Hogfish Heaven

If you are looking for a good time on the waters in the Tampa Bay area and fishing is your thing then this blog is for you. Years ago the elusive Hogfish was only attainable if you strapped a tank on your back and dove in. But in recent times the driven fisherman with a taste for Hogfish who didnt want to get wet have figured out a remedy. Trial and error have worked it down to a science. Bent Charters is no stranger to the technique. With baited hook and excited customers we have been reeling in these beautiful yet so yummy Hog Snapper. This process involves catching numerous species of smaller fish till the Hogs get nosey and want to see all the action. You know when you are hooked up with these mighty fish. They pack quite the punch per pound!
   So if you want to get out but not break the bank on a full day charter then give us a call. These charters are for 4 or 6 hours and so much fun. The kids are great at it and they stay busy the whole time! Fish after fish after fish keeps them happy. We love to teach the little ones to reel in their own fish and hold them to say cheese! Your memories will last a lifetime and you will want to come back again and again.
   Having to do the Orlando theme park deal? Save a day and head over to Tampa Bay/Saint Petersburg area to Deep Sea fish with us. We have been described by customers as "better than Disney!" We are in Johns Pass area so you can fish for 4 to 6 hours and still have a little shopping time or stroll the white sand Beach. Treasure Island to Saint Pete  each has wonderful stretches of sand and sun fun!

Bent Charters "Good News" brings back great fish and makes awesome memories!

   Offshore with Bent Charters can make you want to keep coming back. John has been out with us before on several of our boats. Keeping an eye on the bite by following our Facebook page, he was ready to leave Ohio in the rear view mirror for the sun and action filled weekend in florida with his family and friend!
With 2 days reserved he was excited to get going.

   John with his sons and Mark with his boarded on Saturday morning not sure what to expect this time. John trusted that we would do everything to make a great trip for them.
   We headed out of Madeira marina passing through Johns Pass and off to our private traps. They were loaded with great pigfish and pins. At least a couple hundred fresh live bait to lure in the big boys!
   Running out to one of our honey holes 25 miles out was the first stop. The water was crystal clear and a deep blue. Conditions were perfect. A few freebie pins were thrown out and the show began. Amberjack were swimming everywhere... it was like a personal aquarium experience.! It didnt take but minutes to have AJs on for everyone. Fights were fast and fun. The box was loading up. Everyone got to muscle up fish after fish. Then it got real serious when one of the AJs was eaten by a Goliath (fka Jewfish). Apparently Zac, Connor and Drew had spoken on the flight down how awesome it would be to get one. Well the spot light was on and it was showtime. Connor and Zac fought a good fight and won the battle with the 300+ lb monster goliath. They even jumped in briefly with it for some pic opps. The excitement ran high and high fives in order.
   Back to business now. Drew found himself in the same struggle and was make headway on a goliath of his own. Pumping and gaining... SnAp... it broke off! Not without first wearing him out. Until you have felt this fish on the other end you cant begin to imagine the power.
   We hit a couple more spots and boated more AJs and barracuda. Sharks were all around too. Mark found himself in a battle of strength and endurance with a 6' shark. Getting video and some great pics we turned towards home. Needing some recouping our group was happy and ready to do it again the next day!
   Sunday morning came quick. Everyone boarding the boat again and heading out for more memories. The Gulf was almost like glass. Flying fish were out in numbers. What would today bring? With a refreshed sense and lots of gatorade we were anchoring up on first spot. Trying some bottom fishing at first. Tide was not moving at all. With a show on the machine but no bite to back it up we moved to another spot. Not much better. Red grouper that was too short and 2 mangrove snapper. Mark really wanted another big fight so we headed out another 10 miles. Huge Barracuda were looming everywhere! Shark were all mixed in with the AJs. Game on! We videod several 50+ lb AJs being brought in on light tackle shimano spheros on trevala rods. These awesome light tackle combos let you feel the action and power of the fight.  Within the mix John got his fight with another huge goliath that he managed almost all the way up and we saw it. It saw the boat and turned tail and powered back down and spit the hook! Even armed with a Penn International and 200lb test its hard to turn the head of a 300+ pound fish that is determined to get back to the bottom! All in all everybody got a handle turning experience on huge fish two days in a row!
   Getting back to the dock in time to catch their flight home to Ohio left one problem......70 pounds of fillets! So the fillets were packaged and shipped the next day by Capt Lance and Mate Heather to arrive 2 days later.
Bent Charters appreciates the continued loyalty of our return customers. We once again are happy to be able to have a hand in making memories that last forever!

   If you are looking to get out and make your own memories give us a call. (727) 614-6104 or (727) 235-9599 Captain Lance and Mate Heather would be more than happy to talk to you.

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Kid-friendly Charter

   So you are looking to go fishing with your family....but have little ones. Your wondering "Will the kids have fun, are they old enough, can they catch the fish themselves, Inshore or Offshore? " Well I will try to ease your mind here.
   Bent Charters is owned and run by a "Family" with kids. We love to help the younger ones while mom and dad can fish themselves! With children of our own from 5 yrs old to 18 we know the ropes! Mate Heather stays right with the little ones coaching and assisting them so they can reel in their own fish. She even captures pictures and sonetimes video. It really is a great experience for all ages.
  
Our children have been fishing on boats since they were tots. By 2 they can handle equipment with help. Every child is different so we help out however makes the child comfortable.
 
  The Offshore trips are much better for little ones because the bite is more predictable and steady. Inshore trips require casting and reeling constantly so it lowers the involvement a little. But even then we are happy to get them reeling in fish.

  So feel free to bring the children to share in the fun. The memories you make together will last a lifetime!

   We are available any time to answer your questions and concerns about fishing in general.  Remember the only Dumb Question is the one not asked.

   Please also check out our reviews on Tripadvisor to see what our customers are saying about us.
Bent Charters TripAdvisor

   We also have a Facebook Page so you can "Like" us and keep up with what's biting!

Heather Brooks
(727) 614-6104
Bentcharters.com