#26 of 122 Boat Tours & Water Sports in St. Petersburg

Boat Tours • Water Sports • Fishing Charters & Tours

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Spanish Sardine Fishing Charter

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

5.0

72 reviews

Excellent

71

Very good

1

Average

0

Poor

0

Terrible

0

Stefan C

1 contribution

Best fishing charter

Feb 2021 • Friends

Great guy! Even better time, took time to give us knowledge and educate us on the area and fish. Such a great time!

Written February 12, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you for your review. You get a little bit of everything when you fish with the sardine. Glad you had a good time.

Written January 16, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Justin B

1 contribution

Heck of a day, would recommend to anyone

Mar 2020

My girlfriend and I booked a charter with Capt. Rafael on very short notice and he accommodated us tremendously. He was an awesome captain that not only made the trip fun with his personality but also kept us on the fish the entire time. We boated multiple species including mackerel, seatrout, sharks, and black drum. Awesome charter at a great price, worth every penny!

Written April 4, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you for your review and I’m glad we could accommodate you! Hope to see you again

Written January 16, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bill M

1 contribution

Would recommend to anyone interested

Oct 2019

We had a great day on the water. Captain Rafael was so good to the kids and I. We caught lots of fish and sharks and I’d love to do it all over again.

Written October 15, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you so much for your review! Anglers of all ages are welcome.

Written January 16, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lee B

Swannanoa, NC2 contributions

Wife and I had a blast!

Sep 2019 • Couples

Wife and I stumbled into a local in John's pass that set us up on a half day charter with the spanish sardine. To be honest it seemed a little shady in the beginning, we gave a cash deposit to the guy in John's pass and was told to be at O'Neils in the morning. Captain Rafael Rios was set up and ready when we arrived. Immediately we loaded up and headed out to start fishing. We arrived and within a couple moments we were catching shark and catfish. After a couple hours of catching back to back fish we decided to go shelling. Rio's took us to a quiet island that was loaded with shells and wildlife. At the end of our charter Rafael let us in on a great "hole in the wall" resturant that had probably the best burger I ever ate. Captain Rios was spot on with everything from putting us on fish to where the good eats were. Highly recommend this guy, thank you Rafael for a great experience!

Written September 29, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you for your honest review and I am so glad you had fun. You get a little bit of everything with the sardine…fishing, shelling, recommendations, and sometimes a little history lesson of St. Pete! Hope to see you again

Written January 16, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jonathan B

York, UK29 contributions

Great trip - Rafael’s the perfect captain.

Apr 2019 • Family

We had a fishing trip cancelled at short notice near Clearwater due to the weather but found Rafael by chance through a charter company in St John’s Pass.

After we had paid the deposit we were a bit sceptical but we couldn’t have been more wrong.

The winds were strong further out so we had to stay close to the shore which was sheltered with little wind at all and the weather was perfect.

We all caught fish including small shark which were carefully put back in by Rafael.

By the end of the trip our son was casting like a pro thanks to Rafael’s patience and our daughter had a great time too despite not being particularly keen on fishing.

Not a cheap half day (although Rafael’s prices are pretty much the same as other small charters) but great fun.

This is a small boat charter with a max of 4 people - very different to the bigger boats that may be cheaper but it is hard to see how they could be as much fun.

Written April 21, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dominic Porpiglia

Goshen, IN1 contribution

Incredible experience with an incredible Captain!

Apr 2019 • Family

We cannot say enough amazing words about our experience with Spanish Sardine fishing charter and captain Rafeal Rios. My wife and I took our 11 and 8 year old boys out on a shark fishing expedition....my oldest caught 10 sharks and youngest caught 5! Of everything we did in Florida which included resorts, amusement parks, etc....they both said this was their favorite part. My youngest even made a ceramic shark with Rafeal’s name on it to give it to Captain. From the time we set this trip up months prior via phone through when we finished up, Captain Rafeal made everything very easy and accommodating. You cannot find a better captain, fisherman, and gentlemen for a family trip. He’s a local who really knows the waters well and he’s really great with young kids. He can set up a charter based on your interest and preferences so if you have an older crowd that wants to catch and take home he does plenty of that...just check out his website. In closing, Spanish Sardine and Captain Rafeal are the only way to do a fishing charter if you’re in the Tampa Bay area. We are already planning our next trip to go see him and catch some more big ones!

Written April 5, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

We are so happy you had a good time! We take pride in our ability to customize trips for every group. Thank you so much for your review.

Written January 16, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Inspire04688216998

2 contributions

Amazing time!!!

Nov 2018 • Friends

Captain Rafael and his deck hand Gavin were amazing on this trip! It was the most fun and worry free fishing trip I've ever been on! We booked it to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday and he said it's the best birthday he's had yet. We brought what we wanted to eat and drink and Rafael and Gavin took care of everything else...bait, rods, set up, baiting hooks, taking fish off. All we had to do was relax and catch fish. And we caught a ton! He knew exactly the spots to put us on the fish! And afterwards, he cleaned, filleted, and packaged fish for us. Amazing time! Def would do this 1 again and highly recommend this trip!

Written November 26, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you so much for trusting in our ability to provide a great fishing trip I truly appreciate your business! Gavin and I thank you.

Written November 28, 2018

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jjbrock70

Lone Jack, Missouri10 contributions

Trip not to miss!!!!!!

Aug 2018 • Couples

My wife and I did the private charter with Captain Rafael Rios and it was one of the best fishing trips we have taken. We caught a lot of fish then went shark fishing and caught 9 sharks, from Blacktips, to Atlantic sharpnose. My wife even hooked a Tarpon but it snapped the line. I'm sure Captain Rios will remember my wife running across the boat when the shark she caught fell by her feet. We will defiantly go to Captain Rios when we go back to Florida he was the BOMB!!!!!!!!!!

Written August 28, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you so much for the GREAt review!! I'm glad to hear you guys had your best fishing trip with me. That was a funny moment. Luckily she went back home with all her toes!! I'll be here waiting till next time. Thank you

Written September 9, 2018

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Stephanie H

1 contribution

Best time!

Aug 2018 • Family

My husband, 9 yr. old son and I had the pleasure of taking a charter with Captain Rafael. We had a blast and caught a ton of fish. Captain Rafael was so patient with our son and us (very beginning level of fishing), we can’t say enough about the wonderful time we had. Class act fishing charter! Our son will never forget catching a shark!

Written August 9, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you for the great review. I am glad to hear you and your family had a blast. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your fishing journey. Till next time, Capt. Rafael

Written August 10, 2018

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

neilstaf4d

Getzville, NY9 contributions

Another great fishing trip!

Jul 2018 • Business

Always a great time! My customers love the guide, and we always come back with a good haul! This was my third trip using the Spanish Sardine Charter.

Written July 29, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Captain R

Thank you for choosing Spanish Sardine..again! glad you had a good time.

Written July 30, 2018

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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