St Petersburg Half Day Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and snookAccommodates up to three guests with all gear includedMorning and afternoon departures available in St Petersburg area
Looking for a solid half day on the water targeting some of Florida's best inshore species? Captain Gills has you covered with this top-rated charter that puts you right in the heart of St Petersburg's most productive fishing grounds. We'll hit the grass flats and backcountry spots around Indian Shores and Redington Shores where the fish are actively feeding. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – we're talking about a personalized fishing experience with a local guide who knows exactly where to find the bite. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, we'll get you on fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.
Your half day charter kicks off from the prime fishing waters of the Pinellas area, where we'll spend four solid hours working the best spots for Snook, Redfish, Trout, and Flounder. Morning trips usually start around sunrise when the fish are most active, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still get great action as the tide changes. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight fishing for cruising Reds in skinny water, the next you're working a grass flat for Trout. We keep groups small at just three anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of individual attention and coaching. The boat comes fully rigged with quality gear, fresh live bait, and all your fishing licenses are handled. All you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, and maybe a cooler if you want to take your catch home.
We fish these waters using proven inshore techniques that match what the fish are doing seasonally. Live bait fishing is our bread and butter – nothing beats a frisky shrimp or pinfish when Snook are lurking around the mangroves. We'll also throw artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs when the conditions are right. The grass flats get fished with lighter tackle and natural presentations, while the deeper edges near the passes call for heavier jigs and live bait rigs. Captain Gills sets you up with medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for these species – sensitive enough to feel that subtle Trout bite but with enough backbone to handle a bull Red. We adjust our approach based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Some days they want the bait presented slowly on the bottom, other days they're smashing topwater lures right at the surface.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around St Petersburg, and these waters hold some real slabs. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – anywhere they can pin baitfish against cover. Best months are April through October when they're most active, though we catch them year-round. What makes Snook special is their attitude; they hit hard and immediately try to cut your line on whatever structure is nearby. A solid Snook will give you multiple runs and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping.
Redfish are probably the most reliable species we target, and the Pinellas flats are loaded with them. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow grass flats in small schools, and when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Reds are perfect for beginners because they're not overly finicky about presentations, but they'll still test your drag when hooked. Fall and winter months are prime time when the big breeder Reds move through, though we catch keeper-sized fish throughout the year.
Sea Trout might not be the flashiest species, but they're absolute staples of inshore fishing here. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Trout are excellent eating and relatively easy to catch once you locate a school. Spring and fall produce the best numbers, and they're perfect for teaching newcomers how to feel subtle strikes and set hooks properly.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats – masters of camouflage that lie buried in sand waiting for an easy meal. Finding Flounder requires reading the bottom structure and understanding current flow, making them a favorite target for more experienced anglers. They're excellent table fare and provide a nice change of pace from the more aggressive species we typically target.
Florida Pompano are the bonus fish that can make any trip memorable. These silver bullets are incredibly fast and strong for their size, plus they're considered by many to be the best eating fish in these waters. Pompano are somewhat seasonal and can be tricky to target specifically, but when they show up on the flats, we'll definitely throw some baits their way.
This half day charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want – quality time on productive water with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. Captain Gills has spent years learning these flats and backcountry spots, and that local knowledge makes all the difference between a good day and a great day. The three-person limit means you're not fighting crowds or waiting your turn to fish prime spots. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, planning a guys' trip, or just want to get away from shore fishing for a few hours, this charter hits the mark. Spots fill up quickly during peak season, so don't wait around if you're serious about getting out there. Book now and get ready to see why St Petersburg's inshore fishing scene has such a solid reputation.
Our 14ft McKee Craft skiff gets you into the skinny water where the big fish hide. This nimble flats boat draws just inches, letting us slip into those tight mangrove pockets and grass flats around Indian Shores that bigger boats can't touch. The 40HP Mercury pushes us quietly through the backcountry without spooking the redfish and snook we're after. Built for three anglers, this skiff keeps things intimate so everyone gets prime casting positions. The GPS helps us navigate the maze of oyster bars and channels, while the fish finder marks schools of bait and cruising gamefish. When the tide's right and the fish are moving shallow, this boat shines - we can pole right up on tailing reds or slide into skinny creeks where snook ambush prey. The low profile keeps us stable in choppy conditions, and there's plenty of deck space for landing fish and managing gear. Perfect for working the Pinellas flats from sunrise to sunset.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are some of the most sought-after fish in these waters, and for good reason. These silvery, disc-shaped fighters typically run 1-3 pounds and 12 inches, but don't let the size fool you - they pack a serious punch when hooked. You'll find them cruising the surf and shallow flats, especially around sandy bottoms where they root for crabs and mollusks. Summer and fall offer the best action before they move deeper in winter. What makes them special is their buttery, restaurant-quality meat that commands top dollar at markets. They're scrappy fighters that'll test your drag. Pro tip: downsize to small hooks since they have tiny mouths, and use bright yellow or orange jigs in clear water to grab their attention.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishery and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-32 inches in our shallow waters. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer peak action when they're most aggressive. What makes them special is their powerful runs and bulldogging fight, plus they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. They'll eat almost anything, making them great for beginners. The key is sight fishing the flats on calm days - look for their backs or tails, then drop a live shrimp or gold spoon just ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of the most reliable species in our grass flats. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle. They love shallow grass flats, especially around 2-6 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. They're excellent eating with flaky white meat, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. What guests love most is their willingness to bite and steady action. The secret is working topwater plugs early morning or late evening over the grass - the surface strikes are addictive.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped forehead. These ambush predators typically range from 18-36 inches and love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water. They're most active during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they spawn from May through September. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try every trick to break you off in the nearest piling or mangrove root. The meat is outstanding with firm, white fillets that rival any restaurant fish. They're extremely structure-oriented, so cast tight to cover. My go-to trick is working a live pilchard or pinfish right along the mangrove edge on an incoming tide - that's when they're most aggressive.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches and average around 5 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure where they blend into the bottom waiting for shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore to spawn. They're prized table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key trick is using a slow drift with live shrimp on a light jighead - let it bounce bottom and watch for that subtle tap when they mouth the bait.
St. Petersburg