St Petersburg Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore charter targets snook, redfish, and troutEight hours covering multiple locations around St Petersburg watersPrivate boat accommodates six guests with tackle and licenses included
When you're looking for a world-class inshore fishing experience that covers serious water, Captain Gills delivers exactly what seasoned anglers and newcomers alike are after. This eight-hour charter takes you across the prime fishing grounds surrounding St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores – we're talking about some of the most productive inshore waters on Florida's Gulf Coast. With room for up to six anglers, this private charter gives your group the flexibility to fish at your own pace while targeting multiple species across varied terrain. Whether you're a tournament angler or someone who just loves the thrill of a bent rod, this trip is designed to put you on fish consistently throughout the day.
This isn't your typical half-day run where you hit one spot and hope for the best. Eight hours on the water means we can chase the bite wherever it's happening. We'll start early to capitalize on those productive dawn hours, then adjust our game plan based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. The beauty of this charter lies in our ability to cover multiple ecosystems – from skinny grass flats where redfish cruise in two feet of water to deeper mangrove channels where snook ambush baitfish. The Intracoastal Waterway adds another dimension, especially when we're targeting trout over sand holes and structure. Captain Gills knows these waters like his backyard, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when it comes to consistently finding active fish. You'll experience everything from sight fishing in crystal clear shallows to working live bait around structure – it's a masterclass in inshore angling techniques.
We fish exclusively with light tackle on this charter, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these inshore species are famous for. The gear selection is perfectly matched to the target species – spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound braid for casting accuracy and sensitivity, paired with rods that have enough backbone to turn a big snook away from structure but enough tip to feel a trout's subtle bite. Live bait is the star of the show here, and we'll have a fresh well stocked with pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp depending on what's working best. The terrain we'll cover ranges from turtle grass flats where you can see bottom in four feet of water to oyster bars and mangrove shorelines that hold ambush predators. We'll work everything from free-lined live baits in the current to Carolina rigs over sandy bottom. The Intracoastal gives us access to deeper holes and channels where gag grouper and snapper move in seasonally, adding some variety to the mix. Captain Gills will have you switching between techniques throughout the day – one hour you might be sight casting to laid-up redfish, the next you're working a school of trout in open water.
Snook are the undisputed kings of these waters, and for good reason. These ambush predators lurk around every piece of structure from dock pilings to mangrove overhangs, and when one eats your bait, you'll know it immediately. They hit hard and fight dirty, using their gill plates and every piece of cover they can find to throw your hook. Peak snook fishing happens during the warmer months when they're most active, but these fish are catchable year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook special is their attitude – they're aggressive feeders that will absolutely destroy a well-presented live pilchard. The slot-sized fish we target here typically run 20 to 30 inches, perfect eating size if you're looking to take a few home.
Redfish might be the most exciting species we target on these flats. These copper-colored bulldogs are built for the shallow water game, and watching one cruise through two feet of water with its back out is pure angling poetry. They're year-round residents that feed heavily on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for both live and artificial baits. Redfish fight completely different from snook – instead of quick bursts and head shakes, they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag system. The fish we encounter range from slot-sized 18-27 inchers to oversized bulls that can push 40 inches. What anglers love most about reds is their willingness to eat and their fighting spirit – they rarely give up without a serious battle.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and these spotted beauties are found throughout our fishing grounds. They school up over grass flats and sandy bottom, especially around deeper holes and channel edges. Trout are excellent eating and relatively easy to catch, making them perfect for anglers looking to fill the cooler. They're most active during cooler months when they move into deeper water, but we find them consistently throughout the year. What makes trout fishing fun is the numbers game – when you find a school, you can often catch them steadily until they move on. They average 15-20 inches in these waters, with occasional specimens pushing 25 inches or better.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying buried in sand waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. These flat fish are masters of camouflage and provide a different type of fishing challenge compared to our other target species. They're most active during cooler months and are typically found around channel edges, deeper holes, and areas with current movement. Flounder require a different presentation – slower moving baits that stay near bottom work best. When they eat, the bite is often subtle, requiring sensitivity and quick hook sets. What makes flounder special is their table fare – they're considered among the best eating fish in these waters.
Florida pompano are the bonus species that can make any trip memorable. These silvery speedsters are found along sandy beach areas and deeper flats, particularly where there's good current flow. Pompano are considered premium eating fish and are highly prized by local
Hit the productive waters around St Petersburg aboard our 17-foot Carolina Skiff, purpose-built for working the flats where snook and redfish love to feed. This shallow-draft boat gets you into those skinny-water honey holes that bigger vessels can't reach, while the reliable 115HP Suzuki ensures quick runs between fishing spots. With room for six anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast without crowding each other. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the full 8-hour trip. GPS navigation helps us locate structure and navigate the maze of mangrove channels efficiently. Whether we're sight-fishing the grass flats at Indian Shores or working the deeper cuts along the Intracoastal, this stable platform gives everyone a solid casting deck to land that trophy fish.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are the gold standard for eating fish around here, with buttery white meat that commands top dollar in restaurants. These silver beauties with yellow fins typically weigh 1-3 pounds, though we've landed some pushing 6-8 pounds. They travel in schools along sandy beaches and flats, feeding on small crabs, shrimp, and mollusks in 2-10 feet of water. Summer and fall offer the best action when they're actively moving through our area. As members of the jack family, they're scrappy fighters that'll test your drag on light tackle. The key to hooking them is using small hooks since their mouths are tiny. Live sand fleas or small jigs in bright colors work best. When you see them tailing in shallow water, cast ahead of the school and let your bait settle to the bottom.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the heart of our inshore fishing here, easily recognized by their copper-bronze coloring and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 20-28 inches, with slot-sized fish being perfect for the cooler. These drum love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet where you can see their backs and tails. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges hunting crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests love their powerful runs and stubborn fight on light tackle, plus they're fantastic eating. The tail spots aren't just for show - they confuse predators into striking the wrong end. When sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sink to the bottom before they arrive.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a staple of our grass flats fishing. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 12-18 inches, with keeper-sized trout at 15 inches or better. They love shallow grass beds in 2-8 feet of water, especially around deeper potholes and edges where they can ambush shrimp and baitfish. Spring through fall provides consistent action, with cooler months pushing them into deeper channels. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite artificial lures and their delicate, sweet meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they're not overly picky. The trick is working soft plastics slowly through the grass - a 1/8 oz jig head with a paddle tail grub bounced along the bottom is deadly effective.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish here in St. Pete waters, known for their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights. These silvery fish with the distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, with trophy fish pushing 35+ inches. They're structure junkies, hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and anywhere there's cover to ambush prey. Summer months are peak season, especially around new and full moons when they spawn near passes. What guests love most is their aggressive nature and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. During spawning season their fins turn bright yellow, making them easy to spot. My go-to tip: work your lure parallel to mangrove edges instead of casting directly at them - snook often stage just outside the roots.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are master ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with just their eyes showing. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches around here. You'll find them in 3-15 feet of water near grass flats, channel edges, and around structure where baitfish hang out. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability and surprising fight once hooked. The meat is sweet and flaky - some of the best table fare you'll get. Pro tip: when drift fishing for flounder, use a slow retrieve with your bait just ticking the bottom. They'll often follow before striking, so patience pays off.
St. Petersburg