Captain
Phil Rugari

Member since February 2019 Belleair Bluffs, United States
Background
I grew up in FL fishing both coasts. Lived in many states and have had the opportunity to fish in many great places our country has to offer. Moved back to FL a few years ago and have been fortunate enough to have honed my skills as a salt water angler who is now sponsored by Humminbird and Minn Kota along with many other companies in the industry. Fishing is my #1 passion and I know you will have a great time on my boat. I offer a safe, clean charter and I will put you on FISH!
Techniques
Ishore around docks and pilings, nearshore reefs/ bottom fishing and offshore bottom fishing structure. I have many spots that only I know about.

Hey, I'm Captain Phil Rugari

Belleair Bluffs, United States
Background
I grew up in FL fishing both coasts. Lived in many states and have had the opportunity to fish in many great places our country has to offer. Moved back to FL a few years ago and have been fortunate enough to have honed my skills as a salt water angler who is now sponsored by Humminbird and Minn Kota along with many other companies in the industry. Fishing is my #1 passion and I know you will have a great time on my boat. I offer a safe, clean charter and I will put you on FISH!
Techniques
Ishore around docks and pilings, nearshore reefs/ bottom fishing and offshore bottom fishing structure. I have many spots that only I know about.
76
Reviews
3
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listings

Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing

State licensed
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(74 reviews)
Belleair Bluffs
 Last booking: 4 hours ago
Trips from US $300

Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Boca Grande Tarpon

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(2 reviews)
Placida
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $1,200

Fishing Reports

PLENTY OF FISH!
PLENTY OF FISH!
Jan 6, 2023 Belleair Bluffs
While there has been some slower fishing with the cold fronts coming through, we are now all the way though them!! So fishing has been picking up really good! Seasonal bonnethead sharks have moved in and sheepshead are starting their yearly show down in our area! Speckled sea trout have been a very good staple inshore while offshore we are finding really nice stocks of tasty grunts (Key West Snapper). So don't delay, book now and lets go get some fish in the boat!!!
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Cleaned up some Triple Tail and Hogfish
Cleaned up some Triple Tail and Hogfish
Apr 16, 2020 Belleair Bluffs
We went out on two different days during the COVID-19 lockdown to scout some spots. Landed a bunch of Triple Tails and a few Hogs scouting spots. Not to mention a bunch of Mangrove snappers and some Kingfish. All caught on the best bait, shrimp. Gotta love it!
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Sharks for everyone!!!
Sharks for everyone!!!
Mar 9, 2020 Belleair Bluffs
Winter fishing in Florida is very hit and miss depending on cold fronts and wind conditions. When you can time the weather correctly you can really get on some nice grouper and the trout bite is FIRE! Larger grouper move in closer to shore in the winter time and many people have luck catching keeper gags either from fishing piers like the skyway or on some of the nearshore ledges and reefs. We have caught gags over 32 inches this past winter with consistency. Inshore fishing is good when the wind dies down, rat reds run around the bays and inland waters and larger trout can be found near grassy flats in 3-4ft of water. As white bait becomes scarce shrimp is always available from the bait shops and will get the nod from every fish that swims. Over the past week we are starting to see a slow down in the wind which is giving us some of our fishing spots back that we cant always fish with 30knot winds. One trip this week we caught 7 bonnethead sharks and twice we were tripled up with them. Rat reds were on the menu and large trout were also biting very good. Sheepshead have been hanging around docks, look for docks with good build up of oysters and barnacles - they will hold fish for sure. Any backwater areas you can find as well that are shallow (less than 2ft) will hold larger reds and big snook. One day we spotted more than 6 snook that were 30+. None took the bait but they were there! Either way tight lines and get out on the water!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 76 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (123)
Kids Fishing Trip
Kids Fishing Trip
Kids Fishing Trip
+120
Angler rating
66
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
87%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
98%
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Showing:
5 of 76 reviews
Erin L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing experience 10/10 ๐ŸŸโค๏ธ

VERIFIED   Kids Fishing Trip! 3hrs on April 25, 2025
Highly recommend Captain Phil, we booked the kids fishing day for three hours. Captain Phil was very accommodating...
Erin L. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jackie C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day โ€“ Inshore/Nearshore (PM) on June 14, 2025
Captain Phil knew all the spots to take us for a great fishing experience.ย  We caught sea bass, a sting ray and lots more.ย ...
Jackie C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jackie C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jonathan C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Kids Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Kids Fishing Trip! 3hrs on June 19, 2025
We booked the kids fishing trip with Captain Phil. We caught plenty of fish and he did a great job keeping the kids engaged...
Jonathan C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jonathan C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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John H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

SUNCOAST EXPEDITIONS

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day โ€“ Inshore/Nearshore (PM) on June 10, 2025
Capt. Phil Best experience for family. Novice to seasoned veteran fishers will enjoy a true gentleman/ pirate of the...
John H. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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John H. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jennie C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perfect fishing trip for our boys

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip on May 3, 2025
We had a great time with Captain Phil and Suncoast Expeditions.ย  The bites were hot and our boys had a great time. Captain...
Jennie C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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