We had two inexperienced fisherwomen on the trip and four very experienced. Thomas made the experience fun for all of us. He worked hard to get us on fish on a very slow bite. In the end, everyone caught fish and I added two new species to my personal catch list. The tackle was top notch and the rods/reels were some of the best I’ve fished with on a charter. The boat has a fair amount of wear and is clearly a working boat. Don’t expect a shiny, pristine boat. It is a workhorse and that’s evident. Pretty boats don’t get you on the fish. It is well maintained and safe but wouldn’t win a beauty contest.

If you’re looking for the best fishing charter experience around Anna Maria Island, book with Captain Thomas Schmidt — you won’t regret it.

From start to finish, everything was top-notch. Captain Thomas is incredibly knowledgeable about the local waters and knows exactly where to go to get you on the fish. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, he makes the trip fun, easy, and successful. His patience and guidance really stood out, and he made sure everyone on board had a great time.

The boat was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped, and the scenery around Anna Maria Island made the whole experience even better. We caught plenty of fish and made some unforgettable memories out on the water.

If you want a professional, friendly, and highly skilled captain who truly cares about your experience, Captain Thomas Schmidt is the one to choose. Highly recommend — easily a 5-star trip!

Thomas was an excellent guide, he put us on fish and was very knowledgeable and friendly.  My daughter’s boyfriend hooked up with a 6 foot ray and was in for an epic battle!  He’d never caught anything bigger than a bluegill before, but Thomas coached him through the fight for almost an hour before the ray was successfully boated.  An incredible experience for my daughter’s boyfriend and memory for us all!

We had the best time! I have been on fishing charters before with shoulder to shoulder people leaving little room for movement and little attention from guides. Not only was Captain Gunner quick to help when needed, but he joined in and added to our joking around. Our trip wasn’t just about catching (I won the contest for who kept bait on the hook longest lol) we laughed, we relaxed, we kissed a few fish, we saw dolphin and enjoyed a beautiful day. We will definitely be booking with Captain Gunner when we visit AMI next - hopefully for longer than just 3 hours.