St Pete Half Day Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targets redfish, snook, and troutPrivate trips accommodate up to six guests with equipment includedDaily departures at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM available
Captain Gills knows the grass flats and backcountry waters around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores like the back of his hand. This top-rated half day inshore charter puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, where the action stays hot year-round. With two convenient departure times at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM, you can fit this fishing adventure into any schedule. Whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, this private charter accommodates up to six anglers and caters to everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros. All your light tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to wet a line.
This isn't your typical dock fishing experience. Captain Gills navigates the shallow waters and grass flats that make the Pinellas area famous among inshore anglers. You'll be working prime redfish and snook habitat, where the water is clear enough to sight-fish and the structure holds fish year-round. The grass flats provide perfect ambush spots for predatory species, while the backcountry mangroves offer protection and feeding grounds that consistently produce quality catches. Each trip is tailored to current conditions and seasonal patterns, meaning you're always fishing where the action is hottest. The intimate group size ensures plenty of one-on-one instruction and coaching, whether you're learning to read the water or perfecting your casting technique. Captain Gills runs a professional operation focused on putting you on fish while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.
This charter specializes in light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every head shake and run when you hook up. Captain Gills provides quality spinning gear perfectly matched to inshore conditions, typically running 15-20 pound test line that gives you the backbone to handle big redfish while still maintaining the finesse needed for spooky snook. Live bait is the name of the game here - fresh shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards sourced daily to match what these fish are naturally feeding on. You'll learn to present baits around structure, work the grass edges, and read the subtle signs that separate productive water from empty flats. The boat is equipped with everything needed for a successful day, including a well-maintained live well system, proper tackle storage, and all the terminal gear you'll need. Captain Gills takes pride in using techniques that work consistently in these waters, from free-lining live shrimp over grass beds to working topwater plugs early in the morning.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around St Petersburg, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in this area and fight like fish twice their size. Redfish feed aggressively in the shallow grass flats, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. They're year-round residents here, though fall and winter offer some of the most consistent action when they school up in larger numbers. What makes redfish so exciting is their willingness to eat and their powerful runs once hooked - they'll strip drag and test your tackle every time.
Snook fishing in these waters is world-class, especially around the mangrove shorelines and dock structures. These ambush predators love to lurk in the shadows, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Snook are incredibly line-shy and structure-oriented, making them a challenging target that rewards patience and precise presentations. They're most active during warmer months, though the area's residential population provides action year-round. When you hook a snook, expect explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pumping. Their razor-sharp gill plates and powerful runs make every hookup a battle worth remembering.
Sea Trout are the most reliable catch in these grass flats, with the area producing both keeper-sized fish and some real slab trout that'll surprise you. These spotted beauties love the deeper potholes within the grass beds and respond well to live shrimp and soft plastics. Trout bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they stage in deeper water. They're perfect for kids and beginners since they bite readily and don't require perfect presentations, but don't let that fool you - the bigger trout are wary and require skill to consistently catch.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats, perfectly camouflaged against sandy bottoms and grass edges. These flatfish are seasonal visitors, with the best action typically from fall through early spring. Flounder fishing requires a different approach - slow presentations along the bottom where they ambush prey. They're excellent table fare and provide a fun change of pace from the typical inshore suspects. Finding flounder requires local knowledge of the specific channels and drop-offs they prefer, making a guide like Captain Gills invaluable.
Florida Pompano are the bonus fish that can turn a good day into a great day. These silver speedsters show up seasonally, usually during their spring and fall migrations. Pompano prefer sandy areas adjacent to grass beds and are incredibly fast swimmers with a distinctive fighting style. They're considered premium table fare and their seasonal nature makes every pompano caught feel like a special achievement. Captain Gills knows the specific areas and conditions that attract pompano, giving you the best shot at these prized fish.
This St Petersburg inshore fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want - consistent action, professional guidance, and access to some of Florida's best inshore waters. Captain Gills' commitment to providing a quality fishing experience shows in every detail, from the fresh live bait to the well-maintained tackle. With two departure times daily and accommodations for up to six anglers, this charter fits any group size or schedule. The combination of productive fishing
Our 17-foot Carolina Skiff is built specifically for shallow water fishing around St Petersburg's grass flats and backwater channels. This stable platform handles six anglers comfortably while the 115HP Suzuki gets you to productive redfish and snook spots fast. The wide beam keeps everyone steady when fighting fish, and there's plenty of deck space for casting without getting tangled up. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. GPS navigation helps us locate structure and drop-offs where the fish concentrate. Whether you're after slot reds in the shallows or snook around the mangroves, this skiff gets into skinny water other boats can't reach. Perfect for families wanting to experience Florida's legendary inshore fishing.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are hands-down one of the best fighting and eating fish we target. These silver beauties with bright yellow fins typically run 1-3 pounds, but don't let the size fool you - they fight like fish twice their weight. You'll find them cruising sandy bottoms and surf zones, especially around structure where they hunt crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall are peak seasons, with summer being prime time in our area. What guests love most is the combination of their scrappy fight and buttery, restaurant-quality meat. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My go-to technique is using small jigs with bright colors - yellow and orange work great in our clear waters. Keep your hooks small since they have tiny mouths, and work that jig right along the bottom where they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter species here in the Pinellas shallows - these copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots are built for shallow water fighting. Most run 18-27 inches (slot size), but we see plenty of oversized fish pushing 35+ inches that'll test your tackle. They love super shallow flats, often in just 1-3 feet of water around oyster bars and grass edges. Year-round fishing with fall and spring being peak times when they school heavily. What makes them special is their power - they use that broad tail to make long, drag-screaming runs in shallow water. Plus they're great eating within the slot. My favorite technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or live shrimp on light tackle. Here's the key: approach them quietly and cast well ahead - redfish spook easily in skinny water, but once hooked, they'll give you a fight to remember.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect fish for anglers of all levels. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-20 inches and have soft mouths, so they're forgiving if you're learning to fight fish. They love grass flats and shallow bays, usually in 3-8 feet of water around structure. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. What guests love is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're aggressive feeders that hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. Pro tip: in our grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in, and you can cover water effectively while keeping bait off the bottom.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing - these sleek predators with their distinctive black lateral line can stretch over 30 inches and put up fights that test your drag system. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in 2-15 feet of water. Warmer months are best since they're temperature-sensitive and move deeper when it gets cold. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - plus they're catch-and-release only, making each one precious. They're ambush feeders that love live bait like pilchards and shrimp. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, cast past your target and work the bait back toward the cover - snook face into current waiting to ambush prey coming their way.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of our most unique catches - these flat, oval-shaped fish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to match the bottom they're hiding on. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some pushing 25+ inches in our waters. They love sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow bays and around grass flats, usually in 2-8 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward passes and deeper channels. What makes them special is the challenge - they're ambush predators that bury in the sand, so you need to feel for that subtle tap. Great eating too, with mild white meat. Pro tip: when drift fishing with live shrimp or bull minnows, let your bait hit bottom and give it a slow drag - flounder will often follow before striking.
St. Petersburg