Premium Half Day Inshore Fishing in St Petersburg Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutAll fishing licenses, gear, and live bait includedMorning and afternoon trips accommodate up to three guests
Join Captain Gills for a top-rated half day inshore fishing adventure that puts you right in the heart of Tampa Bay's most productive fishing grounds. Our St Petersburg charter targets the grass flats and mangrove shorelines around Indian Shores and Redington Shores, where snook, redfish, and trout prowl the shallows year-round. Whether you're a first-timer learning to cast or a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique, this three-person maximum charter gives everyone plenty of elbow room and personalized attention. We provide everything you need – licenses, tackle, live bait, and the local knowledge that separates a good day from a great one.
Your charter begins at one of our convenient launch sites, where you'll meet your guide and get a quick rundown of the day's game plan. We fish both morning and afternoon trips, and each has its advantages – mornings often bring calmer conditions and active feeding, while afternoons can heat up with topwater action as baitfish move shallow. The boat stays in protected waters, making this trip comfortable for all ages and experience levels. You'll spend your time sight fishing the flats, working mangrove pockets, and learning to read the water like a local. Our guides know exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns, so you're not wasting time guessing where to cast. Between the three target areas, we cover miles of prime habitat without ever venturing into rough open water.
We run light tackle setups perfect for the inshore game – spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders that won't spook wary fish in clear water. Your guide will rig you up with live shrimp, pinfish, or pilchards depending on what the fish are eating that day. Artificial lures play a big role too, especially soft plastics worked along grass edges and topwater plugs that bring explosive strikes in shallow water. You'll learn proper casting techniques for tight mangrove spots, how to work a lure through grass without hanging up, and when to switch between live bait and artificials. The key to consistent success in these waters is understanding structure – oyster bars, grass lines, and mangrove roots all hold different species at different times. Our guides break down these patterns so you can apply what you learn on future trips.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators lurk along mangrove shorelines and dock pilings, waiting to crush anything that swims by. They're most active during spring and fall months when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 70-80 degrees. A good snook will pull drag and jump clear of the water, making every hookup a memorable fight. The slot limit keeps things interesting – you need a fish between 28-33 inches to take home, which means plenty of catch and release action with the smaller "schoolies" and big breeding females.
Redfish patrol the grass flats in schools that can number in the hundreds during peak season. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, not speed, but they'll test your drag system and backing when hooked in shallow water. Fall brings the best redfish action as they stage up for their offshore spawning runs, often feeding so aggressively they'll push water while chasing bait. Reds between 18-27 inches make excellent table fare, while the oversized "bulls" over 27 inches are catch and release only. Sight fishing for tailing reds in two feet of water ranks among the most exciting inshore fishing you'll find anywhere.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing. These spotted beauties relate to grass flats and deeper potholes, especially during summer months when they seek cooler water. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live shrimp and artificial lures, making them perfect for beginners learning to feel strikes and set hooks. Trout bite year-round, with winter bringing some of the largest specimens as they move to deeper grass beds. The 15-20 inch class provides some of the best eating you'll find in salt water.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting for an easy meal to swim by. These flatfish prefer areas where grass flats meet sandy bottom, particularly around creek mouths and channel edges. Fall marks prime flounder season as they fatten up before heading to deeper water for winter. Working live bait slowly along the bottom triggers strikes from these patient predators, and their unique appearance always surprises first-time anglers. Flounder over 14 inches make for outstanding table fare with their mild, flaky white meat.
Florida Pompano represent the bonus catch that can make any trip special. These silvery speedsters roam sandy areas and grass flat edges, often in small schools that appear and disappear quickly. Spring and fall bring the best pompano action as they migrate along the coast following temperature breaks and bait concentrations. They're notorious for their finicky feeding habits – one day they'll crush live shrimp, the next they want small jigs bounced along the bottom. Landing a pompano always feels like a prize, both for the fight they provide and their reputation as one of Florida's finest eating fish.
This world-class inshore fishing charter delivers consistent action in some of Florida's most productive waters. With small group sizes, expert local guidance, and all gear provided, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The combination of multiple target species and varied fishing techniques keeps things interesting for anglers of every skill level. Captain Gills' reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself – these are the productive spots and proven methods that locals use to fill their coolers. Whether you're looking to learn
Jump aboard our 14ft McKee Craft skiff and get ready to fish the shallow flats around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. This lightweight flats boat draws just inches of water, letting us sneak into those tight mangrove cuts and grass beds where the big redfish and snook like to hide. With a 40HP Mercury pushing us along, we can cover serious water while staying quiet enough not to spook the fish. The boat's equipped with GPS and a fish finder to help locate schools and structure. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want to experience real backcountry inshore fishing in the Pinellas flats. This nimble skiff handles the skinny water like a dream and puts you right where the action is.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are hands-down one of the most prized catches in our local waters. These silvery beauties with bright yellow fins typically run 12 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally see 8-pounders that'll really test your drag. They cruise the surf zones and sandy flats near Indian Shores, usually in small schools feeding on crabs and shrimp. Summer and fall are your best bet when water temps stay warm - they head deeper when it cools off. What makes them special is that incredible fight they put up, plus they're absolute gold on the dinner plate with buttery, flaky meat that restaurants pay top dollar for. Here's the key: use small hooks since their mouths are tiny, and bright yellow or orange jigs work magic in clear water. Watch for nervous water where they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight-fishing gold in our shallow waters, and watching their copper backs cruise the flats never gets old. These bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with that famous black spot near the tail making them easy to identify. They love super shallow water from 1-4 feet deep around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What hooks anglers is their bulldog fight and that classic tail-walking when they're fired up. Plus, slot-sized reds make fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. My secret: look for "nervous water" where they're feeding, then cast a gold spoon or live shrimp well ahead of them - spook a redfish and the whole school disappears.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are bread-and-butter fish that'll keep your rod bent all day. These silvery beauties with black spots run 14-24 inches on average, with anything over 20 inches being a solid keeper. They love grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes where baitfish gather. Spring and fall are peak seasons, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they school up so you can catch multiple fish. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Pro tip: fish the grass flats early morning or late evening with live shrimp under a popping cork, and listen for their distinctive "drumming" sound when they feed.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of our mangrove shorelines, and there's nothing quite like watching one explode on a topwater lure at dawn. These sleek predators with that distinctive black lateral line typically range from 18-28 inches, though slot-sized fish around 28-32 inches provide the best action. You'll find them around dock lights, mangrove edges, and grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially where current moves baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with summer spawning season bringing aggressive feeding. They're absolute bulldogs when hooked, making blistering runs toward structure. The meat is white, flaky, and considered premium table fare. My go-to technique: work live pilchards or pinfish along mangrove edges during moving tides, and always keep your drag loose - they'll snap you off in a heartbeat if you're not ready.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are perfect ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud on shallow flats, waiting to strike at passing prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though bigger ones hit 20+ pounds. You'll spot their eyes on the left side of their head and distinctive light and dark blotches. They love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and areas around 2-10 feet deep. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes and deeper water to spawn. Guests love the fight they put up despite their flat shape - they're surprisingly strong. Plus, they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or mud minnows near bottom structure, and be patient - they take their time deciding to bite.
St. Petersburg