Reel Time Outfitters

COVID-19 update: Please make sure to bring your own snorkeling equipment for the duration of the pandemic. If you’re unsure what to buy or rent, contact the captain and he’ll be happy to give you tips.

Reel Time Outfitters is a charter with a soul and passion for inshore fishing. It is operated by Captain Leon who has been fishing his whole life and loves all species swimming in the shallow waters. He loves catching Redfish and is always happy to show his guests the techniques needed to land a great catch. This is a child-friendly charter, so bring your kids along for some family fun.

You will fish aboard his 21’ flats boat, which can accommodate up to five guests. It is powered by a 115 HP Yamaha engine with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots. The boat is made to suit the shallow water, and the wireless trolling motor it has makes it super quiet in order not to spook the fish. It is equipped with a GPS and a fishfinder, as well as safety equipment with fire extinguishers, life jackets, first -aid equipment and a CPR-trained crew. You will also find an anchoring system and an icebox which is ideal for storing fish until you return to the shore.

Reel Time Outfitters will take you inshore, reef, wreck, flats, and backcountry fishing. They specialize in fishing for Redfish, Snook, Spotted Seatrout, Cobia, Mangrove Snappers and Sharks, and you will also be targeting Black Drum, Black Seabass, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Tripletail, Gag and Red Grouper, and Jack Crevalle. Captain Leon will provide you with fly fishing equipment, rods, reels, tackle, live and artificial baits, a fishing license, and will gladly clean and fillet your catch so you can take it home for a great meal. All that you will need to bring is your food and drinks for the trip.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Crappie & Bass
    In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Dec 1 - Mar 31
    US $400
    This is a 5-hour trip. You can expect to fish for crappie and largemouth bass on Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County or Lake Hernando in Citrus County.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Largemouth)
    Largemouth Bass
    Crappie
    Crappie
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip (AM) MAX 4
    In demand! Last booked: 2 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $450
    This is a 5-hour trip. You can expect to fish for a variety of inshore species such as Redfish, Trout, Snook, Shark, Cobia, Mangrove Snapper, and Black Drum.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip (PM) MAX 4
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $450
    This is a 5-hour trip. You can expect to fish for a variety of inshore species such as Redfish, Trout, Snook, Shark, Cobia, Mangrove Snapper, and Black Drum.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Scalloping (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    US $450
    This trip will be fun for kids over the age 5 to swim around and pick up scallops in the crystal clear waters of the bay that are up to 4' deep. You will need a cooler to put the Scallops in after we get back to your vehicle. Bring your own food and drinks, and the Captain will have a cooler and ice on the boat.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Scalloping (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    US $450
    This trip will be fun for kids over the age 5 to swim around and pick up scallops in the crystal clear waters of the bay that are up to 4' deep. You will need a cooler to put the Scallops in after we get back to your vehicle. Bring your own food and drinks, and the Captain will have a cooler and ice on the boat.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip (MAX 4)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $550
    On an 8-hour trip, you will have more time to fish for a variety of inshore species such as Redfish, Trout, Snook, Shark, Cobia, Mangrove Snapper, and Black Drum.
  • Private trip
    VIP Scalloping Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    US $600
    VIP Scallop Trip (7 hour trip) - included in this option is your scallop gear, cooler with ice for your drinks & snacks, and once you are done scalloping I'll take you and your party back to one of our springs to cool off in the 72 degree water.
  • Private trip
    Full Day of Scalloping & Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    US $650
    1/2 day fishing & 1/2 day of scalloping (8 hour trip) - included in the option is a morning filled with fishing in the mangroves for Redfish or moving out to some open waters for some Trout. Then once it's hot out we will head to the scallop grounds to cool off in the water and snorkel for those yummy scallops.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip—Shallow Water Grouper
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Oct 18
    US $650
    Reel Time invites you for shallow water Grouper fishing. People normally don't think of chasing this species in shallow water but that's what makes this fishery special. From bottom fishing with live and cut bait to trolling shallow diving plugs to throwing casting plugs at shallow rocks, Grouper puts up a huge fight trying to get back into its home. You'll be targeting rocks, ledges, springs, holes, and any kind of structure that will hold fish.
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FAQs about Reel Time Outfitters

Reel Time Outfitters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $400 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip – Crappie & Bass (5 hours)
  • US $450 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip (AM) MAX 4 (5 hours)
  • US $450 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip (PM) MAX 4 (5 hours)
  • US $450 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Scalloping (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $450 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Scalloping (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 8 Hour Trip (MAX 4) (8 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $75 per person after 4 guests - VIP Scalloping Trip (7 hours)
  • US $650 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day of Scalloping & Fishing (8 hours)
  • US $650 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip—Shallow Water Grouper (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Reel Time Outfitters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Reel Time Outfitters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (I supply water & gatorades.)
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Reel Time Outfitters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Lake Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Reel Time Outfitters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Bowfishing
  • Flounder Gigging

Top targeted fish species with Reel Time Outfitters include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Black Drum
  • Cobia
  • Crappie
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Redfish
  • Scallop
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tripletail

Meet the Captain

Leon Hampton
Crystal River, Florida, United States
47 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
332 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since September 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.
Captain Leon has fished his entire life and dreamed about the waters being his desk some day. In 2014, in order to pursue his lifelong dream, Captain Leon became a licensed charter captain. He loves showing guests his world of fishing and teaching them new things. Captain Leon is also a passionate hunter.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Largemouth) Largemouth Bass
Black Drum Black Drum
Cobia Cobia
Crappie Crappie

Boat specs

Carolina Skiff (Center console) originally built in 2017. Powered by a 115HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
21 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Bowfishing
Flounder Gigging

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Outriggers
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
I supply water & gatorades.
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

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 included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in Crystal River to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

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

Crystal River Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 307 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (583)
Fresh water fishing on Panasoffkee lake
March fishing trip
March fishing trip
+580
Angler rating
273
32
2
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
95%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 307 reviews
Edmund R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day

VERIFIED   NEW  5 Hour Trip (PM) MAX 4 on March 9, 2024
We had such a good time with Leo the wind was outrageous, and he offered to have us canceled, but it was the only day we could...
Edmund R. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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  Leon Hampton Captain replied

Leon M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in May

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip (MAX 4) on May 7, 2023
Leon M. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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Leon M. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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William H.
Vinton, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 Days 8 Hour Fishing

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip (MAX 4) on May 2, 2023
Captain Leon is a native of the area.  He knows the water, the fish species and all the things that a great fisherman makes...
William H. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Leon Hampton Captain replied

Joe J.
Homosassa, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Outstanding Fishing with Captain Leon!

5 Hour Trip – Crappie & Bass on January 25, 2024
We enjoyed three amazing half-day fishing trips with Captain Leon! He is an expert at freshwater and saltwater fishing. He...
Joe J. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Leon Hampton Captain replied

Christopher M.
Davie, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

April fishing trip

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip (MAX 4) on April 1, 2023
We fished with Leo for a full day. The tides were not the most ideal as there wasn’t a ton of moving water. I was not expecting...
Christopher M. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Leon Hampton Captain replied