Captain
Luke Bonner

Member since April 2020 Tarpon Springs, United States
Background
I am Captain Luke and I am a true Florida-born native. I was born right here in north Pinellas county and raised on the waters of Tarpon Springs, Florida. My experience matters most, I have 675+ logged trips and 17+ years guiding in the Tampa Bay area. I specialize in nearshore reef fishing, shallow water spearfishing and scallop snorkeling day trips. I mainly fish out of a custom built 27' Sailfish center console based off of the classic Seacraft design. It is equipped with twin Yamaha 150 HP outboards and the latest SIMRAD electronics. This vessel drafts 20 inches of water and has a variable step deadrise for a comfortable ride to the fishing grounds. Twin 30 gallon baitwells house enough bait for a full day of action packed fishing. I also have a Carolina Skiff for flats fishing and sandbar trips inside of Tampa Bay. On my days off I enjoy scouting out new fishing spots, spearfishing while freediving and making upgrades to my boat. I also enjoy creating digital artwork and playing guitar.
Techniques
Reef fishing, spearfishing and scalloping

Hey, I'm Captain Luke Bonner

Tarpon Springs, United States
Background
I am Captain Luke and I am a true Florida-born native. I was born right here in north Pinellas county and raised on the waters of Tarpon Springs, Florida. My experience matters most, I have 675+ logged trips and 17+ years guiding in the Tampa Bay area. I specialize in nearshore reef fishing, shallow water spearfishing and scallop snorkeling day trips. I mainly fish out of a custom built 27' Sailfish center console based off of the classic Seacraft design. It is equipped with twin Yamaha 150 HP outboards and the latest SIMRAD electronics. This vessel drafts 20 inches of water and has a variable step deadrise for a comfortable ride to the fishing grounds. Twin 30 gallon baitwells house enough bait for a full day of action packed fishing. I also have a Carolina Skiff for flats fishing and sandbar trips inside of Tampa Bay. On my days off I enjoy scouting out new fishing spots, spearfishing while freediving and making upgrades to my boat. I also enjoy creating digital artwork and playing guitar.
Techniques
Reef fishing, spearfishing and scalloping
14
Reviews
4
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Capt. Luke - Reef Fishing & Spearfishing

State licensed
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(14 reviews)
Tarpon Springs
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $600

Fishing Reports

Tarpon Springs Flounder Bite Nearshore
Tarpon Springs Flounder Bite Nearshore
Aug 11, 2026 Tarpon Springs
Flounder fishing out of Tarpon Springs has been pretty good over the past few weeks, with fish showing up in good numbers around the rocky-sandy mixed areas and along the edges of structure. We’ve been finding them lying tight to the bottom, with shrimp and small baitfish producing the best bites. There have been plenty of smaller snapper around, but we’ve been seeing some nice keeper-sized flounder mixed in. As the water temperatures start to change and we move toward fall, the flounder bite should continue to get better. They’re always a welcome addition to the cooler and one of my favorite nearshore fish to target because you get four fillets plus they make an excellent meal.
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June Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper
June Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper
Jun 9, 2026 Tarpon Springs
The beginning of June fishing has been off to a great start. Larger gag grouper and red grouper have moved closer to the barrier keys and into shallower water to take advantage of the annual arrival of pilchard bait schools. This seasonal migration occurs every late spring and typically continues until water temperatures rise later in the summer. Anglers looking to target these hard-fighting fish have their best opportunity by fishing productive hard-bottom areas with fresh-cut pilchards and large shrimp rigged on a knocker rig. Several quality fish have been landed over the past week, including grouper in the 8-pound range, while a few even larger fish have managed to break anglers off before reaching the boat. The average size has been around 5 pounds. Remember that gag grouper remain catch-and-release only until the season reopens in September. Large mangrove snapper have also moved onto the shallower reefs and have been feeding well during periods of slack tide. Success often comes down to using plenty of fresh chum and downsizing tackle until bites begin. Mangrove snapper possess excellent eyesight and do much of their feeding during low-light conditions and at night, making them one of the more challenging species to fool consistently. Despite the challenge, they are a rewarding catch for both anglers and spearfishing divers. The average mangrove snapper has been around 3 pounds, with an exceptionally large 7-pound fish landed this past Saturday. If current conditions continue, the nearshore reef bite should remain productive throughout the month.
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Incredible bite in Tarpon Springs in May
Incredible bite in Tarpon Springs in May
May 22, 2026 Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs fishing has been excellent this May, with warm Gulf water temperatures and strong bait activity creating ideal nearshore conditions. Red grouper fishing has been very productive on hard bottom and ledges in 20-35 feet of water, while gag grouper are showing up in better numbers closer inshore around heavy structure. Live whitebait, shrimp and cut bait have all been producing well, especially during lighter current conditions and calm morning weather windows. Hogfish action continues to be a standout this spring, with quality fish coming from nearshore hard bottom in 20–40 feet of water using shrimp on light tackle. Mangrove snapper fishing has also remained steady around reefs, rock piles, and artificial structure, with shrimp and small cut whitebait producing solid keeper catches. Overall, my anglers fishing out of Tarpon Springs are seeing strong bottom fishing opportunities and excellent variety heading into early summer.
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Spring hogfish nearshore north Pinellas
Spring hogfish nearshore north Pinellas
Apr 25, 2026 Tarpon Springs
As of late April 2026, Gulf hogfish fishing is on fire, particularly on nearshore spots in 20–30 feet of water. Anglers in the Tarpon Springs are seeing great success with live or dead shrimp on 1 oz knocker rigs or jig heads. The bite is strong during calm weather, with key activity around hard-bottom edges.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 14 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (55)
Amazing experience
Amazing experience
Amazing experience
+52
Angler rating
14
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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5 of 14 reviews
Jessica M.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

BEST CAPTAIN EVER!!!

Full Day Trip – Bait Fishing on April 22, 2026
Captain Luke isn’t just another guide. He’s a true Florida native who’s spent a lifetime learning these waters. Every...
Jessica M. recommends Capt. Luke - Reef Fishing & Spearfishing
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MATTHEW T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing experience

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip – Bait Fishing on August 21, 2026
As a avid angler myself Luke put us on fish in all his spots. we had a very calm day as far as weather but that made it the...
MATTHEW T. recommends Capt. Luke - Reef Fishing & Spearfishing
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George S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip, first time in the gulf

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip – Bait Fishing on June 24, 2026
The experience was awesome. My first time fishing the gulf, and captain Luke made it a great experience. I caught my first...
George S. recommends Capt. Luke - Reef Fishing & Spearfishing
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Matthew S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best trip ever!!!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Bait Fishing on July 9, 2026
Best trip ever, caught a ton of fish! Captain Luke was the best, helpful, attentive, and had us on fish the entire trip. The...
Matthew S. recommends Capt. Luke - Reef Fishing & Spearfishing
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Weatherby C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

MOST FISH WE EVER CAUGHT!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Bait Fishing on May 16, 2026
What an amazing trip, everyone on the boat caught 20 plus fish, the bite was never ending. Captain Luke was such an amazing...
Weatherby C. recommends Capt. Luke - Reef Fishing & Spearfishing
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