Full Day St Pete Inshore Charter Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore charter targets snook, redfish, and trout.Private trip accommodates six guests with tackle and licenses included.Multiple fishing locations across St Petersburg and Pinellas waters.
When you book this full-day inshore charter with Captain Gills, you're getting eight solid hours on some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. We'll cover everything from the shallow grass flats around Indian Shores to the deeper cuts and mangrove channels that hold the big reds and snook. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we've got time to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics when needed, and really put you on fish. The charter handles up to six anglers, so bring your crew or book solo and fish alongside other passionate anglers. All your tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses are covered, which means you just show up ready to cast.
This trip spans the prime inshore waters around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores – three areas that consistently produce quality fish year-round. We'll start early to beat the crowds and target feeding fish in the cooler morning hours. The beauty of an eight-hour charter is flexibility; if the snook are firing in the mangroves at sunrise, we'll stay put. If the bite slows down, we can run to deeper grass flats or work the Intracoastal for trout and reds. Captain Gills knows these waters like the back of his hand and will read conditions – wind, tide, bait movement – to keep you in productive water all day. Expect to fish everything from two-foot skinny water to eight-foot channels, depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding.
We fish light tackle exclusively on this charter, which means spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound test and rods that let you feel every headshake and run. The approach varies throughout the day based on target species and structure. In the mangroves, we'll pitch live shrimp and pinfish to undercut banks and oyster bars where snook ambush prey. On the grass flats, we'll drift with live bait or work topwater plugs when fish are feeding aggressively. The deeper channels call for bouncing jigs or freelining live bait in the current. Captain Gills provides a full spread of terminal tackle – circle hooks, weights, leaders – plus a steady supply of live bait including shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish. He'll show you how to read the water, identify productive structure, and adjust your presentation based on what the fish want that day.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing and for good reason. These ambush predators lurk around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge structures, waiting to explode on unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk but can be caught throughout the day near good structure. A slot-sized snook (28-33 inches) will test your drag and jump multiple times, making them one of the most exciting fish to battle on light tackle. The season runs from September through December and March through May, with catch-and-release the rest of the year.
Redfish patrol the grass flats and oyster bars in schools, especially during cooler months when they group up for warmth. These copper-colored bruisers are perfect for sight fishing – watching a red's back and tail break the surface as it roots for crabs is pure fishing magic. They fight dirty, using their broad sides to pull hard and steady, often heading straight for the nearest structure to break you off. Reds between 18-27 inches are keeper size, though many anglers release these fish to fight another day. They're catchable year-round but peak in fall and winter.
Sea Trout are the bread-and-butter species of Tampa Bay, found over grass flats from two to ten feet deep. They're aggressive feeders that will hit live bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. Trout school up heavily during winter months, and finding a good school can mean non-stop action with 15-20 inch fish. They're excellent table fare and relatively easy to catch, making them perfect for newer anglers or anyone wanting consistent action throughout the day.
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges. These flatfish are ambush predators that rely on perfect camouflage to surprise prey. They're typically found in 3-8 feet of water near structure transitions – where sand meets grass or hard bottom meets soft. Flounder fishing requires patience and precise presentation, but a doormat flounder of 3-4 pounds is worth the wait. Fall and winter are prime time when these fish move to deeper water and feed aggressively before heading offshore.
Florida Pompano are the speed demons of the flats, traveling in fast-moving schools over sandy areas and grass edges. These silver bullets are prized for their fight and their table quality – many consider pompano the best eating fish in Florida waters. They're typically found in 2-6 feet of water and prefer areas with moving water and clean sand bottom. Pompano can be finicky, often requiring light leaders and small baits, but when you find a school, the action can be fast and furious. Spring and fall migrations provide the best opportunities.
This full-day charter gives you the complete Tampa Bay inshore experience – multiple species, various techniques, and enough time to really learn these waters. Captain Gills' local knowledge combined with top-notch gear and fresh bait puts you in position for a memorable day on the water. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler or just enjoy some quality time casting lines, this trip delivers. The eight-hour timeframe means we're not watching the clock, and the six-person capacity keeps things comfortable without overcrowding the boat. Book now to secure your dates – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Step aboard our 17ft Carolina Skiff and get ready to fish the productive waters around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. This flats boat is specifically designed for inshore fishing, with a shallow draft that lets us sneak into those hard-to-reach spots where snook and redfish like to hide. The reliable 115HP Suzuki gets us moving quickly between fishing locations, while the stable platform gives all six anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish. We've got an icebox to keep your drinks cold and snacks fresh during the long day on the water, plus GPS navigation to hit all the prime fishing spots efficiently. Whether we're working the grass flats for trout, sneaking through mangrove channels after redfish, or targeting snook around structure, this boat handles it all with ease. The shallow water capability means we can access backwater areas that bigger boats simply can't reach, giving you shots at fish that don't see much pressure.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are the gold standard of inshore fishing - literally. These silvery, compressed fish with bright yellow fins typically run 1-3 pounds and 12 inches, though we occasionally see them push 8-9 pounds. They love our sandy beaches and grass flats, often traveling in schools while hunting mollusks, crabs, and small fish. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active in the shallows. Guests go crazy for pompano because they fight like fury despite their size - they're part of the jack family and show it. Plus, they're restaurant-quality fish with buttery, delicate meat. Here's the key: use small hooks since their mouths are tiny, and bright yellow or orange jigs work magic in clear water. Work them near structure where they're rooting around for food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter species here in the Pinellas shallows. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish and some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are exceptional when they school up. Guests love the visual aspect - you can often see them cruising and get that heart-pounding sight fishing experience. They fight hard and are great table fare in the slot. Here's my tip: when you spot tailing reds in the shallows, cast well ahead of them and let your bait settle - they spook easily but once hooked, they'll make long, powerful runs.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with some reaching 5+ pounds. They love our grass flats and shallow waters, especially around drop-offs and channels. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with early morning and evening being prime time. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite and decent fight on light tackle. They make excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat - just don't overcook them. The key is working the grass flats at dawn or dusk with topwater plugs or soft plastic shrimp. When you find one, there's usually a school nearby, so work the area thoroughly and quietly.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish around here. These sleek predators with that distinctive black lateral line average 18-24 inches but can reach over 4 feet. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in both salt and fresh water - they love structure and current breaks. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag. They're also prized table fare when in season. The trick is keeping your line tight near cover without getting cut off. I like to pitch live shrimp or small jigs right up against the mangroves where they ambush baitfish - just be ready for that hard initial run.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches, but you can find them up to 33 inches in our deeper channels and grass flats. Both eyes sit on their left side, which makes them pretty unique to target. They're most active during cooler months when they move into our bays and estuaries. What guests love is the challenge of sight fishing for them on light tackle, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use a small jig head with live shrimp and work it slow along the bottom - when you feel that subtle tap, count to two before setting the hook since they tend to mouth the bait first.
St. Petersburg