Rainbow Charters is a 4th generation charter fishing business that has been operating out of Ponce Inlet, FL for more than 50 years. They offer a range of fishing trips, starting at a 4-hour day trip, up to a 12-hour adventure for hard-core anglers.

Captain Scott’s goal is to provide you with a memorable experience no matter what your fishing skills are. His excellent first mate is skilled at assisting the guest anglers with whatever help they need, to make their day a fun and successful day.

You will be fishing on a 39’ deep-sea fishing vessel with a 365 HP Caterpillar engine. The Rainbow II is a sturdy, seaworthy vessel that will provide a safe, enjoyable fishing trip. She is equipped with GPS, fishfinders, tackle, rods&reels, bait, outriggers, on-board bathroom, seating for all passengers, and safety equipment.

Go after Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Snapper, Mackerel, Amberjack, Barracuda, and Sailfish among other species. Offshore trips can take you as far as 50 miles off the coast, so you’ll have the chance to target the biggest fish the Gulf offers.

Everything is included in the price except for your personal snacks, lunches, and beverages.  Make sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, non-slip footwear, and a hat. If you think you might get seasick, think ahead and get some meds. Remember the camera to catch those special shots!

Rainbow Charters welcomes you aboard! Join for a memorable day on the water!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $700
    This is a short, half day trip that can be booked in the morning, leaving at 6:30-7:00. Troll or bottom fish and ca Shark, Mahi Mahi, Cobia, Amberjack, and many other species. Bring drinks, snacks, sunblock, and sunglasses. All bait, tackle, and ice is provided. Fish cleaning is also provided. You may want to bring a small cooler for your fish.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $700
    Start your adventure in the afternoon and still catch a variety of fish such as Cobia, Mackerel, Triggerfish, and Wahoo, among others. You'll go up to 14 miles offshore. Bring your drinks, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. That sun can be hot! All the bait, tackle and ice is provided.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $900
    This trip will take you up to 20 miles off the coast. Catch a variety of species, such as Tuna, Shark, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper, and many more. Combine trolling and bottom fishing, whatever you prefer. Bring your snacks, beverages, sun protection, and don't forget the camera. The captain covers your fishing equipment.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $1,200
    This is an all day event, so come prepared with plenty of beverages, food, sun protection, non-slip shoes and comfortable clothes. You'll go up to 26 miles offshore, bottom fish or troll, or do both, depending on your preference. You'll be looking for a variety of fish, such as, but not limited to, Shark, Bonito, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Mackerel, Trigger, and Snapper. The captain covers all the fishing equipment you'll need.
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip – Deep Fishing
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $1,400
    Be prepared for an all-day adventure. Bring plenty of beverages, food and sun protection. Dress in comfortable clothes and wear non-slip shoes. You can go as far as 40 miles out and will be catching a wide variety of fish. You'll be looking for some big game fish, such as Tuna, Sailfish, Wahoo, Blue Marlin, and Mahi Mahi. The captain covers your equipment and catch cleaning. Bring a small cooler for your fish to take home.
  • Private trip
    12 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $1,700
    Early bird catches the fish on this trip. You'll be going out as far as 44 miles, looking for some big game fish, such as Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo, and Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi). Come prepared with plenty of beverages, food, sun protection, non-slip shoes, and comfortable clothes. The captain provides all the bait, tackle, ice, and fish cleaning at the end of the day. You may want to bring a small cooler for your fish to take home.
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Rainbow Charters

Rainbow Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $700 per group - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • $700 per group - 4 Hour Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • $900 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • $1,200 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • $1,400 per group - 10 Hour Trip – Deep Fishing (10 hours)
  • $1,700 per group - 12 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream (12 hours)

When you book a trip with Rainbow Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair 2 chairs
  • GPS Garmin touch screen with fishfinder
  • Fishfinder Furuno fishfinder
  • Flybridge Capt.'s chair and extra seating for a guest
  • Outriggers

Trips booked with Rainbow Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate (Nickname: J.J.. It's customary to tip the mate 20%)
  • Fishing License

Rainbow Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Offshore Fishing (up to 50 miles off shore)
  • Reef Fishing (natural and artificial)
  • Wreck Fishing (sunken ships, barges, tugboats)

Rainbow Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Rainbow Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Jack Crevalle
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Sailfish
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Triggerfish (Gray)
  • Tuna (Blackfin)

Meet the Captain

Scott Ellis
Ponce Inlet, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
106 Customer reviews
Response time 3 hours
Member since September 2020
I am a fourth-generation fisherman. My family has been fishing out of Ponce Inlet for more than 50 years. I started fishing with my father, grandfather, and older brother as a mate as a young man and have fishing ever since. I've also run boats to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas. I chose to follow the family tradition of deep-sea fishing because I love the adventure of being on the ocean and I also enjoy watching my customers experience the excitement of reeling in a great catch.

About this listing

Targeted species

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

Boat specs

Number One Hull, Key West, FL (Sportfishing) originally built in 1982. Powered by a 365HP Caterpillar engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 15 knots.

Length
39 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Offshore Fishing
up to 50 miles off shore
Reef Fishing
natural and artificial
Wreck Fishing
sunken ships, barges, tugboats

Fishing techniques

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

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
2 chairs
GPS
Garmin touch screen with fishfinder
Fishfinder
Furuno fishfinder
Flybridge
Capt.'s chair and extra seating for a guest
Outriggers

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Nickname: J.J.. It's customary to tip the mate 20%
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
6yrs and older
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
Checks

Ponce Inlet fishing calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 106 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (130)
Half day, four hour trip
Half day, four hour trip
Half day, four hour trip
+127
Angler rating
88
13
1
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
92%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
79%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 106 reviews
Dennis W.
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip on July 25, 2023
Went out for 8-hours yesterday with my adult son and my 14-year old son and had a GREAT time! Captain Scott continued to put...
Dennis W. recommends Rainbow Charters
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3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
Dennis W. recommends Rainbow Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful

Darren O.
Ormond Beach, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day, four hour trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on August 10, 2023
We’ve done multiple charters here in the states and in the Caribbean. Hands down this was one of if not the best trips we’ve...
Darren O. recommends Rainbow Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Scott Ellis Captain replied

William G.
Ocala, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

8 hour trip

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip on July 22, 2023
Captain Scott and first mate Noah are very polite and knowledgeable. They catered to our every need. It was a day full of memories...
William G. recommends Rainbow Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
William G. recommends Rainbow Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Matthew B.
CHERKEE HMSTD, MO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Captain Scott

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on June 26, 2023
We had a great time!  Captain Scott and Noah were knowledgeable and so helpful.  We took the 6 hour trip…which was perfect. ...
Matthew B. recommends Rainbow Charters
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Matthew B. recommends Rainbow Charters
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Jessica R.
Columbia, MO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great experience

VERIFIED   10 Hour Trip – Deep Fishing on August 12, 2023
We had a great time on the water with rainbow charters. Our deckhand Noah was fantastic from start to finish.  Would highly...
Jessica R. recommends Rainbow Charters
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Jessica R. recommends Rainbow Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful