Tails and Tajin Charters

About your Trip.

Here is your chance to fish on some of the most exciting flats in the Tampa Bay area. Sight fishing is a rush like no other. We will be poling around on the flats usually in about a foot of water. Visibility is fantastic on these flats, but you better bring your A game. These fish don’t get this big by being stupid.

Our primary focus will be on the big three, Redfish, Snook and Tarpon. But I like to have clients cast at whatever comes into range. Depending on conditions, you might hook into Black Drum, Sheepshead, Bonefish, Cobia, Flounder, Jack Crevalle, Permit, Tripletail or Speckled Trout and who knows what else!

I have all the gear you will need but you are welcome to bring your own. For spinning we use all Shimano rods and reels. They are hands down the best for casting and sensitivity. You will feel every bite and big run from these fish! On the fly side we use Sage rods and Tibor reels. This is all top-notch equipment, and you will feel it in every cast.

Man, I love what I do! Being a guide for me is an excuse to fish with new friends and give them the bow time they have been longing for. Sight fishing for Florida’s top inshore species is an addiction and gets your blood pumping! Going after Snook, Tarpon, and big Redfish are just a few of the targets you will see on each trip. Sight fishing the flats is a challenge with some big rewards and my clients absolutely love it!
I love the history of fishing here in Florida.

I grew up watching Flip and José Wejebe, dreaming that one day I would have a chance to be a guide. That’s why I wanted a skiff with a storied past and deep roots in the Florida fishing scene. The team that started Hell’s Bay really changed the game. Not only with the Whipray but also with what they were able to do in that revolutionary skiff. I feel that heritage every time I get in Hull #38. She has been upgraded but there is still has plenty of her vintage personality shining through.

Come check it out for yourself!

About Your Captain

I got into skinny water sight fishing on the flats of South Carolina. Sight fishing big fish on the flats is such a rush! I love recreating that experience for my clients! They say, "The tug is the drug" and I know we are all addicted!

Some FAQ's

What do I need to bring with me?
Bring whatever you would like to eat or drink. I always have a few waters in the cooler. There is plenty of room in the cooler for a sandwich or snacks.
Other things you may wat to bring:
Sunglasses & hat
Sun protection (sunscreen or UPF clothing)
Light rain jacket - Storms pop up sometimes

Can we bring adult beverages?
Absolutely! No judgement will be passed on the breakfast beer or 5 o'clock somewhere mentality. This is your trip, and you can do as you please. We just ask that you stay safe and inside the boat : ) There is always Tajin on the skiff!

How can I pay for the trip?
When you book you will do a 25% deposit through PayPal. You don't need to sign up for anything they are simply a secure way to process your card. I will never see your card info or have access to it. Your balance can be paid in cash, Venmo or through PayPal. Cash will help you avoid any fees.

Do you ever get skunked?
Sure, any guide who tells you no is lying. I will say that I see fish on every trip with clients or when I am out scouting. We will absolutely see fish and have shots at them. After that there are a lot of factors that come into play that I cannot control.
- Pressured fish that just won't eat
- Bad casts / poor hooksets
- Uncooperative or spooky fish
- Wind, rain and cloudy skies
This is where the old saying "Guide, not God" comes from.

What is the best thing I can do to ensure a great trip?
Listen, ask questions and trust that I will do everything in my power to give you a great experience! Leave your ego at the ramp and let me "guide" you through a great day on the water. I will communicate with you through every part of the experience.
I do an assessment with every client before we ever see a fish the first time we go out. This allows us to get on the same page. This will let me:

- See how far you can cast accurately. That way I can make sure I get you in the perfect position to make good casts.
- Go over the verbiage I will use when I spot a fish. You will know exactly what I mean when I say "3 o'clock, 40 feet, moving left".
- Go over what we will do once you hook up on a fish. How we will land it and where you will take your pictures.
- Answer any questions you may have.
We will have a great time and catch some fish together!