Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Select your trip

Top Knotch Fishing Charters

Federally permitted
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(51 reviews)
503 150th Ave
Madeira Beach, FL, United States
Trips & prices
Targeted species
What's included
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

Explore some of the most productive waters off the coast of Florida with Top Knotch Fishing Charters! Captain Trae Sorensen is a fourth-generation captain in the Tampa Bay area who will show you all the best spots to get a hot bite.

You will be fishing aboard a 36’ Contender center console boat powered by triple 300 HP Suzuki outboard engines. With top of the line electronics on board as well as a huge livewell, you will be in a good position to tackle the monsters the Gulf of Mexico has to offer.

During your trip, you will be fishing with top quality gear and live bait provided by your captain. After a great day on the water, he’ll make sure to clean and fillet your catch, so that you can prepare a nice meal upon your return.

There’s a variety of species you can target – Hogfish, Grouper, Snapper, Amberjack, Shark, Mackerel, and Barracuda. Whether you want an intense battle with an Amberjack over the reefs and wrecks, or you would rather troll for Kingfish, Capt. Trae will walk you through the techniques necessary to land a big one.

Feel free to bring your kids on an amazing adventure, and spend some time with your family in these pristine waters. Make sure to bring some food and drinks to stay refreshed, as well as some sunscreen, and you’re all set!

Book now with Top Knotch Fishing Charters for a Florida fishing experience that you won’t forget!

  • Fishing License
  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Child Friendly
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $1,300
    Make the most of your morning and explore the reefs and wrecks around 10-15 miles in the Gulf. Home to Amberjack, Groupers, Snappers, Kingfish, Barracuda, and many more, you're in for a thrilling morning battling it out against some tough-fighting beasts. Try trolling or bottom fishing to lure the bite, and you'll hopefully head home with a boatload of delicious fish for lunch.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    $1,300
    Busy in the mornings or just enjoy a lie-in? That's not a problem, you can still head out to get your fish on in the afternoon. Head around 10-15 miles offshore to the nearshore reefs and wrecks as you go after a range of exciting and delicious species. Troll and bottom fish these productive waters in the hope of catching a Kingfish, Grouper, Snapper, Hogfish, and many more.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $1,800
    6 hours on the water gives you the chance to head around 15-20 miles offshore. Explore the sunken wrecks in the Gulf's productive waters. Plenty of delicious and exciting fish have made these wrecks their home. From Grouper and Snapper to Barracuda, Kingfish, Amberjack, and more – try bottom fishing or trolling to lure them in and take a prize home with you.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $2,300
    Get the most out of your time on Florida's west coast and head out into the Gulf. Discover the numerous sunken wrecks and tropical reefs on offer, as you target a range of fish to take back for a delicious dinner at the end of the day. There's nothing like the taste of the fruits of your own labor after a thrilling day's fishing. Target species from Grouper and Snapper to Barracuda, Kingfish, and Amberjack on this 8-hour trip.
  • Private trip
    Extended Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    $2,800
    A 10-hour trip may seem daunting to some, but any angler worth his salt knows that the more time spent on the water, the more fun there is to be had, and the better chance to reel in plenty of exciting and delicious fish to take home. Head up to 50 miles offshore where you'll have the chance to bottom fish or troll along the sunken wrecks and productive reefs in search of Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Kingfish, Amberjack, Hogfish, and more.
  • Private trip
    Extreme Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $3,300
    This mammoth trip will allow you to get the most out of your time in the Gulf of Mexico. Head out from Madeira Beach and focus on fishing the productive Middle Grounds and the Elbow. You're in for an exhilarating time aboard as you spend 12 hours chasing after Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Kingfish, Amberjack, Hogfish, and more delicious species for a well-deserved meal.
  • Private trip
    15 Hour Deep Drop Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    15 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 AM
    $4,000
    This is a deep drop trip where you'll head up to 120 miles, fishing the depths ranging from 400 to 1000 ft. You'll target multiple large Grouper species and Tilefish.
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Top Knotch Fishing Charters

Top Knotch Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $1,300 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • $1,300 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • $1,800 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • $2,300 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
  • $2,800 per group - Extended Day Trip (10 hours)
  • $3,300 per group - Extreme Full Day Trip (12 hours)
  • $4,000 per group - 15 Hour Deep Drop Trip (15 hours)
When you book a trip with Top Knotch Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box
  • Radio
  • Sonar
  • Radar
Trips booked with Top Knotch Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License
Top Knotch Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
Top Knotch Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Deep Sea Fishing
Top targeted fish species with Top Knotch Fishing Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Grouper (Red)
  • Hogfish
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tuna (Blackfin)

Meet the Captain

Trae Sorensen
Madeira Beach, Florida, United States
10 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
51 Customer reviews
Response time 2 hours
Member since March 2015
Captain Trae Sorensen is a 4th Gen. fisherman in the Tampa bay area. Captain Trae has been fishing these waters for 29 years. His experience and knowledge offshore insures that every trip will provide anglers a memorable experience, whether they are seasoned fishers or first timers.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper
Grouper (Red) Red Grouper

Boat specs

Contender (Center console) originally built in 2003, and restored in 2020. Powered by 3 300HP Suzuki engines.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

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

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box
Radio
Sonar

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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 4% charge will apply.

Madeira Beach Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 51 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (115)
Fishing with Trae
Fishing with Trae
Fishing with Trae
+112
Angler Rating
49
0
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
95%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 51 reviews
Wyatt P.
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 Hour Day With Captain Trea

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on May 27, 2023
The crew/captain Trea were spectacular from start to finish. They got us on the fish immediately, and actively by our side...
Wyatt P. recommends Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Trae Sorensen Captain replied
Read More
Joseph C.
Crystal River, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

10 Hr trip

VERIFIED   Extended Day Trip on June 5, 2023
Awesome time and an excellent trip Capt. Trae and John were the best limited out on Red Snapper and Red Grouper and even some...
Joseph C. recommends Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Trae Sorensen Captain replied
Read More
Christopher L.
Boomer, NC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6hr Fat bottom girls trip Aka Grouper

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on June 12, 2023
The captain put us on the Fat Bottom girls immediately and plenty of fish to take home for a delicious supper.
Christopher L. recommends Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Christopher L. recommends Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
George B.
Boyne City, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

1/2 day with Captain Trae

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on November 23, 2022
Great day they kept us on the fish the whole time, did a very nice job with our 7 year old, caught over 40 fish unfortunately...
George B. recommends Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Trae Sorensen Captain replied
Read More
Tiffany L.
St. Petersburg, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Trae

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on November 6, 2022
Everything was so great! We caught a good amount of fish and the guys were so attentive. Captain Trae even pulled out some...
Tiffany L. recommends Top Knotch Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Trae Sorensen Captain replied
Read More