St. Pete Inshore Slam: Redfish, Trout & Snook
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon charter targeting redfish, snook, and sea troutExpert captain guides guests to prime inshore fishing locationsSmall group experience accommodating up to two anglers
There's something special about late afternoon fishing in St. Petersburg's back bays and grass flats. The sun starts to mellow, the baitfish get active, and the big three – redfish, snook, and sea trout – come alive for their evening feed. This 4-hour afternoon charter with Burning Drag Fishing Charters puts you right in the sweet spot when these fish are most aggressive, giving you the best shot at a true inshore slam.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not just driving you around hoping for luck. We're talking about a targeted approach to St. Pete's most productive inshore spots – the mangrove shorelines where snook ambush baitfish, the oyster bars that hold hungry redfish, and the grass flats where sea trout cruise looking for an easy meal. This isn't a crowded party boat situation either. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of room to work your lures without tangling lines with strangers. The afternoon timing is no accident – it's when the tide changes usually trigger feeding activity, and the lower sun angle makes fish less spooky in shallow water. Whether you're a seasoned angler who knows the difference between a jig head and a popping cork, or someone who's still figuring out which end of the rod to hold, your captain will adjust the approach to match your skill level. The boat is set up with quality tackle, so you don't need to worry about bringing your own gear unless you want to.
St. Pete inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. Your captain will have the boat rigged with spinning gear spooled with 10-15 pound braid – light enough to cast accurately but strong enough to turn a big snook away from the mangroves. Depending on conditions and fish activity, you'll be throwing everything from soft plastic paddle tails on jig heads to topwater plugs that create a commotion on the surface. Live bait is often the ticket here, especially when the fish are being picky. Pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp fished under popping corks can be deadly on the grass flats. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts – these fish live in shallow water where boat noise and sloppy presentations will shut them down fast. Your guide will position the boat using the trolling motor to stay stealthy, often anchoring up-current from promising structure so your baits drift naturally into the strike zone. When sight fishing for redfish in super shallow water, it's all about long, soft casts ahead of cruising fish. Miss the target by a few feet and you'll spook the whole school.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish that'll give you a serious fight in shallow water. Reds feed year-round here, but they're most aggressive during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around the structure. What makes them so exciting to target is their willingness to eat just about anything – cut bait, live shrimp, gold spoons, or soft plastics all work. When you hook one in two feet of water, they'll make powerful runs that test your drag and your nerves. The signature black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify, and their drum-like croaking sound when you land them never gets old.
Snook are the glamour species of Southwest Florida, and St. Pete's mangrove shorelines and dock lights hold some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure – they'll hide under docks, along mangrove edges, or near any kind of cover where they can surprise passing baitfish. Snook are temperature sensitive, so they're most active during warmer months, but when conditions are right, they'll absolutely crush topwater lures with explosive strikes. They're also notorious for their jumping ability once hooked, often clearing the water multiple times in an attempt to throw the hook. The slot limit protects the breeding stock, so you'll need to know your measurements, but a slot snook is one of the best eating fish in these waters.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of snook or the power of redfish, but they're consistent biters that'll keep your rod bent throughout the trip. St. Pete's grass flats are perfect trout habitat, and these spotted beauties are available year-round. They're excellent for beginners because they're not as finicky as other species – a live shrimp under a popping cork over three to five feet of grass will usually produce steady action. Trout have soft mouths, so you need to play them carefully, but their willingness to bite makes them a favorite for filling the cooler. During cooler months, they school up in deeper holes, while summer finds them scattered across the flats feeding on glass minnows and small crabs.
This top-rated afternoon charter gives you the perfect window to experience St. Petersburg's world-class inshore fishing without burning your whole day. You'll hit the water when conditions are prime, work with a captain who knows where the fish are holding, and have plenty of time to target multiple species in their preferred habitats. The 4-hour timeframe is ideal – long enough to cover different areas and techniques, but not so long that you get burned out by the sun. With Burning Drag Fishing Charters, you're booking with guides who fish these waters regularly, not weekend warriors hoping to get lucky. The afternoon bite in St. Pete is legendary among local anglers, and this charter puts you right in the middle of it. Whether you're looking to check inshore species off your bucket list or just want to spend a few hours away from the crowds with a rod in
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here in St. Pete. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots typically run 20-32 inches and are built like tanks. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes break the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall are prime time when they're most active in the shallows. What guests love about reds is their powerful, sustained runs - they'll strip drag and test your skills. They're also great eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key to success? Look for "nervous water" or slight wakes pushing across the flats. When you spot them, cast ahead of their path and let your bait settle naturally. Reds are curious and will usually investigate.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a staple of our Tampa Bay flats fishing. These beautiful silvery fish with dark spots typically range 14-20 inches, with occasional 24+ inch "gator trout" that really get your heart pumping. You'll find them cruising grass flats and sandy potholes in 2-6 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they school up. They bite year-round here, but fall and winter offer the most consistent action. Trout have a soft mouth, so they're perfect for lighter tackle and provide steady action that keeps everyone engaged. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastics - the noise draws them in from a distance, and that cork bobbing under is pure excitement.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Tampa Bay's most prized gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though we occasionally hook into 40+ inch giants. They love hanging around mangrove edges, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make screaming runs toward structure. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your lure past the mangroves and work it parallel to the edge rather than straight out. Snook ambush from cover, so keep your bait in the strike zone longer.
St Petersburg, FL