Half Day Morning Fishing in St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning charter targets redfish, grouper, and snook inshore.Captain Andy provides all fishing gear and ice onboard.Hell's Bay skiff accommodates up to three guests comfortably.
Looking for a solid morning on the water without burning your whole day? Captain Andy Austin's got you covered with this top-rated half-day inshore charter that delivers consistent action on some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species. This 4-hour morning trip puts you right in the sweet spot when fish are actively feeding, giving you the best shot at hooking into redfish, snook, sea trout, tarpon, and grouper. You'll launch from Maximo Boat Ramp aboard Captain Andy's Hell's Bay Marquesa skiff – a shallow-water machine that gets you into those productive spots where the big fish hang out. With all gear and ice provided, plus free parking at the launch, this customer favorite keeps things simple so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
Captain Andy knows these St. Petersburg waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put that local knowledge to work for you from the moment you push off. Morning trips are prime time in these parts – the water's usually calmer, the fish are feeding, and you'll beat the afternoon boat traffic that can muddy up the flats. The Hell's Bay Marquesa is purpose-built for this kind of fishing, with its shallow draft letting you slip into backcountry spots that bigger boats can't reach. You'll work everything from grass flats to oyster bars, mangrove shorelines to deeper channels, depending on what the fish are telling us that day. Andy reads the water, wind, and tide like a book, adjusting the game plan as conditions change. The boat handles up to three anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. Bring your hat, polarized sunglasses, drinks, and snacks – Andy's got everything else dialed in.
This inshore charter covers all the bases when it comes to technique. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself casting live bait around structure, working artificial lures through the grass, or sight-fishing to tailing redfish on shallow flats. Captain Andy's tackle selection is spot-on for these waters – medium to medium-heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from scrappy sea trout to bull redfish that'll test your drag. Live shrimp, pinfish, and threadfin herring are go-to baits, but don't be surprised if Andy breaks out the artificials when fish are actively feeding. Soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all have their place in the St. Pete inshore game. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics accordingly – if the fish want it presented one way, that's how you're going to fish it. Ice is provided to keep your catch fresh, and Andy's got the cooler space to handle whatever you bring to the boat.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling rats in the 18-22 inch range up to bull reds pushing 35+ inches that'll smoke your drag and test your patience. Peak season runs from late summer through early winter, but you'll find redfish year-round in these waters. They're ambush predators that love structure – oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats are prime real estate. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and their fighting spirit. A slot red will make multiple runs and use every trick in the book to shake the hook.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish, combining stunning looks with explosive strikes and aerial acrobatics. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black lateral line are structure-oriented fish that love docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings. Spring and fall offer the best action, particularly around the spawn when they move to nearshore passes. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure if you're not ready. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are willing biters that make up the numbers on most trips. These spotted beauties prefer grass flats and can be targeted year-round, though spring and fall produce the biggest fish. They're excellent table fare and fight harder than their reputation suggests. Trout are also great confidence builders – when other species are being finicky, you can usually count on specks to keep the action going.
Tarpon are the silver kings of the inshore world, and St. Pete offers world-class tarpon fishing from late spring through early fall. These prehistoric fish can range from juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound class up to massive adults exceeding 150 pounds. They're catch-and-release only, but the memory of a tarpon's first jump stays with you forever. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, multiple jumps, and a battle that can last 30 minutes or more.
Gag grouper round out the target list, offering excellent table fare and a different style of fishing. These bottom-dwellers are found around hard structure and ledges, requiring precise presentations and quick hooksets. Gags are renowned for their ability to dive straight down and wedge themselves in rocks or ledges, making the first few seconds after hookup critical. They're excellent eating and a nice change of pace from the other inshore species.
Captain Andy's half-day morning trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and anglers want to make the most of their time on the water. This charter delivers exactly what it promises – productive fishing, local expertise, and a no-hassle experience that gets you back to shore by midday with stories to tell and fish for dinner. Whether you're a visiting angler looking to sample St. Pete's renowned inshore fishing or a
Captain Andy's Hells Bay Marquesa is built for serious inshore fishing in St. Petersburg waters. This top-tier flats boat draws just 7 inches, letting you chase redfish and snook into skinny water where bigger boats can't follow. The 115HP Yamaha pushes you to fishing spots at 40mph, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking fish in the shallows. Onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, plus there's a livewell to keep your catch fresh and an icebox for drinks. GPS keeps you on productive spots. With room for 3 anglers, this skiff handles Gulf Coast chop with ease while giving you access to prime flats, mangrove shorelines, and nearshore structure where grouper, trout, and tarpon hang out. Everything's rigged and ready for a productive morning of fishing.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper aren't the prettiest fish out there, but they make up for it with solid fights and great eating. These guys typically run 20-30 inches around St. Pete, though we occasionally hook monsters pushing 40+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure - rocks, ledges, and artificial reefs in 20-60 feet of water. They love live pinfish and grunt, but cut bait works too. Summer and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving deeper. What makes them special is that powerful initial run when hooked - they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their hole. Here's the key: keep your drag locked tight and don't let them get back to structure, or you'll lose them every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are Tampa Bay's most reliable target - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Our slot fish run 18-27 inches and put up fantastic fights in shallow water. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their powerful runs in skinny water. They're also top table fare with firm, sweet meat. The best tip I can give is to look for "tailing" fish - when you see that tail waving above the surface, cast a gold spoon or soft plastic just ahead of them and work it slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect starter fish for new anglers but challenging enough to keep veterans interested. They typically run 12-18 inches in our waters, with occasional fish pushing 3-4 pounds. You'll find them over grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water, especially around points and drop-offs. Spring through fall are best, with cooler months seeing them school up in deeper holes. Trout bite soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs readily. They're excellent eating - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to overcook. The trick with trout is to fish slowly and quietly since they spook easily. Try a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise attracts them from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's signature inshore gamefish - sleek, silver fighters with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Most of our fish run 18-28 inches, but we see plenty of slot-busters over 28" that'll test your drag. They love structure like docks, mangroves, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water, especially around current breaks and shadows. Prime time is dawn and dusk from spring through fall when water temps are above 70°F. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - plus they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: cast live shrimp or pinfish right up against the mangroves and let the current sweep it naturally past their hiding spots.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of Tampa Bay - massive silver bullets that can reach 6+ feet and over 150 pounds around here. These prehistoric fish cruise our flats, bridges, and channels in 4-15 feet of water, rolling on the surface and giving away their locations. Peak season runs May through August when they migrate through in huge schools. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump 8+ feet out of the water multiple times during a fight. Most anglers fish them for sport since they're tough eating with lots of bones. The secret to hooking up is using circle hooks with live crabs or large pinfish, and when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them to keep slack in the line and prevent them from throwing the hook.
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