Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip In St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, snook, and grouperCaptain Andy provides all equipment aboard Hell's Bay Marquesa skiffConvenient departure from Maximo or Gandy ramps with free parking
When the afternoon sun starts its descent over Tampa Bay, that's when the real magic happens on the water. Captain Andy Austin knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and his half-day afternoon trips are perfectly timed to take advantage of those golden hours when fish are most active. You'll launch from either Maximo Boat Ramp or Gandy Boat Ramp - both spots offer free parking and easy access to some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience either. With just three anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work the flats and grass beds where the big ones hide.
Captain Andy runs a Hell's Bay Marquesa, which is exactly what you want for this type of fishing. This skiff draws minimal water and can get you into those skinny spots where the trophy fish lurk. The boat's designed for comfort during those four hours, with plenty of deck space to fight fish and move around without bumping elbows. You won't need to worry about gear - Andy provides everything from rods and reels to tackle and ice. The key here is being ready to adapt. One minute you might be sight-casting to laid-up redfish in two feet of water, the next you could be working a grass flat for sea trout or positioning for a tarpon that just rolled nearby. The afternoon bite tends to pick up as the sun gets lower, and that's when you'll see why local guides prefer these later trips. Fish that were hiding in deeper water during the heat of the day start moving shallow to feed.
Inshore fishing around St. Petersburg is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll likely start with live bait - shrimp, pinfish, or sardines work great depending on what's around. Captain Andy knows when to switch things up with artificial lures, especially when the fish are aggressive. Expect to do some sight fishing, which means keeping your eyes peeled for wakes, tails, or shadows moving across the flats. The Hell's Bay lets you get close enough to make accurate casts without spooking fish. You might find yourself working oyster bars, grass flats, or structure like docks and mangrove shorelines. Each spot requires different techniques - sometimes it's a slow retrieve along the bottom for grouper, other times it's a fast-moving topwater plug to trigger a snook strike. The beauty of these afternoon trips is the variety. You're not stuck doing one thing all day, and Andy adjusts tactics based on conditions and what the fish are telling him.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active during moving water, especially on the falling tide when they push up into shallow grass beds and oyster bars. What makes reds so special is their predictability - they're here year-round and relatively easy to target once you know their patterns. The real excitement comes when you spot one tailing in skinny water. That's pure sight fishing at its best.
Snook bring a different kind of energy to your trip. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangroves, bridge pilings - anywhere they can hide and attack baitfish. They're most active during warmer months, typically April through October, and they're notorious for their acrobatic fights. A good snook will jump multiple times and use every trick to throw your hook. The slot size makes them a prized catch, and their table quality is outstanding if you're within the legal harvest window.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of tarpon or the power of redfish, but they're consistent producers and excellent eating. These speckled beauties love grass flats and are often the most cooperative fish of the day. They hit artificial lures readily and provide steady action when other species are being finicky. Peak season runs from fall through early spring, and they school up in good numbers during cooler months.
Tarpon are the wildcards that can turn any trip into a legendary day. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will test your tackle and your endurance. They're most common during summer months and known for their spectacular aerial displays. Landing a tarpon isn't just about the fight - it's about the story you'll tell for years. These silver kings are catch and release only, but getting that photo with a tarpon makes every angler feel like a hero.
Gag grouper add bottom fishing excitement to your inshore adventure. These hard-fighting fish love structure and holes in 15-30 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallower areas. Grouper fishing requires different tactics - you'll drop baits to the bottom and hold on tight when something grabs. They're notorious for trying to break you off in the rocks, so the fight starts the second you set the hook. When they're in season and legal size, they're among the best eating fish in these waters.
This half-day afternoon trip offers everything you want in a St. Petersburg fishing experience without the commitment of a full day. Four hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots, target different species, and really get into the rhythm of inshore fishing. The afternoon timing means you'll avoid the early morning rush and can still be back in time for dinner. Captain Andy's local knowledge and personalized approach make this a top-rated choice for both beginners and experienced anglers. With free parking at both launch locations and all gear provided, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a cooler for your catch. Don't forget your hat, sunglasses, and some snacks - the Florida sun and salt air will work up an appetite. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why St. Petersburg's
Captain Andy's Hells Bay Marquesa is built for serious inshore fishing in St. Petersburg's shallow waters. This top-tier flats boat draws just 7 inches, letting you slip into tight redfish haunts and backcountry spots bigger boats can't reach. The 115HP Yamaha pushes you to fishing grounds at a smooth 40mph, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking spooky snook or tailing reds. Everything's set up for productive fishing days - the livewell keeps your bait frisky, the fish finder marks structure where grouper hide, and GPS gets you back to those honey holes. The icebox handles your drinks and lunch, plus any keeper fish you boat. Built tough for Florida's choppy inshore waters, this skiff rides comfortable whether you're running the flats or working deeper channels for tarpon and sea trout. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of casting space without crowding your fishing partners.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are one of the tougher fighters you'll hook in these waters. Most run 20-24 inches, but we occasionally land 30+ pounders that'll test your arms. They love structure - rocky bottoms, ledges, and anything they can hide under in 15-40 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially when the water's warming up. What makes them fun is the fight - once hooked, they immediately dive for cover and try to break you off in the rocks. The trick is keeping steady pressure and not letting them get their head down. Live pinfish or cut bait works great, but here's the local secret: drop your bait right on the edge of structure, not in the middle where they'll wrap you up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most range 20-28 inches, though the big bulls can hit 35+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action. Guests love them because they're strong fighters that make long runs and they're excellent eating. That black spot actually fools predators into attacking the wrong end. The local trick is sight fishing with gold spoons or live shrimp in skinny water. Look for tailing fish or that telltale copper flash in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are a bread-and-butter inshore fish that most guests really enjoy catching. They typically run 14-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides and make great eating with their mild, flaky white meat. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. They bite best during cooler months and low-light periods. What's fun about trout is they're willing biters and fight well for their size with good runs. In winter, they school up in deeper channels which can make for fast action. My go-to method is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over the grass beds - the sound draws them in and you can cover water efficiently.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore challenge with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. Most average 18-26 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches. They're structure lovers - hanging around mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in shallow water. Best fishing happens during the warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What guests love is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run hard when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The key trick here in St. Pete is working the shadow lines under docks and bridges with live shrimp or pinfish. Cast tight to structure and be ready for that explosive hit.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Tampa Bay - massive fish that can reach 100-200 pounds and jump clear out of the water when hooked. They cruise our shallow flats and channels in 3-15 feet of water, especially during the warmer months from May through September. You'll spot them rolling on the surface, gulping air. What makes them special isn't just the size, but their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly trying to throw the hook. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating. The secret is using live crabs or large pinfish, and when they jump, you bow to the king - lower your rod tip to give them slack so they don't snap your line on the way down.
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