Search

Charlton’s Reef Charters 

4.8
(172 reviews)
 West Gandy Boulevard 5108, Tampa, FL 33611, United States–
Meet the Captain
+30
+27

Charlton’s Reef Charters 

Tampa, FL, United States
–
22 ft
4
4.8
(172 reviews)

Booked with us before? You may qualify for a Loyalty Discount. Sign in to check.

Get ready for a fishing adventure of a lifetime. Customize your trip to target hard-pulling Grouper and Cobia in the deep waters of the bay, or sight-fish for hard-fighting Snook and Redfish on the flats. Enjoy breathtaking views and spot dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles along the way.

Capt. Tom will provide all the rods, reels, and tackle you need. You’ll use both frozen and live bait to make that catch of the day possible. When you return to shore, your catch will be cleaned and ready to go straight into the frying pan. Just bring appropriate clothing and your own snacks.

If you love boats, you’ll also enjoy the 2014 Pioneer 22' bay boat. She can run in as little as 12 inches of water on the flats or head into deeper water, making her perfect for three to four anglers. No fancy decals, just a fish-catching machine built to explore Tampa Bay.

Please note that kids must be at least 8 years old. Clients should wear appropriate footwear, such as non-marking tennis shoes or hiking sandals. Flip-flops, beach sandals, and bare feet are not safe, as clients may slip and fall. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Captain Tom will help you reel in the big ones.

Remember, if you don’t catch a fish, the trip is always half price!

Get ready for a fishing adventure of a lifetime. Customize your trip to target hard-pulling Grouper and Cobia in the deep waters of the bay, or sight-fish for hard-fighting Snook and Redfish on the flats. Enjoy breathtaking views and spot dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles along the way.

Capt. Tom will provide all the rods, reels, and tackle you need. You’ll use both frozen and live bait to make that catch of the day possible. When you return to shore, your catch will be cleaned and ready to go straight into the frying pan. Just bring appropriate clothing and your own snacks.

If you love boats, you’ll also enjoy the 2014 Pioneer 22' bay boat. She can run in as little as 12 inches of water on the flats or head into deeper water, making her perfect for three to four anglers. No fancy decals, just a fish-catching machine built to explore Tampa Bay.

Please note that kids must be at least 8 years old. Clients should wear appropriate footwear, such as non-marking tennis shoes or hiking sandals. Flip-flops, beach sandals, and bare feet are not safe, as clients may slip and fall. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Captain Tom will help you reel in the big ones.

Remember, if you don’t catch a fish, the trip is always half price!

Tom Charlton
Captain
Tom Charlton
41 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour
Popular features
Fishing license
Live bait
You keep catch
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Popular features
Fishing license
Live bait
You keep catch
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
October 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Loading...
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
3 Hr – Tampa Bay Fishing Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Cobia
Jack Crevalle
Snook
Tarpon
+6
US $500
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hr – Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
US $700
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Loading...

Rating

4.8
172 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (123)

What anglers say

96%
Great experience
93%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
97%
Good boat
94%
Recommended
83%
Caught fish

All reviews (172)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 1 – 5 of 172 reviews
Michael Flow
Michael Flow
us
Minnesota, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
very great trip
3 Hr – Tampa Bay Fishing Trip on June 27, 2026 • 2 adults • 2 children

The captain was incredibly knowledgeable and provided us with the exact instructions on how to catch the fish. We ended up with a diverse catch, including a stingray, which was an incredible experience. He was also very patient and attentive to the children, making the trip enjoyable for everyone. I would definitely book with him again.

Tom Charlton
Response from Captain

Thank you. I’m glad y’all had fun.

Joshua Linnell
Joshua Linnell
us
Kansas, US
Member since 2023
5.0
Verified
Great experience
3 Hr – Tampa Bay Fishing Trip on July 3, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child

The Captain was great with the kids. He really seems to know the area well and has been doing this for quite a while. I would highly recommend for families.

Giuseppe Canzoneri
Giuseppe Canzoneri
Repeat angler
us
New Jersey, US
Member since 2026
3 trips
5.0
Verified
would go again
3 Hr – Tampa Bay Fishing Trip on May 23, 2026 • 1 adult

graat capitan took his time to make sure i cuaght fish

Reported catch:
Mangrove Snapper
Red Grouper
Michael Payten
Michael Payten
us
Florida, US
Member since 2023
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Tom
4 Hr – Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing on September 22, 2023 • 2 adults

Bill Church
Bill Church
Repeat angler
us
Michigan, US
Member since 2021
7 trips
5.0
Verified
Captain Tom was fantastic very kid friendly fishing trip
Kids, Beginners and Fun Cruisers on June 19, 2023 • 1 adult • 2 children

Our trip was awesome, we didn't catch any keepers not for a lack of trying, my boys (11 &10) had a wonderful time. Captain Tom was very patient with my boys playful too, he made the trip real fun for them. We did catch a bunch of fish but the big one got away! We had a wonderful time I would highly recommend this trip for anybody with kids or beginners, book your trip and enjoy your time!

FAQs about Charlton’s Reef Charters

Charlton’s Reef Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group - 3 Hr – Tampa Bay Fishing Trip (3 hours)
  • US $700 per group - 4 Hr – Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing (4 hours)
When you book a trip with Charlton’s Reef Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Wireless trolling motor
  • Ice box
  • Sonar
Trips booked with Charlton’s Reef Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (light tackle /inshore Heavy tackle/ nearshore)
  • Live bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Water, Gatorade, ice, and a cooler are provided.)
  • Fishing license (Accommodates up to 4 people.)
Charlton’s Reef Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing (Tampa Bay)
  • Nearshore fishing (No more than 9 miles off the beach. Not Deep Sea)
  • Reef fishing
  • Flats fishing
  • Backcountry fishing
Charlton’s Reef Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Spinning
  • Popping
  • Drift fishing
Top targeted fish species with Charlton’s Reef Charters include:
  • Cobia
  • Grouper (Red)
  • Grunt
  • Hogfish
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Tom Charlton
Tom Charlton
Tampa, Florida, United States
36 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
172 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since April 2015
I have been a Coast Guard licensed fishing charter captain in Tampa for 25 years. Having full coverage insurance and Red Cross training, I have your safety always in mind. Check me out and see how a quarter century of experience can put you on the fish.
Tom Charlton
Tom Charlton
Fully verified
36
reports
172
reviews
2015
member since
~1h
response
I have been a Coast Guard licensed fishing charter captain in Tampa for 25 years. Having full coverage insurance and Red Cross training, I have your safety always in mind. Check me out and see how a quarter century of experience can put you on the fish.

The fish you can target

Cobia
Cobia
Red Grouper
Red Grouper
Grunt
Grunt
Hogfish
Hogfish
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Redfish
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Snook
Snook
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Tarpon
Tarpon
Cobia
Cobia
Red Grouper
Red Grouper
Grunt
Grunt
Hogfish
Hogfish
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle

Real catches by this captain

  • Great experience
    Joshua L.
    Joshua L.
  • very great trip
    Michael F.
    Michael F.
  • would go again
    Giuseppe C.
    Giuseppe C.
  • Great trip!!!
    Ashley C.
    Ashley C.
  • Great time!
    Mike P.
    Mike P.
  • Half Day AM
    Daniel A.
    Daniel A.
  • 1/2 day
    Tony F.
    Tony F.
  • Awesome inshore fishing with Capt Tom!
    Gene L.
    Gene L.
  • More then a half day!!!
    Toni B.
    Toni B.
  • Great day on the water with Captain Tom
    Greg S.
    Greg S.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
22 ft
Year built
2014
Boat manufacturer
Pioneer Boats
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Yahama
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Popping
Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Wireless trolling motor
Ice box
Sonar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
light tackle /inshore Heavy tackle/ nearshore
Live bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Water, Gatorade, ice, and a cooler are provided.
Fishing license
Accommodates up to 4 people.

How cancellations work

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.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
Only for children 8 years old and above.
You keep catch
Fish are filleted and bagged free of charge.
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

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
 Bank transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Tampa right now

CobiaCobia
Grouper (Red)Grouper (Red)
HogfishHogfish
Jack CrevalleJack Crevalle
RedfishRedfish
Snapper (Mangrove)Snapper (Mangrove)
SnookSnook
Spanish MackerelSpanish Mackerel
TarponTarpon

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Charlton’s Reef Charters
Charlton’s Reef Charters
4.8
(172)
22 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
Fish 2
+8
4 hour trip • 4 persons
US $700