Captain
Wade Osborne

Member since November 2014 Tampa, United States
Background
Captain Wade Osborne has been guiding anglers to some of the best fishing in Tampa Bay since 1997. He strives to make every fishing adventure an enjoyable and memorable experience. Whether sharing local techniques with avid anglers, instructing children or the novice, his approach is always with patience and courtesy. Fish safely, and in comfort aboard Afishionado. A custom built 24' Sheaffer boat. Sheaffer is widely recognized as best bay boat in the industry with enough room for up to six anglers. There’s also a large fish box, cooler for beverages, and a fighting chair (available upon request) for the mobility impaired. Experience world-class light tackle spin, fly or plug inshore sportfishing. Catch snook, redfish, seatrout, cobia, sharks, mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, and more aboard Afishionado. Most charters are provided with spinning gear and live bait but fly and bait casting tackle is available upon request. Afishionado, “Adventures in Fishing.”
Techniques
Tampa/St. Petersburg fishing guide, Captain Wade Osborne has been providing world-class light tackle spin, fly and plug inshore sportfishing since 1997.

Hey, I'm Captain Wade Osborne

Tampa, United States
Background
Captain Wade Osborne has been guiding anglers to some of the best fishing in Tampa Bay since 1997. He strives to make every fishing adventure an enjoyable and memorable experience. Whether sharing local techniques with avid anglers, instructing children or the novice, his approach is always with patience and courtesy. Fish safely, and in comfort aboard Afishionado. A custom built 24' Sheaffer boat. Sheaffer is widely recognized as best bay boat in the industry with enough room for up to six anglers. There’s also a large fish box, cooler for beverages, and a fighting chair (available upon request) for the mobility impaired. Experience world-class light tackle spin, fly or plug inshore sportfishing. Catch snook, redfish, seatrout, cobia, sharks, mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, and more aboard Afishionado. Most charters are provided with spinning gear and live bait but fly and bait casting tackle is available upon request. Afishionado, “Adventures in Fishing.”
Techniques
Tampa/St. Petersburg fishing guide, Captain Wade Osborne has been providing world-class light tackle spin, fly and plug inshore sportfishing since 1997.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(128 reviews)
Tampa
 3 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400

Fishing Reports

Shrimp For The Win!
Shrimp For The Win!
Dec 6, 2025 Tampa
I always say, โ€œFish are Fickle.โ€ Thatโ€™s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic. After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients the fish barely responded to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day. At times like these, turning shrimp can make all the difference in the world. These hardy baits are appealing to game fish even when bait fish become scarce, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful catch. Shrimp are known as the โ€œSara Leeโ€ of baits. โ€œNobody doesnโ€™t like a Sara Lee.โ€ Snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead, and more love them. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Not to sound like โ€œBubbaโ€ from the movie Forrest Gump, but you can catch fish with live shrimp, dead shrimp, frozen shrimp, or pieces of shrimp. โ€œThatโ€™s, thatโ€™s about it!โ€ Additionally, crustaceans like shrimp are not only versatile but also resilient in colder water conditions, which makes them a reliable choice when other baits fail. Their natural scent and movement attract a wide variety of species, ensuring that anglers have a dependable option throughout fluctuating water temperatures. If you like to fish with artificials or flies, shrimp imitations are the perfect cold weather bait. When making a presentation, the key to success is to work the fake bait slowly. I always remind people, โ€œif you think youโ€™re working it slow enough, slow it down even more.โ€ Also, remember the fish youโ€™re after are most likely in deep water, so let the bait sink before working it back to the boat. For you fly anglers, itโ€™s best to use a sinking tip fly line to help keep the bait down in the water column. Although, the sheepshead spawn doesnโ€™t occur until late winter to early spring, primarily from February through April, theyโ€™re becoming more active. Cold water temperatures really turn sheepshead on, and they start to school up. As we move into the latter part of January, youโ€™ll encounter more schools and larger specimens. Key areas to target are rocky structures, bridge pilings, and docks where sheepshead tend to congregate during these colder months. Using shrimp around these areas can yield impressive results, especially as the fish grow more aggressive in anticipation of the spawning season. Patience and persistence are key, as sheepshead can be notorious bait stealers, but the payoff is well worth the effort. As for terminal tackle, the lighter the better. When fishing during colder periods, itโ€™s also beneficial to downsize. Due to the lack of rain, the water clarity is excellent in most of Tampa Bay right now. For that reason, Iโ€™ll drop down to 20lb. fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 hook, especially when targeting sheepshead. Lighter lines and smaller hooks can help present crustacean baits more naturally, leading to more strikes from wary fish. Adjust your approach based on water clarity and current conditions for the best results. When fishing structure where additional weight is needed, Iโ€™ll add just enough split shot to get the shrimp down to the fish. Afishionado, โ€œAdventures in Fishing.โ€
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Shrimp For The Win!
Shrimp For The Win!
Dec 6, 2025 Tampa
I always say, โ€œFish are Fickle.โ€ Thatโ€™s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic. After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients the fish barely responded to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day. At times like these, turning shrimp can make all the difference in the world. These hardy baits are appealing to game fish even when bait fish become scarce, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful catch. Shrimp are known as the โ€œSara Leeโ€ of baits. โ€œNobody doesnโ€™t like a Sara Lee.โ€ Snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead, and more love them. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Not to sound like โ€œBubbaโ€ from the movie Forrest Gump, but you can catch fish with live shrimp, dead shrimp, frozen shrimp, or pieces of shrimp. โ€œThatโ€™s, thatโ€™s about it!โ€ Additionally, crustaceans like shrimp are not only versatile but also resilient in colder water conditions, which makes them a reliable choice when other baits fail. Their natural scent and movement attract a wide variety of species, ensuring that anglers have a dependable option throughout fluctuating water temperatures. If you like to fish with artificials or flies, shrimp imitations are the perfect cold weather bait. When making a presentation, the key to success is to work the fake bait slowly. I always remind people, โ€œif you think youโ€™re working it slow enough, slow it down even more.โ€ Also, remember the fish youโ€™re after are most likely in deep water, so let the bait sink before working it back to the boat. For you fly anglers, itโ€™s best to use a sinking tip fly line to help keep the bait down in the water column. Although, the sheepshead spawn doesnโ€™t occur until late winter to early spring, primarily from February through April, theyโ€™re becoming more active. Cold water temperatures really turn sheepshead on, and they start to school up. As we move into the latter part of January, youโ€™ll encounter more schools and larger specimens. Key areas to target are rocky structures, bridge pilings, and docks where sheepshead tend to congregate during these colder months. Using shrimp around these areas can yield impressive results, especially as the fish grow more aggressive in anticipation of the spawning season. Patience and persistence are key, as sheepshead can be notorious bait stealers, but the payoff is well worth the effort. As for terminal tackle, the lighter the better. When fishing during colder periods, itโ€™s also beneficial to downsize. Due to the lack of rain, the water clarity is excellent in most of Tampa Bay right now. For that reason, Iโ€™ll drop down to 20lb. fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 hook, especially when targeting sheepshead. Lighter lines and smaller hooks can help present crustacean baits more naturally, leading to more strikes from wary fish. Adjust your approach based on water clarity and current conditions for the best results. When fishing structure where additional weight is needed, Iโ€™ll add just enough split shot to get the shrimp down to the fish. Afishionado, โ€œAdventures in Fishing.โ€
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Springtime is Slam Time!
Springtime is Slam Time!
Apr 21, 2024 Tampa
If youโ€™ve never achieved an โ€œInshore Slamโ€ now is the time! Every year when spring rolls around, the grass flats throughout Tampa Bay come alive. As baitfish start moving onto the flats, snook, redfish and seatrout follow. When this occurs, itโ€™s the easiest time to achieve an inshore slam. If you donโ€™t know what that is, itโ€™s when you catch a snook, redfish and seatrout on the same outing. Now many of you may think that should be easy. Well, itโ€™s easier said than done for some people. Youโ€™d be surprised how many people have been fishing with me that have never caught a slam. Occasionally, I meet a few anglers who have lived in the Tampa Bay area and fished all their life, but the slam eludes them. If an inshore slam is something you would like to pursue, you might assume that catching a seatrout would be the easiest and save that for last. Not necessarily, at times it can be the most difficult to land. Thatโ€™s why many times, Iโ€™ll start out fishing around some sandy potholes on the grass flats trying to catch the seatrout first. If I have no success, Iโ€™ll move on snook and redfish and come back to seatrout to close the deal. While in pursuit, hereโ€™s where I look for that snook and redfish. With water temperatures back in the low 70s snook are moving out of the back bays, creeks, and rivers and seeking shelter along the mangrove shorelines and points. Snook feed best on a good tidal flow. Some days it may vary whether they prefer an incoming or outgoing. So, just make sure the current is moving. To get the action going, I toss out a few live scaled sardines and wait for the snook to respond by attacking the freebies. Once they start feeding, I have you cast a hooked live sardine to the same spot for an instant hook up. If you get lucky, youโ€™ll be able to catch numerous snook in the same spot. If Iโ€™m fishing during an incoming tide and itโ€™s reaching its peak, Iโ€™ll move on to redfish. Redfish like to feed on crustaceans around oyster beds and barnacle encrusted mangrove roots during a high tide. When I find a spot with both, Iโ€™ve found a redfish goldmine. Redfish also like to travel with mullet. The reason: mullet flush baitfish and crustaceans out of the grass as they feed. Anytime I spot a school of mullet I get out in front of them and Power Pole down. In either scenario, I always start by chumming with scaled sardines. After that, you cast a bait out thatโ€™s suspended under a cork. Once the cork goes under, give the fish 2-3 seconds to eat the bait, then when you reel and get your line tight, lift your rod for a solid hook set. Afishionado, โ€œAlways an Adventure.โ€
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Snook season reopens soon!
Snook season reopens soon!
Aug 11, 2023 Tampa
If youโ€™ve never eaten snook, your chance is coming up. Beginning September 1st through December 1st, snook are open to harvest. Clients ask me all the time how they taste, and I always reply, better than a grouper. Those who know would hungrily agree. The size limit on the Gulf coast for snook ranges between 28-inches and 33-inches. There is also a daily recreational bag limit of one per harvester. The three species that have been most cooperative lately are mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, and seatrout. Mangrove snapper are feeding heavily around most bridge pilings, rocky shorelines, and artificial reefs. Once anchored or spot locked, I always chum with fresh cut bait or live bait to get the action going. If thereโ€™s some tidal movement, Iโ€™ll put a small piece of split shot just above the hook to get the bait down. Most of the time when the snapper begin to feed Spanish mackerel start showing up in the same spot. Then itโ€™s pure mayhem. Between snapper occasionally getting you hung up in structure and mackerel cutting off your hook with their sharp teeth, I find myself constantly rigging. As for the seatrout, they bite best on a strong moving tidal flow. Tampa Bay is dotted with grass flats throughout, so I just pick a flat and work it over. I concentrate most of my efforts around the sandy potholes scattered about the flats. I like to Power-Pole down and work one section at a time. In closing, more than ever, I keep an eye out for manatees. Manatees typically mate between March and September, with multiple male manatees competing to breed with a female. Manatee mating herds are interesting to watch as several bulls (males) pursue a cow (female) until she is ready to mate. For everyoneโ€™s safety, I watch these mating herds from a distance as the animals are focused on mating and do not heed intruders in their midst. Itโ€™s also important to remember, touching or disturbing manatees is not only illegal, but can also be extremely dangerous. Afishionado, โ€œAlways an Adventure.โ€
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 128 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (297)
Grand slam
Grand slam
Grand slam
+294
Angler rating
120
2
2
4
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
93%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
99%
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5 of 128 reviews
Cori B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had a great trip!!

VERIFIED   4-Hour, โ€œHalf-Day Adventureโ€ on October 8, 2025
Wade did an amazing job of getting us to fish fast! We thought weโ€™d maybe get a few bites! We caught well over 40 fish and...
Cori B. recommends Afishionado Guide Services
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Jeremy A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Here a snook, there a snookโ€ฆ

VERIFIED   3-Hour, โ€œMorning Adventureโ€ on July 28, 2025
Blazing hot water temps, an unforgiving sun and a slow tide didnโ€™t stop Capt. Wade from putting us on the snook and mangrove....
Jeremy A. recommends Afishionado Guide Services
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NICHOLAS M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day in spite of tournament pressure

VERIFIED   3-Hour, โ€œHigh-Noon Adventureโ€ on April 26, 2025
Had a great time with Wade.ย  He was able to get us on some trout within about 20 minutes of leaving the dock.ย  There was...
NICHOLAS M. recommends Afishionado Guide Services
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Shawn N. N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great experience!

VERIFIED   4-Hour, โ€œHalf-Day Adventureโ€ on July 9, 2025
Capt. Was was great! He got us on the fish and also gave us excellent recommendation of where to have our catch cooked for...
Shawn N. N. recommends Afishionado Guide Services
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Michael P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

December fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  5-Hour, โ€œExtended Adventureโ€ on December 10, 2025
Michael P. recommends Afishionado Guide Services
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Michael P. recommends Afishionado Guide Services
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