Reel Escapes Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay Shark Hunt

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Phil Pegley

Phil Pegley

Independent Guide
Talkative
Intense
Instructional
Beginner Oriented
Comfortable
Quality
Captain Phil is a full-service fishing and hunting guide with over 25 years of local knowledge and experience. He takes a unique approach to inshore and nearshore light tackle sportfishing.

Captain Phil also provides extreme angling experiences for Tarpon, Sharks, Goliath Grouper, and seasonal charters for Lobster and Scallops in other popular Florida destinations. Book a trip with him to see why Florida is "The Fishing Capital of the World"!

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Phil Pegley

Phil Pegley

Independent Guide
Captain Phil is a full-service fishing and hunting guide with over 25 years of local knowledge and experience. He takes a unique approach to inshore and nearshore light tackle sportfishing.

Captain Phil also provides extreme angling experiences for Tarpon, Sharks, Goliath Grouper, and seasonal charters for Lobster and Scallops in other popular Florida destinations. Book a trip with him to see why Florida is "The Fishing Capital of the World"!
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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
415 pound blue Marlin caught on our bay boat
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Snapper, piccata, or creamy Tuscan mahi
Whats your favorite band?
Well-versed in all genres of music ex musician, turned fisherman
Whats your favorite movie?
Jaws or the outlaw Josie Wales

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
415 pound blue Marlin caught on our bay boat
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Snapper, piccata, or creamy Tuscan mahi
Whats your favorite band?
Well-versed in all genres of music ex musician, turned fisherman
Whats your favorite movie?
Jaws or the outlaw Josie Wales
Whats your favorite sports team?
Florida college football teams
Whats your drink of choice?
Water on the boat kettle and sugar-free lemonade afterwards
What was your last halloween costume?
A pirate same as every day
What do you want for Christmas this year?
Light winds and blue skies
How did you get started guiding?
Many years of being on the water from Tampa Bay to Key West turned into me, showing my friends were not to run ground
What makes you different from other guides?
I don’t rely on information from others what I do are things that I’ve learned over the years myself
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Reel Escapes Fishing Charters Trips

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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Ruskin

Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing Trip

96% (26)
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Ruskin

Tampa Bay Shark Hunt

96% (26)
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Duck Hunting in Ruskin

Duck Hunting Tampa Bay

96% (26)
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $350

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Recent Reviews of Reel Escapes Fishing Charters

4.4
based on 8 reviews

Andrew

Verified Review

Captain Phil was great and we all enjoyed the trip. The fish didn't cooperate at first, but Captain Phil moved us to another spot and we got better action. We had a miscommunication with the booking but Trey at Captain Experience was very helpful and we got everything worked out. Thanks Guys! I would book here again.

Andrew

Verified Review

Captain Phil was great and we all enjoyed the trip. The fish didn't cooperate at first, but Captain Phil moved us to another spot and we got better action. We had a miscommunication with the booking but Trey at Captain Experience was very helpful and we got everything worked out. Thanks Guys! I would book here again.
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Brent

Verified Review

We had an incredible trip with an incredible guide!!! He was GREAT with my 9 year old daughter!! He was patient, humorous and extremely helpful with my daughter, wife and myself!! We also caught a ton of BIG fish, including my young daughter!!

Brent

Verified Review

We had an incredible trip with an incredible guide!!! He was GREAT with my 9 year old daughter!! He was patient, humorous and extremely helpful with my daughter, wife and myself!! We also caught a ton of BIG fish, including my young daughter!!
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Nicholas

Verified Review

Great time out with Capt. Phil. First time ever waterfowl hunting and shooting a shot gun at anything other then a clay and he made the whole process seamless for me. Answered all my questions, showed me the ropes and was very patient with some circumstances that were handed our way. We still ended up getting limit on some divers. Can’t wait for next trip

Nicholas

Verified Review

Great time out with Capt. Phil. First time ever waterfowl hunting and shooting a shot gun at anything other then a clay and he made the whole process seamless for me. Answered all my questions, showed me the ropes and was very patient with some circumstances that were handed our way. We still ended up getting limit on some divers. Can’t wait for next trip
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Matt

Verified Review

Communication was great. Phil did prep work for our trip and gave us options, which was great.

Matt

Verified Review

Communication was great. Phil did prep work for our trip and gave us options, which was great.
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Chad

Verified Review

We had a great Trip with Phil. I took my kids on a family Lobster trip. Phil helped teach my kids and we all had a great experience!

Chad

Verified Review

We had a great Trip with Phil. I took my kids on a family Lobster trip. Phil helped teach my kids and we all had a great experience!
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Josh

Verified Review

We had a terrible experience with Captain Phil on our charter fishing trip in the Tampa Bay. We’ve been on a number of charters in the past and feel we know what type of guide knowledge and service we could expect. Although Captain Phil called the night before to discuss our shark fishing trip he did not bring enough equipment or proper number of rods to successfully manage the trip. As a...

Josh

Verified Review

We had a terrible experience with Captain Phil on our charter fishing trip in the Tampa Bay. We’ve been on a number of charters in the past and feel we know what type of guide knowledge and service we could expect. Although Captain Phil called the night before to discuss our shark fishing trip he did not bring enough equipment or proper number of rods to successfully manage the trip. As a result of a large shark taking our line and stripping pole of its line he became argumentative, yelled at our kids & adults and became very frustrated with us as the anchor line became tangled around the propeller. When we reminded him that he never explained to our party what to do when a shark struck the line, he apologized and acknowledged he missed that part. With about one hour left in our trip we decided to move closer to our launch site and fish for smaller game fish. Once again, without explaining to our kids how he wanted them to fish or what our process should be he began to snap and become very frustrated with our children. When we asked him to stop yelling and just explain to us what we should be doing and how we should be doing it he apologized again and said his focus was on safety. If you or a friend is considering a charter with Captain Phil I would strongly advise you not book your trip based on our experience.
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Response from Captain Experiences:
Hey Josh, I am sorry to hear about this experience with Captain Phil. We've been working with him for a while and were surprised to hear that the trip did not live up to your expectations. Safety is always the number one priority on these trips and I hope you will give us a call soon so we can find a trip that is well suited for your family.

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hey Josh, I am sorry to hear about this experience with Captain Phil. We've been working with him for a while and were surprised to hear that the trip did not live up to your expectations. Safety is always the number one priority on these trips and I hope you will give us a call soon so we can find a trip that is well suited for your family.
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Steven

Verified Review

We would recommend Captain Phil 100%. He handled two rookies to saltwater fishing and all our questions like a champ. We truly enjoyed the day and to top it off he put my wife on a 5ft bullshark so mission accomplished.

Steven

Verified Review

We would recommend Captain Phil 100%. He handled two rookies to saltwater fishing and all our questions like a champ. We truly enjoyed the day and to top it off he put my wife on a 5ft bullshark so mission accomplished.
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Brad

Verified Review

Captain Phil is Great!!’n

Phil is very personable and put you on fish. Phil shared pointers on fishing techniques to help you catch fish. A lot of fishing action in the Tampa Bay fishery!!! You can’t go wrong by chartering with Phil, you’ll leave a friends. 😎

“Phil’s a damn GOOD Captain”

Brad

Verified Review

Captain Phil is Great!!’n

Phil is very personable and put you on fish. Phil shared pointers on fishing techniques to help you catch fish. A lot of fishing action in the Tampa Bay fishery!!! You can’t go wrong by chartering with Phil, you’ll leave a friends. 😎

“Phil’s a damn GOOD Captain”
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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Recent Fishing Reports

Mid July 2026
As things change to our Midsomer patterns. It’s all about the availability of the bait. That drives the fish bite. When we get the strong outgoing tides near the new and full moon, pass crabs are flushing out of Tampa Bay in big numbers. This is one of our favorite scenarios to catch Tarpon. It concentrates the fish and they are focused on those little crabs.
Also, the second hatch of sardines has exploded, and the flats are covered. The small Bait are exactly what the mangrove snapper are looking for solid catches of snapper daily now. We are still seeing our share of Snook. And redfish the over slot speckled trout have moved out to the edge of the grass flats and have been super cooperative anytime the tide is moving.
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Early June 2026
Springtime has turned to summer and the fish bite has remained red hot. We have so many opportunities in our local waters right now just jumped in overgrown tarpon fishing for trout today. This year's spring Snook season was the best I've seen. In a good long time with the number of fish in the slot.
Not that we were keeping them but people here on spring break were getting fish over 30 inches more days than not.
With the water temp being close to 90 remember to slow down your presentations clipped baits and cut baits are working excellent for red fish and tarpon
We just got our second hatch of greenbacks they're still a little bit on the small side, but the mangrove snapper are really getting fired up on them
This will continue for the next few months as the moons are approaching. Excellent time to get out there and get some tasty snapper.
The first photo is of two purpleheart recipients true American heroes I was fortunate enough to get to fish with through the wounded warriors foundation with Jeremy's 33 inch Snook
We've got another month here in Tampa Bay before we head to key west for about six weeks. Let's get your Captains experience is booked here or join me in key west for some mahi, wahoo, tuna, and lobster just to name a few.
Tight lines for now see on the water enjoying your next Captains experience
Captain Phil Pegley Reel escapes, fishing charters

Here's a better photo of that stud Red and this young angler is. Dressed for success.

Springtime has turned to summer and the fish bite has remained red hot. We have so many opportunities in our local waters right now just jumped in overgrown tarpon fishing for trout today. This year's spring Snook season was the best I've seen. In a good long time with the number of fish in the slot.
Not that we were keeping them but people here on spring break were getting fish over 30 inches more days than not.
With the water temp being close to 90 remember to slow down your presentations clipped baits and cut baits are working excellent for red fish and tarpon
We just got our second hatch of greenbacks they're still a little bit on the small side, but the mangrove snapper are really getting fired up on them
This will continue for the next few months as the moons are approaching. Excellent time to get out there and get some tasty snapper.
The first photo is of two purpleheart recipients true American heroes I was fortunate enough to get to fish with through the wounded warriors foundation with Jeremy's 33 inch Snook
We've got another month here in Tampa Bay before we head to key west for about six weeks. Let's get your Captains experience is booked here or join me in key west for some mahi, wahoo, tuna, and lobster just to name a few.
Tight lines for now see on the water enjoying your next Captains experience
Captain Phil Pegley Reel escapes, fishing charters
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Early March 2026
Chilly weather fishing, Tampa Bay

Well, the water temps have climbed back up into the 60s and what a blessing it was for us not to have a significant fish kill. Other places were not quite so lucky how our fish were able to hang on through those 50° water temps was amazing and they are alive and well.
During those times are focused was more on what we could target and provide our best. Captain's experiences catching bull sharks around local power plants was very reliable, and the reef bite for snapper and Sheepshead has been on fire. We've been considerate of these fish during their spawn only taking a couple fish makes for a brighter fishery in the future
So let's get out there and get your trips booked with Captain's experiences, your catches are waiting.
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Reel Escapes Fishing Charters Photo Gallery

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