FAQ

Reel Fintastic Charters requires a 50% deposit to secure a calendar date and time.  We offer our customers the opportunity to review our policies before booking with us.

There are a couple of ways to book our fishing charter.

• Click on the ‘Book Now’ button at the bottom right of your browser from any page.
• Navigate to the pricing page – review the available pricing and then click ‘Check Calendar’ to view availability for booking.

Reel Fintastic Charters sets up available calendar bookings for the current year.  A year is January 1st through December 31st.  We do not take bookings into the next year; however, if you are planning something (party, event, etc), feel free to reach out to us directly to discuss possible options.

Our policies page outlines both cancellation and rescheduling.  We understand life happens and strive to provide the best customer support on or off the water; feel free to reach out to us directly to discuss options.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters has several charter options; take a moment to review our pricing page for these options.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters holds a 10 or fewer fishing license.  This means we can have up to 10 paying customers on board the vessel, which would be covered by Captain Taylor’s FWC license.  We can have 6 paying customers based on the Coast Guard Captain’s license.

All fishing charters are private.  Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters does not have shared charters at this time.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters has several charter options; take a moment to review our pricing page for these options.

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to ensure a timely start and finalize any paperwork if needed.  Our fishing charter has different ports we can exit from.  Captain Taylor will reach out the week of the fishing charter to validate the location.

Gratuities for your fishing charter are NOT included.  Please be sure to show your appreciation to the Captain and crew.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters has several charter options; take a moment to review our pricing page for these options.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters accepts the following payment types:

• All major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, etc)
• Cash (for tip)
• Check
• Wire/EFT
• Gift card (provided by Reel Fintastic Fishing Charter)

The price includes the following:

• Fishing licenses
• Boat (including equipment, ex., reels, rods, seats, bait, etc)
• The time the charter was reserved for (including the captain)
• Bottled water

Our fishing charter does not restrict alcohol consumption on board the vessel.  All drinks must be in a can or a plastic container.  We ask that you also hydrate while on the water and be aware of your limits.

Food and drinks are encouraged; we ask that no glass containers be used.

Documents Essentials

• Photo ID
• Fishing license (if required—check with the charter)
• Cash for tip (15–20% is standard for the crew)
• Booking confirmation (email or printout)

Personal Gear

• Sunscreen (reef-safe, SPF 30+)
• Polarized sunglasses (reduce water glare)
• Hat or cap (wide-brim for extra protection)
• Neck gaiter or buff (for sun and wind protection)
• Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes (long-sleeve shirt and shorts/pants)
• Rain jacket or windbreaker (even if it looks sunny)
• Non-slip shoes (boat shoes or water sandals — no flip-flops)

Optional Extras

• Seasickness medication (take 1–2 hours before boarding if you’re prone)
• Small cooler with ice (for your catch—check with the charter first)
• Towel or hand wipes
• Dry bag or ziplock bags (to keep phone/wallet dry)
• Phone or camera (for photos of your catch)
• Fishing gloves (optional, for handling fish)

What NOT to Bring

• Glass bottles (usually prohibited)
• Hard coolers (unless allowed by the captain)
• Spray sunscreen (slippery and messy on boats)
• Valuables you don’t want to risk getting wet

Top Layers

• Lightweight long-sleeve shirt (UPF-rated for sun protection)
• Moisture-wicking T-shirt underneath (optional)
• Light jacket or hoodie if it’s cool in the morning or evening
• Rain jacket (if rain is in the forecast or you’re on a boat)

Bottom Layers

• Quick-dry shorts or lightweight fishing pants
• Convertible pants (zip-off legs) are great for flexibility
• Avoid jeans – they stay wet and are uncomfortable

Footwear

• Non-slip shoes or boat shoes with good grip (especially on boats)
• Waterproof sandals or deck boots if you’re likely to get wet
• Avoid flip-flops (easy to lose and not stable)

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters supplies all gear and tackle.  This is for ease of use and safety.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters holds a 10 or fewer fishing license.  This means we can have up to 10 paying customers on board the vessel, which would be covered by Captain Taylor’s FWC license.  We can have 6 paying customers based on the Coast Guard Captain’s license.

We supply all gear and tackle.  You only have to bring yourself along with snacks and any drinks besides water you would like.  (no glass containers)

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters has many saltwater reels and rods to use.  We can convert from right to left-handed use and have a range of heavy to light rods.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters can target a specific species, with consideration of seasonal regulations.   We recommend reaching out to us directly before the charter in order to pick the best location to go out of.  There are areas where species are more likely to be found than others.

There are several different species that our fishing charter will get you near.  A full listing of the fish that can be found in flats and inshore can be found on the FWC Saltwater Recreational page, and don’t forget to check out our moments gallery for what our customers have caught in the past.

Reel Fintastic Charters offers inshore and flats fishing.  We will be expanding to support deep-sea fishing in the months to come, so be sure to check back if that is the type of fishing you are interested in.  We also offer Tampa Bay, Florida adventure cruises where you will take part in dolphin and manatee watching, island hopping, and minimal fishing. This package provides a bit of everything for the family to relax.

Absolutely!  Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters takes aboard beginners to pros.  We enjoy all levels of anglers and styles.  Everyone should have an opportunity to experience the world from the water!

No experience is necessary.  Our crew and captain will educate you on how to use the reels, when to reel, and navigate the fish back to the boat.  We are a full-service charter, which means if you only want to take a picture with your caught fish, we can handle the rest – baiting the line, casting, reeling, and throwing back.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charter prides itself on knowledge and safety.  We provide instructions on all safety equipment and scenarios at the beginning of your trip.  The captain and crew provide instructions for all fishing gear and bait, along with the “why” we are using one thing instead of another.  Our charter will be chock-full of fish details, habits of the fish, locations we present, and any other answers to our customers’ questions.

The captain for Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters will watch the weather and decide on rescheduling or canceling.  Rain alone will not warrant a cancellation; customers should expect to get wet while the boat is moving, so rain does not impact the charter. This is why we advise dressing accordingly.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters wants to make sure your fishing or cruising experience is a safe one.  We have life jackets for all customers and crew members; these range from children’s sizes to adults.

The captain will determine if inclement weather is going to occur or may start during a fishing charter.  If such a threat is posed, we have policies in place for rescheduling or refunds.

This is an extensive list of all the safety equipment onboard Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters supplies:

• VHF Marine Radio (always set to channel 16)
• Life jackets for all ages (per customer and crew)
• Fire extinguisher
• Flotation cushion attached to a 50-foot rope
• 3 flares, 1 flare gun
• Laminated guides for safety instructions

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charter boasts decades of experience in fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay Area.  The following are requirements to perform the duties of a charter captain:

• Need to be at least 19 years of age
• 360 documented boat days (90 in the last 3 years)
• Pass a physical and drug test
• Hold a current first aid and CPR certification
• Possess a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• Pass the USCG-approved captain’s course and exam

The boat does not have a bathroom.  We ensure that the boat ramps we use are well-equipped with restrooms for our customers.

Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters has a 2019 25′ Nauticstar 2400 Sport.  The boat is a center console with a single 200-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine.  It contains 2 livewells forward and aft.  We can support up to 10 adults onboard safely.

Captain Taylor Smith will be your captain for the fishing charter.  We will be anticipating more captains in the future as Reel Fintastic Fishing Charters grows.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission maintains recreational guidelines that are posted on the Saltwater Recreational Fishing page via their website.  Reel Fintastic Fishing Charter adheres to these limits and seasonal requirements.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission maintains recreational guidelines that are posted on the Saltwater Recreational Fishing page via their website.  Reel Fintastic Fishing Charter adheres to these limits and seasonal requirements.

It would be the responsibility of the customer to package and ship any fish caught.  Keeping any fish will be determined using the FWC Saltwater Recreational Fishing guidelines.

Our fishing charter captain can fillet and clean the fish that is caught, within the FWC Saltwater Recreational Fishing guidelines.  Not all boat ramp locations allow for cleaning and will need to be determined on the day of the charter.

Our boat is a 25′ bay model center console and can accommodate 10 adults safely.  We do not serve food onboard; however, bottled water is available.  Reel Fintastic Charters can handle a majority of medical conditions (our Captain also has a degree in physical training).  Please feel free to reach out directly to us if there is anything specifically you would like us to consider.

Our boat is a 25′ bay model center console and can accommodate 10 adults safely.  We can store up to one wheelchair and provide a dedicated seat for that individual.