Captain
Bernie Vinoski

Member since November 2018 St. Petersburg, United States
Background
I have been addicted to fishing for most of my life. My father and grandfather, both Miami natives, put a rod in my hand at a very young age. I have 20+ years of solid experience fishing the Tampa Bay, Florida Keys, East Coast, and have traveled many times to Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico fishing with some of the most well-known guides in search of trophies. I've fished professionally since my late teens when I joined the Pursuit Fishing Team on the SKA Circuit and FLW King Fish Championship Series. I worked as a Chef for 17 years, fishing as a hobby through my twenties, and became a full-time, licensed captain in my late 20s. I have owned and operated many different boats over the years, from Mavericks and Shearwaters to Pursuits and Jupiters. I recently acquired my favorite boat yet, the Aeon 23 DLX. I love fishing more than just about anything else. Moreover, I love taking people fishing and teaching them about our local species and ecology.
Techniques
I specialize in light tackle fishing using spinners for just about everything. I fish live bait almost always but don't be surprised if I break out an artificial. I love fishing soft plastics and spoons on the flats and targeting Tarpon with hogies and paddletails. I use some conventional tackle when trolling for Kingfish and targeting large predators such as Cobia and sharks.

Hey, I'm Captain Bernie Vinoski

St. Petersburg, United States
Background
I have been addicted to fishing for most of my life. My father and grandfather, both Miami natives, put a rod in my hand at a very young age. I have 20+ years of solid experience fishing the Tampa Bay, Florida Keys, East Coast, and have traveled many times to Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico fishing with some of the most well-known guides in search of trophies. I've fished professionally since my late teens when I joined the Pursuit Fishing Team on the SKA Circuit and FLW King Fish Championship Series. I worked as a Chef for 17 years, fishing as a hobby through my twenties, and became a full-time, licensed captain in my late 20s. I have owned and operated many different boats over the years, from Mavericks and Shearwaters to Pursuits and Jupiters. I recently acquired my favorite boat yet, the Aeon 23 DLX. I love fishing more than just about anything else. Moreover, I love taking people fishing and teaching them about our local species and ecology.
Techniques
I specialize in light tackle fishing using spinners for just about everything. I fish live bait almost always but don't be surprised if I break out an artificial. I love fishing soft plastics and spoons on the flats and targeting Tarpon with hogies and paddletails. I use some conventional tackle when trolling for Kingfish and targeting large predators such as Cobia and sharks.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(87 reviews)
St. Petersburg
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $300

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 87 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (81)
Couple old guys!
Couple old guys!
Couple old guys!
+78
Angler rating
81
1
0
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
95%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 87 reviews
Pat C.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on June 20, 2021
Pat C. recommends First Cast Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Pat C. recommends First Cast Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

John S.
Somerdale, New Jersey
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Bernie

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on May 4, 2019
John S. recommends First Cast Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
John S. recommends First Cast Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Bernie V.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day with Capt Bernie!

3/4 Day Trip on September 15, 2018
We had so much fun fishing with Captain Bernie! He put us on a ton of fish including my personal best snook of 36 inches. Canโ€™t...
Bernie V. recommends First Cast Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Bernie V. recommends First Cast Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Arthur F.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   October 15, 2021
The charter operation canceled 2 days after the trip date.
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Christopher K.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   July 7, 2021
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful