Bradenton Florida Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour fishing and snorkeling combo around Egmont KeyTarget Tarpon, Grouper, Sharks, Snook, and Redfish inshoreExplore underwater fort ruins with vibrant marine life
Captain Bear Hull knows these waters like the back of his weathered hands, and he's ready to show you why Bradenton's inshore fishing scene keeps anglers coming back season after season. This isn't your typical half-day trip – you're getting a solid 4-hour combo adventure that starts with some serious fishing around Egmont Key, then switches gears for snorkeling the submerged fort ruins. With just 2 spots available, you'll get that personalized attention every angler craves, whether you're working on perfecting your technique or just want to land something worth bragging about back home.
Egmont Key sits right at the mouth of Tampa Bay, where the gulf waters mix with the bay's nutrients to create a fish magnet that's hard to beat. Captain Hull positions you in the sweet spots where Spanish Mackerel school up, where Tarpon roll on the surface, and where Snook lurk in the shadows waiting for an easy meal. The first half of your trip focuses on putting lines in the water and working the productive zones around the key's structure. You'll be casting to visible fish, working live bait near the pilings, and maybe even sight-fishing when conditions line up right. After you've had your fill of the action, the boat repositions near the old fort ruins where you can cool off and explore underwater. The contrast between the adrenaline of fighting fish and the peaceful exploration below the surface makes this combo trip something special.
Bear Hull Fishing Charters runs the right gear for these waters – medium to heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from feisty Mackerel to beast-mode Tarpon. You'll be working with live bait presentations, casting spoons and jigs to schooling fish, and pitching soft plastics to structure when the bite calls for finesse. The captain's got the tackle dialed in for the conditions, switching between circle hooks for the bigger predators and lighter presentations when the fish get picky. Around Egmont Key, you're fishing depths from 8 to 25 feet mostly, with plenty of structure, grass flats, and current breaks to work. The snorkeling gear comes out clean and ready after your fishing session wraps up – mask, fins, and snorkel to explore the historical ruins that sit in crystal-clear water just a short run from the fishing grounds.
Spanish Mackerel show up in serious numbers around Egmont Key, especially during the cooler months from October through March. These silver bullets hit hard and fast, often schooling up in massive numbers that create non-stop action. They're perfect for anglers who want steady bites and great eating, typically running 1-3 pounds with the occasional bigger fish mixed in. The key with Mackerel is speed – they want fast-moving spoons, small jigs, or live bait fished with some action.
Gag Grouper represent the heavy hitters in this fishery, hanging around the structure and deeper edges where they ambush anything that looks like an easy meal. These bruisers can push 20+ pounds and will test your drag system and your back muscles. Gags are most active during the fall and winter months, and once you hook one, you'll understand why grouper fishing gets people hooked. They fight dirty, heading straight for the rocks and using every trick in the book to break you off.
Snook fishing around Egmont Key offers some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities on Florida's gulf coast. These ambush predators love the pilings, docks, and mangrove edges where they can hide in the shadows and strike unsuspecting baitfish. A 30-inch Snook is a fish of a lifetime for many anglers, and the waters around the key regularly produce fish in that class. Summer months bring the best Snook action, with fish staging in the passes and around structure during their spawning period.
Tarpon turn every angler into a kid again, and Egmont Key sits right in the middle of one of Florida's premier Tarpon fisheries. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 20-50 pound range up to absolute giants pushing 150+ pounds. Tarpon season peaks from May through August, when massive schools migrate through the area. Landing one isn't guaranteed, but hooking up and experiencing that first explosive jump is something that stays with you forever.
Permit fishing represents the technical side of the sport, requiring precise presentations and perfect timing. These spooky fish cruise the flats and edges around Egmont Key, but getting them to eat takes skill and patience. Permit are considered one of the toughest inshore species to fool consistently, making every hookup a major victory. They're most active during the warmer months and provide some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing you'll find in these waters.
This top-rated combo experience fills up fast, especially during peak fishing season when the Tarpon and Permit are most active. Captain Hull's local knowledge and personalized approach make this a customer favorite for both serious anglers and families looking to mix fishing with some underwater exploration. The 4-hour timeframe gives you enough water time to really get into the rhythm of the fishing while leaving room for the snorkeling adventure that sets this trip apart. With only 2 spots available, you're getting that boutique charter experience where every cast counts and every fish matters. Book now to secure your dates – the fish are biting, the water's clear, and Captain Hull's ready to put you on the action that makes Bradenton's inshore fishing scene world-class.
Our 2013 24-foot Carolina Skiff cuts through Bradenton's inshore waters with authority, powered by a reliable 140HP Suzuki that pushes us to a smooth 30 knots when chasing baitfish or racing to productive fishing spots around Egmont Key. This proven fishing platform handles beautifully in shallow flats and deeper channels alike, giving you access to prime redfish, snook, and tarpon territory. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip quietly into productive areas without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder keep us on top of structure and schools. With space for up to six anglers and a quality icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, this skiff delivers everything you need for serious fishing in Tampa Bay's legendary waters.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper average 20 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds. These bottom dwellers love hard structure - reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges in 30-100 feet of water. Spring and fall fishing is best when they're most active. What makes them special is the challenge - they're smart, strong, and will try to drag you back into their hole the second they feel the hook. The meat is top-notch, firm white fillets that taste amazing. Males are darker with reticulated fins, females are lighter with marbled patterns. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that reel down and don't give them an inch. Keep steady pressure and pull them up and away from structure immediately, or they'll wrap you up.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many anglers - tall, silver, disc-shaped fish that average 2-3 feet and 10-30 pounds. They cruise shallow flats and hang around deeper structures like wrecks and reefs. Spring through fall offers the best shots, especially April to October. What makes them legendary is how finicky they are - incredible eyesight, spooky as ghosts, and they'll refuse perfect presentations. The challenge is the reward here, plus they're strong fighters. Young ones school in shallow grass flats while adults go solitary. Blue crabs are the go-to bait, but here's my tip: approach them like you're hunting. Stay quiet, make long casts, and if they refuse your offering, back off and wait.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, averaging 18-30 inches with that distinctive black lateral line down their golden sides. They hang around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-20 feet of water where fresh meets salt. Best action is dawn and dusk during warmer months - they're temperature sensitive and shut down when it gets cold. What makes them special is their attitude - they ambush prey with explosive strikes and put up a solid fight. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Just remember, they're catch and release only during closed season. My advice: work your lure slow along structure and be ready - when they hit, they mean business.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, scrappy fish that run 1-2 feet and weigh 2-8 pounds around here. You'll spot their silver bodies with yellow spots streaking through the water in schools near the surface. They love structure - reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when baitfish are thick. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight clean, and make fantastic table fare - mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. These speed demons can hit 35 mph, so when you hook one, it's game on. My tip: when you see birds diving or bait splashing on the surface, get there fast. Cast small spoons or live sardines right into the chaos and hang on.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver giants that average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around here. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and passes, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What sets them apart is pure athletics - these fish can jump 10 feet out of the water and peel line like nothing else. It's all about the fight since most folks release them. You'll find them in 5-50 feet, often following baitfish. The secret is staying calm when they jump - bow to the fish, lower your rod tip, and let them have slack. Too much pressure during those jumps and they'll throw the hook every time.
Bradenton, FL, United States