Salty Scales Charters 

5.0/5 (3 reviews)
 
State licensed
 2201 8th Street Southwest, Ruskin, FL 33570, United States

Salty Scales Charters 

Up to 9 miles
Ruskin, FL, United States
25 ft
4
5.0/5 (3 reviews)

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If you're here to make the most of fishing in Ruskin, look no further than Salty Scales Charters. With Captain Joshua at the helm, you're in knowledgeable and experienced hands.

These waters hold game fish like Redfish, Snook, Speckled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Gag Grouper, Cobia, Tarpon, Grunt, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel (Kingfish), Flounder, Hogfish, and more, depending on the season. On these trips, you can expect to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle.

Salty Scales Charters is a kid-friendly charter service, so go ahead and bring the whole family along! If you don't have a child-sized life vest of your own, be sure to ask if there's one on board. Snacks are permitted onboard — bring your favorites!

You'll be casting lines from a 25' Avenger Custom by Marauder, with room for 4 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. Your captain will provide rods and reels, along with lures. Live bait is on offer, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

A First Mate will be there to make sure everything is running smoothly. It's customary to tip the Mate 10–20% to show your appreciation.

There's no need to buy a fishing license, so you can drive right over and come aboard without any hassle! Be mindful that some species may have special rules or limited seasons. If you don't know what to expect, ask the captain.

Some essentials to bring are sunglasses, sunscreen (non-spray), bottled water, and a hat. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but try to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

How often would you rather be fishing? Go on and turn that day dream into a reality, with Salty Scales Charters.

If you're here to make the most of fishing in Ruskin, look no further than Salty Scales Charters. With Captain Joshua at the helm, you're in knowledgeable and experienced hands.

These waters hold game fish like Redfish, Snook, Speckled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Gag Grouper, Cobia, Tarpon, Grunt, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel (Kingfish), Flounder, Hogfish, and more, depending on the season. On these trips, you can expect to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle.

Salty Scales Charters is a kid-friendly charter service, so go ahead and bring the whole family along! If you don't have a child-sized life vest of your own, be sure to ask if there's one on board. Snacks are permitted onboard — bring your favorites!

You'll be casting lines from a 25' Avenger Custom by Marauder, with room for 4 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. Your captain will provide rods and reels, along with lures. Live bait is on offer, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

A First Mate will be there to make sure everything is running smoothly. It's customary to tip the Mate 10–20% to show your appreciation.

There's no need to buy a fishing license, so you can drive right over and come aboard without any hassle! Be mindful that some species may have special rules or limited seasons. If you don't know what to expect, ask the captain.

Some essentials to bring are sunglasses, sunscreen (non-spray), bottled water, and a hat. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but try to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

How often would you rather be fishing? Go on and turn that day dream into a reality, with Salty Scales Charters.

Joshua Taylor
Captain
Joshua Taylor
13 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
4 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Snook
Redfish
Spanish Mackerel
Speckled Trout
US $600
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snook
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
+3
US $850
Entire boat: up to 4 people
8 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Cobia
Snook
Tarpon
Snapper (Mangrove)
+8
US $1,050
Entire boat: up to 4 people
8 Hour Trip – Offshore
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Amberjack
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snapper (Mangrove)
Grouper (Gag)
+2
US $1,250
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
3 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (4)

All reviews (3)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 13 of 3 reviews
Brenda Brenner
Brenda Brenner
Member since 2026
5.0
Best Fishing Trip Ever!
6 Hour Trip on March 13, 2026

According to my great granddaughters, this was the best Fishing Trip ever! They really had a ball. Capt. Taylor is very experienced and full of knowledge. He made my great granddaughters day. We will definitely be booking in the future!

Reported catch:
Mangrove Snapper
Hogfish
Joshua Taylor
Response from Captain

Thank you Brenda, I'm glad she had a great time. I'm looking forward to future trips.

FishingBooker Member
FishingBooker Member
Member since 2025
5.0
Unforgettable Inshore Fishing Charter with Capt. Taylor
8 Hour Trip on March 19, 2025

Had the absolute best day on the water with Capt. Taylor! We caught a ton of fish, and I even landed my personal best redfish, an unforgettable experience. Capt. Taylor knows the spots, keeps the vibes great, and made the entire trip one to remember. Highly recommend!

Reported catch:
Redfish
Snook
Speckled Trout
Mangrove Snapper
+1
Jd Oddo
Jd Oddo
Member since 2026
5.0
Half day trip with Captain Josh
6 Hour Trip on February 3, 2024

Best fishing day I've ever had caught 3 different personal best redfish all in the same trip the fish got bigger as the day went on! Will definitely be going back!

Reported catch:
Redfish
Snook
Speckled Trout
Joshua Taylor
Response from Captain

Thank you JD, it was an epic bite and I appreciate that great review.

FAQs about Salty Scales Charters

Salty Scales Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $850 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,050 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,250 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Offshore (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Salty Scales Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Wireless trolling motor
Trips booked with Salty Scales Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (Bait is included with the price and will often times be on the boat before the clients get to the ramp.)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Cleaning the fish is part of the cost, there is no additional fee but you are welcome to tip the mate if you'd like. )
  • First mate (Aiden will typically be available )
  • Fishing license (We have all of the neccessary fishing license onboard. )
Salty Scales Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River fishing (Tampa Bay is very unique with many tributarys, our freshwater collides with saltwater in the Little Manatee river and the Manatee river. The rivers hold everything from, bass, bluegill to redfish and large snook.)
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (Currently up to nine miles. )
  • Reef fishing
  • Flats fishing
  • Backcountry fishing
Salty Scales Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Drift fishing
Top targeted fish species with Salty Scales Charters include:
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Grunt
  • Hogfish
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Speckled Trout
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Joshua Taylor
Joshua Taylor
Joshua Taylor

Ruskin, Florida, United States

2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
3 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since April 2025

Meet Capt. Joshua Taylor – Salty Scales Captain Joshua Taylor is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, passionate angler, and the founder of Salty Scales. With over two decades of experience fishing Florida's coastal waters, he brings unmatched knowledge, patience, and energy to every trip. Whether guiding first-timers or seasoned pros, Capt. Josh is dedicated to making every charter safe, fun, and unforgettable.

2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
3 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since April 2025

Meet Capt. Joshua Taylor – Salty Scales Captain Joshua Taylor is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, passionate angler, and the founder of Salty Scales. With over two decades of experience fishing Florida's coastal waters, he brings unmatched knowledge, patience, and energy to every trip. Whether guiding first-timers or seasoned pros, Capt. Josh is dedicated to making every charter safe, fun, and unforgettable.

The fish you can target

Cobia
Cobia
Flounder
Flounder
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper
Grunt
Grunt
Hogfish
Hogfish
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Redfish
Redfish
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Snook
Snook
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Tarpon
Tarpon
Cobia
Cobia
Flounder
Flounder
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper
Grunt
Grunt
Hogfish
Hogfish

Real catches by this captain

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What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
25 ft
Year built
2026
Boat manufacturer
Marauder
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 300HP
Max cruising speed
40 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing
Tampa Bay is very unique with many tributarys, our freshwater collides with saltwater in the Little Manatee river and the Manatee river. The rivers hold everything from, bass, bluegill to redfish and large snook.
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Currently up to nine miles.
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Wireless trolling motor
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Bait is included with the price and will often times be on the boat before the clients get to the ramp.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Cleaning the fish is part of the cost, there is no additional fee but you are welcome to tip the mate if you'd like.
First mate
Aiden will typically be available
Fishing license
We have all of the neccessary fishing license onboard.

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 agreed upon reservation

Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.

Child friendly
Kids are welcome, we look forward to getting them hooked on a new healthy passion.
No smoking
You keep catch
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

 PayPal

 Bank transfer

What’s biting in Ruskin right now

CobiaCobia
FlounderFlounder
Grouper (Gag)Grouper (Gag)
HogfishHogfish
King Mackerel (Kingfish)King Mackerel (Kingfish)
RedfishRedfish
SnookSnook
Spanish MackerelSpanish Mackerel
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout
TarponTarpon

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Salty Scales Charters
Salty Scales Charters
State licensed
5.0
(3)
25 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
Fish 2
+10
4 hour trip • 4 persons
US $600