Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday guided fishing targeting redfish, grouper, and snapperBoth fly fishing and spin fishing options availableCaptain provides all gear, ice, and local expertise
If you're looking for a serious day of fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, Captain Andy Austin has you covered. This 8-hour guided trip takes you into St. Petersburg's productive inshore waters, where the fish are plentiful and the action never stops. You'll target some of Florida's most sought-after species including Redfish, Snook, Sea Trout, Tarpon, and Grouper. Whether you prefer fly fishing or spinning gear, Andy provides everything you need for success on the water. Just bring your hat, sunglasses, and your appetite for catching fish.
Your full day adventure starts early at either Maximo Boat Ramp or Gandy Boat Ramp, both offering convenient free parking so you can focus on the fishing ahead. Captain Andy knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on the fish whether they're holding around structure, cruising the flats, or staging near grass beds. This isn't a crowded party boat situation - with just 3 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work your lines. The 8-hour timeframe gives you serious fishing time, letting you explore different spots and techniques as conditions and fish activity change throughout the day. Andy brings all the tackle, bait, and ice, so you can travel light and fish hard.
Captain Andy runs both fly fishing and conventional spinning setups, so you can fish however you're most comfortable. For the fly anglers, expect to throw streamers and crab patterns around structure for Redfish and Snook, or work topwater flies when the Tarpon are rolling. Spin fishing means you'll be working everything from live bait under corks to artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - one minute you're sight casting to tailing Reds in skinny water, the next you're dropping baits for Grouper around ledges and structure. Andy reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day, moving between shallow grass flats, deeper channels, and structure depending on tides, weather, and where the fish are feeding. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like fish twice their size. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass edges where they hunt crabs and baitfish. Redfish are year-round residents, but fall and winter months often produce the biggest fish as they fatten up and school together. What makes them special is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they'll often feed in water so shallow you can see their backs.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish - they're finicky, powerful, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black lateral line and golden sides. These ambush predators love structure like docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines where they can dart out to grab passing baitfish. Peak Snook action happens during warmer months when they're most active, though skilled anglers catch them year-round. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure, making every hookup a battle of wits and technique.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are perfect for anglers who love working lures. These spotted beauties hang around grass flats and sand holes, often in schools that can provide non-stop action when you find them. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live shrimp and artificial baits, especially soft plastics worked slowly near the bottom. While they're not the strongest fighters, their willingness to bite and excellent table fare make them a favorite target for many anglers.
Tarpon are the silver kings of inshore waters, and St. Petersburg sees good numbers especially during spring and summer months. These prehistoric-looking fish can range from juvenile "baby" Tarpon around 20-40 pounds up to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. What makes Tarpon special isn't their size alone - it's their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. They'll jump repeatedly, often throwing the hook in the process, which makes landing one a true accomplishment. Even smaller Tarpon provide heart-stopping action that you'll remember long after the trip ends.
Gag Grouper round out the target species list and provide a different style of fishing altogether. These bottom-dwelling powerhouses live around structure and ledges, where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and small fish. Grouper fishing means dropping baits deep and being ready for sudden, powerful runs toward cover. They're excellent eating and their strong fights from the depths make every hookup exciting. Gag Grouper are regulated with specific seasons and size limits, but when they're biting, they provide some of the most satisfying fishing in these waters.
This full day guided trip offers everything serious anglers want: knowledgeable local expertise, productive fishing grounds, quality gear, and enough time to really get into the fish. Captain Andy Austin has built his reputation on putting clients on fish while showing them the techniques that work in St. Petersburg's inshore waters. With only 3 spots available per trip, you get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. The waters around St. Petersburg produce fish year-round, but the best days book up quickly. Don't wait - secure your spot for what could be your best fishing day of the year.
The Hells Bay Marquesa is your ticket to St. Petersburg's prime fishing grounds. This top-tier flats boat cuts through choppy water with ease while sneaking into skinny spots where the big reds hide – we're talking just 7 inches of water. The 115HP Yamaha pushes us to a comfortable 40 mph cruise, getting you to the hotspots fast so you can spend more time with lines in the water. Rigged with everything serious anglers need: wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when stalking spooky fish, GPS to mark productive spots, and sonar to locate structure where grouper and snapper stack up. The built-in livewell keeps your bait frisky, while the ice chest ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those long Florida sun sessions. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats for tailing redfish or working structure for grouper, this boat handles it all. Comfortable seating for up to 3 anglers gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines, and the shallow draft opens up backwater spots that bigger boats can't reach.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll put your gear to the test. These guys average around 20 inches, but we catch plenty in the 25-30 inch range around St. Pete's structure. Look for them hanging around rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs in 30-80 feet of water. They love live pinfish and mullet, but cut bait works too. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is that strong initial run when hooked - they'll head straight for cover to break you off. The meat is excellent, firm white fillets that grill perfectly. Here's a tip: once you hook up, lock that drag and keep steady pressure. Don't let them get back to structure or you'll be retying.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down the most reliable inshore target around St. Pete Bay. These copper-colored fighters average 20-32 inches and cruise the shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their distinctive black spots near the tail and that red-bronze coloring. They bite year-round, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're more active. What anglers love is their bulldogging fight and excellent table fare - firm, mild fillets that taste great grilled. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from live shrimp to gold spoons and topwater plugs. Look for them tailing in skinny water during moving tides. Pro tip: approach quietly and cast past cruising fish, then work your bait back into their path.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are perfect for anglers wanting steady action around St. Pete. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and school up over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They feed actively in spring and fall, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite artificials like soft plastics and topwater plugs, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, tender meat. Winter months find them in deeper holes and channels where they school heavily. They've got a soft mouth, so don't horse them. Here's the key: use light drag and a steady retrieve. Cast ahead of moving schools and work your lure slowly through the grass - they'll often hit on the fall.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around St. Pete. These ambush predators average 18-28 inches and love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridges where they can surprise baitfish. They're structure-oriented, so we target them in 2-8 feet of water near cover. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially during moving tides at dawn and dusk. What guests love most is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs that test your drag. Plus, the meat is top-shelf eating with sweet, flaky white flesh. The males get darker and more aggressive during spawning season. Pro tip: use circle hooks and keep steady pressure. When they jump, don't jerk the rod or you'll pull the hook right out.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish around Tampa Bay. These silver giants range from 50-150 pounds in our waters, and when one jumps, it's pure magic. We find them rolling in 4-15 feet over grass flats and around bridge shadows, especially during their spring and summer migration. They're not great table fare due to their bony structure, so it's all about the fight and photo. What makes tarpon special is their aerial show - they can jump 10 feet out of water and make multiple runs that'll test your endurance. Best action happens on moving tides with live crabs or mullet. My advice: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on their way down.
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