What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Treasure Island, Florida for the first time?

Trust the reviews. The good reviews show a captain that has put the work in and knows how to get you on fish and the best bait and fishing techniques. Remember though, he can get you there but it is up to the fish to bite the hook!!!

I absolutely recommend this trip to first-timers to Treasure Island! If you focus on quantity over monster sizes like we did, you’re gonna be hauling things up left and right! If you want to know about monster size, too bad, I was too busy catching every fish out of the ocean to care!

Captain Joey and especially his First Mate Linda were phenomenal woth my family. i had 2 teenage boys. we fish in the north often but wanted a unique experience. we definitely got that. they took us all over snd catered the adventure to us ans what we were looking for. Tremendous and highly recommend!!

Night shark fishing not for “children” if they’re trying to reel in something. Teens are great but even that can be challenging for the amateur fisher because you have no idea what is coming on the line.

For first timers, lots of sun protection. Maybe YouTube how to use open face reel, set the hook, and keep line tension so you not using your charter to learn the basics as a couple in our group needed to. It’s not difficult, but it is a little different than the freshwater fish like bass we were used to.

Check what kind of fishing you’ll be doing (trolling, spinning, bottom fishing) with the captain. A lot of boats list all fishing techniques like my charter did, but all we did was trolling even though we asked to change it up. Conditions, time of year etc I know are all factors in what’s working so good to check!

I absolutely recommend Captain Jake. Hes an amazing professional who knows how an where to harvest fish.

Do a full do so you can go a little further out. we did the 4 hour trip and it was fun but would have rather had more time fishing.

The water temperature was on the cooler side. Fish activity was slow warmer. Water temperatures would have been better.

Hire Capt Jake. He knows the area and can put you on fish faster than you can figure it out on your own.

Bring lots of water and lotion sunscreen. Not the spray sunscreen. Pack a lunch. Plan on a long boat ride out to sea for an all day trip.

Bring your sunscreen and a cooler because the sun is blazing and the Captain will definitely put you on the fish you want to catch! It’s great fun

Remember, it’s called fishing, not catching. You won’t always reel in a trophy fish, but don’t let that dampen your spirits. Just enjoy the time you spend on the water!

No heavy drinking the night before. We did the half day which would be fine for kids, probably not a full day trip. We are novice fisherman and had a great time.

Reminder that red snapper season opens in June so all red snapper you catch will be released. Still May is great month for fishing here.

If you pick one of the charters out of John's Pass, you can spend some time on the boardwalk before or after your trip. Highly recommend La Costa Charters and Capt Patrick.

Be open for all types of off-shore fishing: trolling, bottom fishing, cast and reel.

Lots of places to fish, make sure you have good weather to avoid rough waters on a boat!

Go out with Joey and Linda very knowledgeable , don’t think just listen and you will catch fish

The heat is intense so dress appropriately and drink plenty of water. The fishing is excellent.

Fish with La Costa Charters and take plenty of water and sunscreen and have a great time.

book a full day; our half day experience was great but we all could have stayed out longer