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Capt. Jeff Watkins Sr.
US Coast Guard Licensed
40 yrs local fishing knowledge
SW Florida's top rated guide

Online Reservations

*****Notices/News*****

***** Sept 8th 2024 Inshore report. Inshore fishing has been on fire. We've gotten alot of rain, water temps are up, and the water is at it's normal tanic color for the rainy season. Big Redfish schools have been showing up and will continue through late October. The bite has been pretty consistant with Redfish, Snook, Trout, Pompano, and Spanish Mackerel being caught on our inshore trips.. Shrimp, Whitebait, Cut Bait, and Jigs are the weapon of choice. Snook & Redfish are catch and release only.

***** Sept 8th 2024 offshore report. Offshore bite has been steady. The Snapper have been hungry and steady with Lanes, Gray, Yellowtail and Vermillion Snapper coming over the sides.  Also been catching a few African Pompano,Cobia, Kingfish, Amberjack,Triggerfish, and Key West Grunts have been caught as well. Red Grouper is now closed till the first of the year. Still catching them but released for another day. Great weather, fun times and brining back plenty of fish for dinner is just a bonus.

***** April 8th 2024 NOAA just anonoced Red Grouper will close July 1st 2024- December 31st 2024!!!!

***** Reminder gratuity is not included in price. 20% is customary and appreciated

***** Redfish & Snook even in season are catch and release only on my charters to allow our fishery to continue to flourish. Many guides are doing the same thing as we all share the same interest in the fishery here in Southwest Floirda. We can keep a few Trout and possibly some Snapper, Sheepshead, and Pompano but thats about it for Inshore.  If your looking for a meat trip then book a offshore trip.

 

If your preferred day isn't showing available please send me a message under the contact page or call or text me at 941-268-4694. Some days are blocked off for scheduled days off that I may be able to make available and if not I can usually find you a reputable Captain/Guide for your trip and take the guess work out of it for you. Thank you 

Policies & Procedures For Fishing Charters

  • Reservations require a deposit: $200 for Offshore & Nearshore trips, $150 for Inshore & Shark trips.
  • Redfish & Snook on the inshore charters are catch and release only. We can keep a few Trout and possibly any Snapper, Sheepshead, and Pompano we may get but thats pretty much it. If your looking for a lot of fish to eat then you need to book an offshore trip.
  • The captain may postpone or cancel trip due to poor weather conditions or other reasons at his discretion. Trips cancelled by the captain will receive a 100% refund.
  • The captain will email you within 48 hrs of your reservation with an itinerary of your trip including all the details.
  • A full refund is issued for all trips canceled with at least 14 days notice. However, inside of 14 days the deposit is forfeited, and for cancelations inside of 3 days or no shows the day of the charter the full amount will be due and will be charged to the card you used for deposit.
  • Please look over the Trip details page to ensure you are booking the correct trip. Any questions please give Capt. Jeff a call
  • Things not to bring-  glass bottles, black soled shoes, firearms, nonprescription drugs, aerosol sun block, cannabis even with prescription is not allowed in Federal waters. GPS units, smart watches, and Go Pros are not allowed aboard on all offshore & nearshore trips. Cell phones must be off before leaving dock on all offshore & nearshore trips. The Captain can take any photos for you and send to you after the trip. If on a offshore or nearshore trip and a GPS tracking device is picked up by our monitoring system the trip will be cancelled at that time and full amount will be due. If you have special circumstances like glucose monitoring or something else and need to use cell phone please discuss with the Captain before trip.
  • Things to bring-Drinks, snacks, a small cooler, a hat, rain gear, sunglasses, sun block (non aerosol), non marking white soled shoes , and Dramamine if prone to motion sickness or not sure (follow directions on the box).
  • Gratuity is not included. Customary is 20% of the price of your charter.
  • Trips depart from Gasparilla Marina. Please arrive 15 min prior to scheduled departure
  • Up to 5 guest are welcome on our offshore/nearshore trips however only 4 lines will be allowed in the water at a time
  • If you have any questions please contact me.

Policies & Procedures For Cruises & Tours

  • Tour and Cruise reservations require a $100.00 deposit
  • The captain may postpone/cancel trip due to poor weather conditions or other reasons at his discretion. Trips cancelled by the captain will receive a 100% refund.
  • The captain will email you within 48 hrs of your reservation with an itinerary of your trip including all the details.
  • A full refund is issued for all trips canceled with at least 14 days notice. Inside of 14 days deposit is forfeited. And for no shows the day of charter you will be charged the full amount of trip on the card you used for deposit.
  • Things not to bring-non prescription drugs, glass bottles, black soled shoes, firearms, aerosol sun block.
  • Things to bring-Drinks(alcohol is allowed), snacks, a small cooler, a hat, rain gear, sunglasses, sun block (non aerosol), non marking white soled shoes(flip flops are ok)
  • Trips depart from Gasparilla Marina. Please arrive 15 min prior to scheduled departure. Pick up can also be arranged from the Little Gasparilla Island Docks.
  • Gratuity is not included. Customary is 20% of the price of your charter.
  • If you have any questions please contact me.

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