making the move, Rob earned his captain’s license and began running private fishing and sightseeing charters aboard the family’s center console. It wasn’t long before he noticed a need that wasn’t being filled. Southwest Florida attracts families and groups vacationing together, but traditional six-passenger charters often couldn’t accommodate everyone. Rob saw an opportunity to offer larger families and groups a way to experience the water together, and that idea became the beginning of Pelican Bay Charters.
Today, one of Rob’s favorite parts of PBC is sharing the little piece of paradise his family fell in love with years ago. He takes tremendous pride in the captains and crew who represent Pelican Bay and believes they are some of the best in Southwest Florida. Above everything else, he expects every captain to share his number-one priority: the safety of every guest who steps aboard.
When Rob isn’t running the business or out on the water, Sundays are often spent in the kitchen, where cooking for a few people somehow turns into enough food to feed a small army. During the times of year when sunset cruises finish at a reasonable hour, it’s not unusual for Pelican Bay captains and crew, family, and friends to end up around Rob’s table for dinner, —a tradition that reflects the family atmosphere he’s worked to build both on and off the water.
Captain Carlee
Born and raised right here on Fort Myers Beach, Captain Carlee has a lifelong connection to the water and the area she calls home. Her local knowledge, combined with her genuine love for the outdoors and wildlife, gives guests a chance to experience Southwest Florida through the eyes of someone who truly knows and loves it.
When she’s not on the water, Carlee enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and exploring new places. Her adventurous personality and love of nature make her a great fit for the Pelican Bay Charters crew.
One of Carlee’s favorite parts of being a captain is sharing our local waters and wildlife with guests. No matter which boat she’s captaining, she enjoys meeting new people, spending time with the dolphins, and helping create the kind of memories that make a day on the water unforgettable.
Captain Blake
Born and raised in Fort Myers, Captain Blake has spent much of his life enjoying the waters of Southwest Florida. These days, he splits his year between two very different places—spending part of the year captaining for Pelican Bay Charters on Fort Myers Beach and the other part working at a hunting and fishing lodge in Kodiak, Alaska.
When he’s home in Southwest Florida, Blake’s favorite boat to captain is the Chickee Tiki. He loves its laid-back atmosphere, the fun personality of the boat, and giving guests a cruise that’s a little different from the ordinary. And if conditions are right, don’t be surprised if Captain Blake throws in one of the Chickee Tiki’s famous 360s.
Even when he’s not working, Blake is rarely far from the water. Whether he’s fishing, hanging out at the sandbar, or taking an afternoon boat ride to grab dinner, boating is simply part of his lifestyle. His local roots, adventurous spirit, and love of being on the water make him a great part of the Pelican Bay Charters family.
Captain Deacon
Born and raised in Fort Myers, Captain Deacon has spent his life around the waters of Southwest Florida. With years of local knowledge and a genuine love for being on the water, he knows the area well and enjoys sharing some of his favorite spots with our guests.
One of Deacon’s favorite trips to captain is our beach trip aboard the Pelican I, where his laid-back personality and local knowledge make him a natural fit. Whether he’s helping guests enjoy a day at the beach or just having a good time out on the water, Deacon has a way of making everyone aboard feel welcome.
Even when he’s not working, chances are you’ll still find Deacon somewhere on the water with a fishing rod in hand, or spending time with his Great Dane, Muffin. His love for the water, local roots, and one-of-a-kind personality have made Deacon a key part of the Pelican Bay Charters family and a favorite among both our crew and guests.
Captain Forest
Captain Forest’s passion for boating and life on the water began in his home state of South Carolina, where he started his career as a captain. He still spends part of the year running tours in North Myrtle Beach and now brings that experience to Southwest Florida as one of Pelican Bay Charters’ seasonal captains.
For Forest, one of the best parts of being a captain is meeting guests from all over the country and sharing a great day on the water with them. He enjoys creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere aboard the boat and making sure everyone leaves with great memories of their time with us.
When he’s not captaining a boat, you can usually find Forest fishing or spending time with his dog. His love of the outdoors, experience on the water, and friendly personality make him a valued member of the Pelican Bay Charters family.
