Capt. Frederic E. Scott (“Fred”) has cast out his last line in Boca Grande waters. He passed away on June 10, 2026, at the age of 85, and joins many of the island’s legendary fishing guides in a place where the tarpon never throw a hook and the snapper are plentiful.
He was born on Oct. 25, 1941, in Oak Bluffs to Fred Scott Sr. and Mary (Canha). Mary worked for a family on Martha’s Vineyard who had a home in Boca Grande, and that is how the family came to live in Florida. After coming to Boca Grande, Mary married Duane Futch, and they were together for 44 years.
Fred’s brother, Pete, came to Boca Grande first, in 1958, but in 1960 Pete went back to Massachusetts to persuade Fred to follow him. With his ears full of stories of how amazing the fishing was, Fred decided to make the move. He was just a teenager when he arrived in 1960, and he attended Boca Grande High School.
After graduation, he was drafted into the military, but after two years in the service he returned to the island, where he had many adventures.
In the 1960s, Pete and Fred did a lot of seasonal fishing in the Keys, and even went as far as Seattle and Alaska to fish for salmon. In the 1970s, they started lobstering off Big Pine Key.
About the same time, Fred also traveled the country looking for gold, silver, and precious jewels. That was a hobby he continued through his later years.
After a time, Fred decided he wanted to be back in Boca Grande, so he returned, and for a time ended up staying at the infamous Hotel Hell, owned by his brother Pete and Pete’s wife Ruby. He built several houses on the island before he eventually settled down in the last place he built, on Lee Avenue. He and his best friend, Freddy Futch, also owned the Waterfront Motel (now the Innlet) for several years.
Fred was a Boca Grande guide for more than 60 years, starting about the same time as his friend and former schoolmate Capt. Dumplin’ Wheeler did. At first he was a “fill-in” captain, taking people out tarpon fishing or to picnic on the surrounding islands. He eventually garnered a name for himself as one of the best offshore guides around, and for having a hot hand when it came to catching snapper in Boca Grande Pass.
In his later years, Fred did less guiding and more charters for people who wanted to see sunsets and dolphins. He also had a thriving business taking people to nearby restaurants, such as Cabbage Key or the Tarpon Lodge.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Paul. Survivors include his brother Pete Scott; his sister, Patricia Scott Albee; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Capt. Fred’s services will be private.
To plant trees in Fred’s memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
