5.0(1 Reviews)Tampa Bay Fishing - Weekday
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing targeting tarpon, snook, redfish, and grouper speciesSmall group experience with maximum two guests aboardBackcountry flats fishing in Tampa Bay pristine waters
Captain Chet Jennings knows Tampa Bay's backcountry like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This weekday charter takes you into the shallow flats and protected waters where the big ones hang out – away from weekend crowds and into prime fishing territory. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of shots at Tampa Bay's most sought-after species. Whether you're chasing silver kings or hoping to land your first snook, Chet's got the local knowledge to make it happen.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Chet at the dock, where his well-equipped flats boat is loaded and ready. Tampa Bay's backcountry is a maze of mangrove islands, grass flats, and oyster bars – perfect habitat for inshore species that love structure and shallow water. You'll spend your time sight fishing the flats, working the mangrove edges, and hitting productive spots that only locals know about. The beauty of a weekday trip is having these waters mostly to yourself, which means less boat traffic and fish that haven't been spooked by weekend pressure. Chet reads the tides like a book, positioning you where the fish are feeding based on water movement, bait activity, and seasonal patterns.
This is pure inshore fishing at its best – light tackle, live bait, and artificial lures that get results. Captain Chet provides all the gear you'll need, from spinning rods matched to the target species to a variety of baits including live shrimp, pinfish, and sardines. You'll learn to work topwater plugs for explosive strikes, pitch soft plastics under mangroves, and present live bait in the current. Sight fishing is a big part of the game here – spotting tailing redfish, cruising snook, or rolling tarpon before making your cast. The shallow water means you can see the fish react to your presentation, which adds a whole new level of excitement. Chet's also dialed in on the artificial bite, so expect to throw everything from DOA shrimp to MirrOlure suspending twitchbaits depending on conditions.
Spanish Mackerel are Tampa Bay's speed demons, and they're a blast on light tackle. These silver bullets typically run 12-20 inches and hit fast-moving lures with authority. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when bait schools are thick near the flats edges. They've got razor-sharp teeth and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. What makes them special is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until your arms are tired.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing. These ambush predators love structure and can grow over 30 inches in these waters. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs back to cover. Summer months are peak season when they're feeding heavily, but Chet knows where to find them year-round. The thrill comes from their explosive strikes and the challenge of keeping them out of the mangroves once hooked.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are abundant around Tampa Bay's structure. These 10-16 inch fighters are excellent table fare and surprisingly strong for their size. They're year-round residents that require finesse fishing with light leaders and small hooks. The fun factor is their willingness to bite and the numbers you can catch when you dial in the right technique.
Tarpon are Tampa Bay's legendary silver kings, and even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give you the fight of your life. These prehistoric fish are known for their acrobatic jumps and bulldogging runs. Peak season runs from April through October, with the best action often in the backcountry channels. Hooking a tarpon is special because of their size, strength, and the pure adrenaline rush of their aerial displays.
Sea Trout, specifically spotted seatrout, are Tampa Bay staples that bite year-round. These 14-20 inch spotted beauties love grass flats and are excellent light-tackle fighters. They're also top-notch eating fish. Winter months can be especially productive when they school up in deeper potholes. What anglers love is their predictable bite and the satisfaction of a successful pattern.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's copper-colored bruisers that can exceed 25 inches in these waters. They're famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style. Reds feed in shallow water where you can often see them tailing or cruising. Year-round fishing is possible, but fall months are prime time when they're fattening up. The excitement comes from sight fishing opportunities and their reputation as one of the best fighting inshore species.
Blacktip Shark add serious excitement to any Tampa Bay trip. These 3-6 foot sharks are common in the flats and known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. They're particularly active during warmer months and provide heart-pounding action on light tackle. What makes them special is their speed, jumps, and the adrenaline rush of battling a legitimate predator in shallow water.
Captain Chet's weekday Tampa Bay charters offer everything serious anglers want – top-notch local knowledge, productive fishing waters, and personalized attention you won't find on crowded weekend trips. With seven different species regularly caught and Tampa Bay's reputation as one of Florida's premier inshore fisheries, this trip delivers consistent action and memorable catches. The intimate two-angler limit means you'll get plenty of fishing time and hands-on instruction from one of the bay's most experienced guides. Don't wait for the weekend crowds – book your weekday adventure and experience
Get ready to fish Tampa Bay's legendary backcountry with Captain Chet aboard our fully-equipped motorboat! This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water - a fish finder to locate your targets, GPS to navigate the shallow flats, and a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches to spooky fish. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh while the VHF radio ensures safe communication. With comfortable seating for 2 anglers and an onboard toilet, you'll spend more time with lines in the water targeting tarpon, snook, redfish, grouper, and more. The shallow draft design gets you into those hard-to-reach spots where the big fish hide in Tampa Bay's pristine waters.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are Tampa Bay's most acrobatic predators, known for their spectacular jumps and aggressive fights. These sleek sharks average 3-5 feet and pack serious power with their streamlined bodies and distinctive black-tipped fins. You'll find them in 10-40 feet of water around channels, artificial reefs, and bait schools, especially during warmer months. What gets anglers pumped is their aerial show - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times, spinning and thrashing. They're catch-and-release fish that provide pure adrenaline. The bite can be explosive, so use heavy tackle with circle hooks and steel leaders. Here's my tip: set up a chum line with cut mackerel or sardines to draw them in. When you get a bite, don't horse them - let them run and tire out. These sharks are surprisingly athletic, so be ready for anything when they come boatside.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as most folks call them, are smart fish that'll test your patience. These copper-red beauties typically run 12-16 inches and 1-2 pounds around Tampa Bay's shallow structure. You'll find them hanging around docks, mangrove roots, and oyster bars in 3-15 feet of water year-round, though they're most active in warmer months. What makes them fun is they're cautious biters - you need finesse and light tackle to fool them. When you do connect, they fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using live shrimp on a small circle hook with minimal weight. Let it settle near structure and be ready to set the hook on the slightest tap - these guys will steal your bait if you're not paying attention.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most sought-after shallow water fish, and they put on a show. These bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in our area. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. They're here year-round but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their powerful runs and stubborn fights - they'll use every bit of structure to try breaking you off. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. The real thrill is sight-fishing - watching their backs and tails break the surface as they feed. My best advice is to approach quietly and cast ahead of cruising fish. Live shrimp or cut bait works great, but don't overlook topwater plugs early and late in the day for explosive strikes.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are Tampa Bay bread-and-butter fish. These speckled beauties average 14-18 inches and make for consistent action year-round. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. Spring and fall are peak times, but they bite well in cooler months too when they school up in deeper channels. What anglers love is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits - they're not too picky. The fight is respectable with good runs, and they're outstanding on the table with tender, flaky white meat. Best technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over the grass flats. The key is making noise - that popping sound draws them in from a distance. Work areas with mixed bottom and current breaks for the most consistent action.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's signature inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators average 18-28 inches with that unmistakable black lateral line running down their golden sides. You'll find them lurking around mangrove shorelines, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during summer months and around structure changes at dawn and dusk. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll jump, run, and use every piece of cover to break you off. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept in slot. Here's the key: snook are ambush predators, so work your bait slow along the edges. Live shrimp freelined near mangroves is deadly, but don't rush the hookset - let them turn and run with it first.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, flashy fish that'll give you a real workout. These silvery speedsters typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-3 pounds, with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. You'll find them in schools near the surface around Tampa Bay's grass flats and structure during warmer months - spring through fall are prime time. They love trolling spoons and live shrimp, hitting hard and making blistering runs. What makes them special is the combination of speed and great eating - their mild, flaky meat is perfect grilled or smoked. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, work fast and keep your lures moving. Once that first fish comes to the boat jumping and thrashing, the rest often scatter, so have multiple rods ready to capitalize on the action.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of Tampa Bay - massive silver giants that can stretch 4-6 feet and weigh 80-150 pounds. These prehistoric fish cruise our shallow flats and channels from May through September, rolling on the surface and showing their huge scales. You'll spot them in 4-15 feet around bridges, channels, and grass flats, especially during moving tides. What makes them legendary is the fight - they'll jump repeatedly, sometimes 8 feet out of the water, trying to throw your hook. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're bony and not great eating. The secret is live bait like crabs or pinfish on circle hooks, and when they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip to give them slack. Keep steady pressure but let them tire themselves out. It's a battle you'll never forget, and these fish can live 50+ years.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Chet is a great guy and if you want to catch fish (Snook) he is the MAN! Had a super trip, caught fish in three different loc...
Tampa, FL