Florida Fishing Charter

Florida Fishing charter guide guides

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Here is a brief photo description on the species we catch on our Florida fishing charter site, GiantTarpon.com. We believe “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Our site is loaded with over 500 images documenting our catches over the past two decades plus and that is a testament to our longevity. To view the archived photos of GiantTarpon, please visit our photo page here.

Tarpon and snook each have their own dedicated pages. Please follow these links to learn more about them and the services we provide for them.

Snook

Tarpon

Redfish: " BULLS"

After strict Florida regulations and a temporary gamefish status in 1985 and permanent status in 1988, the redfish has become our most reliable specie of fish caught on our Florida fishing charter. Most of the year they can be found schooled up on saltwater flats. They are notorious shallow minded fish found on the flats in just inches of water " tailing.'' or "pushing" and for these traits, they are excellent species for those who love to "sight fish" on spin, plug or fly. Other times they are broken up and show up in the grab bag while snook fishing. Reds are the most stubborn of fish on light tackle and are taken on a wide range of baits and flies.

Cobia: The " Bronze Bomber"

The " Bronze Bomber," pound for pound is the toughest fish on the flats. Found mostly along sand bars, channel edges, navigational markers, and hard bottom grass flats the cobia will be quick to test your strength and never seem to give up. Cobia migrate north during the spring and south during the fall in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the spring, the first fish are taken over nearshore wrecks, hard bottom and around massive migrating bait schools. As the flats warm up, the come into the skinniest of areas where they make great targets for sight-casting. In the fall, they are primarily taken around the bait schools moving south. There are many variables with the cobia in the fall and they are best targeted in the spring. They take a wide variety of baits and flies. Cobia offer great sight-casting opportunities for those patient enough to hunt them out. Pictured is a large specimen taken in 5 of water off New Port Richey taken on a Florida fishing charter.

Permit: The "street fighter" of the Gulf.

Larger specimens are found on the nearshore reefs, ledges and wrecks, and smaller scrappers found along the beaches and pass edges. They are often caught on small crustaceans and jigs and occasionally on fly. Permit are in the jack family and are cousins to the other jacks we target to include jack cravelle and pompano. In the Gulf of Mexico, the large permit frequent nearshore wrecks around St. Patrick's Day when the water begins to warm to 68 degrees. This migration is directly related to the spawning cycle of the fish that lasts into June or July in most years. The smaller permit are found off the beaches and passes. They, along with their cousins (pompano, jack cravelle) can be targeted virtually all year.

Bring plenty of BEN-GAY you'll need it.   Florida fisihng



Florida fisihng guides King Mackerel: "Kingfish" , "Smokers"

Caught mainly during the spring (around St. Patrick's Day) and fall (around Columbus Day) seasons. Kings are known for its sizzling runs and burning up reels. The fish tend to migrate nearshore during the spring and just off the beaches in the fall. They are near always found near their migrating forage. While targeting them, Spanish mackerel, cobia, tarpon, grouper and bonito arte common by-catches. They are mostly taken on live bait. However, they can be chummed up and taken on fly- Ye Ha!!!!

Spanish Mackerel:
Smaller version than the king, yet real speedsters on light tackle. Suckers for a wide range of baits and flies. Caught during the spring, summer, and fall. Smaller than the king, yet real speedsters on light tackle. Suckers for a wide range of baits and flies. Caught during the spring, summer, and fall.

Grouper: "Gags" or "Black Grouper"

The most popular Gulf coast nearshore reef-fish. During the spring and fall we take these fish in 20 feet of water or less. Generally, It's bottom fishing with medium- heavy tackle only. King mackerel, snapper and a wide variety of Florida reef-fish are taken while targeting grouper. Great on the table.

Florida fishing charter

Sailfish : The state fish and what a beautiful one it is.

Sails are caught as by-catch on occasion in spring while targeting kings. Each year we spend some time on Florida's east coast and offer a limited number of Florida sailfish fishing charter s. Best fishing technique is "kite-fishing" with livebait while drifting in the bluewater of the Florida Straights. We fish this most spectacular game fish on 20lb. tackle for the ultimate thrill. Come on down and get in on the action. More than a dozen fish possible on each trip!!!

Spotted Sea Trout:

Thanks in part to the Florida Gillnet Limitation Amendment and tighter restrictions, the trout are coming back. Along with redfish, trout are the bread n' butter species of Florida fltas guides during the cooler month. These fish offer great light tackle action and test your finesse skills. They have very soft mouths and like to do a little head shaking. Landing a " gator" is a rewarding experience. Florida fishing charter

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Sharks:

We catch sharks of many different species and sizes. Blacktip, tiger, sand, spinner, nurse, bull, and hammerhead are most common.

Grand Slams

What else do we catch?

Black drum, jack cravelle, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, sand trout, pompano, sharks, barracuda, ladyfish, bluefish, gar, largemouth bass, and 20 other tropical, sub-tropical species .