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 450 HP Turbo Diesel Cummins engine. The Rainbow II is a sturdy, seaworthy vessel that will provide a safe, enjoyable fishing trip. She is equipped with GPS, fish finders, 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
    US $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.
    Types of fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Grouper (Goliath)
    Goliath Grouper
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Seabass (Black)
    Black Seabass
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Shark (Hammerhead)
    Hammerhead Shark
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Bonito
    Bonito
    Snapper (Lane)
    Lane Snapper
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $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.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Seabass (Black)
    Black Seabass
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Shark (Hammerhead)
    Hammerhead Shark
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 21 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,000
    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.
    Types of fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Seabass (Black)
    Black Seabass
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Bonito
    Bonito
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,300
    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.
    Types of fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Seabass (Black)
    Black Seabass
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Bonito
    Bonito
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip – Deep Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,600
    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.
    Types of fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
  • Private trip
    12 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,800
    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.
    Types of fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Shark (Hammerhead)
    Hammerhead Shark
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Snapper (Mutton)
    Mutton Snapper
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
There are 10 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Rainbow Charters

Rainbow Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $700 per group - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $700 per group - 4 Hour Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,300 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - 10 Hour Trip – Deep Fishing (10 hours)
  • US $1,800 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
  • Ice Box

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

Rainbow Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing (Shark )
  • 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
1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
109 Customer reviews
Response time 2 hours
Member since September 2020
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.
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, and restored in 2023. Powered by a 450HP Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 23 knots.

Length
39 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
Shark
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
David, 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

Ponce Inlet Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 109 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (140)
Rainbow Charters Made For a Great Day
Rainbow Charters Made For a Great Day
Rainbow Charters Made For a Great Day
+137
Angler rating
91
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
80%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 109 reviews
GEORGE D.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Rainbow Charters Made For a Great Day

VERIFIED   NEW  8 Hour Trip on March 15, 2024
Went out on an early season 8 hour fishing charter with 4 friends aboard the Rainbow.  The Rainbow is a angling machine, everything...
GEORGE D. recommends Rainbow Charters
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GEORGE D. recommends Rainbow Charters
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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

Jason S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great off-season / cold water fishing

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on December 26, 2023
Captain Scott and Nick were excellent! They had everything set up for us, and although the water temps were too cold for trolling,...
Jason S. recommends Rainbow Charters
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Jason S. recommends Rainbow Charters
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Mariah J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Fishing Trip!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on February 3, 2024
Captain Scott and first mate Dave were awesome! They were ready and waiting for us on time, they were patient and great in...
Mariah J. recommends Rainbow Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Mariah J. recommends Rainbow Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person 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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  Scott Ellis Captain replied