Offshore Full Day: | YACHTFISH Fishing Charters

August 11, 2015NewsBy Matt Douglas

Immaculate conditions running offshore this morning with Mr. Vallarios and his guests. Shoving off in the dark we had the sunrise to our backs on the run out. What better way to start the day.

We hit up three different spots by noontime and reached our limit for the day. Red & Gag Grouper for dinner, everyone’s happy!

Another successful day in the books.

Captain Matt Douglas

About the author

Matt Douglas

Captain Matt Douglas is the founder of YACHTFISH and is a licensed United States Coast Guard 100 ton Master Captain. Captain Matt grew up on the waters of Tampa Bay and lived and worked in Costa Rica for over 11 years. He has extensive experience in Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Florida. Captain Matt is a tournament-winning captain who has an intense passion for boating, fishing and creating life time memories for his Clients. These passions, combined with his experience, were the catalysts for YACHTFISH. Captain Matt is laser-focused on what he enjoys the most, and knows the best, in Tampa Bay and Costa Rica.

It’s Tarpon Fishing Season in Florida!
September 23, 2021

How Fishing Charters Are Providing an Escape from the COVID World
September 23, 2021

Winter Fishing Expectations in St. Pete Beach
September 23, 2021

Gag Grouper Move In As Water Temperatures Drop
September 22, 2021

Fall Fishing in Saint Petersburg
October 14, 2018

Red Tide Has Not Affected Fishing Charters in Tampa Bay
September 20, 2018

Contact information

YACHTFISH Fishing Charters
101 Bay Shore Dr NE
Slip Q12
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Nearby Hotels |
Nearby Restaurants
(727) 433-4200Phone number:
CALL or TEXT (727) 433-4200

BOOK NOW!

YACHTFISH Fishing Charters
9555 Blind Pass Rd
Slip D16S
St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Nearby Hotels |
Nearby Restaurants
(727) 433-4200Phone number:
CALL or TEXT (727) 487-2113

BOOK NOW!

YACHTFISH Fishing Charters
25 Causeway Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33767
Nearby Hotels |
Nearby Restaurants
(727) 433-4200Phone number:
CALL or TEXT (727) 433-4200

BOOK NOW!

YACHTFISH Fishing Charters 🐟

4.9

Brooke Bailey

11:38 15 Aug 22

My friends I went out for a 6 hour trip with Yachtfish charters. Capt Pat hooked me up on my first ever tarpon! it was the best catch of my life! We will Definitely be back! Yachtfish Charters will hook you up on some HUGE FISH!

Tony Marx

21:11 02 Jul 22

Excellent time was had. Highly recommend. We had two young kids and the Capt and Mate were very patient and helpful. Will use again

Steven Huxley

15:39 29 Jun 22

Pat and crew are the best! Not only great guides but great company. Have booked many times and will continue!

Michelle Sison

14:36 17 Jun 22

All I can say is Wow! We had a great time and amazing experience fishing with “captain Ethan” who was stellar and super chill with my kids and autistic son! We hooked a shark and even saw dolphins!! Ethan filleted our fish for us and we took it to the restaurant next door to the pier “Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro” where they cooked it for us, which was such a cool part of the experience for the kids! Definitely a must for fishing if you have no experience doing so.

Ryan Leonard

11:31 06 Jun 22

Me and my buddy went on an inshore fishing charter with Capt Patrick and Sam and had a blast. We caught so many fish but the grouper fishing was the highlight of the trip. We got around 10lbs of fish to bring home and it was tasty. I highly recommend! Thanks Capt Patrick and Sam!

John Cherry

12:20 11 May 22

We had a phenomenal day of fishing with Captain Patrick. My boys and I booked the shark trip. We didn’t catch just any old shark. We caught a 11 foot (critically endangered) sawfish. To say that Captain Patrick was excited would be a gross understatement. His enthusiasm for his craft and his expertise gave us an experience none of us will ever forget.

Joseph Glennon

00:55 23 Apr 22

Cpt Patrick and Sam were incredible. Down to earth guys with a ton of knowledge of the waters and the fish. 10/10 would recommend them and their shark fishing charter any day of the week. Will be back again!

Justin Todd

18:15 06 Apr 22

Captain Garret & First-Mate Ethan were incredible guides for our family. Extremely knowledgeable & hard working, they made our experience first class. The process of booking the charter was simple; quick response time and plenty of information. Be sure to click on the exact link for the boats location, don’t rely on the address. I’d recommend this fishing company to anyone and will be back in the future!

Dan Hull

19:59 16 Mar 22

We had a great time with Captian Garrett. He is an awesome guide. We will definitely book with him when we come back.

Missi Springer

21:48 22 Feb 22

We had the BEST time with Captain Patrick and Nate. They were super fun and super knowledgeable. We caught fish from start to finish. They were super engaging. GREAT trip all around. We will definitely be back!

Linda Danielak

00:10 29 Jan 22

Best day ever. What an amazing experience we had with top notch guides. Captain Garrett and Jake were very informative of the fish and observant of wildlife for us to see. They had bait on our lines at all times and helped coach us while reeling in the fish. Thank you so much and highly recommend YACHTFISH Fishing Chsrters

Lisa Foster

23:47 28 Jan 22

Such an amazing day!!! Captain Garrett and First Mate Jake were fantastic guides. Found the best fishing spots. Very knowledgeable about regional marine life. Made our trip a 'once in a life time' experience!!! Highly recommended. Thank you so much!!!

Jan

21:58 02 Jan 22

We had a blast! Captain Dan and Evan were awesome! They taught us so much and were so helpful. They kept rods loaded with bait and were so efficient. They were very friendly and kind. I would highly recommend doing a charter with them. Our only regret is that we did a half a day instead of a full day. Thanks for the memories Dan and Evan!

Mark Handlovitch

00:18 31 Dec 21

Evan & Weston worked hard trying and find us some game fish, time of the year, cold fronts, and everything factored into it were against them. We spent about 2 hours looking and to their credit they didn't give up. Even when things were rough going, they didn't lose faith. Knowing at this point we just wanted to catch some fish and have fun; they took us to a spot where we had a blast catching Lady fish. While it wasn't the fish we were hoping for, putting some on the hook was the key. We ended up having the time of our lives. While catching Lady fish, the dolphins rolled in. Evan & Weston showed us how to hand feed the Lady fish we were catching to the dolphins. It was an amazing experience and something my boys and I will never forget. As hunters and fisherman, ourselves, we understand that there are no guarantees. What these two young men did was made sure we enjoyed the trip and caught something. Next year we'll be back to have more fun and hope those guys are there to take us out.

Rich Randolph

01:42 18 Nov 21

Our crew was amazing. We tried offshore and did great, landing a 200lb shark. Caught lots of other species including snapper, hogfish, grouper, and many more. These guys run a top notch operation. I will definitely be back.

Tamra Bower

22:50 27 Oct 21

Capt Garrett and first mate Jake showed my husband 14 yr old son and me an awesome day fishing the bay today! They went above and beyond to take us to several fishing spots and teach us how to land a bunch of fish! We caught red grouper, snook, Spanish mackerel, Crevalle jack, snapper, others I can’t remember and even a bonnet shark! Garrett and Jake were nice enough to stop along the way and let us watch the dolphins playing next to the boat! They are experienced, knowledgeable, courteous, friendly and overall super nice guys! I booked through Capt. Matt and he was very responsive - the process was seamless! Thank you guys for making the trip amazing! I will definitely be recommending you to friends and family!

Eric Shields

02:40 29 Aug 21

My son and I went on an inshore with Captain Pat and Nate and offshore with Captain Dan and Evan, they were awesome. It was the greatest trip we have ever done. Caught so many different fish and brought home a lot. We would definitely book again on our next trip to St. Petersburg. Thanks for the fishing guys.

Tama Hill

13:45 17 Jul 21

Our group of 6 (4 adults and two 13 year old boys) went on a 4 hour fishing excursion with Garrett and Jake. The plan was to catch sharks but they were wise enough to know that it could be a lot of sitting and waiting for the young ones, so we fished for smaller varieties on the way out. Caught some Spanish mackerel and one other type. Then we headed out to a different spot for sharks. On the way we saw dolphins - they were playful (we were informed they were mating😉) so Garrett spent time in that area just letting us watch them for a while. There really wasn’t much waiting when we started shark fishing - and we eventually ended up catching a HAMMERHEAD shark! It was a great fight and cool to see this strange creature up close!! Garrett and Jake were also very knowledgeable about the red tide that was in the area And they recommended a great lunch spot when we were done (Fresco’s). These guys are the real deal. Book with YACHTFISH!!

Melinda Hutchenrider

02:18 06 Jun 21

We had the best day on the water with Pat and Evan! They were fantastic, fun, engaging. I can’t tell you how many hooks, lures, etc., that we went through - they didn’t bat an eye at - yet another - broken line. They just quickly repaired our mistakes and made sure we had the best day ever. We went to several different fishing spots - even some difficult areas. They obviously knew what they were doing. We caught enough for a lovely dinner - - and they made sure we were comfortable and happy. When we come back - we’ll book with them again and request Pat and Evan. (Thanks guys!). Y’all rock!!!

Derek McKnight

03:33 05 Mar 21

Top notch group of guides! Garret and Jake were fantastic with my two boys (7 & 9). Quality and well maintained boat and gear. These guys were very patient with my youngest and showed my oldest where to hook his bait and let him roll with it on the front deck like he was back at home again lol. We caught a heck of a lot of fish! We’ll be using these guys again when we come down next year. Thank you for a great experience our first time saltwater fishing!

richard brezina

01:11 02 Mar 21

Theses guys are some of the best in the Business! Very knowledgeable on all types and styles of fishing. Made my 8 year old dream come true by putting us on the sharks!!!

Jerry Thompson

02:39 07 Feb 21

Wow, what an incredible morning! Our family of 4 were looking for a chance to catch a shark so signed up with Yatchfish for a morning charter. Was a bit foggy on the way out but the guys were v professional and clearly knew the waters very well. We had the first Bonnet shark hooked and landed within 10minutes of dropping anchor, man do those things fight!! Next my son tussled with one for 5 minutes before it broke the line, then my wife and daughter each hooked and landed one. Finally my son got a second chance and that was time up, everyone with a fish landed, big smiles all around!! As we headed out we were surrounded by Manatees, what an incredible sight!! Huge fun, thank you guys, we’ll be back!!!

Ben Theis

02:03 17 Dec 20

Great time and caught some really nice fish. Was easy to get to and they made the whole time seamless with having everything set to go and helping during our time. The two boat captains were awesome to work with and we’d definitely go back to try some more fishing. Highly recommend.

Kasia Collins

21:14 09 Oct 20

I love love love this company. I used Yachtfish for the first time last year as a way to start a new family tradition when my uncle visits me. Second year now, and obviously many more to come, I couldn’t be more pleased.. I can’t say enough great things about how friendly the owner Matt is and he had an excellent deck mate, Evan, who went above and beyond. Matt, what an excellent shark fishing guide he is - truly talented, awesome people. Thanks for having us and we obviously will be back again and again!

Robert Sanchez

19:43 17 Sep 20

Garret was an awesome guide! The equipment was great, service was excellent and the fishing was great. I will definitely be using them again!

Chauncey Mays

00:21 30 Aug 20

This was an amazing fishing trip!! Had a great time out on the water! Both guys were great and very help! Will be returning for another trip for sure!

Clifton Moore

14:22 29 Jun 20

This is what I expect when choosing a charter. Captain Garrett and Jake are top notch. We were on fish within 15 minutes of leaving the docks. Stayed hooked up all day. They’re on the water daily, know where the fish are located. I’ll plan all future charters around their availability. F the rest, fish with the best #YACHTFISH

Noah Maupins

01:48 28 Jun 20

Alright let me start pat is the man he knows what he’s doing he is down to earth And his partner was amazing too they know how to catch all species of fish that are here in st.pete also they are very professional they were very friendly and made me and my brother feel very comfortable we had a great time and I will come back again amazing experience and we had a lot of fun

Steve Noble

19:40 26 Jun 20

Captain Garrett and Jake was some had so much fun definitely recommend them put us right on the fish definitely better than expected and awesome people ?

Tim Schumacher

17:55 24 Jun 20

Amazing trip! We will be back for years to come. Very friendly guys and super considerate to all your questions and needs. The tarpon and sharks we caught will be a lifelong memory. Thank you for the memories!!!!

T. Bayly Cornett

18:18 19 Jun 20

Chartered half a day inshore trip. Captain Matt did an outstanding job. He kept everyone with bait and assisting with some of our group who where not as experienced. He was friendly and knowledgeable and in general made the trip easy for us. And he flat out put us on some fish. +- 20 good size snook and a few mangrove snapper. It was a blast

Ryder Simson

23:16 18 May 20

We go shark fishing every two months and this has been an incredible experience actually guys took care of everything put us on the fish 100% action from start to finish we actually ran over cuz we caught a large shark took his quite a while to get it in incredible incredible incredible we will be back again we are already planning and return trip

Brian Wick

03:21 24 Mar 20

My kids & I had a great time shark fishing with Patrick & Jake. Really great guys. We caught a lot of bonnet heads, sting rays, red fish, and snook. They are very knowledgeable on everything we caught and were very patient with my kids (8 & 11). To end the day we snuck up on a couple of dolphins which was pretty awesome. Lots of good memories, highly recommend!

Nick Kraft

00:29 20 Mar 20

Went out on a 6 hour fishing/shark trip with captain Patrick. Was a great time with my son and brother in-law. Hooked into 5 species of sharks and even had a 7 ft hammer head. Tons of snook, mackerel, sting rays, and bonnet heads. Would recommend and would book again when back in St Pete.

Carter Coleman

20:42 14 Mar 20

What a fun experience!! We got to enjoy the boat ride on one of the prettiest days of my trip in Florida!! Pat and Jake were wonderful! We caught fish for fun and we caught fish to eat!! I will be sure to tell everyone that visits my uncle or my other family in Florida that this is a must do experience!! Thank you guys for providing such a memorable experience for this Montana snow bird!! Oh and we saw dolphins and rays!! Loads of cool birds too! The 4 hour trip was just the right amount of time! Thanks again!! They also accept cash!!

cody c

01:04 07 Mar 20

Jake and Garrett were awesome! Very knowledgeable on the area these guys grew up here. Put us on the fish instantly would of paid double for this.

Evan Huang

00:23 01 Mar 20

Had an awesome day on the water with Captain Patrick. We went out looking to land some sharks and he put us right where they were biting. Got to see plenty of manatee, dolphin, spinner sharks and cownose rays too. Great trip - - highly recommend

Kathi Miller

20:55 25 Feb 20

My husband and I had a great time fishing with Pat and Logan yesterday! We caught several different species during our inshore fishing trip and also saw dolphins and manatees. Lots of great information from these guys! Also provided suggestions on how to have Fresco’s cook our catch. Best fish dinner ever!!! We’ve already recommended YACHTFISH to others in our family. You won’t be disappointed!

Carla Calabria

01:49 26 Nov 19

I really enjoyed going fishing with Garret. He was very experienced. My mom Caught over 40 fish today, and we couldn’t have done it without Garret. Thanks for a great experience.

Jeff Press

12:40 19 Oct 19

We had a great experience with YACHTFISH. We were with Captain Garrett and he took good care of us. He got to know each person's level of experience and catered to their needs. He made sure everyone had a good time and everyone caught fish. Next time we are back in the area we will definitely use YACHTFISH again.

Dylan Foster

02:57 18 Oct 19

Captain was amazing, I can honestly say I've never had such a great fishing experience. Grew up fishing but never experienced such a great time on the water! I will make sure to schedule another trip just for this reason, we caught 7 species within 4 hrs! Other charters should have this high level of gratitude and service!

dustin foster

16:35 17 Oct 19

Capt Garrett knows his stuff, caught a lot of fish and several different species. The snook and mackerel bite was on fire!! Will fish with Capt Garrett again in the future!

Ashley Peterson

18:47 04 Oct 19

This is an absolute must! Captain Garrett is knowledgeable, very skilled, patient, and kind. He made our experience absolutely wonderful! We didn't come out with a lot of expectations because you never know what to expect out on the water but oh my word, we had a freaking blast!!! We caught such a variety of fish and massive ones at that! We haven't experienced any other charters in the area and let me tell you, we never will because we will be coming back here every time!!!

Neil Franzese

14:53 26 Aug 19

Amazing time with Patrick and Nate our on the water. They were extremely knowledgeable, accommodating and helpful. We had a blast! Definitely a repeat.

Mike Robinson

09:38 20 Aug 19

What an amazing experience for me and my son. Captain Garrett was simply the best. He put us on fish all afternoon. I lost track of the number of doubles we pulled in! Snook and Snapper all day. We could tell that Garrett genuinely enjoyed watching us have fun and that we did! Definitely going back when we find our way there again. Til next time :)

Paul Mott

19:12 08 Aug 19

Absolutely the best fishing charter ever. Fantastic captain, caught a bunch a great fish. Could not ask for a better time. We will definitely use them again.

Chris Hawkes

01:25 07 Jul 19

Had a great time with Captain Garrett! He was awesome with my 10 year old son on his first bay fishing experience! Will definitely make it a point to come back and request him again.

Thomas Parker

02:45 17 Jun 19

Awesome fathers day gift and it was all possible by captain garret knowledge of where to catch fish..landed 5 snook 3 snapper and a jack...he knew the spots and was an awesome captain...future trips out are in the works and will request him again...

Kevin Zitzow

21:48 27 May 19

Great experience with my 10 year old daughter! Captain was great with her and very knowledgeable. These guys definitely are out there working for you! We caught a great selection of fish and shark and enjoyed the clean , modern boat! Highly recommend!

Aaron Johnson

23:50 30 Apr 19

Captain Garret was so awesome new exactly what he was doing and got us on the shark. Very patient. made my sons birthday a blast. He was very knowledgeable of the area and fishing. He truly lives to fish.

Sarah Zavatsky

16:12 29 Apr 19

Captain Matt is AMAZING! I recently had the pleasure of going fishing on the Gulf with some friends and family with Matt as our captain. He was very knowledgeable, helpful and kind. I am a very inexperienced fisher but with his help I was able to catch 5 or more fish all on my own, ranging from Grouper, King Fish and multiple types of Snapper. I would recommend Yachtfish to anyone looking for a trustful captain who will be sure to make your fishing excursion worth while.

Chris Liddell

18:49 05 Apr 19

If I could rate this place 6/5, I would. Captain Garrett took us to some great spots. Caught so many fish, I was worried there wouldn’t be enough for everyone else in the bay. If you want a great charter, hit up these dudes. They treat you right and help you reel in the bad boys.

Mark Wiersema

21:49 03 Apr 19

Had a great day catching a number of different species of fish. 40 plus in the boat. And missed around 40. Great trip for our 4 teenage boys. Thank you Captain Matt.

Liam Krass

18:19 03 Apr 19

Very fun, would definitely recommend it and would definitely consider going again. I caught a bunch of snook and got to hold one. I was shown how to do all of the stuff. And if you want he will do it for you. My captain was Matt he was great and helped with everything. It was overall very fun and I can’t wait to go again!

Michele Dhilly

01:15 03 Apr 19

My son and I had an awesome afternoon with Captain Garrett! He always made sure we had a rod in hand and if he hooked one passed it off to me to catch. We caught about 25 between snook and lady fish with my son catching the most, but I caught the biggest! Highly recommend them and will definitely be back again.

Albert Steiginga

20:15 18 Mar 19

I fish a lot on the East Coast of Florida. I was in town for reggae rise up and found these guys it made my reggae Festival even more epic. I caught over 20 snook in the morning from 18 to 28 inches long. My captain was great!! “ Garrett “ Born and raised in the area great personality cannot say enough about this young man and his skills.

Jim Punzenberger

01:12 18 Mar 19

Captain Matt was great, he's very personable and super willing to educate you on fishing. His boats are well maintained and spotless. His gear is top notch and he works his butt off to get you on fish. I caught about 10 snook plus a grouper and lady fish on my afternoon charter. Highly recommend and I hope to get out with Captain Matt if I ever make it back to St. Petersburg.

Victoria Schultz

13:53 12 Mar 19

Best day ever! Captain Matt took our crew of 2 adults, 2 teenagers and 2 pre-teens out for the day. He found a perfect spot inshore where we caught a ton of fish and watched the dolphins swim around us. Then we went out into the bay and he landed us another spot with lots of actions. We caught enough fish to feed us all for dinner that night. He even cleaned and filleted them for us. This experience made our trip complete. Would highly recommend Yachtfish for their knowledge and professionalism. Hope to do this again the next time we are in Florida.

Welly Juhl

13:16 04 Mar 19

Extreamly professional and fun, Captain Matt and crew execute the best fishing experience! The boat is beautiful and the waters are breathtaking. Highly highly recommend !

Fred Schmidt

20:41 01 Mar 19

YACHTFISH CHARTERS Fantastic Experience. My son and I went on a six hour charter with Captain Matt ( the owner ) . We landed 5 different species of fish. Matt was very professional and fun to be with . He truly know the waters and fish . Service was fantastic, and he does it in a calm professional manner. We would encourage anyone to use YACHTFISH. Fred Schmidt, Summit N.J.

Mark Pfeiffer

18:25 25 Feb 19

Fishing with captain Matt was an awesome time. He put us on fish with ease and it was a super chill environment. Had a great time and 10/10 would do it again

James Gazzola

13:27 22 Feb 19

We went out on 2/17/2019 with Captain Pat. The only thing I could possibly complain about is that it took a full 30 seconds to catch our first fish.......After spending the morning with Captain Pat I feel the next time I fish with him he can improve on that time. THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME!!! It was an amazing time FULL of catching. We did very little fishing. His awareness of the fishing from the where to, to the how to, is nothing short of amazing. I feel I am an experienced fisherman that can catch fish anywhere, but there is a reason Captain Pat is a professional. The entire staff was professional and courteous, the equipment was top of the line and the overall experience was worth every dollar spent. This will go down as the absolute best family fishing trip we have ever had....It was so full of action that my son and I had the chance to catch two Snook at the same time creating the opportunity for us to take a father son picture and safely release both beautiful fish. Thank you Captain Pat!!!!!!!

Mona Tomlin

22:00 27 Jan 19

Captain Patrick got us on the fish! An awesome time catching, great company with a personable and knowledgeable guide. Thankful for a great time and will DEFINITELY plan another trip with him!

Aaron Berry

03:17 17 Jan 19

My wife and I happened across Capt. Matt during our anniversary. Fishing was not on the agenda but we figured we'd splurge on a little private charter. I am a local fisherman and have been fishing the Tampa Bay Area for over 30 years, so I am not the easiest person to please on a fishing trip. Captain Matt's intimate knowledge of the local waters was very evident as it did not take him long to put us on the fish. What was most impressive was his level of attentiveness. He kept our hooks baited and lines in the water at all times. We caught plenty of fish, Matt cleaned them soon as we docked, and enjoyed an awesome fish dinner right at the local restaurant on the dock. Amazing day, awesome experience!!!

Michael Olshove

16:45 03 Jan 19

Captain Matt was great. Left 15 mins before scheduled time, caught plenty of fish (my wife schooled me, hooking up way more often than I did). Thanks for the good time, will be back to schedule a corporate event soon.

Robert Woodworth

17:46 18 Dec 18

Captain Garrett was great during our inshore half day fishing trip! He put us on fish right away and by the time the trip was over we caught 70 fish of over 8 different species. We will definitely be back to fish with Captain Garrett again. 5 stars highly recommend!!

Gavin Stefanski

19:45 30 Nov 18

Definitely recommended booking these guys. Caught a ton, overall fantastic experience. I should also mention a cold front came in the night before so we didn’t have high expectations, however we started hooking up trout within a few minutes of stopping at our first spot. Those that were on the water didn’t look to be catching much compared to us. Will definitely book again next time in St Pete.

Robert Anderson

12:45 27 Nov 18

Our family had the best time. This was our 1st time ever deep sea fishing. Matt was just great. We had an amazing catch! I definitely recommend YACHTFISH fishing charters! thanks

Gail Tucker

17:42 20 Nov 18

We had the most amazing day fishing with Captain Matt! When we were looking for a fishing trip it was important to us that the entire family could be active and involved in the fishing. The trip did not disappoint in the least!!! There was excitement, tons of laughs, total moments of awe with the nature of the ocean. Our kids woke up the next day ready to go again! We will definitely go again!

Robert Southerland

04:31 13 Nov 18

Our group was in town for business and the snook fishing trip was a great way to cap it off. We caught some big snooks! Everyone had a great experience and plan to do this again next time we are in town for work. The captain was very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely, recommend this to anyone in town for work or pleasure!

Roy Ezell

05:49 04 Nov 18

Captain Matt was awesome, he was informative on all the questions we had prior and during our adventure. He's a very people person talks like he's known you for a long time, not just another boring captain we have encountered in the past. We will definitely be back again in the future.

Heather Watland

22:35 29 Oct 18

We had captain Garret (who I just realized was cool enough to let me call him Gary ??‍♀️ Haha) He was the best! He knew great fishing spots and was extremely knowledgeable. The best part was I loved how excited he got about fishing! I’m so happy we got to go out with him he definitely made our trip memorable. If your going to pick a charter this one is more than worth it!

Joshua Campbell

11:24 26 Oct 18

Captain Matt and team are top notch. They put us on fish all day. Great day on the water.

Austin Schindler

05:04 25 Oct 18

WOW!!!! This trip was such a thrill. Captain Matt was amazing. He took us quickly out to a great spot and got our poles in the water. We had so much fun catching our limit of some beautiful mackerel and my grandson even caught a shark. This is the first time in my life I have ever walked away from a fishing trip having never baited a hook. Captain Matt took care of everything with such proficiency it was astonishing. I would definitely recommend YACHTFISH Fishing Charters for your group!

paiton matyas

00:17 15 Oct 18

Wow! Yhatfish did not disappoint. I had so much fun going inshore and offshore fishing with Yhatfish during my stay in St. Petersburg. Matt and crew are very knowledgable, and they provided a safe and fun experience. It was my first time in St. Petersburg, and it was nice to learn about the town and the different types of fish that inhabit the waters there. Whether you want to go with your friends or take your family... I promise you will not be disappointed. You can't step on a Yhatfish charter and not have fun. I still daydream of the fresh tuna we caught. Some of the best I ever had in my life! I promise you will have a good time fishing with Yhatfish! No other charter even compares.

Mastiff Rescue of FL

13:28 14 Oct 18

We highly recommend Yachtfish Fishing Charters. Captain Matt donated a fishing trip to our silent auction and is a constant supporter of our rescue. His fishing trips are always excited and fun. Captain Matt is very knowledge and makes sure everyone has a memorable fishing experience. Mastiff Rescue of Fl ????

Jennifer fine

13:06 04 Sep 18

Had the best experience ever!!!! Great time, and they really knew where the fish were! I caught a huge red fish, shark, and some snook! I highly recommend them! Captain Patrick and Nathan rocked!!!! Will do it again very soon :)

All Phaze

13:46 18 Aug 18

What an amazing experience we had with YACHTFISH Fishing Charters! Captain Matt Douglas made our day a win of epic proportions, we couldn't have asked for any better. We were on a variety fish ALL DAY LONG! We can't wait to do it again, Thank You Very Much!

tom howe

18:04 09 Aug 18

What Great Trip!- We decided to go on a half day trip in the Bay. Garret, our Captain knew all the local spots. We had experienced and not so experienced friends fishing in our group and everyone caught plenty of fish, it made having fun easy. Garret had us wanting for nothing. I highly recommend this trip.

Robbie Baber

12:58 07 Jul 18

1st time using Yachtfish as charter. Had a great time in the Bay w/ Captain Garett. Even though the bite was slow, he was knowledgeable with the current area and was able to find a spot to get us a couple of keepers. Highly recommend this charter and Captain Garett.

Sharon Marsh

23:47 03 Jul 18

Such a fun day fishing with Capt Garrett and Capt Pat. Had our sons (8 & 10) catching fish within minutes. For our first fishing charter this was very memorable. We cauggt trout, snapper, mackerel, catfish and we even caught 2 sharks!! Capt Pat cleaned and gutted our fish and recommended Frescos (walking distance from the charter) to cook our fish for us; which was a delicious and affordable choice. Thank you for a fun day on the bay!!

Matthew Marsh

23:35 03 Jul 18

Went out with Garett and Patrick and had an amazing time. Great captaining kept us out of the weather and fishing the whole time. We got a couple sharks, one about 100 lbs and a great fight... we also got Mackeral, Snapper, Trout and more on some markers and flats. They know the good spots and how to keep the fish excited and biting. Great experience for the family and delicious meal after at the guys recommended restaurant that cooked our catch perfectly! We are 'hooked'. Thanks!

Jess Kroening

20:21 02 Jul 18

Best fishing trip ever! We went out with Captain Garrett McFall out of St. Pete FL and had a great time. Our two sons (8 and 9) caught lots of fish and learned a ton about the bay. Don't hesitate to book with Yachtfish, you will have a Blast!

Scott Foley

23:22 28 Jun 18

What an amazing day out deep sea fishing in St. Petersburg with YACHTFISH Fishing Charters! 6 of us enjoyed the day catching our limit in Snapper. We also caught a variety of other fish, including but not limited to Gag Grouper, Cobia, Black Fin Tuna, and Red Grouper. Captain Matt and his mate Gavon were spot on with everything the whole day, they had every angle covered. They quickly put us on the fish and kept us on them all day long, I've never seen anything like it. The boat (a 33' Invincible) and all the equipment were in immaculate condition and noticeably very well maintained. Seeing that I'm fairly new to deep sea fishing, I had a lot of questions to ask throughout the day as I tried to soak in as much knowledge as possible (imagine Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone). Both Gavon and Matt were very patient with me and the two kids in our group, I was probably more difficult than the kids in reality. After our jam-packed day of fishing, we had the pleasure of going over to Frescos which is within walking distance of YACHTFISH's Slip. While we were enjoying some of the Snapper and Grouper that we caught, which was cooked to perfection by the Frescos kitchen, YACHTFISH cleaned and bagged all our fish for us to fill our freezers with. They even took the time to separate the varieties for us which made it easy dividing it all up. This was truly the best fishing charter experience I have ever had in my life. We can't wait to do it again!!! Thank you VERY much Captain Matt & Gavon, you guys rock!

Anne Elstun

15:18 25 Jun 18

Yachtfish is stellar! Captain Matt Douglas is very professional, knowledgeable, courteous and always knows where to find fish. He goes out of his way to ensure that his customers have the very best experience. His boats are ultra clean and modern. We are regular customers and highly recommend him.

jeremy onorato

14:37 20 May 18

Where do we even start with reviewing Yacht Fish fishing charters? If you want a full day of fishing, fun and sun don't even think about booking with anybody else. We can't even say enough to describe how amazing of a day we had offshore catching every fish you could even imagine left and right. Our guides Matt and Scotty were beyond helpful and determined to make sure we had a kick ass day out there. Our hooks were tended to before we even had them out of the water if they didn't have a stud of a fish on them. Matt made sure my girlfriends first time offshore fishing was nothing short of perfect and everything a great day of fishing should be. Coming in with a box that barely closed because it was so full was not what we expected but enjoyed every fight and catch. We are officially loyal YachtFish guests and they really made it impossible to compete with their charter.

Guy Henson

21:53 15 May 18

WOW! What a day! I am a FL Native, but Matt taught me in 4 hours than I thought I knew for 40 years! Super patient w/all my questions and then we caught several snook within the trip. If u get a chance to book YACHTFISH do it immediately, you definitely won’t be disappointed!

Joshua Reed

18:29 15 May 18

Was invited out with Matt not sure what to expect. The guy crushed it. The Tom Brady of fishing. If you’re looking for not only a good fishing experience but a good time, this is your guy. No brainer.

Laney v

14:24 14 May 18

Great fishing experience! Captain Matt is extremely knowledgeable in his trade - thank you for another wonderful day.

Brian T

01:05 25 Apr 18

I am a local fisherman and went out with Yachtfish this past Sunday. We had a heck of a day and caught Mackerel, Snook and a Monster Redfish (39 inches) . The guides were extremely knowledgeable and put us on fish all afternoon. I highly recommend using Yachtfish for your charter needs.

Matthew Cler

16:23 05 Apr 18

We had a great time. Our captain was more than we could have asked for and my wife and 7 year old boy had a blast! We will definitely book with Yachtfish again next time we are in Florida!

Teresa Gandeza

13:53 28 Mar 18

Another phenomenal fishing trip with Captain Matt. Right on every experience. Love his fun and easy going ways. Conscientious kind of Cap Makes everyone feel comfortable and confident.

Robert Gerding

14:35 13 Mar 18

I have been on a lot of fishing charters in my day and even have part ownership in a fishing team. The capt and owner both went out of there way to insure we had an amazing day on the water! Got 2 keeper cobia, dozen plus jacks, and even 7 snook! All in a half day trip. These guys know what there doing and put us on the fish from the second we got on the boat! Would highly recommend this company to anyone who is serious about catching fish! Extremely proffessional at every turn! First class company and people ALL THE WAY! CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN!

Joe Picard

13:34 01 Mar 18

Excellent 1/2 day of fishing. The 4 of us caught so many ladyfish and mackerel that we lost count. Capt Garrett had all the bait, equipment and knowledge to make this a great trip!

Danny Wiz

02:52 01 Mar 18

January 10, 2018 was my second time out with Captain Matt and Garrett of Yachtfish. First trip was this past June, Tarpon fishing. They are the absolute best. Matt came highly recommended and they has been amazing both times. They work hard to get you on the fish, and it’s like a day on the water with a couple of your close friends. We were on the fish from the start this trip and it was non-stop for 4 hours. Trout, Ladyfish and Sheepshead were biting all afternoon long. 2 Sheepshead became dinner about an hour after the trip. Being down in Tampa on business from Michigan in January, this was a well needed afternoon on the water in the sun and 75 degrees. Thx Matt and Garrett! I’ll be seeing you soon!

Phil Muszynski

11:55 25 Feb 18

Captain Patrick showed us a great time. We laughed and caught fish all afternoon. You can’t go wrong with Yachtfish and their great service. This is my second with Matt and his staff, fishing in-shore. Next time will be an off-shore trip.

Terri Matheson

02:28 15 Feb 18

We had a amazing time today fishing with Captain Garett! We caught red snapper, trout and sheepshead to take home and a bunch of other fish that was fun to catch. Garrett was knowledgeable about the fish and waters. We took my my 82 father out on the water and he had a blast. The boat is perfect! Captain Matt booked my excursion and followed up with me every step of the way. We’re from Michigan and we will be back to book another trip out to the Gulf. Thank you Yacht Fish for making our fishing trip a great memory!

Charles Calvert

23:10 28 Dec 17

My brother and I had an awesome time with Capt Matt his knowledge was awesome and was very fun and professional!! Would recommend YachtFish to anyone and plan on going back in March!!

Karie Simons

18:51 27 Dec 17

Was a great time! Well worth the money. Great guys to fish with.

Rick Dalla Rosa

22:25 30 Nov 17

As an ex- charter boat owner and operator from Broome Western Australia, I expect a lot. And when you have the bar raised this high you tend to be disappointed in how other operators treat you and run their operations. We’ll I was pleasantly surprised that was not the case with Captain Matt and his crew. Their level of local knowledge and experience was comforting and ensured me I’d made a the right decision when I chose to go with Yacht Fish Charters. They know their stuff and will put you on the fish. RickyD

Matt Foster

17:30 28 Nov 17

Matt does a great job. We got to catch a lot of snook, lady fish and trout. As a bonus got to see and swim with the manatees. Thanks for the great adventure!

Joshua Weller

16:18 22 Nov 17

My first time and I have to say it won't be my last! This trip was an awesome experience and we were on fish the entire time! I can't wait to come back! I want to thank captain Matt and Garrett for their great service!

Kia Robinson

02:25 13 Nov 17

Matt and Garrett were fantastic! We had three kids with us and they were very attentive to them yet still allowed them to do as much as possible for the full experience. We would definitely recommend them to anyone! Thanks guys!

Raj Ambay

02:00 22 Oct 17

First time fishing for family. They LOVED it! Garret and Patrick were awesome and took us to all the best spots! Highly recommend!

John Mitchell

20:54 29 Sep 17

Highly recommend. Capt. Matt was excellent. He was patient with myself as a new fisherman, energetic, and very knowledgeable about his fishing spots! My wife, son, and I were impressed with his friendliness, ability to take us to several very active fishing spots, and his real sense of customer service. His boat was immaculately clean, as was he and his assistant. They didn't use foul language, drink, or in any other way act as "old fishermen" may tend to be regarded. Without a doubt, it was a great experience and well worth the money. I would recommend Yachtfish to anyone from the novice to the experienced. I garenteed you will enjoy yourself, and learn a lot.

Jakob Howell

22:13 27 Sep 17

Best charter I have ever been on. We went out for 4hrs this morning and they had us on the fish in less than 20 minutes and were on them the whole time. In about 3 hours my father in law and i caught about 50 snook, 2 mangrove snappers, and 3 nice reds. Great experience all around.

Andrew Padovano

02:12 30 Aug 17

Unbelievable! In under 2 hours, with my daughter (10) and I we caught 4 snapper, 5 mackerel, a pin fish, and 14 sharks! Captain Matt did an outandting job taking us to the right areas, and make every step of the day easy and fun. Beautiful boat with top notch equipment. Highly recommended for any day trip fishers.

David Meyers

22:37 15 Aug 17

Great time, hands down! Matt and Garett are great guys and know their hometown waters beyond expectations. They took us to all the spots and we were hitting all day. I was skeptical at first with all the charters in the area, but these guys know their waters. Would recommend them to anyone!

sean hyer

17:46 07 Aug 17

Matt did an awesome job putting us on fish. The boat had a really smooth ride and both Captain and Mate Garrett were very professional and fun to fish with. We will definitely go again.

James Newton

18:03 31 Jul 17

Capt. Matt Douglas always puts us on the fish every time with the best equipment and highest quality boats and is one of the most professional and prepared charter captains in the business today. I would highly recommend Capt. Douglas for either inshore, Tarpon, or offshore fishing for any species you prefer to target if you want to catch 'em.

Tom Lair

12:54 24 Jul 17

Been fortunate enough to charter Matt Douglas at Yachtfish on several occasions. Every trip was fantastic and very productive....Matt always puts us on fish. The Yachtfish team is very courteous and professional. They can help any level fisherman catch fish and have an enjoyable and safe time on the water.

colleen-dave farmer

02:54 22 Jul 17

My nephew and his fiancé came down for a long weekend and had booked fishing trip with Captain Matt. It was my first experience, my nephew had done this before somewhere else. We had a fabulous time caught snook and trout, tried for tarpon but no luck. The entire day was a great experience. All three of us can't wait to go back. Captain Matt and his mate Garret were so helpful and attentive to our experience. If we had questions they were so willing answer and help. Will definitely go again and share with friends and highly recommend. Colleen Farmer.

Daniel Wisniewski Jr

18:39 19 Jun 17

First time ever fishing with Yachtfish this past Saturday and it was a day to remember catching my first Tarpon. Captain Matt and Garrett were great. They worked hard to try and find the fish in different locations and with different bait. Patience paid off as I landed my first ever Tarpon on one of the most beautiful days I have ever had on the water. Captain Matt came highly recommended and he did not disappoint. My only problem is trying to figure out when I can get down to Tampa and get out fishing with them again. I can honestly say I am addicted to Tarpon fishing after only one time. Thank you Matt & Garrett!!!

Richard Golembeski

23:48 06 Jun 17

went out with Matt on 5/23/2017.The weather did not look to good, waves in the 6ft. range, but Matt. found a little calmer water with fish. Then we started to catch fish, one a 90lb. Tarpon , witch is what we came for.This trip ended up great, when it seems to start off rough, Matt. and the mate did a great job. Going to try to make it back soon.

Quinn Capps

19:20 14 May 17

Great time. Lots of fish. Took my girls & wife. Recommend for the family. Matt has great patience, the fire extinguisher went off, wife's fishing line in trolling motor and Captain Matt didn't bat an eye, just kept right on guiding. His first mate Scotty was great as well, never had an empty hook. We will definitely be hiring them again!

Michelle Seybold

13:14 01 Apr 17

My friend Robin and I were fortunate to spend a glorious morning in the bay with Matt and Garrett. I would describe our fishing knowledge of this area as novice. Matt put us on fish quickly and we did catch some nice looking kingfish. The boat is immaculate and the gear was in great shape. We could not have asked for a better experience. Thanks again Matt!?

Jim Thompson

17:59 25 Mar 17

Capt Matt is amazing inshore as well as going offshore. We have never been disappointed in our many trips with him. He always seems to work hard for his customer. That shows because we always have the best live bait, and he knows where to use it. Great with younger fisherman as well, and so I highly recommend him for anyone looking for a great fishing trip on or around Tampa Bay.

Jennalee Matays

20:24 24 Mar 17

I have been on a private charter before, but Yachtfish is hands down the BEST! I had the best experience with Captain Matt. I went offshore for the first time with Captain Matt and Garrett few weeks ago with my daughter. They are both very experienced and professional. They both were so wonderful with my daughter, teaching her the different types of fish. This was her first time fishing, and they both were very patient with her. She caught four fish in about 10 minutes. She was so excited and can’t wait to go again. I will be taking my dad out for Father’s Day! Such a great way to spend time with family! Thank You Captain Matt and Garrett, for such an amazing day!

Next Reviews

Don’t miss the boat, enjoy over 25 years of experience and guaranteed fish every time with your Tampa Bay Fishing Charters, St. Pete Beach Fishing Charters, St. Petersburg Fishing Charters and Clearwater Fishing Charters

BOOK NOW!

Best Fishing Charters Near Me

We Provide Fishing Charters Throughout the Tampa Bay Area and Gulf of Mexico