Guide:

About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Link up with Captain TJ as he follows the Tarpon Migration in his home waters of the Big Bend. Captain TJ spends the vast majority of his time out on these waters and knows the area like the back of his hand. He is very comfortable fishing from as far east as St. Marks all the way west to St. George Island and East Point and Apalachicola.

Targeting Tarpon on Florida's Big Bend up to the Forgotten coast provides a very unique opportunity to catch these freakishly overgrown Minnows. As the Tarpon migrate up past Cedar Key, they meet a stretch of low pressure water. Since Florida's big bend is so scarcely populated these fish go untouched for ~100 miles. This takes fish that have seen a lot of flies, lures, and pressure along SW Florida's popular waters and makes them much more naive and willing to eat your fly!

Throughout the year, Captain TJ travels, as the fish do, to stay on top of the best opportunities for his anglers. Based upon date and time of your charter, and your flexibility, you can work together to get the best opportunity to find fish, bend a rod and tighten the lines.

All his trips provide inshore fly fishing and light tackle opportunities from Sight Fishing, to Top-Water action, to Artificials, aboard a no nonsense flats skiff. He chose the Hell’s Bay Professional for its layout, fishibility, and shallow draft. Powered by a 90 HP Yamaha, his 17.8 foot skiff affords anglers a stable, spacious deck to fish from, while being silent on the pole, and skinny. Incredibly skinny. He loves chasing fish into water they drag their bellies its so skinny!

Captain TJ will break out the big guns for the Silver King and will provide his Thomas & Thomas 11wt Fly Rod. But if you have your own secret weapon your more than welcome to bring your own gear as well! Captain TJ uses Hatch Premium Fly Reels. These reels have the backing capacity and the drag capability to stop the meanest monsters you can get into. Flylines range from 6wt floating lines, to 12wt intermediate lines, depending on the situation and species you're targeting. Captain TJ prefers Scientific Angler Amplitude Saltwater lines, and has outfitted his arsenal accordingly.

Captain TJ uses his own supply of hand tied flies, and these are available for use on board. If you are a fly tyer and have a pattern you have tied and want to fish, bring it and ya'll will put it to the test! Captain TJ's flies are also available for purchase.

A must for all sight fishing adventures, Captain TJ thinks it essential that you bring Polarized Sunglasses, your lucky fishing hat, and some sunscreen. He also recommends you bring your camera (to record your adventure. He will also be taking photos which will be text or emailed to you), a light weight jacket/rain gear (it's Florida, you never know), and a Lunch/Snacks/Drinks.

Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 1 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	8 Hours
1 Person	$900.00
2 People	$900.00

Pay $300 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Tj S.

Independent Guide 11 years of exp.

Laid-back

Instructional

Adventurous

Quality

About Your Guide

Tj S.

Independent Guide 11 years of exp.

Captain TJ is fortunate enough to have spent all his life on or around the water. He grew up in a Coast Guard family, and was introduced to the salt at a very young age. As soon as he was old enough to hold a fishing rod, there wasn't much that could break that grip.
A child hood spent on the water led to formative years spent cutting his teeth fishing the Florida Keys, fueled a lifelong passion for chasing saltwater fish.

Over the course of his career, Captain TJ has been blessed with the experience of fishing the deepest waters of the Gulf Stream south of Key West, the shallow flats of the lower keys, the grouper grounds of the north Florida Gulf, and the amazing fishery of Florida Bay and the Everglades.

"My passion for the saltwater environment and the fishery is what I aim to share with my anglers." - Captain TJ

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

143# tarpon

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Huge pot of my world famous chili

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

143# tarpon

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Huge pot of my world famous chili

What’s your favorite band?

George Strait

What’s your favorite movie?

So many good ones to choose from…

What’s your favorite sports team?

Atlanta Braves

What’s your drink of choice?

Ice cold Coke after a long day on the water.

What was your last halloween costume?

Skeleton

How did you get started guiding?

Always had a passion for the water, guiding allows me to share the beauty of my area and the fishery with my guests.

What makes you different from other guides?

Low stress, high quality experience, hunting fish in shallow water. My focus is on helping my guests improve as anglers. Not just trying to fill a cooler.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.

You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.

Eastpoint, Florida

Areas Fished

Apalachicola Bay
Apalachee Bay
Saint Joseph Bay

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Hell's Bay
Boat Length: 18'
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Hell's Bay
Boat Length: 18'
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 90
Number of Engines: 1
Additional Amenities: Bow Casting Platform, Poling Platform, Cushioned Seats, Cooler

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 1 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

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)

Techniques

Fly Fishing
Sight Casting

Everything Else to Know

Polarized Sunglasses (these are a must for sight fishing), Lucky Fishing Hat, Sunscreen, Camera (to record your adventure. I will also be taking photos which will be text or emailed to you), Light weight jacket/rain gear (it's Florida, you never know), Lunch/Snacks.

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel up to 1 day before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Blaine

Verified Review

November 26

TJ does a tremendous job of guiding!! My son is beginning to fly fish and he was very patient and helped him improve a lot in a short period of time. I would highly recommend T.J!

Blaine

Verified Review

November 26

TJ does a tremendous job of guiding!! My son is beginning to fly fish and he was very patient and helped him improve a lot in a short period of time. I would highly recommend T.J!

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Trip: "Big Bend" Sight Fishing

First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.