Tarpon Magic Charters

Tarpon Magic Charters invites anglers and families to come enjoy a day of world-class fishing, sightseeing, or shelling on the pristine waters off Sanibel, Captiva and nearby barrier islands. Whether you’re an experienced angler looking for a challenge or someone who just wants to go shelling and take in the sights, Captain Rob will be able to provide an experience best suited for your individual needs.

Let Captain Rob guide you from his 24’ custom-built Bay Boat, perfect for cruising the nearshore and Back Bay waters with larger groups or families with kids that want a higher sided boat. For those who want the challenge of sight casting in the flats, Captain Rob also has a 16’ polling skiff available that is made to carry one or two anglers.

These water provide endless miles of pristine beaches and mangrove island waterways for you to enjoy. The fish are plentiful and include species such as Tarpon, Trout, Snook, Redfish,  and more besides.

If you’re here to just relax, Captain Rob has you covered as well. Have lunch at one of the by-boat-only restaurants like world famous Cabbage Key, all while you collect shells and gaze at the countless number of birds and wildlife like sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees that frequent these waters.

All trips start and end at Port Sanibel Marina where you have access to bathrooms, showers, coffee and free parking with security unless another pick-up location is arranged. Captain Rob will clean and package your catch in ice after the trip. All tackle, licensing, bait, lures, water, and ice are included in your trip.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Fun Fishing/Sightseeing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $350
    This is a 3 hour trip that bird watchers or people with very young children like to book. If we are fishing I use shrimp and lures only, and trips must leave from my marina. This is a great way to fish one or two spots for a few hours for whatever is biting best while other members in your family that might not want to fish on the boat can do a little shopping or beach walking on Sanibel just minutes away from the marina.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - AM
    Just booked! Last booked: 3 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $450
    Get up early and prepare for a fast-paced trip. This trip usually involves fishing for Trout, Snook, or Redfish. Most people elect to fish for whatever is biting best at the time. All trips will leave the marina with no charge. Other pick-up places sometimes have a fee which you will have to pay if you wish to be picked up there.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - PM
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - Jun 1
    US $450
    For those who don't want to get up at dawn, an afternoon fishing trip is just the thing. Enjoy fishing for Trout, Snook, Redfish, and whatever else you manage to find. Most people elect to fish for whatever is biting best at the time. All trips will leave the marina with no charge. Other pick-up places sometimes have a fee which you will have to pay if you wish to be picked up there.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Shark
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 1
    US $500
    This is a 4 hour trip where anglers get to test their might! There's nothing like pulling in one of these toothy monsters on light or heavy tackle. The best time to fish for Sharks is in the summer months.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - Jul 1
    US $600
    If half a day is just too short, we recommend the 3/4 Day Trip, as it offers more time and flexibility for the trip you want to have. Especially recommended for Barrier Island shelling and lunch combos if you are looking for something other than fishing. All trips will leave the marina with no charge. Other pick-up places sometimes have a fee which you will have to pay if you wish to be picked up there.
  • Private trip
    Combo Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $625
    A Six hour Combo trip is one where we split the day with a little fishing, shelling, and lunch at one of the many barrier island restaurants like world famous Cabbage Key where singer songwriter Jimmy Buffet got his inspiration for his hit song Cheeseburger in Paradise. This is a family favorite because of its flexibility. There's a little something for everyone to enjoy. It's a great way to break into or wrap up a family vacation or business trip that you are here on.
There are 27 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Tarpon Magic Charters

Tarpon Magic Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $350 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Fun Fishing/Sightseeing (3 hours)
  • US $450 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip - AM (4 hours)
  • US $450 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip - PM (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Shark (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $625 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Combo Trip (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Tarpon Magic Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box With plenty of ice and waters.
  • Radio

Trips booked with Tarpon Magic Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (All spinning with interchangeable handles)
  • Live Bait (Appropriate bait will be provided)
  • Lures (Will have flies for the appropriate fish.)
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (After our trip I will clean your catch.)
  • Drinks (Will have ice and water for everyone)
  • Fishing License (I have all the appropriate licensing)
  • Fly Fishing Equipment (Rods, flies and leader)

Tarpon Magic Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing (Out to nine miles.)
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Tarpon Magic Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle (Only high end spinning gear)
  • Spinning
  • Jigging (Sea Trout, and pass fishing)
  • Popping (Using corks for Sea Trout)
  • Fly Fishing (Sage, Loomis rods. Will give casting lessons)

Top targeted fish species with Tarpon Magic Charters include:
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Hammerhead)
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Robert Reed
Fort Myers, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
205 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2015
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Capt. Robert Reed has more than 20 Professional full time years as a fishing guide in South West Florida. He has done several T.V. shows and has taught shallow water angling and fly casting techniques at dozens of venues abroad teaching experienced anglers and educating newcomers what he’s learned over the years. The waterways he guides in include Pine Island Sound, Charlotte harbor, BocaGrande, Captiva Island, Sanibel Island, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral.

About this listing

Targeted species

Redfish Redfish
Shark (Blacktip) Blacktip Shark
Shark (Hammerhead) Hammerhead Shark
Sheepshead Sheepshead

Boat specs

MPL Custom-made (Bay boat) originally built in 2001. Powered by a 225HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
5 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Out to nine miles.
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Only high end spinning gear
Spinning
Jigging
Sea Trout, and pass fishing
Popping
Using corks for Sea Trout
Fly Fishing
Sage, Loomis rods. Will give casting lessons

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
With plenty of ice and waters.
Radio

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
All spinning with interchangeable handles
Live Bait
Appropriate bait will be provided
Lures
Will have flies for the appropriate fish.
Catch cleaning & filleting
After our trip I will clean your catch.
Drinks
Will have ice and water for everyone
Fishing License
I have all the appropriate licensing
Fly Fishing Equipment
Rods, flies and leader

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
Great with kids
You Keep Catch
Will clean and pack in ice
Catch and Release Allowed
Aquatic recycling. Conservation is a good thing.

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
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
Checks

Fort Myers Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 205 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (158)
Great time
Great time
Great time
+155
Angler rating
189
11
3
1
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish
88%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 205 reviews
Jamie T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

March fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip - AM on March 12, 2024
Captain Rob was knowledgeable and friendly- helped us feel at ease right away.  We did a half day trip. We caught lots of...
Jamie T. recommends Tarpon Magic Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Robert Reed Captain replied

Harold S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
This is and will be THE trip of our first fishing adventure with my Grandson whom caught a huge amount of fish loved the Captain...
Harold S. recommends Tarpon Magic Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Robert Reed Captain replied

Gerald K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Trip Was Awesome!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - PM on February 1, 2024
This was our first, fishing charter boat experience and it was absolutely amazing! From the online registration process to...
Gerald K. recommends Tarpon Magic Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Robert Reed Captain replied

Joseph N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing with great company

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - AM on October 1, 2023
Excellent Captain with a ton of knowledge. Very welcoming.. did a great job explaining throughout the day and also does a nice...
Joseph N. recommends Tarpon Magic Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Robert Reed Captain replied

Chase E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in April

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on April 21, 2023
Chase E. recommends Tarpon Magic Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Chase E. recommends Tarpon Magic Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful