With Explorer Fishing Charters, the prolific waters of Sarasota will be all yours. Enjoy the thrill of catching the most exciting monsters of the deep this area has to offer. Let Capt. Ron share his wealth of local knowledge and put his talent to work for you!

Explore the angling opportunities within 20 miles from shore and get your hands on Kingfish, Permit, Barracuda, Red and Gag Grouper, African Pompano, Tripletail, Hogfish, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Shark, and who knows what else?

Otherwise, venture out all the way into the Gulf and fish up to 60 miles out for whatever is in season and biting. The opportunities abound!

All you have to do is book a trip and hop onboard a 28’ Contender boat. This spacious vessel can accommodate up to 6 anglers to fish in comfort and style.

The boat can cruise at a hair-raising speed of 60 knots thanks to its twin 250 HP Yamaha engines. Its top-notch GPS and fishfinder will build up a clear image of where the fish are hiding and a selection of quality equipment will help you make a great catch possible.

All trips come inclusive with the use of Crowder rods, Penn and Shimano reels, live bait, and lures. Once you return to the shore, all keeper fish will be cleaned for you. Just bring your own food and drinks and enjoy your trip!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Offshore
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $700
    Join Explorer Fishing Charters and discover the deep blue with this 4-hour offshore excursion! You can expect to target a range of species including Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Red Snapper, and more!
    Types of fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Trolling
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip- Offshore
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $900
    Join Explorer Fishing Charters and discover the deep blue with this 6-hour offshore excursion! You can expect to target a range of species including Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Red Snapper, and more! This additional 2 hours gives more opportunity for catching multiple species.
    Types of fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Targeted fish
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Barramundi
    Barramundi
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip - Offshore
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $1,500
    Join Explorer Fishing Charters and discover the deep blue with this 8-hour offshore excursion! You can expect to target a range of species including Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Red Snapper, and more!
    Types of fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna
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FAQs about Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'

Explorer Fishing Charters – 28' offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Offshore (4 hours)
  • US $900 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip- Offshore (6 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 8 Hour Trip - Offshore (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Explorer Fishing Charters – 28', you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Explorer Fishing Charters – 28' include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Crowder, Penn, Shimano)
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Fishing License

Explorer Fishing Charters – 28' offers the following types of fishing:
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

Explorer Fishing Charters – 28' offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift Fishing
  • Handline
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Explorer Fishing Charters – 28' include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Grouper (Red)
  • Jack (African Pompano)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Permit
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Tuna (Blackfin)

Meet the Captain

Ron Gauthier
Sarasota, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
80 Customer reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since April 2018
I grew up In the Great Lakes in Michigan and have been fishing since I was a kid. Trapping, hunting, fishing is all I’ve ever known! I have been charter fishing for 25 years, and the best thing I would say is giving people the times of their lives, creating memories that they will never forget, along with learning new things at the same time. My preferred fishing technique is live baiting and my proudest catch was a monster Bluefin Tuna that weighed over 900 pounds.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

Boat specs

Contender (Center console) originally built in 2007. Powered by 2 250HP Yamaha engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 60 knots.

Length
28 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
Handline
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Outriggers
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Crowder, Penn, Shimano
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Disabled Accessible

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

Sarasota Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 80 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (71)
Caption Ron
Caption Ron
Caption Ron
+68
Angler rating
69
4
2
2
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
89%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
91%
Appropriate for children
92%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish
84%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 80 reviews
Wes S.
Sarasota, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip with Captain Ron

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore on August 3, 2023
Captain Ron was terrific. His boat had twin 250s so we got offshore quickly and maximized fishing time. It started a bit windy...
Wes S. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Wes S. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Tim G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in July

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore on July 28, 2023
Tim G. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Tim G. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Bill F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fish, fish, fish

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore on January 30, 2024
Capt. Ron took 4 of us out the day after high winds and cloudy water. He went 10 miles beyond his normal travel to find a reef...
Bill F. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Bill F. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Eugene D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome captain

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip- Offshore on January 12, 2024
Captain knew the spots where the fish was, dropped a line and hooked the fish right Away,  but couldn’t stay at that spot...
Eugene D. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Eugene D. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Breanna D.
Manchester, MO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Ron is amazing!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip- Offshore on April 24, 2023
This is the second time we have used Captain Ron and yet again an amazing day! He is super knowledgeable of fishing, the area...
Breanna D. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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Breanna D. recommends Explorer Fishing Charters – 28'
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