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Aquatic Escapes in Tampa, Florida

Guided by Jarrod Wallach

Flats Inshore Nearshore

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Jarrod

Captain Jarrod is a second generation captain. Born in New York, he transplanted to Florida in 2014. In his words: "From as early as I can remember, my dad had me on a boat with a fishing rod in my hands. At first, I was simply excited to have bait on my hook and hang with my dad. As I grew up the fish got bigger and bigger… and I was hooked! Growing up in New York, we would fish for Fluke, Flounder, Stripers & Cod in the winter. We would also enter the occasional shark fishing tournament. Fishing was, and still remains, a huge part of my life and it gave my father and I the time we needed to bond, before he unexpectedly left us in 2006. Since moving to Florida in 2014, I have been fishing this fishery with friends and competing in local tournaments. From King of the Beach, a well known Offshore King Fish tournament, to a local firefighter charity tournament. In 2018, I went to Sea School to become a captain. After graduating, I purchased my boat and here we are. Living the dream! It was always my father’s dream to retire and use his captains license to open a charter business. Every day, I strive to keep his legacy alive. It is my dream, to have that same experience with my daughter, while helping other families experience the water, as I once did, as a boy, with my father. My favorite fish to catch in New York was definitely Bluefish! Pound for pound, the best fight to find. In Florida, my favorite fish has to be Redfish. There is nothing like their hard slam & drag-screaming runs. The fish itself is beautiful, and every one has different spots. Will your next redfish have 1 giant spot, 2 spots or 10? Book a charter and come find out!"

Aquatic Escapes Trips

Fishing in Ruskin
Fishing in Ruskin
Fishing in Ruskin
trip description for Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing in Ruskin

On this epic inshore trip, you'll be able to go after the best sportfish species that Florida has to offer, including Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, and more! Each of these fish offer different challenges, and on this 3, 4, 6, or 8-hour trip, you'll be able to take a shot at catching all of them! If this is your first time fishing Tampa Bay, here's a brief rundown on each of your target species. Snook: First off, a big Snook is a sight to behold, with its bold stripe and its glimmering gray scales. This fish grows up to 50 inches long and lives between four and five decades. When caught, the fish makes showy leaps and will put up a fight before you can reel it in. Snook are powerful fish, and they won’t make it easy for you to catch them, especially in shallow water. Captain Jarrod loves to see the look in an angler’s eyes when they make their big catch. Snook are plentiful in the Tampa Bay area, which makes them an ideal target for anglers. On especially plentiful days, you won’t leave the boat without multiple catches, even if you fish with a group. Redfish: One of Tampa Bay's best-known sportfish, Redfish make great catches for all anglers, regardless of experience. You’ll find the largest of these feisty and formidable fish inshore and nearshore. A relative of the Black Drum, Redfish have a unique ability to smell their prey, as opposed to relying solely on sight. They can weigh up to 12 pounds and live for 40 years, and these fish are prime fighters. You’ll never see a dull moment during your search for these magnificent creatures. Catching Redfish is a breeze when you know where to look, how they search for prey, and what they like to eat. Redfish like to stay in underwater grass, and you’ll find them easy to spot in shallow waters, depending on the tide. Redfish like to eat shellfish but won’t hesitate to take a chunk off a larger fish that passes by them. Speckled Trout: Trout have many names and species, including sea trout, spotted seatrout, speckled trout, and specks. As the various names imply, this type of trout has black spots along its sides and back over a silver underbelly. An average adult trout ranges between 12 and 24 inches long. Once a trout gets past 22-24 inches, we call it a "gator" trout. Trout typically weigh between 10 and 12 pounds, though the record for the biggest trout caught in Florida tips the scales at 17 pounds 7 ounces. You’ll typically find Trout in grass flats in about 1-6 feet of water. They like to stick close to mangroves near the shore, though you may also find them hidden in deep grass holes. During the winter, Trout sometimes venture into water as deep as 15 feet. Regardless of which species you hook, you'll have a blast on the water with Captain Jarrod! On the day of your trip you will launch from the boat ramp next to Hook's Waterfront Bar and Grill. If you need to launch from a different area, Captain Jarrod is flexible and has several options—please let him know what works best for you. You'll be fishing from the deck of Captain Jarrod's 25' Sportsman 234 bay boat. This puppy comes equipped with a 250 Yamaha SHO engine for speed and maneuverability, plus a range of amenities including a multimedia system, PowerPoles for exploring shallow flats, trolling motor, multiple live wells for your bait, Yeti coolers for your drinks, and more! This boat is perfect for a family fishing trip. Jarrod will provide you with all the equipment, tackle, and bait you need, plus he'll supply ice for your food, drinks & fish, artificial lures, photos of your catch, secret techniques and instruction for artificial bait fishing, and he will even clean and bag your fish for you at the end of the day! All you need to bring is your sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, any food & drinks you'd like to enjoy onboard. Beer is welcome, but please—no hard liquor or wine, and no glass containers. If you've got Captain Jarrod at the wheel, your fishing adventure will surely be one to remember! Gratuties are never expected, but are always greatly appreciated! If your captain did a good job and you had an enjoyable trip, please consider rewarding his efforts with a 15-20% tip. Read More

Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in Ruskin

Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing

NEW
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $495
Fishing in Ruskin
Fishing in Ruskin
Fishing in Ruskin
trip description for Tampa Bay Sharkfest - 25’ Sportsman in Ruskin

Most people known Sharks as the big, scary predators seen in movies like "Jaws". However, anglers understand that although Sharks are top predators in their environments, they're really graceful, majestic, and thrilling to catch. No matter your experience level, a Tampa shark fishing charter with Captain Jarrod will be the thrill of a lifetime! There are plenty of different types of sharks in Tampa Bay, making it the perfect spot to land your trophy fish or just to have some fun. More than a dozen different shark species swim beneath the waters of Tampa Bay, including the Blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus), Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), Hammerhead (Sphyrnidae Sphyrna), Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris), and Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas). When in doubt, you can just ask Captain Jarrod about the Shark you've hooked. You can catch non-prohibited shark species in Florida at any time of year. Typically, the best time is from May to August. Captain Jarrod is happy to tell you what species are best to fish for when you book your trip! On the day of your trip you will launch from the boat ramp next to Hook's Waterfront Bar and Grill. If you need to launch from a different area, Captain Jarrod is flexible and has several options—please let him know what works best for you. You'll be fishing from the deck of Captain Jarrod's 25' Sportsman 234 bay boat. This puppy comes equipped with a 250 Yamaha SHO engine for speed and maneuverability, plus a range of amenities including a multimedia system, PowerPoles for exploring shallow flats, trolling motor, multiple live wells for your bait, Yeti coolers for your drinks, and more! This boat is perfect for a family fishing trip. Jarrod will provide you with all the equipment, tackle, and bait you need, plus he'll supply ice for your food, drinks & fish, artificial lures, photos of your catch, secret techniques and instruction for artificial bait fishing, and he will even clean and bag your fish for you at the end of the day! All you need to bring is your sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, any food & drinks you'd like to enjoy onboard. Beer is welcome, but please—no hard liquor or wine, and no glass containers. If you've got Captain Jarrod at the wheel, your fishing adventure will surely be one to remember! Gratuity is never expected, but always appreciated! If your captain did a good job and you enjoyed your trip, considered rewarding his efforts with a 15-20% tip. Read More

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Ruskin

Tampa Bay Sharkfest - 25’ Sportsman

NEW
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100
Fishing in Ruskin
Fishing in Ruskin
Fishing in Ruskin
trip description for Nearshore Tampa Bay - 25’ Sportsman in Ruskin

There’s nothing like spending quality time on the water with a rod in your hands, and there's no better place for it than Tampa Bay. Head out with Captain Jarrod for a wonderful day on the water, chasing Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Grouper, and more! You'll venture between 3 and 9 miles off, where you have a ton of options to target. Whether you’re fishing with family, friends, or coworkers, Captain Jarrod is especially adept at handling all skill levels and is able to customize your trip to your preferences. On the day of your trip you will launch from the boat ramp next to Hook's Waterfront Bar and Grill. If you need to launch from a different area, Captain Jarrod is flexible and has several options—please let him know what works best for you. You'll be fishing from the deck of Captain Jarrod's 25' Sportsman 234 bay boat. This puppy comes equipped with a 250 Yamaha SHO engine for speed and maneuverability, plus a range of amenities including a multimedia system, PowerPoles for exploring shallow flats, trolling motor, multiple live wells for your bait, Yeti coolers for your drinks, and more! This boat is perfect for a family fishing trip. Jarrod will provide you with all the equipment, tackle, and bait you need, plus he'll supply ice for your food, drinks & fish, artificial lures, photos of your catch, secret techniques and instruction for artificial bait fishing, and he will even clean and bag your fish for you at the end of the day! All you need to bring is your sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, any food & drinks you'd like to enjoy onboard. Beer is welcome, but please—no hard liquor or wine, and no glass containers. If you've got Captain Jarrod at the wheel, your fishing adventure will surely be one to remember! Gratuties are never expected, but are always greatly appreciated! If your captain did a good job and you had an enjoyable trip, please consider rewarding his efforts with a 15-20% tip. Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Ruskin

Nearshore Tampa Bay - 25’ Sportsman

NEW
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100

Species

Blacktip Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Bull Shark, Cobia, Gag Grouper, Hammerhead Shark, Kingfish, Lemon Shark, Nurse Shark, Redfish, Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Tripletail

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing, Bottom Fishing, Drift Fishing, Jigging, Light Tackle Fishing, Live Bait Fishing, Trolling

Types of Fishing

Flats, Inshore, Nearshore

Start Location

5108 West Gandy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33611, United States | Bodies of water fished: Tampa Bay, St. Pete Beach

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