St Pete Inshore Fishing: Snook & Redfish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting snook, redfish, and troutPrivate trip accommodates up to three guests with provided equipmentExplores St Petersburg mangroves and backcountry fishing grounds
Captain Gills knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this 6-hour inshore charter is your ticket to some of the best fishing on Florida's west coast. We're talking about covering serious ground across St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores – three prime fishing destinations that consistently produce quality fish year-round. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or someone who's never held a rod, this private charter is designed to put you on fish while showing you the ins and outs of Tampa Bay's legendary inshore fishery.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – six hours gives us the time to really work the water properly. We'll start by reading the conditions and adjusting our game plan accordingly. Some days that means hitting the mangrove shorelines early when the water's still cool, other days we might run straight to the grass flats where the trout are feeding. The beauty of this extended trip is flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, we've got plenty of time to relocate and find where the fish are holding. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat with all the gear you need, including fresh live bait that we'll pick up on the way out. The Pinellas County backcountry is vast, and we'll cover everything from shallow turtle grass beds to deeper mangrove cuts where the big snook like to ambush bait.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on conditions and target species. For snook, nothing beats a well-presented live shrimp or pinfish worked along a mangrove edge – these fish are ambush predators that love structure. Redfish are a different game entirely; they're often found tailing in super shallow water where sight fishing becomes the name of the game. We'll also spend time working the grass flats with soft plastics and topwater plugs, especially when targeting trout and flounder. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts – these fish in skinny water spook easily. Captain Gills will coach you through proper rod handling, bait presentation, and fighting techniques to make sure every hookup has the best chance of making it to the boat.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in this area, and for good reason. These fish are pure muscle with an attitude to match – they'll blow up on topwater baits in spectacular fashion and then immediately head for the nearest mangrove root system to break you off. Peak snook fishing happens during the warmer months from May through September, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook so special is their fighting ability combined with their finicky nature – they can be absolutely on fire one day and completely shut down the next, which keeps even experienced anglers coming back for more.
Redfish, or reds as most locals call them, are the workhorses of the flats. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and aren't nearly as spooky as snook, making them perfect for anglers still learning the ropes. The best part about reds is watching them work – you'll often see their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around in the grass looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are prime time for big schools of reds, but individual fish are caught consistently throughout the year. When a red takes your bait, get ready for a bulldogging fight that'll test your drag system.
Sea Trout might not have the glamour of snook or the power of redfish, but they're absolutely essential to a successful day on the flats. These spotted beauties are willing biters that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect confidence builders. Trout love grass beds and are most active during moving tides – they'll often feed in large schools, so once you find them, you can usually catch several before they move on. The best trout fishing typically happens in cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats – these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush passing bait. They're most active during fall months when they're staging for their offshore spawning run. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the challenge of locating them and the surprise factor when one absolutely crushes your bait. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers looking to take dinner home.
Florida Pompano are seasonal visitors that show up in good numbers during their spring and fall migrations. These silvery speedsters are prized both for their fighting ability and their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Pompano fishing requires patience and the right conditions – they prefer clean, moving water and can be selective about bait presentation. When you hook into a school of pomps, though, the action can be fast and furious.
Six hours on the water with Captain Gills means you're getting a comprehensive tour of some of Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds. This charter accommodates up to three anglers, which keeps things comfortable and ensures everyone gets plenty of individual attention. All your gear, bait, and licenses are included – just bring yourself, some snacks, and plenty of sunscreen. The diversity of species available in these waters means every trip offers something different, whether that's sight fishing for reds in ankle-deep water or working live bait along deep mangrove cuts for trophy snook. Book your date now and get ready to experience why Tampa Bay's inshore fishing has earned its reputation as some of the best in the country.
Our 14ft McKee Craft skiff cuts through the shallow waters around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores like it was built for these flats - because it was. With a nimble 40HP Mercury pushing us along, this boat gets you into the skinny water where the big snook and reds love to hide. While the heavy boats stay in deep channels, we're sneaking through mangrove tunnels and backcountry spots that most anglers never see. The GPS keeps us on target, and the fish finder shows us exactly what's down there waiting. Perfect for three anglers who want to fish the real Pinellas County - those secret pockets and grass flats where the fish feel safe. This little skiff runs quiet, gets shallow, and puts you right on top of the action. Whether we're working the shorelines or drifting the flats, you'll have room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are the gold standard of inshore eating fish around here. These silver beauties with yellow fins typically weigh 1-3 pounds and fight way above their size class. They travel in schools along our sandy beaches and flats, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and mollusks in the surf zone. Summer through fall gives you the best shot, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. Their buttery, flaky meat commands premium prices in restaurants for good reason. What guests love is that pound-for-pound fight - they're related to jacks and fish like it. Small hooks are key since they have tiny mouths. My go-to trick is using bright yellow or orange jigs bounced along the bottom near structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight-fishing legends with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, perfect eating size, while the big bulls offshore can hit 40-plus pounds. They cruise our shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing here, but fall is prime time when they school up. What gets people hooked is watching them tail in skinny water and that powerful run when hooked. Their mild, sweet meat makes excellent table fare too. The secret is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of moving fish. A weedless spoon or soft plastic shrimp works perfectly in our grassy areas.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are our bread-and-butter fish on these grass flats. They average 14-18 inches with some nice gator trout pushing 20-plus. You'll find them cruising seagrass beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially around potholes and edges where current brings food. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificials and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. The trick is working your lure slowly along the bottom. A popping cork with live shrimp is deadly, but soft plastics work just as well.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish with that distinctive black lateral line and aggressive attitude. Most run 18-28 inches, but we regularly hook monsters over 30. They love ambushing baitfish around mangroves, docks, and bridges in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall is peak season, with spawning bringing them to passes during summer full moons. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll jump, run for cover, and test your drag. They're catch-and-release only during closed seasons, which keeps the population healthy. The key is getting your bait tight to structure without hanging up. Live shrimp or pinfish work great, but they'll crush topwater plugs at dawn and dusk.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 2-3 feet. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them easy to identify. They're scattered throughout our shallow bays and flats, especially around structure and drop-offs. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes and deeper channels to spawn. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike - they'll nail a well-placed shrimp or mullet bait. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Pro tip: when you feel that initial bite, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They like to grab and run.
St. Petersburg