St Petersburg Inshore Fishing - Quick Cast Specials
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, trout and flounder in productive grass flatsFlexible one to three hour trips accommodate up to six guestsAll gear, live bait and fishing licenses included with charter
Captain Gills knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish fast. This top-rated inshore fishing charter takes you through the backcountry flats and mangrove shorelines around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. We're talking about some of the most productive shallow water fishing in Florida, where Snook cruise the grass beds and Redfish hunt the oyster bars. Your group of up to six anglers will fish from our stable 17ft Carolina Skiff, perfect for getting into those skinny water spots where the big fish feed. Whether you've got an hour to kill or want to spend three hours working the flats, we'll make every cast count.
This isn't your typical deep sea grind – inshore fishing is all about reading the water and making smart presentations. We'll cruise the grass flats looking for tailing Redfish, work the mangrove edges where Snook ambush baitfish, and hit the deeper pockets where Trout stack up. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility – you pick your timeframe and we'll maximize every minute. Our 17ft Carolina Skiff draws just inches of water, so we can slide right up to those honey holes that bigger boats can't reach. The Pinellas backcountry is loaded with structure, from oyster bars to creek mouths, and each spot holds different fish depending on the tide and season. Captain Gills provides all the tackle, live bait, and even handles your fishing licenses, so all you need to bring is your cooler for the catch and maybe some snacks for the kids.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse and presentation, especially in these clear Florida waters. We'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for Trout, pitching jigs to mangrove roots for Snook, and sight-casting to cruising Redfish on the flats. Captain Gills rigs up spinning outfits with 15-20lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders – strong enough to pull fish out of cover but light enough for natural presentations. When we're working the grass flats, we'll use weedless soft plastics and spoons that won't hang up in the vegetation. The key to success out here is matching your bait to what the fish are eating – sometimes they want live shrimp, other days they're crushing finger mullet or pinfish. We keep a variety of live bait on board and adjust our tactics based on what we're seeing. The Carolina Skiff's shallow draft lets us pole into water so thin you can see every oyster shell, putting us right where the fish feel safe to feed.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around St Petersburg, and these waters hold some real bruisers. These ambush predators love structure – you'll find them tucked under mangrove overhangs, around dock pilings, and in the deeper cuts between grass flats. Snook are incredibly line-shy, so we use light fluorocarbon leaders and natural presentations. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes Snook so special is their fighting ability – they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw the hook. Peak season runs from April through October, though we catch them year-round in these protected waters.
Redfish are probably the most reliable fish in the backcountry, and they're absolutely addictive once you get hooked on sight-fishing for them. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise the grass flats in singles, pairs, or schools, often with their backs out of water as they root for crabs and shrimp. A 20-30 inch Red will give you a fight you won't forget, peeling drag and making runs toward the nearest oyster bar. They're not particularly leader-shy, so we can use heavier tackle when targeting them around structure. Redfish feed year-round, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're fattening up for spawning season.
Sea Trout might not be the flashiest fish, but they're consistent biters and great table fare. These spotted beauties school up over grass beds and sandy potholes, especially during cooler months. Trout have soft mouths, so you've got to keep steady pressure without horsing them. They respond well to live shrimp under popping corks, and the bite can be absolutely lights-out when conditions align. Winter months from December through March offer the best Trout fishing, when they stack up in deeper water seeking warmth.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats, burying themselves in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish might look funny, but they're fantastic eating and surprisingly strong fighters. We target them around creek mouths and sandy edges, especially during moving tides. Flounder fishing requires patience – they'll often mouth the bait before committing, so you've got to wait for that solid thump before setting the hook. Fall months bring the best Flounder action as they migrate toward deeper water.
Florida Pompano are the bonus fish that make any trip special. These silver bullets are primarily a fall and winter target, showing up in schools along sandy beaches and inlet mouths. Pompano are considered by many to be the best eating fish in Florida waters, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. They're strong fighters for their size and incredibly fast, often making multiple runs before coming to the boat. Finding Pompano requires reading water conditions and understanding their seasonal patterns, but when you locate a school, the action can be fast and furious.
These Quick Cast Specials are perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to fishing, experienced anglers looking to dial in on specific species, or anyone who wants to sample the world-
Our 17ft Carolina Skiff is purpose-built for working the shallow flats around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. This stable fishing platform handles six anglers comfortably while the reliable 115HP Suzuki gets you to the hottest spots fast. The shallow draft design lets us slide right up to those productive grass flats and mangrove edges where snook and redfish love to hang out. We've got an icebox to keep your drinks cold and bait fresh, plus GPS to pinpoint the best fishing locations. The boat's wide beam gives everyone plenty of room to cast without tangling lines, and the low sides make it easy to land fish and take photos. Whether we're targeting trout in the grass beds or hunting redfish along the mangroves, this skiff puts you right where the action is. The setup is perfect for families or groups who want to experience the incredible inshore fishing these waters are famous for.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are the silver bullets of our inshore waters. These compressed, disc-shaped beauties average 1-3 pounds but pack serious punch for their size. You'll find them cruising sandy beaches and flats, especially around structure where they hunt crabs and mollusks. Summer and fall are prime time when they move through our area in schools. What guests love about pompano is their bulldogging fight - they'll bend your rod in half and make screaming runs. They're also considered one of the finest eating fish in Florida with buttery, flaky meat that restaurants pay top dollar for. Here's a local secret: use small hooks and bright yellow jigs bounced along the bottom. Their mouths are tiny, but their appetite for flashy presentations isn't.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruiser drums typically run 18-27 inches in the slots, though we see plenty of oversized bulls that'll test your drag. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action. What guests love is their bulldogging power and the sight-fishing opportunities on clear days. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. My favorite approach: gold spoons worked fast over shallow flats. When you see that wake or tail, cast well ahead and let them find it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are our bread-and-butter fish, perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These silvery, spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and love shallow grass flats where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - dawn and dusk fishing can be phenomenal. What makes trout special is their willingness to bite and their distinctive croaking sound when you bring them aboard. They're excellent eating too, with tender, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. In winter, they school up in deeper channels, making for fast action. Pro tip: work soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is a slow, subtle retrieve that mimics wounded bait.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish around our mangroves and grass flats. These sleek predators average 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. They love ambush spots - docks, mangrove overhangs, and channel edges where current brings baitfish. Warmer months are best, though we catch them year-round in deeper holes. What makes snook special is their aggressive strikes and gill-rattling jumps when hooked. They're also prized table fare with firm, white meat. During spawning season, their fins turn bright yellow - quite a sight. My go-to technique: work topwater plugs early morning around structure. Cast past the cover and walk it back slowly. When they blow up on it, wait a beat before setting the hook hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of our most unique targets - these flat, camouflaged fish lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 25+ inches on good days. Look for them on sandy bottoms near grass edges, especially around moving water. Fall through early spring gives us the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes flounder special is watching that flat fish come up from the bottom - it's always a surprise. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
St. Petersburg