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.
85
Reviews
3
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listings

Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing

State licensed
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(83 reviews)
Belleair Bluffs
 Last booking: 6 days 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 85 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (142)
Great trip
Great trip
Wonderful Trip!
+139
Angler rating
75
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
88%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
98%
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Showing:
5 of 85 reviews
John B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day โ€“ Inshore/Nearshore (AM) on July 21, 2025
My family and me had a great time. Captain Phil was excellent. He greeted us when we arrived at the dock and explained what...
John B. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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John B. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Shawn E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Giddy Up for a Reel Good Time with Captain Phil!

VERIFIED   NEW  Tarpon Fishing Clearwater FL -10hr on July 19, 2025
Had an incredible day on the water with Snag Em Up Fishing and Captain Phil! The boat was top-notch, the fishing was nonstop,...
Shawn E. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Shawn E. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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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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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Nick B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family 1/2 Day

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day โ€“ Inshore/Nearshore (AM) on July 17, 2025
Captain Phil showed us a great time. We went with 4 adults and 2 kids, he did a great job with everyone, especially the kids....
Nick B. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Nick B. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jaclyn C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Wonderful Trip!

VERIFIED   NEW  Kids Fishing Trip! 3hrs on July 28, 2025
Our children 11, 8, 6 absolutely loved our trip as well as us.ย  Hot as can be but Phil made sure we caught fish then got cool...
Jaclyn C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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Jaclyn C. recommends Suncoast Expeditions โ€“ Clearwater Fishing
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