Tom’s Deep Sea Fishing is a well run small private operation out of the Naples City Dock, fishing two six pack boats, the Sea Legs and the Sea Legs XLR, under Captain Mike Hatcher, who has run the Naples grounds since 2003. Trips are all inclusive and range from a half day to a 13 hour marathon, and the review record is strong, with anglers singling out a patient captain who is good with beginners and a crew that puts groups on fish. For a small group that wants a personal trip, it is a sound pick.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.7 Tom’s is a strong choice and a solid small private option, the second six pack in the ranking after Off Her Radar. The captain and the personal feel are the draw. Two things hold it a step below the top: it lists its rates on the booking platform rather than its own site, so the price is less upfront, and its boats are smaller than the port’s big offshore boats, the A&B cabin boat and the Offshore Naples Contender. For the cheapest way out, the Pure Florida head boat sells shared seats. See the full Naples ranking.
The boat
Tom’s runs two sportfishing boats, the Sea Legs, a 31 foot custom boat, and the Sea Legs XLR, each licensed for up to 6 anglers. They are smaller than the 36 to 40 foot offshore boats elsewhere in the port, which keeps a trip intimate and the group small, but also means a wetter, more exposed ride and less shelter on a long day in a chop. For a couple or a small group that values a personal trip over a big deck, the size is a feature rather than a fault.
The fishing and what you target
Tom’s fishes the Naples reefs and offshore bottom for red grouper and other grouper, mangrove and other snapper, kingfish, cobia, amberjack, and barracuda, with wahoo or tuna possible on the longest runs. Red grouper is the year round Naples staple, and the 13 hour day reaches the deeper, less pressured bottom. Red snapper, on the long summer trips, opens June 1 to October 26, 2026 in federal waters. Amberjack is closed until September and triggerfish through July, so early summer leans on grouper and snapper.
Trips and prices
Tom’s runs a half day, a three quarter day, a full day, a 13 hour day, and summer night trips, all inclusive of gear, tackle, bait, ice, license, and fish cleaning, with a captain and a mate aboard. The one knock on transparency is that the rates sit on the booking platform rather than the operator’s own site, so the price is a click less upfront than the boats that post a card. Both boats are private for up to 6 anglers. Our cost guide and the walk on versus private guide help you weigh a small private boat against a shared seat.
The crew
Captain Mike Hatcher has fished the Naples area since 2003, and the reviews are where the boat shines: anglers describe one of the best days their family has had in Florida, a captain who is professional, welcoming, and good with first timers, and a crew that makes sure everyone catches. The sentiment is consistently strong. As an owner run six pack, the captain you read about is the one running your trip, which keeps the experience consistent.
Booking and what to know
Book through the booking platform or by phone, ahead for summer, and confirm the trip length, since the longer days reach the better bottom. Keep the group to six, and bring sunscreen, layers, food, and a cooler, because the smaller boats offer less shelter than a cabin boat; the gear, bait, license, and fish cleaning are covered.
How we scored it
Tom’s scores 7.7 on a strong, personal captain and a consistent review record, held below the top by rates that are not posted on its own site and boats that are smaller than the port’s big offshore options. Captain and crew is its strongest factor. See how we scored this boat and the Naples ranking for where it lands.