Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Questions people ask
Full-service inshore charters: pickup and drop-off anywhere allowed on Tampa Bay, licensure, rods readied, the catch hauled in, cleaned and filleted.
How long are charter trips?
Either 4 or 6 hours.
When do trips start?
8am or 1pm.
Where do you pick up?
Our favorite: Hooks Waterfront Bar and Grill
611 Destiny Drive, Ruskin, FL 33570
You’ll be dropped off where we pick you up, and with all those good eats waiting, it only makes sense to start and finish at the best hook-and-cook restaurant on the bay. We’re big fans of Hooks.
We can also meet you at any of these:
North side of the bay (Tampa)
Hula Bay; Fourth Street; Dandy Blvd.
South Tampa
O’Neal’s Marina.
East side
Apollo Beach; Simmons Park; Cockroach Bay boat route.
What are your routes?
From Simmons Park to Terricia Bay, across to Fort De Soto, then into north Tampa.
Or Hula Bay / Dandy boat ramp, up into the flats, into Courtney Campbell Causeway, and back.
What do charters include?
- Pickup and drop-off
- Rods for 5, seating for 6
- Drinks, water and snacks
- Music, when appropriate
- Cleaning and bagging your fish in ice
- Photos of every catch
- Details on how to cook what you caught
What kinds of groups book charters?
Everyone from professional anglers to couples after a quiet day on the water. Lots of families, professionals looking for an alternative to a golf outing, and visitors who want to do something they’ll actually remember.
Can you reliably catch a certain kind of fish?
No promises, but close. Knowing where a species goes, when, and what bait it wants improves the odds enormously — and those are exactly the things Gavin knows.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes to both.
Can we book online?
Yes — through the Book a Charter page, or by calling (813) 418-0225.
What does it cost?
Cost varies by season and party size, and the rates are competitive. Contact Captain Gavin for a quote.
How many years’ experience do you have?
Captain Gavin O’Neal has 30 years fishing these waters.
Is there a limit on how many fish you can catch?
For some. Sheepshead is 8 per person, snapper is 5 per person. Otherwise, no.
What kind of boat do you use?
A 2020 Key West 250 BR. Capacity for 8, seating for 6, rods for 5. More on the boat and equipment page.
Do you clean and store the fish?
Yes. Fish are struck, filleted, cleaned and packed on ice for you. Nothing is cooked aboard — the boat is not a galley.
What happens on a typical trip?
- Before. You book through the site or by phone and pick a location and time.
- Early that morning. Gavin is out chumming and catching live bait before you’re awake.
- Pickup. He meets you at the agreed spot; fishing usually starts within 20 minutes.
- On the water. Hands-on. Rods, reels, bait, knot-tying and advice as you go.
- After. Balance is settled by Square, cash, or most peer-to-peer methods.
What should we wear?
Dress for the season and expect the temperature to move. In summer a spare dry set matters less — if you get wet, you’ll dry out.
What about winter?
Winter is some of the best sheepshead fishing of the year. See winter fishing charters.
