Damn Good Flats Fishing Charters In Bradenton Beach

Head out for an awesome fishing adventure around Sarasota, FL with Captain Darius! Though he loves running further from shore to bottom fish the reefs for grouper, snapper, and pelagic species, the weather conditions have to be pretty stellar to allow this kind of trip. Thus, aboard his 23' Parker, he spends a lot of time hammering the inshore with his clients, and there are no shortage of fish (and big ones at that!) to catch! Lush grass flats abound in this area. These shallow grass flats are full of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish which in turn attract the game fish. Snook, Speckled Trout, and Redfish are the most sought after species, but you can also expect to hook into Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Flounder, Bluefish, Ladyfish, and others! Fishing the shallow flats requires patience and attention to detail. Fish are spooky in water that is only a couple of feet deep. The beauty of Captain Darius' 23' Parker is that it has a shallow enough draft to get you good shots up on the flats and in the back bays and inlets, while also having enough room and stability to haul it further offshore on a nice day! All of Captain Darius' trips include ice, bottled water, tournament grade fishing gear, live bait, licenses, and fish cleaning at end of the trip. There is plenty of room in the cooler as well for your favorite snacks and drinks if you'd like to bring them along as well. Captain Darius' main pick-up location is on Siesta Key, but depending on where you are staying he can also meet up with you at Hart's Landing or Ken Thomspon Park Boat Ramp. Read More

Come have some serious fun and explore some of the most prolific waters in the area with Captain Andy! Captain Andy has a keen eye for where the fish bite. He likes to launch out of Crisp Park which is the closest boat ramp to Weadon Island Preserve. Weadon Island provides a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife especially big reds, trout, snook, and flounder! Listen to his advice and you’ll be catching some trophy-sized fish in no time! Captain Andy specializes in catching multiple species in the same day so if you're looking to target and inshore slam, Captain Andy is an awesome choice! On this 4- or 6-hour escapade, you will be working the water around Weadon Island aboard Captain Andy’s 24.5-foot Center Console equipped with one 300 HP Yamaha. This boat is outfitted with a GPS, Fishfinder, live bait well, and an ice box. It can accommodate four anglers, so make sure you bring some good company! Captain Andy will provide all rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and licenses. He’ll also provide chips, granola, energy bars, as well as bottled water. You may also bring your own food and beverages. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. Test your skills and strength and fill the boat on what promises to be an exhilarating day with Captain Andy! Read More

During Tarpon season, we can catch 75–150 lb Tarpon. It's even possible to catch one weighing up to 200 lb! Catching a Tarpon that size offers a much different experience due to their exhilarating fights lasting up to 2 hours. Because predators migrate with Tarpons, hooking a Hammerhead or Bull Shark is also very common. If you like a challenge, Tarpon charters are the ones for you. These trips are available starting in April-July Read More

Embark on an exhilarating 6-hour inshore fishing excursion through the picturesque waters of Sarasota Bay. Our carefully curated trip will take you to a selection of prime fishing spots, carefully chosen for their abundance of fish and scenic beauty. Whether you're an experienced angler or a novice, our private expeditions cater to all skill levels, ensuring a personalized and rewarding fishing experience. Explore the rich diversity of marine life that inhabits the North Sarasota Bay and Bradenton waters. From the thrilling fight of redfish to the elusive snook, the powerful grouper, and the occasional thrill of encountering a shark, there's something for every fishing enthusiast. Our knowledgeable and friendly crew, led by Master Captain Bill, boasts years of experience and a deep understanding of local waters. They are dedicated to ensuring your safety and enjoyment throughout the trip. Equipped with state-of-the-art fishing gear and technology, including top-quality rods, reels, and bait, we guarantee you'll have the best tools at your disposal to land that prized catch. Whether you're seeking relaxation on the water, the thrill of the chase, or simply the joy of being outdoors, our fishing trip promises an unforgettable adventure. Join us for an unparalleled fishing experience that promises not only a successful day on the water but also cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Book your trip today and let us guide you to some of the best fishing spots Sarasota Bay has to offer. Read More

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

Spend the day diving and scalloping in the beautiful waters off of Mulberry, Florida on this trip with Captain Daryll! If you've visited Florida's beautiful Tampa Bay area, you know how much this region has to offer! Wildlife viewing, clear, calm water, great fishing, and scalloping are all open to you when you come to Mulberry. If you've never been scalloping before, it's easy to learn. Using a snorkel, you'll look for scallops from the surface, then dive down to grab them. Although scallops are bivalves like clams or oysters, they can actually swim (somewhat), so you have to be quick! Even so, this trip is great for kids, who get to swim around all day while hunting for scallops, which are also delicious to eat. You'll be aboard Captain Daryll's 24' Skipjack bay boat, which is an ideal boat for this area. She sports a 200-HP Suzuki engine, and has plenty of amenities to enhance your experience, including a wireless trolling motor, Simrad fishfinder, snorkeling equipment, and more. All you need to bring on this trip is plenty of sunscreen and a smile! Captain Daryll will supply everything else you need for a great day. Read More

Get ready for an exciting day of inshore fishing with Captain Todd in Sarasota, Florida! On board his sleek 20' Willies flats boat you'll set out on the inshore waters around Sarasota in search of trophy Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Trout. The neashore component of this trip is slightly seasonal as Bonito and Tripletail are--for the most part--only targeted in the summer months. These fish are all great fighters, and have something for every type of angler. Tripletail and Redfish are known as top-notch table fare, while Snook and Bonito put up terrific fights on light tackle! As you make your way through the mangroves and shallow flats, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the coast and a chance to spot a variety of marine life. With Captain Todd's expert guidance, you'll be casting your lines and reeling in these sought-after species in no time! Captain Todd's skiff is purpose-built for fishing in shallow water, so you'll be able to get back into the "skinny water" where trophy fish like to hang out. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, you'll have an unforgettable day on the water with Captain Todd. So come join him and experience the thrill of the catch with Captain Todd on this top-of-the-line inshore fishing adventure! Read More

Fishing in comfort, Join me on the aqua blue water of Sarasota, targeting Redfish, Snook, Trout, Black Drum, Snapper, Sheepshead, and more. Ideal for passionate anglers and the folks who just want to come aboard for a good time with family and friends. You can fish on the bow while they relax in the shade and cheer you on. “Fishing in the front and party in the back!” Read More

Get out there and enjoy a fun, laid-back light tackle sportfishing trip on beautiful Tampa Bay. On this trip with 27 year veteran Captain Wade, you'll be going after classic species including snook, redfish, seatrout, and more! There are multiple options for your adventure, so you can find what's best for you. On the three-hour charter, you'll get a great introduction to Tampa Bay and have time to catch multiple species of fish. This is ideal for visitors, first-timers, couples, seniors, or parents with kids, young or old. Of course, you'll be treated to professional, family-friendly service and courteous expert instruction. Four hours provides a greater opportunity to cover a larger area of Tampa Bay and catch more fish. Many people find this amount of time ideal for entertaining friends, clientele or hosting bachelor parties. Have a blast, while competing to see who catches the biggest fish or most fish. Six hours is highly recommended to maximize your fishing adventure on Tampa Bay. This charter is ideal for avid anglers, and enthusiasts looking to hone their inshore angling skills. Experience fishing numerous grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster beds, creeks and back-bays. No matter the adventure you select, you'll have a great time fishing with Captain Wade! He provides premium spin, fly or plug fishing tackle such as G-Loomis, Bull Bay, Penn, Sage and Tibor. Live-bait, flies, artificial lures, ice, bottled drinking water and sunscreen lotion is also provided. He will also fillet, bag, and ice your catch, should you decide to keep some fish for lunch or dinner! His 24' Sheaffer, “regarded the best bay boat in the industry,” is ideal for fishing the inshore environment and was refurbished in 2022 with brand-new electronics and motor. Get out there and enjoy all that Tampa Bay has to offer! Afishionado, "Always an Adventure." Read More

If you're looking to get on some spectacular inshore and nearshore sportfish in the Tampa Bay area, there's no better guide than Captain Daryll. He's been fishing these waters his whole life, and he's studied the prime spots and best holes in order to put you on record-setting fish! On this trip, you can target both classic inshore species such as Mangrove Snapper, Snook, Redfish, and Speckled Trout. If you opt to go further out, you can also chase nearshore species such as Black and Gag Grouper, Cobia, and even Blacktip Sharks! These fish are a blast to hook and fight, and taste great as well! You'll be chasing bites using light-tackle techniques, fishing both live bait and lures depending on the season, water conditions, and weather. Captain Daryll is a pro, and he's got an array of tips and tricks to help you hook a personal best! Thomas runs his trips aboard his 24' Skipjack bay boat—an ideal vessel for hunting lunkers in inshore waters. She's fast, with a 200-HP Yamaha engine, and a hull profile that's sharp enough to cut through chop and shallow enough to get into backcountry channels where big fish like to congregate. She's also equipped with a wireless trolling motor to help you sneak up on your targets, plus a live well for bait and an ice box for your keepers. Everything you need will be provided for you, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need to bring is sunscreen (lotion only, no spray!), a hat, and a pair of sunglasses to cut the surface glare. Get out there and have a blast! Read More

Do you want to be on the beautiful waters around Siesta Key and Sarasota but not sure if fishing is your thing? If so this trip is perfect for you. You will spend the first half of the trip targeting smaller inshore species that bite easily and will keep you entertained (CATCH and RELEASE only). The second half will be filled with hunting for shark teeth and shells, relaxing on a sandbar, and taking a peaceful wildlife tour around our many islands. The boat offers comfortable seating with lots of shade. Read More

Get ready for an exciting day of inshore fishing with Captain Todd in Sarasota, Florida! On board his sleek 20' Willies flats boat you'll set out on the inshore waters around Sarasota in search of trophy Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Trout. The neashore component of this trip is slightly seasonal as Bonito and Tripletail are--for the most part--only targeted in the summer months. These fish are all great fighters, and have something for every type of angler. Tripletail and Redfish are known as top-notch table fare, while Snook and Bonito put up terrific fights on light tackle! As you make your way through the mangroves and shallow flats, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the coast and a chance to spot a variety of marine life. With Captain Todd's expert guidance, you'll be casting your lines and reeling in these sought-after species in no time! Captain Todd's skiff is purpose-built for fishing in shallow water, so you'll be able to get back into the "skinny water" where trophy fish like to hang out. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, you'll have an unforgettable day on the water with Captain Todd. So come join him and experience the thrill of the catch with Captain Todd on this top-of-the-line inshore fishing adventure! Read More