St Petersburg Full Day Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore charter targeting snook, redfish, trout, and flounderEight hours covering grass flats, mangrove channels, and ICW watersPrivate charter for three guests with tackle and licenses included
Captain Gills has been putting anglers on fish in the St Petersburg waters for years, and this full-day inshore charter is hands down one of the best ways to experience what Tampa Bay has to offer. You're looking at eight solid hours on the water with a captain who knows every grass flat, mangrove cut, and channel from St Pete all the way up to Indian Shores and Redington. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – we're talking about a private charter for up to three guests where the day gets tailored to what's biting and what you want to target.
This top-rated charter covers more water than most guides are willing to run, and that's exactly why it produces. You'll start early and hit multiple spots throughout the day – shallow grass flats where the redfish cruise in packs, deeper mangrove channels where snook ambush baitfish, and the Intracoastal Waterway where trout stack up on structure. Captain Gills moves with the tides and the fish, so if one spot isn't producing, you're not stuck there burning daylight. The boat stays stocked with live bait – we're talking about premium stuff like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp – plus all the light tackle you'll need. Your fishing licenses are covered, so all you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, and drinks. The eight-hour window gives us flexibility to chase whatever's hot, whether that's sight-fishing reds on the flats during the morning low tide or working the mangrove edges when the water starts moving.
We run light spinning gear perfectly matched to inshore fishing – 7-foot medium-light rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on what we're targeting, you'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks for trout to free-lining pilchards for snook around structure. The shallow water game here calls for finesse, and Captain Gills will have you rigged right for each spot. When we're sight-fishing the flats, it's all about accurate casts and working baits naturally – no heavy weights or loud presentations that spook fish in three feet of water. In the mangroves, we'll bump up the tackle slightly and use heavier jig heads to get baits down quickly before snook can pull you into the roots. The Intracoastal requires a different approach entirely, with bottom rigs and cut bait for flounder, or working artificial lures along the channel edges. This isn't a trip where you sit in one spot all day – we're constantly adjusting techniques and presentations based on conditions, tides, and what the fish want.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators hang around any structure they can find – bridge pilings, mangrove overhangs, dock lines, and oyster bars. They're incredibly line-shy and structure-oriented, which makes them a blast to target but tricky to land. Peak snook action happens during the warmer months from April through October, especially around the new and full moon phases when they're most aggressive. A slot-sized snook between 28-32 inches will give you a fight you won't forget, with explosive strikes and multiple jumps. They're catch-and-release only right now, but the experience of hooking into a 15-pound snook in shallow water never gets old.
Redfish are probably the most consistent species we target, and they're active year-round in these waters. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats in schools, especially during the cooler months when they pack up tight. Spring and fall offer the best sight-fishing opportunities when the water's clear and reds are tailing in shallow water. They're not the smartest fish in the bay, but they make up for it with raw power – a 27-inch red will smoke drag and test your patience. The slot limit runs 18-27 inches, and fish in that range are perfect for the dinner table. What makes redfish special here is the variety of presentations that work – live bait, cut bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs all produce depending on conditions.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of snook or the power of redfish, but they're the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing. These spotted beauties school up over grass flats and around structure, making them relatively easy to target once you find them. The cooler months from November through March offer the best trout fishing, when they move to deeper grass beds and hold tight to bottom structure. A good trout here runs 15-20 inches, and they're fantastic table fare when handled properly. They're also perfect for beginning anglers since they're not particularly line-shy and will eat a variety of baits. The key with trout is finding the schools – once you locate them, you can usually catch several before they move on.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the bay, lying flat on sandy bottoms and ambushing anything that swims by. These flatfish are most active during the cooler months and around moving tides when baitfish get pushed along the bottom. They're not fast swimmers, but they're masters of camouflage and can be tricky to locate without local knowledge. A keeper flounder runs 15+ inches, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in the bay. What makes flounder fishing interesting is the technique – you're basically dragging baits along the bottom and waiting for that distinctive tap-tap-pull that signals a flatfish has grabbed your offering.
Florida pompano are the bonus fish that can make your day special. These silver speedsters show up seasonally, usually in the spring and fall when they're migrating through the area. They're incredibly fast swimmers and put up a disproportionate fight for their size – a 2-
Our 14ft McKee Craft skiff gets you into the fish-holding waters that bigger boats simply can't reach around St Petersburg's flats. With a shallow draft and 40HP Mercury pushing you along, this nimble flats boat slides through skinny water where snook and redfish like to hang out. The onboard fish finder helps pinpoint schools while GPS keeps you on productive spots throughout Indian Shores and the Pinellas backcountry. Built for three anglers, this boat lets you work tight mangrove cuts, grass flats, and oyster bars where the action happens. The quiet ride means you won't spook fish in shallow water, giving you clean shots at tailing reds and laid-up snook. Perfect for covering ground from the ICW to hidden pockets most charters never see.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are the gold standard of eating fish around St Pete waters - their buttery, delicate meat commands top dollar at restaurants. These silvery beauties with bright yellow fins typically run 1-3 pounds and 12 inches, though we occasionally land some hefty 6-pounders. They cruise our sandy beaches and grass flats in small schools, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. Summer and fall are your best bets when they're most active in our warmer waters. Pompano are scrappy fighters despite their size - they'll make several strong runs that test your drag. What makes them special is they're both a challenging catch and a premier table fare. Here's a local trick: use small hooks with live sand fleas or fresh shrimp, and fish the edges of grass beds where sand meets vegetation. They spook easily, so keep noise to a minimum and let your bait drift naturally.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter around St Pete - these copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tail are both gorgeous and hard-fighting. Most run 18-27 inches (slot size), though we see plenty of oversized "bulls" that'll test your tackle. They love super shallow water, often feeding with their backs exposed on grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall and spring really turn them on when they school up heavily. What makes reds special is their power - they'll make long, burning runs and never give up easy. Plus, slot-sized fish are outstanding eating with firm, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. My favorite local trick: look for "tailing" fish on shallow flats during high tide - those red tails sticking up mean feeding fish. Approach quietly and drop a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are perfect for anglers who want steady action and great eating. These speckled beauties typically run 14-20 inches with some nice "gator trout" reaching 25+ inches. They love our grass flats, especially during low light periods at dawn and dusk. Unlike their name suggests, they're not actually trout but drum family members with a sweet, flaky white meat that's fantastic on the table. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, though winter schools can be productive in deeper channels. What guests appreciate is their willingness to bite and their gentle fight - perfect for families and beginners. They feed heavily on shrimp, small fish, and crabs. Here's my local secret: fish the edges of grass beds with live shrimp under a popping cork during moving tides. The popping sound mimics feeding fish and draws them in. Work it slow with gentle pops every few seconds.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish, and around St Pete they're absolutely phenomenal. These golden beauties with that distinctive black lateral line typically range from 18-30 inches, with some bruisers pushing 40 inches. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, bridges, and grass flats - basically any structure that provides ambush points. They're temperature sensitive, so late spring through early fall gives you the best action when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run hard for cover and jump when hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. The spawning season from May through September really fires them up, especially around new and full moons. Here's my go-to tip: target the shadow lines along mangroves during moving water with live shrimp or pinfish, and always keep your drag loose - they'll snap you off in a heartbeat.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These unique flatfish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we catch some nice ones up to 25 inches. They love shallow bays, grass flats, and deeper channels - especially where the bottom transitions from hard to soft. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What guests love most is how different they are from other fish - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. My local tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. They grab prey sideways first, then turn to swallow it.
St. Petersburg