Meet Captain Jeff
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Meet Captain Jeff 〰
Meet Capt. Jeff Hagaman
Boca Grande Fishing Guide
Hello, and welcome aboard the website for “Reel Adventures Fishing Charters Service”. I am Captain Jeff Hagaman, and I operate my charter fishing business on the central Gulf Coast of Florida.
I have been a full-time fishing guide for over 37 years and counting, but I have spent my whole life fishing these Florida waters, and I know them intimately. I fish the flats, backcountry, and nearshore waters of Tampa Bay, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Boca Grande, and Charlotte Harbor.
Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you like what we have put together, and I welcome your comments. I look forward to having the opportunity of fishing with you on a tarpon, flats or back country charter. We have awesome fishing on the Florida Gulf coast, and it is something that anglers of all skill levels can enjoy. I love fishing with families and especially enjoy introducing children to fishing.
The following information below is a short bio put together by one of my favorite fishing partners, my Dad…
〰 top of his game 〰
As a Florida Gulf Coast light tackle charter fishing guide Captain Jeff Hagaman is at the top of his game. Capt Jeff's enthusiasm for fishing is contagious. It is a joy to be with someone who has discovered and is living their niche in life. Capt Jeff's fascination with fishing started about as soon as he could walk and has continued to grow and deepen over the years. He has a vast amount of fishing experience.
Jeff started fishing the waters of Tampa Bay, Clearwater, and Florida's Gulf Coast at the age of eight. Before he was out of elementary school he had already caught a great variety of saltwater game fish. As a teenager he appeared in an article in Florida Sportsman Magazine. His love of fishing led him to his first job, where else but in a tackle shop. After graduation Jeff worked as a mate on a charter boat. This job represented a transition for Jeff from catching fish himself to helping others catch fish and he took great pleasure in their fishing success. In 1997 Jeff got his captain's license and started his career as a fishing guide with his charter service business, “Reel Adventures Fishing Charter Service". He shares his passion for tarpon fishing, especially tarpon fishing at Boca Grande, and light tackle flats and back country fishing with his customers on the West Coast of Florida.
As a member of the Coastal Conservation Association, Jeff's fund raising efforts have gone a long way to preserve, protect, and restore Florida's marine resources. When the State opened it's Florida redfish hatchery on the south shores of Tampa Bay, Captain Jeff located the large sexually mature fish which would become the hatchery's brood stock. Captain Jeff is a full time Coast Guard Licensed and Insured Charter Fishing Guide and is a member of the International Game Fish Association.
Charter Fishing Industry Recognition
In addition to building a large base of satisfied customers, Captain Jeff has an impressive resume of recognition and media appearances to his credit. From national and regional TV and magazines, to newspaper and sporting goods shows his exposures are impressive. He appears on the Fox Sports TV network's Emmy Winning “Chevy Florida Fishing Report” four times a week as the regional expert with fishing reports for his area of the state. He has appeared on ESPN’s North American Outdoors more than a dozen times. Capt Jeff co-stars on The Outdoor Channel's, “Tarpon of Boca” TV show which is now in its 2nd season. He is often sought for input for magazine articles and has appeared in articles and sponsor advertising in many magazines including Florida Sportsman, Saltwater Sportsman, Sports Fishing, North American Fisherman, Shallow Water Angler, and Tide. He works many sport fishing and boat shows for his sponsors each year.
A Florida Fishing Charter is about more than catching fish
A Florida fishing charter with Capt jeff Hagaman is about more than catching fish. It is about enjoying a day on the water and making memories. Yes, catching fish is important, but often times it is how you caught them and with whom that make all the difference. A son's first snook or tarpon; a monster Goliath grouper; a tarpon attacked by a fourteen foot hammerhead shark; a fishing guide who went the extra mile to make your day; these are the thing of memories. Capt Jeff's courteous and professional service has been recognized by his clients, sponsors, and industry leaders. He loves his chosen profession and it shows. Most of all Captain Jeff is just fun to fish with! His friendly demeanor and easygoing style make everyone feel right at home. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, he enjoys sharing his fishing experiences with people of all ages and skill levels.
The West Coast of Florida abounds in marine life. On a flats or backcountry fishing charter we will often see dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, pelicans, bald eagles, ibis, rosette spoonbills, ospreys, egrets, herons, and countless other seabirds that make this estuary environment their home.
“Being on the water is a true joy. I feel very fortunate to be able to operate my business and share my enthusiasm and love of fishing with others in this beautiful environment,”
〰 Capt Jeff 〰
〰 winning angler 〰
Tournament Winning Angler
In the course of his charter business, Captain Jeff has guided his clients and tournament team to consistent top tournament finishes. Captain Jeff is a tournament winning angler with many tournament wins to his credit including first place finishes in the prestigious “Millers Catch the King Tarpon Tournament”, The World Championship Tarpon Series, The Professional Tarpon Tournament Series, FLW Redfish Tournament, the Chuck Lamar Grand Slam Celebrity Fishing Tournament, the Outback Steakhouse Tournament, and the St. Jude’s’ Hospital Tournament. Captain Jeff has won Yamaha Team of the Year honors and qualified to fish the first Rolex/IGFA Invitational Tournament of Champions in Kona, Hawaii.
Sponsored by the Leading Companies in the Fishing Tackle Industry
Captain Jeff has been recognized and is sponsored by the leading companies in the fishing industry. He is very highly regarded by his sponsors, so much so that many have used Captain Jeff in their national advertising and catalogs.When you step on Capt. Jeff's boat you can be certain you will be fishing with the best quality equipment. He is sponsored by Sheaffer Boats, Yamaha Motors, Raymarine Electronics Odessey Batteries, Powerpole Positioning Systems, Daiwa fishing Tackle, Bass Assassin Lures, Deep Blue Marine Products, and Maui Jim Sunglasses.
Testimonials
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Testimonials 〰
GAFF MAGAZINE
article “Fishing Partners” by Matt Draper, Gaff Magazine Editor Summer 2004
“Many Saltwater fishermen in Florida fancy themselves great anglers and some, actually are at the top of their game. Only once in a long while does an angler come along that other fishermen envy and even boast about. One such gentleman is Captain Jeff Hagaman.”
CUSTOMER LETTER June 2008
Dear Capt Jeff Hagaman; “Its hard to put into words how much fun we had with you but we will try. We just wanted to thank you again for the great time we had with you. Here are some pictures from our trip. We hope you enjoy them. The awesome tarpon=222 pounds!!!”
Thanks again' Your friends Lance and Jennifer Acquasanto
SALT WATER SPORTSMAN MAGAZINE
article “Silver Jubilee” by David Lear May 2008
“To successfully target the thousands of big tarpon that stack up in Florida's Boca Grande Pass every spring, you need steady nerves, quick reflexes and a keen eye. Capt. Jeff Hagaman, a perennial top contestant in the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series, has all three, plus 13 years of experience guiding anglers along Florida's central Gulf Coast.”
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
"Thank you letter" from Chapter President
The Tampa Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association wishes to thank you for your work to make the CCA All-Release Tournament such a great success. Through you efforts and those of your sponsors, Berkley, Fenwick, and Abu Garcia, you made our tournament tackle box and fund raising raffle the best in our 15 years.
Our fishermen and women really enjoyed the demonstrations of the new Berkley, Fenwick, and Abu Garcia products that you set up in your display. We also want to thank you for setting up and managing our fund raising raffle. Our tournament participants said it was the best raffle to date.
Thanks again Jeff for a great job . We look forward to working with you again.
Ed Rice
CCA Tampa Chapter President
NORTH AMERICAN FISHERMAN
“Thank you letter” from Kurt Beckstrom, Managing Editor
“Fishing on your boat was an enjoyable experience. It sure makes a difference when the captain not only knows his stuff, but is a good guy, too boot.”
TAMPA TRIBUNE
article on redfish hatchery "Taking Stock of Nature" by Frank Sargeant March 31, 2000
“One of the big problems was finding really big adult reds as our brood stock,” Halstead said. Captain Jeff Hagaman found a bunch of fish for us near St. Petersburg and that has become our source for the fish we are stocking now”.
Media Appearances
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Media Appearances 〰
Captain Jeff's media exposure has been extensive. He has appeared in many articles in national and regional fishing magazines including Florida Sportsman, Saltwater Sportsman, Sports Fishing, North American Fisherman, Shallow Water Angler, Gaff Magazine, and Tide. He has been featured in advertisements and catalogs for his sponsor including Berkley Fishing Tackle, Century Boats, and Reel Time Productions.
Capt Jeff has gained further recognition through his tournament wins, conservation work, fishing skills, and professionalism. He appears 4 times a week on Foxsports' “Chevy Florida Fishing Report” and has appeared on ESPN's North American Outdoors dozens of times. Capt. Jeff Co-stars in the Outdoor Channel's “Tarpon of Boca “,which is now in its second season.
