Extended Half Day Fishing Trip In St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and grouperCaptain Andy provides all equipment aboard Hell's Bay skiffDeparts from convenient ramps with free parking available
Captain Andy Austin knows these St. Petersburg waters like the back of his hand, and his 6-hour extended half-day charters give you serious time to hit the best spots around Tampa Bay. You'll be fishing from his Hell's Bay Marquesa – a top-rated shallow water skiff that can slip into places bigger boats can't reach. This means accessing those prime feeding areas where the big fish hang out, especially around grass flats and structure where redfish, snook, and trout love to ambush baitfish. With convenient departure from either Maximo or Gandy boat ramps, you've got free parking and easy access to some of Florida's most productive inshore waters.
Six hours gives you a real chance to dial in on what's biting and adjust your approach as conditions change throughout the day. Captain Andy provides all your tackle, rods, and ice, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The Hell's Bay Marquesa draws less than a foot of water, letting you work shallow grass beds, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where big fish cruise for easy meals. You'll cover a lot of water, from the flats around Weedon Island to the deeper cuts and channels where grouper hold tight to structure. The extended time means you're not rushed – if the bite's hot in one spot, you can stay put and make the most of it. When things slow down, there's plenty of time to relocate and find active fish.
Captain Andy's got you covered with quality spinning and casting gear suited for everything from finesse trout fishing to battling bigger tarpon and grouper. Depending on what's running, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for trout, pitching jigs to redfish in shallow water, or dropping baits near structure for grouper. The shallow draft skiff lets you work areas where conventional boats can't go – think skinny water redfish spots and backcountry areas loaded with snook. You'll learn to read the water, spot feeding birds, and recognize the subtle signs that give away fish location. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and sardines is deadly effective here, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes when fish are actively feeding.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are available year-round in the grass flats and oyster bars around Tampa Bay. They typically run 18 to 27 inches and fight hard in the shallow water, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. Spring and fall are peak times when schools of reds push into the shallows to feed, but summer fishing can be world-class if you target them early morning or late afternoon. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they're great table fare when kept within slot limits.
Snook are the premier inshore game fish around St. Petersburg, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These ambush predators love structure like docks, mangrove shorelines, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to grab passing baitfish. Summer months are best for snook fishing when water temperatures climb and they become more active, though they can be caught year-round in deeper channels during cooler months. A big snook will test your drag system and make multiple runs, often jumping clear of the water. They're currently catch-and-release only, which means these fish are getting bigger and more plentiful every season.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter on this trip. They school up over grass flats and are willing biters on both live shrimp and soft plastic lures. Most trout run 14 to 20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing over 24 inches and providing a real trophy. Cool weather from late fall through early spring concentrates trout in deeper holes and channels, while summer finds them scattered across the flats. They're excellent eating and relatively easy to catch, making them perfect for building confidence and keeping steady action throughout the day.
Tarpon are the ultimate inshore game fish – silver kings that can reach over 100 pounds and provide fights you'll remember for years. St. Petersburg waters see good tarpon action from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from juvenile "poons" in the 20 to 40-pound range up to massive adults exceeding 150 pounds. These fish are pure muscle and will jump repeatedly, testing every knot and connection in your tackle. Most tarpon are released after a quick photo, and landing even a smaller one is considered a major accomplishment by inshore anglers.
Gag Grouper add some bottom fishing diversity to your inshore trip, holding tight to rocky structure, ledges, and artificial reefs in 15 to 30 feet of water. These fish are built like bulldozers and will immediately dive for cover when hooked, making the first few seconds of the fight critical. Gags typically run 3 to 8 pounds inshore, though larger fish are always possible. They're excellent table fare and relatively easy to clean, making them a customer favorite when regulations allow harvest. Summer and fall tend to be most productive for grouper fishing around St. Petersburg.
This extended half-day charter gives you the best of both worlds – enough time on the water to really get into fish without committing to a full day. Captain Andy's local knowledge combined with quality equipment and a boat designed for these waters makes this a top choice for serious anglers. The 3-person capacity keeps groups small and personal, ensuring everyone gets plenty of shots at fish. With two convenient launch locations and free parking, logistics are simple. Just bring your hat, sunglasses, drinks, and snacks
Captain Andy's Hells Bay Marquesa is the perfect shallow water fishing machine for targeting redfish and grouper in St. Pete's inshore waters. This top-tier flats boat drafts just 7 inches, letting us slip into skinny water where the big fish hide. The 115HP Yamaha pushes us to fishing spots at a comfortable 40mph, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're stalking redfish on the flats. Built to handle choppy Gulf waters, this skiff stays stable when you're fighting that trophy snook or tarpon. GPS and sonar help locate structure and baitfish, while the livewell keeps your catch fresh and the icebox holds your drinks cold during those long Florida fishing days. With room for 3 anglers, there's plenty of casting space without getting tangled up. This boat was designed specifically for Florida's inshore fishery - from grass flats to oyster bars to deeper channels where the grouper hang out.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll test your gear once hooked. These bottom dwellers typically run 20-25 inches, but we see some pushing 40+ pounds around here. They love structure - rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs in 20-80 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially when the water temps are steady. What makes them special is that powerful initial run when they try to get back to their hole. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and mild. Here's a local trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get their head down. They'll dive straight for structure and break you off every time. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and be ready for a solid fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing - they're everywhere, fight hard, and those copper-colored backs with black spots make them easy to identify. Most fish run 18-27 inches, perfect for the dinner table. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, around oyster bars, and near mangroves. Fall and spring are prime, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds special is their versatility - they'll eat live bait, artificials, and put up a great scrap. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect on the grill. Pro tip: watch for tailing fish in skinny water during moving tides. When you see that tail waving, make a quiet cast past the fish and work your bait back slowly. They spook easy in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore species - they bite year-round and make excellent table fare. Most fish run 14-18 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their backs. You'll find them over grass flats and around structure in 2-8 feet of water. Fall and winter are fantastic because they school up in deeper holes. What guests appreciate is how cooperative they are - good action and tasty fillets. The meat is white, flaky, and mild when cooked right. Here's a key tip: fish the grass flats at first light with topwater plugs, then switch to soft plastics as the sun gets higher. Work them slow - trout have soft mouths, so don't horse them in. A steady, gentle retrieve keeps more fish buttoned up.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the perfect inshore target - they're aggressive, great fighters, and found right in our backyard waters. Most fish run 18-28 inches, with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped head. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and grass flats in 1-6 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they're active and feeding hard. What guests love is how snook attack lures - they hit fast and jump when hooked. The meat is top-shelf eating too, white and flaky. Here's what I've learned: work your lure slowly along structure. Snook are ambush predators, so they want something that looks easy to catch. Live shrimp under docks at dawn or dusk is money, but topwater plugs in the grass can produce some explosive strikes.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon fishing is what bucket lists are made of - these silver giants can reach 6-8 feet and put on aerial shows you'll never forget. We typically see fish from 50-150 pounds in our local waters, especially around bridges and deep channels. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through Tampa Bay. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (we release them all), it's the fight. They jump repeatedly and can swim 35 mph. The thrill is watching a massive fish launch itself completely out of the water. My advice: when you hook one, bow to the fish during jumps - drop your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off the line when they're airborne and prevents them from throwing the hook. Use live mullet or crabs on circle hooks.
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