Ruskin · Tampa Bay · St. Pete

Guided Fishing Charters in Tampa, FL

Private inshore charters with Captain Phil Pegley, 25+ years on Tampa Bay. Whether you're a seasoned angler or reeling in your first catch, the rods, bait and licenses are on the boat. You just show up.

Book your date for $150 Call (813) 416-6296

Just $150 holds your date. Half-day trips from $550 · all day from $750.

We Go Where They're Biting

No fixed routes. Captain Phil runs to wherever redfish, snook, trout and tarpon are feeding that day, and never skimps on fuel to get you there.

Tampa inshore charters →

A Charter for Every Crew

Pros or first-timers, kids or clients: every trip is private and built around your group.

Family Business Nonprofit Birthdays & friends

25+ Years at the Wheel

USCG-licensed Captain Phil Pegley knows every flat, mangrove and channel on Tampa Bay, and he's just as good with a first-timer as with a tarpon.

Meet Captain Phil →

Book a charter

Choose Your Trip. Pick Your Day.

Just $150 books your date. Private charters for up to six guests, with rods, bait, tackle and fishing licenses included. We pick you up all around Tampa Bay: Ruskin, Hula Bay, St. Petersburg Landing, O'Neal's Marina, Hook's Restaurant, or almost any dock with a pier.

Shark, goliath grouper and tarpon are specialty charters: from $700 for up to 2 people per four-hour block, plus $50 per additional person. All day is $300 more. Choose it as an option when you book in the calendar. Questions? Call (813) 416-6296.

MorningMorning Inshore Charter Out early on calm water for redfish, snook and trout, back with your catch cleaned by midday. $550for 1 or 2 guests+$50 for each additional guest, up to a max of 6$150 to book · balance on pickupCheck dates AfternoonAfternoon Inshore Charter Sleep in, fish the afternoon tide, then take your fresh catch to dinner. $550for 1 or 2 guests+$50 for each additional guest, up to a max of 6$150 to book · balance on pickupCheck dates All dayAll-Day Inshore Charter Work more spots, follow the tides, and chase bigger fish. The trip for anglers who want the whole day. $750for 1 or 2 guests+$50 for each additional guest, up to a max of 6$150 to book · balance on pickupCheck dates Seasonal · Tampa Bay Cast & BlastDuck Hunt + Fishing Nov. 21 – Jan. 31 Two bookings, one day: a duck hunt and a fishing charter with the same captain. Hunt in the morning and fish in the afternoon, or the other way around. Save 10%on the total of both bookings Hunt: 1 hunter$3502 hunters$300 each3 hunters$250 each Plus the fishing charter, from $550See how it works Seasonal · Key West LobsteringKey West Lobstering July 15 – Aug. 31 Snorkel the shallow reefs and ledges for spiny lobster, and fish between dives. Florida Keys, not Tampa Bay. $700for 1 or 2 guests+$50 for each additional guest, up to a max of 6Check dates

USCG licensed captainLicenses & gear includedCatch cleaned for youCancel 48+ hours ahead for a full refund

Don't take our word for it

What Our Guests Say

Families, friends and teams who've fished Tampa Bay with Captain Phil.

Welcome aboard

Your Fishing Adventure Starts Here

Tampa Bay is one of Florida's great inshore fisheries, and Reel Escapes puts you right in the middle of it. Captain Phil plans every trip around your group: chase a trophy snook, introduce the kids to their first redfish, or just enjoy the mangroves, the dolphins and a day on the open water.

Private charters for up to six guests
Rods, bait, tackle and licenses on the boat
Pickup around the bay, from Ruskin to St. Pete
Your catch cleaned before you head home

Book for $150 Read the FAQ

Guests fishing aboard a Reel Escapes charter on Tampa Bay

Who it's for

A Charter for Every Crew

Every trip is private, so the day runs at your group's speed.

Family Charters

Calm inshore water, a captain who loves teaching kids, and memories that beat any theme park.

Family charters →

Business & Teams

You could go golfing. Or you could close the deal on the water and make a lasting impression.

Business charters →

Nonprofit Outings

Family days, fundraisers and donor thank-yous for pediatric cancer, cystic fibrosis and conservation groups.

Nonprofit charters →

Every season

Year-Round Fishing Charters in Tampa Bay

At Reel Escapes, fishing is more than a hobby; it's a way of life. From casting lines to reeling in your prize, Captain Phil is by your side with tips that improve your skills and your odds.

Are you after the mighty tarpon? The hard-fighting snook? The elusive redfish? Tampa Bay delivers in every season, from inshore flats to nearshore structure. Pick your target:

Inshore Nearshore Tarpon Shark Goliath Grouper

Month-by-month guide

A catch from a year-round Tampa Bay charter

200+ speciesin Tampa Bay waters

Two duck hunters standing in Tampa Bay holding their ducks, decoys on the water behind them

Guests holding their catch aboard a Reel Escapes charter on Tampa Bay

The BlastMorning duck hunt

The CastAfternoon fishing

Tampa Bay · duck season only

CastandBlast

Hunt diving ducks at first light, then fish the afternoon tide. One captain, one full day on Tampa Bay.

Book now Learn more

Save 10%when you book both halves of the day

The captain & the boat

Who You'll Fish With

Meet Captain Phil

25+ years of local knowledge in inshore and nearshore light-tackle fishing. He's not afraid to chase tarpon, sharks and the mighty Goliath grouper.

About Captain Phil →

Captain Phil's custom Dorado hybrid bay boat

Boat & Equipment

A 23' 6" custom Dorado hybrid bay boat, Bull Bay custom rods, and safety gear we never skimp on.

See the boat →

Straight from the captain

Real Fishing Stories from Captain Phil

Storms, fog in a shipping lane, a marlin that could sink the boat. Decades of true stories from Tampa Bay to Key West. Ask him about any of them on your trip.

The Marlin's Curse of Thunder KeyThe storm roared, lightning split the sky, and a marlin's shadow circled the boat.Read the story →

Through the Storm“We gotta turn into it!” “No,” Phil growled. “We surf it.”Read the story →

The Line in the WaterNear the mangroves with Jake, and a lesson about what a fishing line can carry.Read the story →

Fog of WarThey weren't just lost in fog. They were in a shipping lane.Read the story →

The Tarpon That Wouldn't Let GoIt hit like it meant to end the day right there.Read the story →

Victory at the Veteran's SlamA Saturday at Hula Bay, a snook that fought hard, and a quiet kind of victory.Read the story →

All fishing stories

Seasonal · Key West

Key West Lobstering

Every summer, Captain Phil runs lobster charters out of Key West, home of the famous two-day mini-season. Read the stories, then the full guide to seasons, permits and gear.

The Atlantic Shelf Jackpot The Lobster Hole The Missing Lobster Diver

Read the full guide Key West lobster charters

From the blog

Tips, Guides & Know-How

Get more out of your day on the water, and out of your catch.

GuideCatch-and-Cook Restaurants in Tampa BayWhere to have your fresh catch cooked the same night.Read more →

First timers7 Mistakes First-Time Charter Guests MakeYour first charter should feel like a mini-vacation, not a pop quiz.Read more →

SeasonsBest Seasons for Inshore Fishing in FloridaA month-by-month guide to snook, redfish, tarpon and more.Read more →

BusinessFishing Charters for BusinessWhy charters create bonds, close deals, and reveal who people really are.Read more →

Know-howWhat the Tides Mean for Your TripIncoming, slack and falling tides, and why captains talk about them so much.Read more →

Your catchPreserving Your Catch After a CharterStoring, transporting and food-safety tips for your fish.Read more →

Visit the blog

Ready when you are

Pick a Trip. Pick a Day.

Private inshore charters on Tampa Bay for up to six guests. Just $150 books your date, and rods, bait, tackle and fishing licenses are all included.