Captain
Max Rowe

Member since August 2018 Tampa, United States
Background
I grew up on the water in Tampa Bay and fishing has been my passion since I was 12 years old. I love catching big fish - lots of big fish. Also the mystery of what big sea creature you'll find out there; sharks, dolphins, manatees, and even alligators are regularly spotted while fishing. The biodiversity and the crazy fish you catch and see keeps me coming back. After developing a love for fishing, and earning the nickname "Captain,"- through middle and highschool, I took a scholarship to USF to play college baseball. Then I pursued being a drummer in a rock band, now I'm a licensed captain and have been for 7 years. Fishing is my true passion and is now just about the only thing I do. It is my passion, career, hobby, and therapy. I get along with everyone and welcome all skill levels. I love the science behind catching fish and love to educate. I hope to pass on my passion to all of my customers.
Techniques
Live bait fishing is my go-to method. Would you eat a plastic cheeseburger over a real one? White bait (sardines) during the warmer months and shrimp when colder. I mainly target Snook, Trout, Redfish, Tarpon, Tripletail, Cobia, Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel, and more. All fishing is done around Downtown Tampa( Hillsborough Bay). If you prefer to fish with lures you are welcome to, I have a few options.

Hey, I'm Captain Max Rowe

Tampa, United States
Background
I grew up on the water in Tampa Bay and fishing has been my passion since I was 12 years old. I love catching big fish - lots of big fish. Also the mystery of what big sea creature you'll find out there; sharks, dolphins, manatees, and even alligators are regularly spotted while fishing. The biodiversity and the crazy fish you catch and see keeps me coming back. After developing a love for fishing, and earning the nickname "Captain,"- through middle and highschool, I took a scholarship to USF to play college baseball. Then I pursued being a drummer in a rock band, now I'm a licensed captain and have been for 7 years. Fishing is my true passion and is now just about the only thing I do. It is my passion, career, hobby, and therapy. I get along with everyone and welcome all skill levels. I love the science behind catching fish and love to educate. I hope to pass on my passion to all of my customers.
Techniques
Live bait fishing is my go-to method. Would you eat a plastic cheeseburger over a real one? White bait (sardines) during the warmer months and shrimp when colder. I mainly target Snook, Trout, Redfish, Tarpon, Tripletail, Cobia, Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel, and more. All fishing is done around Downtown Tampa( Hillsborough Bay). If you prefer to fish with lures you are welcome to, I have a few options.
256
Reviews
21
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Downtown Tampa Charters

State licensed
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(256 reviews)
Tampa
 3 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $295

Fishing Reports

Summerโ€™s In Full Swing!
Summerโ€™s In Full Swing!
May 27, 2025 Tampa
Summer has finally set in. Huge schools of bait, mackerel flying out of the water, sharks everywhere, snapper, trout, snook, redfish, and more. Tarpon are making an appearance. The bay is full of life right now! Dont be spooked by the storms! Theyโ€™re usually avoidable and turn the bite on!
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Summer Bite is Hot!
Summer Bite is Hot!
May 13, 2025 Tampa
Catch a breeze and world class sport fish! Summer is one of my favorite seasons, yielding snook, tarpon, trout, snapper, sharks, redfish, and just about everything else. Tarpon and snook for the sporty folks. Snapper, mackerel, and sharks for the families! Or mix it up! Stop at the sandbar for a swim, check out the downtown waterfront. They bay is your oyster!
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Spring Has Sprung!
Spring Has Sprung!
Feb 8, 2025 Tampa
Winter came with gusto, with one of the coldest seasons on record. And it has left. It feels like spring here in tampa. Sunny and 75. The birds are chirping, the dolphins are jumping, and the fish are biting. This is the weather everyone moves to Florida for. Every species of fish is around. Redfish, trout, sharks, snook, cobia, and more. The water temp is just right, like when you figure out how to adjust your shower to the perfect temperature. You like it. So do the fish! Get emโ€™ while theyre frisky!
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Santaโ€™s Sleigh Is Here!
Santaโ€™s Sleigh Is Here!
Jan 18, 2025 Tampa
Dont let the cool weather fool you. The water temp is perfect for this time of year. Snook and redfish are creeping around the shallows, trout are plentiful on the flats. Sheepshead are ready to harvest, and schools of black drum should be roaming the bay. If youโ€™re lucky youโ€™ll see a cobia,(big fish pictured), if youโ€™re really lucky youโ€™ll get one in the boat! Thereโ€™s plenty to be had out there in this beautiful weather. Get emโ€™ while theyโ€™re still hot!
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Better than Snow
Better than Snow
Jan 18, 2025 Tampa
Weโ€™re in the dead of winter but its still gorgeous in Florida! The water temperature is low which creates steady bites using shrimp for bait, with the occasional trophy fish. Bull sharks are lurking, manatees and dolphins are seen daily. Table fare includes pompano, sheepshead, and speckled trout. Cobia if youre lucky, but as Capt.Max says, โ€œluck is for losers.โ€ So let that snow pile up and ask your neighbor to shovel it for you and book a trip! Or however it works? Ive only seen snow twice!
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As Good As It Gets!
As Good As It Gets!
Dec 6, 2024 Tampa
After the hurricanes, life on the water has been turned upside down. However, the balance of nature has gifted us some of the best fishing ive ever seen! It has been hard to not catch fish! Thousands of redfish, trout, snook, and juvinile tarpon. Bait is all over the place and easy to catch. These conditions should remain until the next serious cold front. We are set up for a fantastic fall season. Book your trip today!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 256 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (300)
Perfect for kids (6+)
Perfect for kids (6+)
Perfect for kids (6+)
+297
Angler rating
220
17
3
1
5
Anglers claimed
Good experience
94%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
92%
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Showing:
5 of 256 reviews
Devin C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent charter

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip โ€“ Sunset Shorty on March 7, 2025
Max & his mate Ralph were great. We had 2 young kids with us and they were very patient, helpful, and conscious of where the...
Devin C. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Devin C. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Rob M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Friendly fun and knowledgeable

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Sunrise Special (AM) on April 12, 2025
Had a great time with Ralph and Max, just genuinely good people having a good time on the water. Were knowledgeable and helpful...
Rob M. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Rob M. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Paula J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun short trip

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip โ€“ Afternoon Shorty on April 11, 2025
Captain Max and 1st Mate Ralph were great guides. They were patient and even made special arrangements at another dock to...
Paula J. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Paula J. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Kelly K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great First Time Fishing Charter

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip โ€“ Sunset Shorty on March 26, 2025
Matt and Ralph were a great captain and mate! They did everything they could to get us a catch; we caught a shark and trout!...
Kelly K. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Kelly K. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Kim E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day!

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip โ€“ Morning Shorty on March 15, 2025
My family had an excellent impromptu trip fishing with Max and Ralph. We had not done this type of fishing before but were...
Kim E. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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Kim E. recommends Downtown Tampa Charters
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