Business Details
14 Years
experience
Top-Rated Fishing Charters in Tampa Bay, Florida
Since 2012, Spanish Sardine has established itself as Tampa Bay's premier fishing charter service, offering expert-guided excursions tailored to anglers of all skill levels. Our experienced captains specialize in inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing adventures across Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and surrounding waterways. With a focus on quality experiences, we target diverse species including grouper, snook, trout, redfish, and trophy game fish like tarpon and sharks. Our 24-foot center console vessel accommodates up to four anglers, providing personalized attention while maintaining competitive pricing.We prioritize customer satisfaction through transparent policies, including a weather-related cancellation guarantee and flexible booking options. Our team's deep local knowledge ensures clients access prime fishing locations while enjoying scenic coastal views. All charters include necessary equipment, expert guidance, and post-trip support to ensure memorable fishing experiences.
Services
In-Shore Fishing
Near-Shore Charters
Off-Shore Charters
Gulf of Mexico Trips
Tarpon & Shark Charters
Half-Day Excursions
Full-Day Adventures
Group Fishing Tours
Beginner-Friendly Trips
Trophy Fish Hunting
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer expert-led fishing adventures with 10+ years of local experience
- Our captains specialize in multiple fishing techniques across diverse environments
- We provide transparent pricing with weather-related cancellation guarantees
- Our vessel accommodates personalized group experiences for up to four anglers
- We maintain modern equipment and prioritize sustainable fishing practices
What people say
Best experience
Caught a lot of fish
Amazing time
Captain knows his stuff
Reel drag-screamin fish
Services
In-Shore Fishing
Explore Tampa Bay's inshore waters targeting redfish, trout, snook, and flounder. Our expert guides navigate shallow flats and mangrove shorelines to locate prime fishing spots. Ideal for anglers seeking action-packed days with diverse catch opportunities in protected waters.
Near-Shore Fishing
Venture just beyond the shoreline to target kingfish, tarpon, and cobia near artificial reefs. Our captains utilize specialized techniques to locate productive sand bars and coastal structures. Perfect for experiencing offshore conditions while remaining close to shore.
Off-Shore Charters
Journey into the Gulf of Mexico for trophy grouper, sailfish, and monster sharks. Our deep-sea excursions access productive fishing grounds with state-of-the-art equipment. Designed for anglers seeking challenging battles with hard-fighting pelagic species in open waters.
Half-Day Trips
Maximize your fishing experience with 4-hour guided charters perfect for beginners or time-constrained anglers. These focused sessions target productive local fisheries while providing expert instruction. Includes all necessary gear and professional guidance for successful catches.
Full-Day Adventures
Immerse yourself in a complete fishing experience with 8-hour charters covering multiple ecosystems. Visit diverse fishing grounds from shallow flats to deep reefs. Ideal for serious anglers pursuing trophy catches across Tampa Bay's varied marine environments.
Questions
What fishing charter options are available?
We offer half-day (4-hour) and full-day (8-hour) charters for 2-4 anglers, with specialized trips for inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing adventures.
What species can we target?
Our charters target over 20 species including redfish, trout, snook, grouper, tarpon, sharks, cobia, and seasonal migratory fish in Tampa Bay and Gulf waters.
What's included in the charter rate?
Rates include professional captain services, all necessary fishing gear, tackle, bait, and expert guidance. Additional anglers add $50 each to the base rate.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require a $150 deposit with full refunds for weather-related cancellations or bookings cancelled 7+ days in advance. Captain's discretion determines weather safety.
How are payment arrangements handled?
A $150 deposit secures your booking, with remaining balance due at trip conclusion. Payment methods include major credit cards and cash transactions.
Reviews (4)
Sebastian Jimenez
Jun 21, 2021
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Captain Rios knows where the fish are at! So much fun and the captain is incredibly courteous! We caught 15 snappers and were able to keep them, filet them, and cook em up! Countless groupers too! 10/10 great time.
Sturgill White
May 19, 2021
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Rafael took my daughters and me for their first fishing trip. He was amazingly professional, and a great guy to be around. And he knows where the fish are. Great experience!!!
Jordan Son
Feb 18, 2021
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My wife two kids and I have been doing fishing charters with Capt. Rios for 4 or 5 years now and he has never let us down. He is great with the kids, will train you on techniques for catching different fish and most importantly he puts you on the fish! Its a trip we look forward to every year as a family and the Spanish Sardine has become a major staple in that trip. Weve caught multiple different species of sharks, one year bringing in 33 hammerheads and this last year we filled the cooler with sheepshead and mangrove snapper. If you want to catch fish on the Gulf side, Capt. Rios is your
Kristen Cheney
Dec 05, 2020
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We had a fabulous time!! Captain Rafael was an excellent guide and worked hard to get us a lot of fish, including sheepshead, red snapper, mackeral, and shark. We had a lot of laughs as we unexpectedly caught 5 dolphins as well, lol!! The key is to reel super fast and get your red snapper on the boat before the dolphin gets to it!! He was also very patient with us since we are used to "setting the hook".
He knew the area well and suggested that we take our filets to a nearby restaurant called The Wharf so they could cook them up for us. Overall, we had a great trip and we will definitely be returning
He knew the area well and suggested that we take our filets to a nearby restaurant called The Wharf so they could cook them up for us. Overall, we had a great trip and we will definitely be returning
