Tarpon Springs Charter Fishing | 6 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing charter targeting multiple speciesAll fishing gear and licenses included with tripCustomizable start times accommodate guest preferences
When you're looking for a solid day of fishing in one of Florida's most productive inshore waters, Capt Ben's got you covered. This 6-hour charter out of Tarpon Springs puts you right in the heart of some seriously good fishing grounds where the flats meet deeper water. You'll have room for up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for a family trip or a crew of buddies ready to put some fish in the cooler. The best part? You can work with the captain to set your start time – whether you want to catch the early morning bite or prefer a more relaxed departure.
This isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing trip. Capt Ben knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. The Tarpon Springs area gives you access to grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels where different species hang out depending on the time of year. You might start the morning working shallow water for redfish, then move to structure for sheepshead, or hit the flats when the tide's just right for flounder. All your tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included, so you just need to bring your appetite for fishing and whatever snacks and drinks you want for the day. The captain will have rods rigged and ready, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites.
Inshore fishing around Tarpon Springs means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. You'll be using light to medium tackle – think spinning reels with 15-20 pound test line that can handle the grass and structure without being too heavy for the fish you're targeting. Live bait is king out here: shrimp, pinfish, and crabs will be your go-to offerings, though artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons can absolutely produce when worked right. The captain will have you fishing everything from shallow grass beds in 2-3 feet of water to deeper holes and channels that might hit 15-20 feet. Expect to do some sight fishing when conditions are right – there's nothing quite like watching a redfish cruise the flats and dropping your bait right in its path. You'll also work oyster bars and dock pilings where sheepshead like to hang out, and the captain will show you how to feel for those subtle taps that mean a black drum is mouthing your bait.
Southern Flounder are one of the coolest fish you'll target on this trip. These masters of camouflage bury themselves in sandy bottoms and ambush prey, making them a blast to catch when you figure out their game. Spring and fall are prime time for flounder in Tarpon Springs, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to doormat flatfish pushing 5+ pounds. They're excellent table fare, and there's real skill involved in working a bait slowly along the bottom to trigger a strike. The bite often feels like you've snagged the bottom until suddenly your "snag" starts swimming away.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of this fishery, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can exceed 30 pounds in local waters, though most runs will put you on fish in the 5-15 pound range. They're year-round residents that love to cruise oyster bars and grass edges, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. The fight is all about power – black drum don't jump or make blazing runs, but they'll test your drag with steady, determined pulls toward whatever structure they can find.
Sheepshead fishing is like a chess match between you and one of the smartest fish in the Gulf. These black-and-white striped bait stealers have human-like teeth and the ability to pick a hook clean without you feeling a thing. They're most active in cooler months around Tarpon Springs, particularly near docks, bridges, and oyster bars. A 3-4 pound sheepshead will give you a surprisingly good fight, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. Success comes down to using small hooks, light line, and developing the quick reflexes to set the hook the instant you feel pressure.
White Grunt might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy little fighters that show up in good numbers around structure. These fish are great for keeping kids engaged since they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size. Most white grunt run 8-12 inches, and they make excellent bait for larger species if you're looking to target something bigger later in the trip. They're also fantastic in the frying pan with sweet, flaky white meat.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around Tarpon Springs. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats and mangrove shorelines, often in water so shallow you can see their backs. Slot-sized reds (18-27 inches) are what you're after for the best combination of fight and table fare. They'll absolutely destroy topwater lures early and late in the day, and there's nothing like watching a red explode on a surface plug in 2 feet of crystal-clear water. Bull reds over the slot size provide incredible fights but must be released – and trust me, wrestling a 15-pound redfish back to the boat will give your arms a workout you won't forget.
Six hours on the water with Capt Ben gives you real time to explore different spots and techniques without feeling rushed. The flexibility to set your own start time means you can plan around tides, weather, or just your preferred schedule. With all gear and licenses included, plus the local knowledge that only comes from years of fishing these waters, this charter delivers everything you need for a top-notch
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of our local waters, known for their powerful runs and that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. These guys range from 5-30 pounds typically, but don't be surprised if we hook into a real bruiser pushing 40-50 pounds. They love our oyster bars, muddy flats, and around any structure where they can crush crabs and shellfish with those massive jaws. Spring is your best bet, especially March through May when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them drumming like crazy. What makes them fun is that bone-jarring initial run when they realize they're hooked, plus the smaller ones under 15 pounds make fantastic table fare. Here's my go-to trick: fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and fish it right on the bottom near oyster beds. When you get a bite, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in Tarpon Springs, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots run anywhere from slot-size around 20 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches and 30+ pounds. They love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are peak seasons, but honestly, we catch them year-round in different areas. What gets people hooked is that explosive strike and the way they peel drag on long runs through the shallows. The smaller slot fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My favorite technique here is working topwater plugs early morning over the flats - watching a big red blow up on a surface lure never gets old. Key tip: when you spot them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and work your bait back slowly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the ultimate test of angling skills around here - they've got human-like teeth and they know how to use them to steal your bait. These "convict fish" with their black and white stripes typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally see monsters over 15 pounds. They live around any structure - docks, bridges, rock piles, anywhere barnacles grow. Winter through early spring is prime time, especially February to April when they're spawning around the passes. Guests love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves, but once you figure them out, they're addictive to catch. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white, flaky meat that rivals snapper. My secret: use live fiddler crabs on a short leader, get as close to structure as possible, and the moment you feel weight, slam that hook home. They'll pick your bait clean if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they change color to match their surroundings. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've pulled up some beauties over 20 inches. They're both-eyes-on-one-side fish that ambush prey from below - pretty wild to see. You'll find them in our shallow bays, around grass flats, and near creek mouths where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're more active and feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. Guests love them because they fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish, plus they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp on a light jig head, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a beat before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite Grunt are perfect starter fish for families, but don't underestimate the action they provide when they're schooled up. These silvery fish with blue and yellow stripes typically run 6-12 inches, though we catch some pushing 20 inches around our deeper reefs. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and rocky areas from shallow water down to about 100 feet. They're most active during warmer months, and they're nocturnal feeders, so evening trips often produce the best action. What makes them special is they literally grunt when you pull them up - kids get a kick out of that sound every time. They're excellent eating too, with sweet white meat that's perfect for fish tacos. Here's what works best: small pieces of shrimp on a light hook fished near the bottom around structure. They school heavily, so when you find one, you'll usually find a bunch. Keep your bait small and your hooks sharp.
Tarpon Springs, FL