Skilled Angler's Dream | Englewood Nearshore Charter

Published Date: August 19, 2025
Fishing

Englewood, FL
$600 - $1,000 price range

Summary

Ready for serious fishing? Capt. Dave Spargur's 4-hour charter takes skilled anglers about 9 miles off Englewood's coast. You'll be working hard bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs packed with prized catches like Grouper, Snapper, and Cobia. This isn't a beginner's trip - it's hands-on fishing for those who know their way around a rod and reel. The calm Gulf waters make for ideal conditions as you put your techniques to the test. With room for up to 4 guests, it's perfect for a small group of fishing buddies looking to spend quality time on the water. Capt. Dave provides quality gear, but feel free to stick with what works for you. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so come ready to fish!

Skilled Angler's Dream | Englewood Nearshore Charter

Gulf Fishing Action

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A snook fish being caught while fishing in FL

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Reel in the Big Ones: Nearshore Gulf Action

Get ready to wet a line and feel some serious pull on Capt. Dave Spargur's nearshore fishing charter out of Englewood. This isn't your average tourist trip - we're talking about a focused 4-hour run designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and reel. We'll cruise about 9 miles offshore to some prime fishing grounds where the grouper and snapper love to hang out. If you've got the skills, we've got the spots to put them to good use.

What to Expect on the Water

Once we clear the pass, it's a quick ride out to the hard bottom areas and artificial reefs where the action happens. Capt. Dave knows these waters like the back of his hand, so we'll be on fish in no time. We're talking about dropping lines over ledges and structure that hold everything from gag grouper to red snapper. The Gulf's pretty calm out here most days, making it easy to focus on the fishing. With a max of 4 anglers, there's plenty of elbow room to work your magic.

Techniques That Get Results

This trip is all about putting your skills to work. We'll be doing a mix of bottom fishing and sight casting, depending on what's biting. For the bottom dwellers, we'll use heavy tackle and drop baits right into the strike zone. When we spot cobia or tripletail on the surface, it's all about a quick, accurate cast. Capt. Dave's got quality gear on board, but feel free to bring your own if you've got a lucky setup. We're not here to hold hands - you'll be hands-on with everything from rigging to fighting fish.

Top Catches This Season

The Gulf's been generous lately, with some real bruiser gags coming over the rails. Anglers have been lighting up over the red snapper bite, and we've seen some monster cobia cruising the buoys. It's the kind of fishing that keeps you coming back for more, always chasing that next personal best.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Cobia: These "line-sided" bulldogs are a favorite target off Englewood. They love to hang around buoys and floating debris, so keep your eyes peeled. Cobia put up a heck of a fight and can grow over 100 pounds. They're most active in the warmer months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Sight-casting to a big cobe is an adrenaline rush like no other.

Tripletail: Don't let their weird looks fool you - tripletail are crafty fighters and tasty to boot. These ambush predators like to float sideways near the surface, mimicking debris. We often spot them around channel markers and floating seaweed. They're here all year but really pick up in the spring and fall. A well-placed soft plastic or live shrimp is usually too much for them to resist.

Red Snapper: The Gulf's most famous bottom dweller, red snapper are the crown jewels of many fishing trips. They love structure and hard bottom areas, often hanging in schools. The bigger ones, which we call "sow" snapper, can top 20 pounds. They're known for their strong initial run, so be ready when you drop that bait down. The season's limited, but when it's on, the action can be non-stop.

Gag Grouper: If you're after a real arm-wrestler, gag grouper are your target. These bruisers live around rocky bottoms and reefs, and they're not afraid to use the structure to their advantage. A big gag can easily top 30 pounds and will test both your gear and your back. They're most active in cooler months, but we can find them year-round. There's nothing quite like the thump of a grouper taking your bait.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Capt. Dave's trips aren't about hand-holding or guaranteed limits. They're about putting serious anglers on fish and letting them do what they do best. The nearshore waters off Englewood offer that perfect mix of accessibility and quality fishing. You're not spending half the day running to deep water, but you're still getting into some real Gulf action. It's the kind of trip where you can hone your skills, try new techniques, and maybe even show the captain a trick or two.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're an experienced angler looking for a no-frills, fish-focused trip, Capt. Dave's nearshore charter is right up your alley. Four hours is plenty of time to get out there, find the fish, and put some serious bend in the rods. Remember, we're limited to 4 anglers max, so grab your fishing buddies and lock in your date. The Gulf's calling, and the fish are waiting. Don't forget - deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're good to go before you book. See you on the water!

Learn more about the species

Cobia

Cobia are hard-fighting fish that'll give you a run for your money. These solitary swimmers can reach 6 feet and 100 pounds, though most are in the 30-50 pound range. Look for them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water. Spring and early summer are prime time as they migrate along the coast. Cobia are prized for their firm, tasty meat - some say it rivals mahi-mahi. They're aggressive predators, so live bait like pinfish or crabs works well. A local trick: when you spot one, cast past it and slowly retrieve your bait. Cobia often follow for a bit before striking. Be ready for powerful runs and even some jumps once hooked. Just remember to be patient - these fish can put up a long, dogged fight before coming to the boat.

Gag Grouper

Gag grouper are hard-fighting fish that'll test your gear and your arms. They average around 20 inches but can reach 50+ inches and 80 pounds. Look for them around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 60-250 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime seasons as they move to deeper spawning grounds. Gags are prized for their firm, white meat. They're ambush predators, so live bait like pinfish or mullet works great. Here's a local trick: when you feel the bite, lock down your drag and reel hard. These fish will try to dive back into their rocky lairs if you give them any slack. Be ready for a battle - gags are known for their powerful initial run. Once you get them off the bottom, keep steady pressure all the way up. It's a workout, but the reward is some of the best-eating fish in the Gulf.

Red Snapper

Red snapper are a favorite target here in the Gulf. Most run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but big ones can top 30 pounds. Look for them over hard bottom areas, reefs, and wrecks in 30-300 feet of water. They're structure-oriented fish, so finding the right spot is key. Summer's prime time when they're spawning. Snapper put up a good fight and taste great - there's a reason they're so popular in restaurants. To catch them, you'll want to get your bait down deep. Try using cigar minnows, squid, or live pinfish. Here's a tip: when you hook one, reel fast and steady. These fish will try to dive back into their rocky homes and break you off. Keep the pressure on and you'll have some tasty fillets for dinner.

Tripletail

Tripletail are odd-looking fish that pack a punch for their size. Most run 2-13 pounds, but they can hit 40 pounds. Look for them floating near the surface around structure like buoys, weed lines, or floating debris. They're masters of camouflage, often lying sideways to mimic floating leaves. Summer's the best time to target them as they move inshore to spawn. Sight-casting is the name of the game - once you spot one, make a quiet approach and present your bait naturally. They're known for their acrobatic fights and delicious meat that rivals grouper or snapper. Here's a local tip: use a float to suspend your bait just below the surface. Let it drift by the structure - tripletail can't resist an easy meal. Just be ready for a quick, explosive strike when it happens.

About the 22 ft Aquasport Flatback 222

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: 2019 Suzuki 4 stroke

Maximum Cruising Speed: 25

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 175

Captain Dave Spargur's nearshore fishing charter is perfect for experienced anglers looking to test their skills in the Gulf waters off Englewood. You'll head about 9 miles out to productive fishing grounds over hard bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs. Over the course of 4 hours, you'll have ample opportunity to target prized catches like Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, Tripletail, and Grunts. This hands-on trip lets you put your fishing knowledge to work, with quality gear and expert guidance available if needed. It's an ideal setup for small groups of up to 4 skilled anglers who want to maximize their time on the water. The calm Gulf waters provide a great environment to focus on fishing techniques and land some impressive catches. Remember, this is a tailored experience for those who already know their way around a rod and reel - perfect for refining your skills or simply enjoying a productive day of fishing.

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