Charter Operator
Fishhawk Charters

Member since October 2016 St. Petersburg, United States
Background
I was fortunate to grow up on Anna Maria Island, located just south of Tampa Bay and the St. Pete's Beach area. I was surrounded by the pure white quartz sandy beaches and turquoise clear blue Gulf of Mexico. It brings me great pleasure to provide guests with the ideal conditions, choice equipment, and best, top-shelf vessels, so they can fully enjoy "the full true fishing experience" here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Our goal is to exceed your expectations!
Techniques
Selectively, we are strategically positioned @ Resort Marina Yacht Club setting w/multiple amenities including - resort pool, fine & casual dining experience restaurant, indoor/outdoor seating w/ tiki bar, live entertainment, oyster raw bar, etc. Tierra Verde is located @ the convergence of Tampa Bay & Gulf of Mexico a unique opportunity 2 experience both Inshore & Offshore fishing at its finest. Customize ur Excursion. Methodology - both trolling & static multiple fishing lines, skillfully baited with lures & live selective bait fish. INSHORE Target Palegic Species - gag grouper trolling mangrove snapper bottom fishing, flounder, triple tail and cobia running from channel marker to markers. Hit spanish mackerel. Gulf Mid-OFFSHORE Target Pelagic Species - Up to 30 miles target shallow water grouper bite but mostly try to con try to concentrate on redfish, mangrove snapper, catch catching hog fish and looking for triple tail on stone crab trap balls. UPGRADE - ESPN Experience

Hey, we're Fishhawk Charters

St. Petersburg, United States
Background
I was fortunate to grow up on Anna Maria Island, located just south of Tampa Bay and the St. Pete's Beach area. I was surrounded by the pure white quartz sandy beaches and turquoise clear blue Gulf of Mexico. It brings me great pleasure to provide guests with the ideal conditions, choice equipment, and best, top-shelf vessels, so they can fully enjoy "the full true fishing experience" here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Our goal is to exceed your expectations!
Techniques
Selectively, we are strategically positioned @ Resort Marina Yacht Club setting w/multiple amenities including - resort pool, fine & casual dining experience restaurant, indoor/outdoor seating w/ tiki bar, live entertainment, oyster raw bar, etc. Tierra Verde is located @ the convergence of Tampa Bay & Gulf of Mexico a unique opportunity 2 experience both Inshore & Offshore fishing at its finest. Customize ur Excursion. Methodology - both trolling & static multiple fishing lines, skillfully baited with lures & live selective bait fish. INSHORE Target Palegic Species - gag grouper trolling mangrove snapper bottom fishing, flounder, triple tail and cobia running from channel marker to markers. Hit spanish mackerel. Gulf Mid-OFFSHORE Target Pelagic Species - Up to 30 miles target shallow water grouper bite but mostly try to con try to concentrate on redfish, mangrove snapper, catch catching hog fish and looking for triple tail on stone crab trap balls. UPGRADE - ESPN Experience

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.5 / 5
(21 reviews)
St. Petersburg
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $2,250
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(30 reviews)
Tierra Verde
 Last booking: 2 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $1,499
Excellent
4.6 / 5
(10 reviews)
St. Petersburg
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $2,250

Fishing Reports

2025 Grouper Season Open
2025 Grouper Season Open
May 17, 2025 Tierra Verde
Florida Grouper Fishing Grouper are stout predators that prefer to lie and wait rather than chase their prey. These fish are also opportunistic scavengers that wont pass up an easy meal. The large mouth and powerful gills of a grouper create avacuum that sucks prey into their mouth in the blink of an eye. Bottom fishing and in some cases deep dropping are the most effective methods to catch grouper. While artificial lures and baits can work, natural baits are particularly more effective for these fish. With most grouper inhabiting various structures, their most common food sources are crustaceans, fish, and occasionally squid. We Catch Grouper in Florida Holding ALL Federal Credentials & FULLY Permitted including REEF Location & Pelagic Species's The rich Gulf of Mexico waters that sweep over the Florida Coastline contain ideal habitat for a long list of grouper species. The best places to catch grouper will depend on the particular species. Here are the most common environments that hold grouper. The first and most shallow environment is inshore. Some species of grouper like gag grouper will inhabit shallow waters not far from shore. Key areas are grass beds, holes, and ledges which provide these fish with shelter or a place to ambush prey. Second, nearshore reefs possibly hold the greatest abundance of grouper. Water depths from 50 to 300 feet are ideal for a variety of grouper species. Any structure including rock piles, reefs, wrecks, and ledges at moderate depths will hold the majority prey in an area. With grouper being a hide and wait predator, this is where they live. The final place to find grouper is far offshore at extreme depths. At depths over 300 feet deep dropping equipment may be necessary. Offshore drop off and canyons hold the deep dwelling yellowedge grouper and tilefish. We Deliver the Results Exceed Expectations! Respectfully Captain Ron Principal Owner Fish Hawk Charters #1 West Coast Florida Directvline **hidden content**
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Grouper Concentrate Catch
Grouper Concentrate Catch
Dec 2, 2023 Tierra Verde
The Best Grouper Species Grouper belongs to the Serranidae family and is a saltwater fish that is commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico. Grouper can be found in a variety of habitats, including coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and seagrass beds. However, grouper tend to prefer deeper waters and are often found in offshore reefs and wrecks - "The Honey Hole Spots". We have the Federal Pelagic Species's Permits & NOAA Reef Permits to legally Target & Catch all Legal Limits. They are a popular seafood item and are known for their mild, sweet flavor and firm texture. There are several species of grouper, including the Goliath Grouper, Black Grouper, Scamp Grouper, and Warsaw Grouper. The Goliath Grouper is the largest of the groupers and can weigh up to 800 pounds. Due to overfishing, this species is now protected and can only be harvested Federal Season. The Black Grouper is another popular species and can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. It has a mild, sweet flavor and is often used in seafood dishes. The Scamp Grouper is a smaller species of grouper that is commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico. It has a sweet, mild flavor and is often used in fish tacos and other seafood dishes. The Warsaw Grouper is a deep-water species that can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh up to 580 pounds. A firm texture and is ideal used in fish sandwiches and other seafood dishes. Respectfully Captain Ron Principal Owner Fish Hawk Charters #1 West Coast Florida
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Fall Season Report
Fall Season Report
Nov 4, 2023 Tierra Verde
Fishing Report Update Fall 2023 Some may say - fishing is like dating, Itโ€™s all about capitalizing on opportunity of the unknown. One of the first things that our Teams have learned is that fish have their own agenda. Over the past decade our Pelagic Experience & Expertise has proven more than just getting Lucky! Our credentials - Master Licensed Captains are unparalleled Pelagic Experts decorated in the record books. Thank U 4 inquiry. More than happy 2 accommodate request. * FULLY LICENSED, INSURED CERTIFIED & REGISTERED Rated #1 Fishing Charter Master Licensed Captains Federal Pelagic Permits NOAA Issued SE Region Gulf of Mexico Charter Vessel Coastal Migratory Pelagic Federal Issued Permits Commercial Private Charter All State Fishing Licenses * HIGHLY EQUIPPED Several Vessels Types & As Featured on ESPN USCG Inspected/Regulated Fully Compliant *RESULTS - Tournament Winners Record Books Published select Fishing Professional Anglers Strategically **hidden content**nvergence of Tampa Bay & Gulf of Mexico Minutes to open deep water Yacht Club w/massive Pool, both Tiki & Raw Bar, Amenities minutes to open water Gulf Full Service on-site Restaurant & Patio Live Entertainment We roll offshore - Blue Water Zone = Epic Resultant. Fully Credentialed Unlike the others,, We provide a Custom Offshore Fishing Charter that DELIVERS you a completely tailored experience. Fish at your own pace and target the species that you want 2 hit. We upsize Ur Catch & Deliver The Results Exceed Ur Expectations!! Respectfully Captain Ron Principal Owner
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 62 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (156)
Bait and switch (listing is not accurate and will switch vessels on you)
Bait and switch (listing is not accurate and will switch vessels on you)
Bait and switch (listing is not accurate and will switch vessels on you)
+153
Angler rating
51
6
3
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
92%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
90%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
88%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 62 reviews
Michael S.
Largo, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with captain rich

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on March 28, 2017
It was clear from the start that captain rich was dedicated to taking us to where the fish were that day. He knew right where...
Michael S. recommends FishHawk Chartersโ€“35Contender ProSport Series
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Michael S. recommends FishHawk Chartersโ€“35Contender ProSport Series
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

PHIL L.
Lenoir City, Tennessee
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Ron

VERIFIED   Half Day Offshore Fishing Trip on November 28, 2020
PHIL L. recommends FishHawk Chartersโ€“35Contender ProSport Series
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
PHIL L. recommends FishHawk Chartersโ€“35Contender ProSport Series
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Tim G.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Trip with the family

VERIFIED   Half Day Offshore Fishing Trip on July 15, 2018
Captain Rich was outstanding!ย  I took my family out and he put us on fish immediately.ย  He was very professional and fantastic...
Tim G. recommends FishHawk Chartersโ€“35Contender ProSport Series
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Tim G. recommends FishHawk Chartersโ€“35Contender ProSport Series
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Frank M.
Cumming, Georgia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full Day with Capn Rich

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip Inshore/Nearshore on May 8, 2018
Capn Rich put us on a lot of fish.ย  First Mate was top notch.ย  3 of us when on the charter including my older father.ย  Everyone...
Frank M. recommends Charter 48' Pro Series Yacht Experience
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Frank M. recommends Charter 48' Pro Series Yacht Experience
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Kevin O.
Tampa, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day trip with captain rich Vargas and 1st mate Ryan

VERIFIED   1 Day Trip โ€“ Night Fishing Offshore on March 5, 2018
Nothing but spectacular! Thanks guys for the experience I will never forget. My dad and I couldnt get the smiles off our faces...
Kevin O. recommends Charter 48' Pro Series Yacht Experience
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Kevin O. recommends Charter 48' Pro Series Yacht Experience
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