🐟 What We Know About The Viral Fishing Fight from Punta Gorda, Florida

Austin Jones
Apr 3
3 min read

The viral fishing fight from Punta Gorda, Florida -

Over the past 48 hours, a video out of Punta Gorda, Florida has ignited a tidal wave of reaction across social media. The now-viral clip shows a confrontation between a local charter captain and a young fisherman that quickly went from heated words to a full-blown boat-boarding incident—

So what happened? Who’s really to blame? And how does this all reflect on Florida’s wild, waterlogged reputation?

Let’s break it down.

🎣 The Players: Brock Horner vs. Gage Towles

On one side, we have Captain Brock Horner, a local fishing guide and the face of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters. On the other, 22-year-old Gage Towles, who refers to himself as a “kid” in the video, even though legally, he's well into adulthood.

Horner, visibly agitated, is seen boarding Towles’ vessel without permission. In the video, he’s yelling, pacing, and pointing in a confrontation that’s intense, aggressive, and now under investigation. Gage, meanwhile, stays behind the camera, filming and saying things like “That wasn't me. I know I was here but my buddy was on the boat” and blaming his friend for allegedly driving the boat recklessly.

📹 The Footage: One Angle, One Story?

The viral clip paints a clear picture of aggression… but from only one side. Towles films the entire encounter, offering no context before the confrontation begins. He insists he wasn’t operating the boat—but also throws his buddy under the prop by implying someone else was on the boat when the altercation was sparked.

🚨 What the Authorities Are Saying

The Punta Gorda Police Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), and the U.S. Coast Guard are now actively investigating. All three agencies are taking the matter seriously:

PGPD asked the public to stop overwhelming their dispatch lines, confirming that they're working with state and federal agencies on this case.
FWC is digging into the legality of the boating behavior that led to the incident.
The Coast Guard made it clear: charter captains are held to high standards, and Horner’s mariner license is under review. If violations are found, consequences could include suspension or permanent revocation of his credentials.

🔎 The Criminal Background Question

Things got messier when people began digging into Brock Horner’s past.

He is allegedly a U.S. Army Ranger and combat veteran. He also reportedly has a criminal history, including assault charges from the past. While that doesn’t excuse his recent behavior, it definitely paints a picture that he’s no stranger to confrontation.

⚖️ Who's at Fault?

Let’s be real: both sides look bad here.

Gage’s crew has a reputation for reckless boating.
The footage is selective, clearly meant to escalate sympathy online.
But boarding another person’s boat in Florida is illegal, especially in a threatening manner. And when you’re a licensed charter captain, you’re expected to act with a level of professionalism that Horner clearly left at the dock.

The sea may build tough men—but tough doesn’t mean unhinged. Charter captains are well known for being rowdy and quick to fight, but they also have strict lines not to be crossed and boarding another's vessel is one of them.