Joined in 2023
Capt. AJ Grande is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and passionate angler and outdoorsman who was born and raised in Sarasota, FL. His love of fishing started when he was just four, catching the Sarasota Slam his first trip out with his Father and he’s been hooked ever since. Instead of sports growing up, his playing field was on the water spending his entire childhood obsessed with what now is his career. AJ’s passion for fishing led him to getting his Captains license at age 18 before he even graduated from high school becoming one of the youngest and most versatile Captains in the area. Growing up he spent as much time on the water as on land learning everything there was to know, mastering the area, learning different styles of fishing for different types of fish and gaining the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful Captain.
He grew up fishing inshore and offshore and his expertise is in fishing for Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and other inshore species. He is known for chasing the “Silver King” and giving his clients an experience they will never forget. It’s a short Tarpon season so the hunt, the determination, the patience and the local knowledge is what it takes to give his clients an epic day on the water. For the advanced angler he also offers tarpon on the fly.
Aside from his home waters, he was fortunate enough to travel gaining experience and knowledge in other fisheries in some amazing places. This is another reason AJ is so well rounded as a Captain. He’s fished Costa Rica and the Bahamas for Pelagic species, fly fished for Bonefish in the Bahamas and the Keys, offshore in the Keys and East Coast of Florida, fished inshore almost every nook and cranny of the west coast waters Sarasota to Tampa as well as fly fished all around the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains for wild trout.
He has been a first mate for private owners on the East Coast of Florida, the Bahamas and the Keys as well as running his own Private Captain Operation and Grande Charter Fishing out of Sarasota.
A picture is worth a thousand words so check out his Instagram @Capt.AJGrande and you can get a better look at who he is, what he does and why he loves guiding. For more information contact Captain AJ Grande at (941)961-4614 to book a trip!
From $850.00
From $1,200.00
From $650.00
From $850.00
From $1,000.00
5.0
Based on 3 reviews
Jeff
October 2023
We've been out fishing with Capt. AJ the last two Tarpon seasons. No matter the conditions he always gets giant fish too the boat and goes above and beyond to make your fishing experience unforgettable. Local Knowledge a great attitude a true sportsman and GREAT!!! with kids We now plan are Siesta key vacations around Tarpon season. No better place.. No better guide. Can't wait to sign up for the 2024 season 🤙
Read moreDalton Kitselman
July 2023
When I was in Siesta Key, Florida in May 2023, a dream of mine was to go tarpon fishing. I walked into one of the local fishing stores and asked the staff if they had any recommendations, they both looked at each other and immediately recommended AJ Grande. I believe their actual comment was this guy is part tarpon, he grows scales & gills during tarpon season! Upon contacting AJ by phone, I was immediately impressed with his honesty about it being early in the season and his suggestion to wait a couple more days due to poor conditions at the time. AJ explained he would look at the conditions and call me when he felt our chances were best. When I met AJ & Walker on the day of our trip it was apparent that AJ runs a second to none operation, his boat and equipment are clean and very well maintained. Both AJ & walker are energetic, knowledgeable, and determined young men and had me into my first tarpon within 20 minutes of leaving the dock, and our second less than 10 minutes from releasing the first. The total for the day was 3 tarpon to the boat and released. AJ & his brother Walker share a passion for fishing and care deeply for the game fish they are pursuing. It is so refreshing to meet and fish with young men who truly love what they do, are great at it and ultimately want to preserve and promote fishing. I feel honored to have been able to fish with AJ & Walker Grande and would highly recommend taking the fishing trip of a lifetime with Grande Charter Fishing, not only for the great fishing but for the entire experience with the Grande brothers. Thank-you AJ & Walker for providing this amazing experience and fulfilling my dream. I will be back to fish you with you again. P.S. I think it is true….AJ is part Tarpon! Dalton Kitselman Mount Pearl, Newfoundland Canada
Read moreFrederick Scott Kingston
July 2023
Top Notch fisherman with great local knowledge. We were catching fish and nobody around us was. What does that tell you?? Book a trip with AJ and you won't regret it. I can't wait until next season.
Read more