Let's Go Fishing!

Explore the Best Fishing Spots in Venice & Sarasota

Fishing Charters of Venice, Sarasota, and nearby waters.

Welcome to Playin' Hookey Fishing Charters

Welcome to Playin’ Hookey Fishing Charters. My name is Captain Peter Koenig. I have been fishing the Venice and Sarasota waters for 20 years. My love for fishing started the first time I held a fishing pole. Now I enjoy sharing my passion with others. I provide fishing charters for Venice, Englewood, and Sarasota, Florida from Sarasota Bay to Charlotte Harbor and the near-shore reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. If you are looking for a great time fishing, join me on my 20-ft Sea Hunt Open Fisherman.

Come along for some light tackle fishing for the whole family. Whether fishing inshore or offshore, there are always plenty of options to catch fish. Southwest Florida offers many different species all year. Spring and fall bring many more migrant fish to our area. You never know what might be biting. Look through the fishing photos and see for yourself what you could catch. You will find I have some of the best rates. So, take a day off and let’s go fishing!

Committed to Promoting Fishing in Venice, Sarasota, and Surrounding Areas

Imagine the thrill of feeling a tug on your line as you catch a variety of fish while soaking up the sun and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Join me as we dive into an adventure that promises not only relaxation but also excitement on every trip. Let’s set sail and discover why Playin’ Hookey Fishing Charters is the ultimate choice for anglers of all skill levels!

As you step onto my fishing boat, you’ll feel the excitement in the air. The thrill of casting your line into pristine waters awaits you. With us, it’s not just about catching fish; it’s about making memories that last a lifetime while enjoying the beauty of nature around you.

Explore Venice & Sarasota Fishing Spots

Visit The Most Popular Fishing Spots

At Playin’ Hookey Fishing Charters, our most popular trips cater to every angler’s dream. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, we offer half-day and full-day excursions that promise excitement on the water.

Are you ready to cast your worries aside and reel in some unforgettable memories? If the thought of gliding across shimmering waters with a fishing rod in hand excites you, then Playin’ Hookey Fishing Charters is just what you’ve been waiting for. Imagine the thrill of feeling a tug on your line as you catch a variety of fish while soaking up the sun and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Join us as we dive into an adventure that promises not only relaxation but also excitement on every trip. Let’s set sail and discover why Playin’ Hookey Fishing Charters is the ultimate choice for anglers of all skill levels!

Testimonials

Ryan Freeland Guest

We had an awesome day with Cpt. Pete 'Playin Hookey'. We took our 10 y.o. out for his birthday and brought along his 4 y.o. brother. The boys had a blast, we were on fish the entire trip! Would highly recommend for young families wanting to see a lot of fish and different varieties - plenty of Snapper, Grunts, Grouper, and even a Shark!

Isaac Bell Guest

My wife and I came down to Florida for a vacation and wanted to do a fishing charter. I have done multiple charters in the past in places such as Alaska and lake Michigan. Pete is by far the best charter captain I've had. He knows his stuff and he knows where to find the fish. We caught a nice variety of species Such as mangrove snapper, yellow tail snapper, red grouper, porgy, croaker, trigger fish, and many more.

Kel Frazier Guest

Amazing experience with Captain Pete. Was able to take us out in short notice and didn’t disappoint. We were consistently on fish from start to finish (50-60 total fish, kept 15 +/-). He won’t waste your time. Highly recommend and will absolutely come back again.

D Stu Guest

Captain Pete is the best...... We Played Hookey many years ago and returned to find the same amazing, friendly service! I would recommend Playing Hookey to anyone looking for a quality charter service. We have tried a number of others in the area and they don't compare...... Great for adults and kids! Support this great local business!! Thanks again Captain Pete!!

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 58 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   MIke Flowers 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My Grandson, 14, and I had a great time with Captain Pete. Communication was great and the directions to the boat ramp were easy to follow. We drove two hours to meet at the dock and capt Pete was already there waiting for us. We took a nice leisurely cruise on the inter coastal water way to the gulf. On the way out, we saw a Manatee. Capt Pete motored a little closer so my grandson could see it. Then we headed out to our fishing spot. We cruised out about eight miles and capt Pete put us right on top of the fish. My grandson lowered his bait to the bottom and immediately caught a snapper! I don’t know who was more excited, my grandson, me or Capt Pete! While he was reeling the fish in, Capt Pete gave him some pointers on how to make the catch easier. He was very patient with him. After catching about 30 fish at that spot, it slowed down a little, so we moved to another spot to pick up where we left off. This is where I have to say, my grandson caught more fish than I did! Near the end of our charter, we took the one “blue runner” I caught and tried to catch a barracuda from over an artificial reef. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, so we agreed we would have to come back another time. As we were going back through the inter coastal water way, we had a dolphin follow us in. We had a great day and highly recommend Capt Pete to anyone looking for a fun fishing charter. Thanks Capt Pete for a great time!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jennifer Parsons 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have gone out with Captain Pete the last few years and always come home with several meals of fish! He knows where to go and doesn’t waste time on spots that aren’t hitting. He is knowledgeable about the types of fish, and shares his knowledge throughout the trip. Always a great time!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Paul Filatov 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an awesome experience with Captain Pete, ride out into ocean was about 30 minutes and when we got settled we were catching fish after fish. Probably 200 total for the group of us 4. Took 37 home and since he fillets them it makes it easier to enjoy the fish. Great experience and definitely worth it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Debbie Ashwill 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful charter with Captain Pete! He always finds the fish and keeps you reeling the fish in. Best of all, he fillets them and all you need to do is invite your friends over for a fish fry! If you’re looking for a fun day on the water, you won’t regret choosing Playin’ Hookey Fishing Chaters!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tammy Krsko 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Captain Pete was amazing. He found a great spot. We had fish one after the other. He interacted with my grandson and made his day with his Shark catch and hauling in Groupers. Highly recommend Playing hooky and Captain Pete.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ryan McElroy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was our second time out with captain Pete and he came though and put us on the fish, got my first keeper sheepshead and first cobra today. Great time and made the best memories with the family
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chris Babiak 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a five hour trip on 12/7 and were pulling up fish the whole time. Our group figured we caught 12 different species. Thanks Cap’n Pete
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ryan Freeland 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an awesome day with Cpt. Pete 'Playin Hookey'.  We took our 10 y.o. out for his birthday and brought along his 4 y.o. brother.  The boys had a blast, we were on fish the entire trip!  Would highly recommend for young families wanting to see a lot of fish and different varieties - plenty of Snapper, Grunts, Grouper, and even a Shark!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Isaac Bell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I came down to Florida for a vacation and wanted to do a fishing charter. I have done multiple charters in the past in places such as Alaska and lake Michigan. Pete is by far the best charter captain I've had. He knows his stuff and he knows where to find the fish. We caught a nice variety of species Such as mangrove snapper, yellow tail snapper, red grouper, porgy, croaker, trigger fish, and many more. Pete went above and beyond to make it a great experience. Next time I'm in Sarasota I will definitely be coming back to Pete for another fishing charter trip!
  
 
  
  
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of fishing trips do you offer in Venice and Sarasota?
- Answer: We specialize in nearshore, offshore, and backwater fishing adventures tailored to your experience level.
Do I need to buy a fishing license before my trip?
- Answer: No, all necessary fishing licenses for our guests are covered under our professional charter permit.
Is your charter family-friendly for young children?
- Answer: Absolutely! We love introducing kids to the sport and offer a safe, educational environment for the whole family.