Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin 

4.9
(48 reviews)
 Cockroach Bay Road, Ruskin, FL 33570, United States–

Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin 

Ruskin, FL, United States
–
23 ft
6
4.9
(48 reviews)

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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!

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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Trip availability and prices

Trip date:
Group Size:
October 2026
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Beginner
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 hour trip multiple starting times (8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM)
US $500
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
US $600
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 1:30 PM
US $600
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Artificial Lure
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Sep 1 - Feb 1
US $700
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
7 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
US $1,200
Entire boat: up to 4 people
The Waterman
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
12 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
US $1,500
Entire boat: up to 3 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.9
48 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

What anglers say

98%
Great experience
100%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
96%
Recommended
100%
Caught fish

Reviews (48)

  • Tom Kitson
    Tom Kitson
    Repeat angler
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Joe was fun, easy going and very professional.

    Beginner - 1:00 PM on May 14, 2026 • 2 adults

    We caught a ton of fish, great day. Maximizing our troug limit and cannot wait to cook them up tonight as we watch the Sabres beat in the Canadians in the NHL playoffs. my brother caght a 30 inch Snook. we caught about 8-10 snook. 2 catfisyand 2 Jacks plus the 6 trout. 5 star trip, 5 star service - 100% satisfaction! we will be back for more soon!

  • Anthony Taibi
    Anthony Taibi
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    All around great tine

    Beginner on July 26, 2026 • 4 adults • 3 children

    Great trip! will do again and highly recommend. Great Captain who accommodated kids and took time to educated them on becoming better fishermen.

  • Shirley Alarie
    Shirley Alarie
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Highly recommended

    Beginner - 1:00 PM on February 7, 2025 • 4 adults

    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.

  • Lisa Zolali
    Lisa Zolali
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Excellent experience

    Beginner on March 26, 2025 • 4 adults • 2 children

    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!

  • Brian De St Jean
    Brian De St Jean
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Slobby Joe

    Half Day Trip (AM) on July 27, 2021 • 6 adults

    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!

  • Kristine Carr
    Kristine Carr
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2018
    4 trips
    4.7
    Verified

    Half Day Trip with Captain Jo

    Half Day Trip (AM) on March 17, 2021 • 3 adults

    We did a half day charter out of Cockroach Bay, gorgeous day and seas. By captain Jo’s standards it was a so so day, we thought otherwise! So many snook we lost track. The ride was very smooth and he had tons of fresh bait. Snook, Reds and Jacks were our friends today. Highly recommend booking!

  • Joe Wagner
    Joe Wagner
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2018
    4.7
    Verified

    Full day with Slobby Joe

    Full Day Trip on March 16, 2021 • 2 adults

    Great day out on the water. Joe got us right on the fish, and kept us on them consistently throughout the full day. He seemed to really know what he was doing and made the day fun. My sister loves to fish, but won’t touch the bait or fish, Joe was more than happy to take care of her every need. Thanks Joe!

  • Luke  Moylan
    Luke Moylan
    Repeat angler
    us
    Kansas, US
    Member since 2020
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    May fishing trip

    Tarpon/Sharks/Mackerel/Grouper on May 10, 2021 • 2 adults
  • Darin Poston
    Darin Poston
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2017
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Best trip ever!

    Half Day Trip (AM) on December 22, 2017 • 4 adults

    Our kids are worn out! Why? In a four hour trip, we caught nearly 90 fish! Captain Joe put us on Speckled Trout first thing in the morning. The fishing was so good that we actually left a spot with biting fish and went to another hole to catch Snook. Joe, by the way was great with our kids. He is an eager and enthusiastic guy. He is timely and shows up with plenty of bait and equipment that is top notch. After we finished our trip he jumped out of the boat and cleaned our catch. Next time we are in the St Pete Beach area, I'll guarantee we will give Joe a call and book another amazing experience!

  • Robert Moscato
    Robert Moscato
    Repeat angler
    us
    North Carolina, US
    Member since 2020
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome Captain and Spectacular Day

    Half Day Trip (PM) on June 16, 2020 • 2 adults

    Capt Joe was excellent. We were on fish within minutes from anchoring.. Friendly, very knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend him.

Rating

4.9
48 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

What anglers say

98%
Great experience
100%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
96%
Recommended
100%
Caught fish

All reviews (48)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 1 – 5 of 48 reviews
Tom Kitson
Tom Kitson
Repeat angler
us
New York, US
Member since 2025
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Captain Joe was fun, easy going and very professional.
Beginner - 1:00 PM on May 14, 2026 • 2 adults

We caught a ton of fish, great day. Maximizing our troug limit and cannot wait to cook them up tonight as we watch the Sabres beat in the Canadians in the NHL playoffs. my brother caght a 30 inch Snook. we caught about 8-10 snook. 2 catfisyand 2 Jacks plus the 6 trout. 5 star trip, 5 star service - 100% satisfaction! we will be back for more soon!

Reported catch:
Snook
Jack Crevalle
Mangrove Snapper
Speckled Trout
Anthony Taibi
Anthony Taibi
us
Virginia, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
All around great tine
Beginner on July 26, 2026 • 1 adult • 3 children

Great trip! will do again and highly recommend. Great Captain who accommodated kids and took time to educated them on becoming better fishermen.

Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Mangrove Snapper
Jennifer Rind
Jennifer Rind
us
Florida, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
January fishing trip
Beginner - 1:00 PM on January 4, 2026 • 2 adults

Joe was amazing. kept us busy with catching fish after fish. we highly recommend his charter.

Shirley Alarie
Shirley Alarie
us
Massachusetts, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Highly recommended
Beginner - 1:00 PM on February 7, 2025 • 4 adults

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.

Reported catch:
Snook
Speckled Trout
Lisa Zolali
Lisa Zolali
us
Indiana, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Excellent experience
Beginner on March 26, 2025 • 2 adults • 2 children

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!

Reported catch:
Snook

FAQs about Slobby Joe Charters – Ruskin

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The fish you can target

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Real catches by this captain

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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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