Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin 

4.9/5 (45 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Cockroach Bay Road, Ruskin, FL 33570, United States
 
State licensed
4.9/5 (45 reviews)
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Cockroach Bay Road
Ruskin, FL, United States
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Slobby Joe Charters invites you down to the Ruskin, FL, for great fun and unbeatable fishing, exploring the area’s seemingly endless backcountry. Captain Joe is all about getting people as hooked as the fish themselves. He always has a trick up his sleeve when the fish aren’t biting, and always knows “one more spot” you can try if things are not as lively as they could be.

To get the most out of Tampa Bay’s South Shore, you will need a vessel that is able to navigate nimbly through shallow backwaters and narrow creeks. You will often be in only a few inches of water as you follow those tailing fish deep into the skinny waters where they search for food.

Capt. “Slobby” Joe’s 23’ Ranger was built and rigged precisely with this in mind. With GPS, Fishfinder, a trolling motor, and a live well full of great bait, you will set out ready to tackle anything the day can throw at you.

Spend the day battling the huge Redfish which thrive in these murky waters, as well as pulling in other top food and game and table species like Cobia, Speckled Trout, and Mangrove Snapper. From May till August, you have the best chances of catching massive Tarpon and Snook.

The expansive collection of high-quality fishing tackle on board will make sure you do bring in whatever comes your way, and the choice of fresh live bait and life-like lures will have the fish fighting over who gets to bite your hook.

Most of all, though, what sets Slobby Joe Charters apart from the crowd is the level of enthusiasm and experience that becomes obvious the first time you meet your captain. Get out for a day you won’t soon forget and go home with some great catch!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 45 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
5.0/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (72)

Excellent experience
Excellent experience
Highly recommended
+69

Angler rating

42
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

96%

Caught fish

100%

Showing 1 - 5 of 45 reviews
Showing: 5 of 45 reviews
Shirley A.
Shirley A.
5.0/5

Feb 7, 2025

Beginner (PM)

Highly recommended

VERIFIED

We took a three hour fishing adventure with Captain Joe and had an amazing experience. Captain Joe's fishing knowledge was impressive and he's a very personable captain. He worked hard to keep us on fish and was attentive to all aspects of the trip. We caught trout, ladyfish, snook, and a crab. :) When we were all satisfied with our catch, he attempted to find dolphins, per our request, to round out our experience. It was a very personalized experience that gave us a memorable fishing trip on the bay.

We took a three hour fishing adventure with Captain Joe and had an amazing experience. Captain Joe's fishing knowledge was impressive...  

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 Shirley A. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin
 Shirley A. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Lisa Z.
Lisa Z.
5.0/5

Mar 26, 2025

Beginner

Excellent experience

VERIFIED

My two sons, (6 and 8) and my mom and I had a great experience with Slobby Joe! He was great joking with the boys, super nice to my mom, and we caught a ton of fish! We had so much fun we made a second reservation to cap off the end of our vacation!

My two sons, (6 and 8) and my mom and I had a great experience with Slobby Joe! He was great joking with the boys, super nice...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Lisa Z. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin
 Lisa Z. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

James W.
James W.
5.0/5

Feb 3, 2025

Half Day Trip (AM)

Great captain and trip.

VERIFIED

Even though there was heavy fog our whole trip, captain Joe got us on fish. All four in our party caught fish and had a nice "catch and cook" dinner at Hooks restaurant in Ruskin. We will definitely use Slobby Joe's again.

Even though there was heavy fog our whole trip, captain Joe got us on fish. All four in our party caught fish and had a nice...  

 James W. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin
 James W. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Brian De St Jean
Brian De St Jean

Dyer, IN

5.0/5

Jul 27, 2021

Half Day Trip (AM)

Captain Slobby Joe

VERIFIED

Captain Slobby Joe is a great guy and definitely knows where to find the fish. We had a group of 6 and our trip exceeded all of our expectations. We caught over 30 fish in just 4 hours. Most of them were snapper and snook. One of the snook was over 30”!!! Great experience! Thanks captain! We all left with memories that will last a lifetime. Can’t wait to come back!

Captain Slobby Joe is a great guy and definitely knows where to find the fish. We had a group of 6 and our trip exceeded all of...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Brian De St Jean recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin
 Brian De St Jean recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Markus E.
Markus E.

Toms River, NJ

5.0/5

Jul 22, 2021

Half Day Trip (AM)

Amazing morning trip

VERIFIED

How was a great guy, he was out and ready when we got there and got ice before and after trip with us. He got us right to are spot where we caught are limit of keep fish to bring home in under 2 hours and then went fishing for catch and release. Very interactive, funny and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend if you fish a lot or never have before.

How was a great guy, he was out and ready when we got there and got ice before and after trip with us. He got us right to are...  

 Markus E. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin
 Markus E. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
Beginner
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $499 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Beginner (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
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US $499 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Beginner (PM) 4:30-5:00
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 4:30 PM
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US $499 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Artificial Lure
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Feb 1
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US $625 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
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US $650 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
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US $650 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
7 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
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US $1,200 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
The Waterman
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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US $1,500 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 45 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
5.0/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (72)

Excellent experience
Excellent experience
Highly recommended
+69

Angler rating

42
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

96%

Caught fish

100%

Showing 1 - 5 of 45 reviews
Showing: 5 of 45 reviews
Shirley A.
Shirley A.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Highly recommended

VERIFIED

Beginner (PM) on February 7, 2025

We took a three hour fishing adventure with Captain Joe and had an amazing experience. Captain Joe's fishing knowledge was impressive and he's a very personable captain. He worked hard to keep us on fish and was attentive to all aspects of the trip. We caught trout, ladyfish, snook, and a crab. :) When we were all satisfied with our catch, he attempted to find dolphins, per our request, to round out our experience. It was a very personalized experience that gave us a memorable fishing trip on the bay.

We took a three hour fishing adventure with Captain Joe and had an amazing experience. Captain Joe's fishing knowledge was impressive and he's a very personable captain. He worked hard to keep us on fish and was attentive to all aspects of the trip. We caught trout, ladyfish, snook, and a crab. :) When we were all satisfied with our catch, he attempted to find dolphins, per our request, to round out our experience. It was a very personalized experience that gave us a memorable fishing...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Review media 4
 Shirley A. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Lisa Z.
Lisa Z.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Excellent experience

VERIFIED

Beginner on March 26, 2025

My two sons, (6 and 8) and my mom and I had a great experience with Slobby Joe! He was great joking with the boys, super nice to my mom, and we caught a ton of fish! We had so much fun we made a second reservation to cap off the end of our vacation!

My two sons, (6 and 8) and my mom and I had a great experience with Slobby Joe! He was great joking with the boys, super nice to my mom, and we caught a ton of fish! We had so much fun we made a second reservation to cap off the end of our vacation!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Lisa Z. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

James W.
James W.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great captain and trip.

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (AM) on February 3, 2025

Even though there was heavy fog our whole trip, captain Joe got us on fish. All four in our party caught fish and had a nice "catch and cook" dinner at Hooks restaurant in Ruskin. We will definitely use Slobby Joe's again.

Even though there was heavy fog our whole trip, captain Joe got us on fish. All four in our party caught fish and had a nice "catch and cook" dinner at Hooks restaurant in Ruskin. We will definitely use Slobby Joe's again.  

 James W. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Brian De St Jean
Brian De St Jean

Dyer, IN

5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Captain Slobby Joe

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (AM) on July 27, 2021

Captain Slobby Joe is a great guy and definitely knows where to find the fish. We had a group of 6 and our trip exceeded all of our expectations. We caught over 30 fish in just 4 hours. Most of them were snapper and snook. One of the snook was over 30”!!! Great experience! Thanks captain! We all left with memories that will last a lifetime. Can’t wait to come back!

Captain Slobby Joe is a great guy and definitely knows where to find the fish. We had a group of 6 and our trip exceeded all of our expectations. We caught over 30 fish in just 4 hours. Most of them were snapper and snook. One of the snook was over 30”!!! Great experience! Thanks captain! We all left with memories that will last a lifetime. Can’t wait to come back!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Brian De St Jean recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

Markus E.
Markus E.

Toms River, NJ

5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Amazing morning trip

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (AM) on July 22, 2021

How was a great guy, he was out and ready when we got there and got ice before and after trip with us. He got us right to are spot where we caught are limit of keep fish to bring home in under 2 hours and then went fishing for catch and release. Very interactive, funny and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend if you fish a lot or never have before.

How was a great guy, he was out and ready when we got there and got ice before and after trip with us. He got us right to are spot where we caught are limit of keep fish to bring home in under 2 hours and then went fishing for catch and release. Very interactive, funny and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend if you fish a lot or never have before.  

 Markus E. recommends Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

FAQs about Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
23 ft
Year built
1995
Restored in
2020
Boat manufacturer
Ranger
Boat type
Bay boat

Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
1 x 300HP
Max cruising speed
47 knots
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What’s biting in Ruskin right now

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