Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing
+23Whether you want to fish the flats, hit the reefs and wrecks, or fight the venerable Tarpon, Suncoast Expeditions has you covered. With many areas to fish on Floridas West Coast; from the local bays of Clearwater to Charlotte Harbor, they offer everything you could possibly want in a fishing experience.
Let Captain Phil Rugari show you these productive waters. A Florida native, he grew up fishing both coasts, before spending his whole life honing his fishing skills. A sponsored fishing guide, he promises to take you on a thrilling, safe trip, reeling in plenty of exciting fish.
The fish will be no match for you as you utilize the range of St. Crioix gear on board. Use light tackle to maximize your fishing experience, we specialize in artificial lures and minimal live bait to target some of the best backwater fishing around!
Along the inshore waters, test your skills against Redfish, Snook and Sea Trout. Along with Tarpon during the Tarpon run from Late April through July.
Everything you need is waiting on board. All you need to do is bring plenty of snacks and drinks to fill the captain’s Yeti 65 cooler, and settle in for a thrilling day’s fishing. Let Capt. Phil show you the best fishing western Florida has to offer.
Captain
Phil Rugari
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (141)
+138Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
88%
Caught fish
98%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Amazing experience 10/10 🐟❤️
Kids Fishing Trip! 3hrs on April 25, 2025
Highly recommend Captain Phil, we booked the kids fishing day for three hours. Captain Phil was very accommodating to my girls that are 6 and 8 he was cracking jokes with them all day, We had an amazing time. I will continue to now continue to book this fishing trip every year. It was so fun, It was definitely the highlight of our trip. ❤️🐟 An amazing time we caught so many fish and captain Phil was running around helping us cast and baiting the whole time making sure everybody was included highly recommend. We had a great time🤙!!!
Highly recommend Captain Phil, we booked the kids fishing day for three hours. Captain Phil was very accommodating to my girls that are 6 and 8 he was cracking jokes with them all day, We had an amazing time. I will continue to now continue to book this fishing trip every year. It was so fun, It was definitely the highlight of our trip. ❤️🐟 An amazing time we caught so many fish and captain Phil was running around helping us cast and baiting the whole time making sure everybody was included...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great time
Half Day – Inshore/Nearshore (AM) on July 21, 2025
My family and me had a great time. Captain Phil was excellent. He greeted us when we arrived at the dock and explained what we were possibly going to catch. He took us to a couple different places along the shoreline to catch fish and if the fish weren’t biting he moved to another spot so we could catch fish. The boat was very clean. Captain Phil was very personable and knowledgeable. Will definitely use him again when we come back to vacation at Clearwater.
My family and me had a great time. Captain Phil was excellent. He greeted us when we arrived at the dock and explained what we were possibly going to catch. He took us to a couple different places along the shoreline to catch fish and if the fish weren’t biting he moved to another spot so we could catch fish. The boat was very clean. Captain Phil was very personable and knowledgeable. Will definitely use him again when we come back to vacation at Clearwater.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Giddy Up for a Reel Good Time with Captain Phil!
Tarpon Fishing Clearwater FL -10hr on July 19, 2025
Had an incredible day on the water with Snag Em Up Fishing and Captain Phil! The boat was top-notch, the fishing was nonstop, and we learned a ton along the way. Captain Phil knows his stuff—super knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does. We hauled in a great variety of fish and had a blast doing it. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun, productive trip with a guide who truly knows the area and how to put you on fish!
Had an incredible day on the water with Snag Em Up Fishing and Captain Phil! The boat was top-notch, the fishing was nonstop, and we learned a ton along the way. Captain Phil knows his stuff—super knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does. We hauled in a great variety of fish and had a blast doing it. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun, productive trip with a guide who truly knows the area and how to put you on fish!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Wonderful Trip!
Kids Fishing Trip! 3hrs on July 28, 2025
Our children 11, 8, 6 absolutely loved our trip as well as us. Hot as can be but Phil made sure we caught fish then got cool and could enjoy without heatstroke! 😂 And still caught more fish! Such a wonderful trip! We’ll be back next year.
Our children 11, 8, 6 absolutely loved our trip as well as us. Hot as can be but Phil made sure we caught fish then got cool and could enjoy without heatstroke! 😂 And still caught more fish! Such a wonderful trip! We’ll be back next year.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Family 1/2 Day
Half Day – Inshore/Nearshore (AM) on July 17, 2025
Captain Phil showed us a great time. We went with 4 adults and 2 kids, he did a great job with everyone, especially the kids. We caught numerous spotted seat trout, Jack fish, and almost a few others. His boat was comfortable and had all equipment we needed. I will definitely fish with Phil again and I would highly recommend going on a trip with him.
Captain Phil showed us a great time. We went with 4 adults and 2 kids, he did a great job with everyone, especially the kids. We caught numerous spotted seat trout, Jack fish, and almost a few others. His boat was comfortable and had all equipment we needed. I will definitely fish with Phil again and I would highly recommend going on a trip with him.
FAQs about Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing
What are the trip rates for Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing?
Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
- US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour Trip (2 hours)
- US $400 per group - Kids Fishing Trip! 3hrs (3 hours)
- US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day – Inshore/Nearshore (AM) (4 hours)
- US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day – Inshore/Nearshore (PM) (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Scalloping Trip 4hrs (4 hours)
- US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day – Inshore/Nearshore (6 hours)
- US $800 per group - Tarpon Fishing - Clearwater FL -6hr (6 hours)
- US $900 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Full Day – Inshore/Nearshore (8 hours)
- US $1,200 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Boca Grande Tarpon (6 hours)
- US $1,200 per group - Tarpon Fishing Clearwater FL -10hr (10 hours)
- US $1,800 per group - Full Day Trip – Boca Grande Tarpon (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing?
When you book a trip with Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- Toilet Primitive but functional
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live Bait Well
- Wireless Trolling Motor
- Ice Box
- Radar
What's included in the trip price with Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing?
Trips booked with Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing include:
- Rods, reels & tackle (Seviin Reels, St. Croix Rods)
- Live Bait
- Catch cleaning & filleting
- Fishing License
- Fly Fishing Equipment (MUST BE REQUESTED AHEAD OF TIME)
What types of fishing does Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing offer?
Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing offers the following types of fishing:
- Inshore Fishing
- Nearshore Fishing
- Reef Fishing
- Wreck Fishing
- Flats Fishing
- Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing offer?
Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Spinning
- Fly Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing?
Top targeted fish species with Suncoast Expeditions – Clearwater Fishing include:
- Grouper (Gag)
- Jack Crevalle
- King Mackerel (Kingfish)
- Redfish
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Snook
- Spanish Mackerel
- Speckled Trout
- Spotted Seatrout
- Tarpon
Your captain
Belleair Bluffs, Florida, United States
I grew up in FL fishing both coasts. Lived in many states and have had the opportunity to fish in many great places our country has to offer. Moved back to FL a few years ago and have been fortunate enough to have honed my skills as a salt water angler who is now sponsored by Humminbird and Minn Kota along with many other companies in the industry. Fishing is my #1 passion and I know you will have a great time on my boat. I offer a safe, clean charter and I will put you on FISH!
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Fly Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
Toilet
Primitive but functional
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
Radar
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Seviin Reels, St. Croix Rods
Live Bait
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment
MUST BE REQUESTED AHEAD OF TIME
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 1 day prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 1 day 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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
No Smoking
You Keep Catch
What is legal and ethical
Catch and Release Allowed
Catch and Release Mandatory
How you can pay
Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Belleair Bluffs right now
Grouper (Gag)
Jack Crevalle
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Redfish
Snook
Spanish Mackerel
Spotted Seatrout
Tarpon