The Waterman: Full Day Tampa Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full 12hour fishing adventure targeting multiple species offshore and inshoreTampa or Ruskin pickup with licenses, bait, and gear includedAccommodates groups up to 8 for bachelor parties and corporate events
Think you've got what it takes to handle 12 hours on the water? "The Waterman" charter isn't for weekend warriors or casual anglers looking for a quick bite – this is a serious fishing adventure designed for die-hard anglers who want to experience everything Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico have to offer. Captain Joe and the crew at Slobby Joe Charters have put together this marathon fishing trip that covers every type of water you can imagine: deep offshore drops, productive nearshore reefs, and the grass flats where monster redfish patrol. You'll launch from either downtown Tampa or our Ruskin location, giving you flexibility to choose what works best for your crew.
This isn't your typical half-day charter where you hit one spot and call it done. The Waterman trip is built around variety and maximum fishing time. You'll start before sunrise and won't see the dock again until well after most boats have called it a day. The beauty of a 12-hour charter is that you can chase the bite – if the red snapper are crushing it on the offshore structure at dawn, you'll work those spots hard. When the afternoon bite slows down, you'll move inshore to target tarpon rolling in the shipping channels or redfish tailing on the flats. Your captain reads the conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish all day long. The boat comes fully rigged with top-shelf tackle, fresh live bait, and all the licenses you need. You can bring up to 6 anglers total, with additional spots running $745 per person beyond the included 2-angler base. This setup makes it perfect for bachelor parties, corporate groups, or just a crew of serious anglers who want to make the most of their time on the water.
You'll be fishing from a well-equipped charter boat that's built for the long haul and rigged to handle everything from bottom fishing to live bait trolling. The offshore portion typically involves heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80lb test, perfect for tangling with big grouper and snapper around structure. When you're working the nearshore reefs for Spanish mackerel and smaller snapper, you'll switch to lighter spinning gear that lets you feel every head shake and run. The inshore segments call for completely different tactics – shallow water fishing with lighter tackle, often sight fishing to cruising redfish or free-lining live bait to rolling tarpon. Your captain handles all the rigging, but experienced anglers are welcome to tie their own knots and work with their preferred setups. Live bait is a huge part of the program here – fresh sardines, pinfish, and shrimp depending on what's running and what the target species are eating. The boat's equipped with multiple live wells to keep your bait frisky throughout the long day.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Tampa's offshore scene, and these fish are absolute bulldogs when they grab your bait. Most of the keeper-sized snapper you'll encounter run 16-24 inches, but the occasional doormat pushing 8-10 pounds will test your drag and your patience. Peak red snapper action happens during their federal season, typically summer months, when they're stacked up on the offshore ledges and artificial reefs. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is their aggressive bite – when you find a school, you can often catch them back-to-back until your arms are burning. Spanish mackerel are speed demons that hit fast and fight hard for their size. These chrome rockets typically run 2-4 pounds around Tampa, and they're absolute sucker for live sardines or small spoons trolled behind the boat. Spring through fall is prime time for Spanish mackerel, and they often school up in huge numbers around the nearshore reefs and structure.
Goliath grouper encounters are the stuff of fishing legends, and Tampa Bay is one of the few places where you have a legitimate shot at hooking into one of these giants. These massive grouper can easily top 300 pounds, and even though they're catch-and-release only, the experience of being connected to a fish that outweighs you is something you'll never forget. They hang around deeper structure and wrecks, often surprising anglers who are targeting smaller species. Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay is world-class, especially during the spring and summer months when these silver kings migrate through the area in massive schools. A typical Tampa Bay tarpon runs 80-150 pounds, and their aerial acrobatics when hooked make them one of the most sought-after game fish in the world. You'll often spot them rolling on the surface before you even make a cast.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore prize, and Tampa Bay's grass flats hold some true giants that locals call "bull reds." These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20-40 inches around here, with the big bulls putting up legendary fights in shallow water. What makes redfish so special is that you can often sight-fish to them, watching them cruise the flats or tailing in skinny water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. The bite stays consistent year-round in Tampa Bay, though fall and winter often produce the biggest fish as they school up for their offshore spawning runs.
The Waterman charter represents serious value for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on the water. Twelve hours gives you the flexibility to chase different species as conditions and bite windows change throughout the day, something you just can't do on shorter trips. Whether you're putting together a bachelor party that wants to experience the best of Tampa Bay fishing, planning a corporate outing that your clients will never forget, or you're simply a group of dedicated anglers who live for days like this, The Waterman delivers an adventure that most boats can't match. The included licenses, gear, and live bait mean you can show up ready to fish without worrying about the details
Your fishing machine awaits! This restored 2002 Ranger bay boat packs serious punch with its 300HP Mercury engine, cruising at 45 knots to get you to the hottest fishing spots fast. Fresh from a 2020 restoration, she's equipped with everything serious anglers need: fish finder to locate your targets, GPS navigation, VHF radio, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The multimedia system keeps spirits high during the ride. Built to handle Tampa Bay's inshore waters and push offshore when the big ones are biting, this 3-person capacity boat is perfect for small groups wanting maximum fishing time. Whether you're chasing snook in the shallows or heading to the deep water for grouper and snapper, this reliable fishing platform will get you there and back safely. Ready to test your skills on a full 12-hour fishing marathon?
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our waters and strictly catch-and-release since they're protected. These monsters can reach 400-600 pounds and live around structure in 20-100 feet - bridges, reefs, and wrecks. Summer brings the best chances when they're more active in warmer water. What makes them special is the sheer power - that first pull will test your back and your tackle. It's not about the eating since you can't keep them, but about experiencing something truly massive on the end of your line. They're curious fish that will often follow divers and check out boats. The key is using heavy tackle and big live bait like jacks or large pinfish. Once hooked, you've got maybe 30 seconds to pull them away from structure before they cave you up.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the trophy fish every angler dreams about hooking. These deep-water warriors typically run 15-25 pounds around here, though the big ones can push 30+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure in 60-120 feet of water - reefs, wrecks, and ledges where they ambush baitfish. Summer through early fall gives you the best shot at them when they're most active. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is that first run when they feel the hook - they'll head straight for cover trying to break you off. The meat is world-class too, firm white fillets that taste as good as they fight. My go-to trick is bouncing your bait right off the bottom near structure to get their attention, then be ready for that initial surge.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing, running 18-30 inches in the slot with that classic copper color and black spot by the tail. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bays in 1-6 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up heavily. What guests love is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water and feeling that bulldogging fight they're famous for. Plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. These fish eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, and spoons all work. The trick is fishing as shallow as possible early morning or late afternoon. Watch for nervous baitfish or birds working - that's usually where reds are feeding.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll give you a workout on light tackle. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-20 inches, but they make up for size with pure speed and acrobatics. Look for them in 15-40 feet around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish are schooling. They're most active spring through fall when water temps are right. What guests love is how fast the action can be - when you find a school, you might catch a dozen in an hour. They're also fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect on the grill. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are essential. Watch for birds diving on baitfish - that's usually where you'll find mackerel feeding aggressively just below the surface.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings that turn grown anglers into kids again when they jump. Most fish we catch run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet long, living 50+ years. They cruise shallow flats, bridges, and passes in 5-30 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our area. What hooks people is watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 8 feet out of the water trying to throw the hook. They're mainly catch-and-release since the meat is full of bones, but the fight is pure gold. These fish are smart and spook easily, so quiet approaches work best. Live crabs and pinfish are deadly baits. Keep your rod tip low during jumps - "bow to the king" - or they'll use that leverage to throw the hook on you.
Tampa, FL