Captain
Jeff Watkins

Member since July 2016 Placida, United States
Background
Captain Jeff is a top rated Boca Grande fishing guide, he grew up locally and has been fishing the waters of Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Pine Island Sound, and The Gulf Of Mexico all his life. Therefore he knows these waters like the back of his hand and specializes in providing fun engaging fishing charters and above all making lifelong memories. If you are looking for a day on the water you will remember for years to come, look no further. Choose Captain Jeff as your Boca Grande Fishing Guide. Captain Jeff's objective is to give you the best fishing experience possible, and a great time out on our beautiful waters. He is a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain, insured, and also one of only a few Captains in the area that possess NOAA Federal Reef & Pelagic fishing permits which allow you to legally fish in federal waters which is past 9 miles . I look forward to putting my years of experience to work for you!
Techniques

Hey, I'm Captain Jeff Watkins

Placida, United States
Background
Captain Jeff is a top rated Boca Grande fishing guide, he grew up locally and has been fishing the waters of Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Pine Island Sound, and The Gulf Of Mexico all his life. Therefore he knows these waters like the back of his hand and specializes in providing fun engaging fishing charters and above all making lifelong memories. If you are looking for a day on the water you will remember for years to come, look no further. Choose Captain Jeff as your Boca Grande Fishing Guide. Captain Jeff's objective is to give you the best fishing experience possible, and a great time out on our beautiful waters. He is a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain, insured, and also one of only a few Captains in the area that possess NOAA Federal Reef & Pelagic fishing permits which allow you to legally fish in federal waters which is past 9 miles . I look forward to putting my years of experience to work for you!
Techniques
35
Reviews
14
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listings

Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore

Federally permitted
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(33 reviews)
Placida
trips from US $1,050

Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Inshore/Back Country

State licensed
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(2 reviews)
Placida
trips from US $500

Fishing Reports

Inshore Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Feb 9, 2023 Placida
Inshore fishing in Boca Grande/Placida has been great as well. Winter time low and cooler water allows for some great fishing. Trout, Snook, Redfish, Snapper, Ladyfish are just some of what we are catching. We fish the very shallow backcountry flats in our 18 ft Shallowsport tunnel hull which will allow us to run in water as little as 8 inches deep. Live, cut bait, and artificials are the weapons of choice. Most the fishing is catch and release on the inshore trips but at times we can keep a few Trout, Snapper, and Sheepshead depending on the bite. If your looking to bring back a lot of fish to eat then this wouldnโ€™t be the recommended trip for you. The 8 hr offshore trip would be the trip. get your trip booked and letโ€™s go fishing
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Offshore Fishing Report
Offshore Fishing Report
Feb 6, 2023 Placida
Offshore Fishing In Boca Grande/Placida has been on fire. Weโ€™ve had a few cold fronts and the water temps have dropped and the fish are hungry. January 1st Red Grouper & Lane Snapper have reopened with no shortage to bring back for some great table fair. Aboard our 2022 30 ft Parker Center Console powered by twin Yamaha 200hp . Weโ€™ve been fishing 35 to 40 miles out in the Gulf Of Mexico on our most popular 8 hr offshore trips. Common catches include , Red Grouper, Lane Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Gray Snapper, Gag Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Triggerfish, Greater/Lesser Amberjack, Kingfish, and a few Cobia that have been swimming by. Mostly bottom fishing anywhere from 90-120 ft of water using live as well as cut bait is doing the trick. Shorter trips offshore on the 5 & 6 hr trips we are fishing for mainly Snapper with a lot of short Grouper as we donโ€™t go as far and the water is shallower. The nearshore trips up to 10 miles out we are catching Key West Grunts, Sea Bass, Lane & Gray Snapper with some short Gag & Red Grouper as well . Get your trip booked today and letโ€™s go fishing
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Inshore fishing has been steady action
Inshore fishing has been steady action
Jul 27, 2022 Placida
Inshore Gasparilla Sound and Charlotte Harbor has been producing Redfish, Snook, Trout, Jacks, Catfish, and Snapper. Using mostly live and cut baits the morning bite has been the best as water temps on the flats are close to 90 deg. Redfish and Snook have been up close to the mangroves and the docks . Moving water is the key. Trout have slowed a little because of the warmer water but we've been finding them on the deeper potholes on the flats. Of coarse the pesky Catfish are on the hunt and we've had to sort through a few for sure. Get your trip booked today but remember Snook & Redfish are still closed for harvesting so catch and release only on those. If your looking for a meat trip inshore is not the trip . Look at my other listing for offshore where we have alot more options of fish to keep.
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Offshore Fishing Is Phenomenal
Offshore Fishing Is Phenomenal
Oct 4, 2021 Placida
Offshore Placida the bite has been steady and down right epic at times. Red Grouper, Gag Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Lane Snapper, Vermillion Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, African Pompano, Cobia have all been coming over the sides. Season varies so so we cant keep them all but still plenty to bring back to eat. American Red Snapper season has been extended for Federally Permitted Charters and that is Anchors Away Offshore. Oct 15th - Nov 5th we will be able to keep Red Snapper. On our offshore trips we've been fishing anywhere from 35-45 miles where the bite has been the best. The #1 booked trip is the 8 hr trip but we still offer trips that will keep you closer but you will limited on some of the species that we catch further out. On all the offshore trips we use live & cut baits fishing the bottom of the Gulf Of Mexico. Kingfish will start showing up very soon as well as Tripletail and we at times will be targeting both. If your ready for a true fishing experience then lets get offshore and do some catching
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Inshore Fishing Is On Fire In Placida Fl
Inshore Fishing Is On Fire In Placida Fl
Oct 3, 2021 Placida
The inshore/backcountry fishing is on fire. The big schools of Redfish have showed up and are roaming the shallow backwaters of Gasparilla Sound & Charlotte Harbor. Schools of 300 big Redfish are not uncommon this time of yr. Snook fishing is also been steady with Snook taking artificials as well as live & cut bait throughout the area. Also getting a few small Tarpon to come out and play on the flats and the Speckled Sea Trout up to 24 inches have been the best I've seen in years. We use a combination of artificial baits (Soft plastics, top waters, Mirro Deans, gold spoons) Live bait ( Shrimp, whitebait, pilchards, pinfish) Cut baits ( Ladyfish, mullet, cigar minnows, crab) depending on the conditions and tide. We fish the shallow backwaters and mangrove shorelines throughout Placida, Charlotte Harbor, and Boca Grande. Get your inshore fishing charter booked today and lets get out and catch some fish.
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Offshore Fishing has been great!!
Offshore Fishing has been great!!
Sep 19, 2020 Placida
Our offshore trips have been filling the coolers with Grouper & Snapper every trip. We have been fishing around 35-40 miles offshore on the longer trips. I would recommend a minimum of a 7 hr trip to allow us enough time to get where we need to go and fish. Shorter and closer trips are available but not going to get some of the bigger Grouper. We have had to choose are days as some days the winds been blowing and the seas get angry so we don't go. But all in all every drop customers are either catching a fish or loosing the bait. Get your group together and lets go fishing
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 35 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (26)
8 hour trip with Capt Jeff
8 hour trip with Capt Jeff
8 hour trip with Capt Jeff
+23
Angler rating
34
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
93%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
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Showing:
5 of 35 reviews
Dave D.
Mancelona, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore on December 28, 2020
Even with less than ideal conditions with cold and wind capt Jeff put us on the fish. He is as good as you will find.
Dave D. recommends Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore
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Louis O.
Englewood, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day With Capt Jeff

VERIFIED   4 Hr Trip โ€“ Nearshore (AM) on February 16, 2019
Nice trip.ย  Jeff and the mate did an excellent job of putting us on many catchable fish.ย  Fishing equipment and bait top...
Louis O. recommends Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore
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Jason C.
Fishers, IN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

An epic 1/2 day near shore trip

VERIFIED   4 Hr Trip - Nearshore (AM) on July 17, 2018
Captain Jeff delivered a great day of fishing. He took me and my 8 year old son to multiple spots that he has discovered in...
Jason C. recommends Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore
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Chris H.
Bissell, IL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Jeff

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 14, 2020
Amazing, captain!
Chris H. recommends Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Chris H. recommends Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
FishingBooker Member
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Nearshore trip 6 hrs

6 Hr NearshoreTrip: AM. on April 25, 2018
Myself and my husband and two children did a 6 hr nearshore trip with Capt. Jeff.. We caught over 120 fish . It was a great...
FishingBooker Member recommends Anchors Away Charters โ€“ Offshore
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