St Petersburg Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, trout across St Petersburg backwatersFlexible 13 hour trips accommodate up to six guestsAll gear, live bait, and licenses included aboard Carolina Skiff
Captain Gills' Quick Cast Specials put you right where the fish are biting in the productive waters around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. Our top-rated inshore charters target the backcountry flats and mangrove shorelines that hold some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. With flexible trip lengths from one to three hours, you can squeeze in some quality fishing time whether you're on a tight schedule or looking to make the most of your day on the water. We'll put up to six anglers on our reliable 17ft Carolina Skiff and head straight to where the action is happening.
These Pinellas County waters offer some of the most consistent inshore fishing you'll find anywhere along Florida's west coast. We fish the grass flats and oyster bars where Snook prowl the edges, and work the deeper pockets where Redfish stack up during tide changes. The beauty of our setup is the variety - one cast you might be sight-fishing a cruising Red in two feet of water, the next you're bouncing a jig along a mangrove root system for a big Snook. Our Carolina Skiff draws less than a foot of water, so we can get into those skinny spots where the big fish feel safe. Every trip includes all your tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat's stable platform makes it perfect for kids and first-time anglers, but we've got the range to chase trophy fish when conditions are right.
We run a mix of live bait fishing and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling us that day. Live shrimp under popping corks is our bread and butter for Trout and Redfish, while we'll switch to pinfish or scaled sardines when targeting bigger Snook around structure. When the bite gets finicky, we'll break out the soft plastics and work them slow along the grass edges. The grass flats between Indian Shores and Redington Shores are legendary for their Sea Trout populations, especially during the cooler months when they school up in huge numbers. We also work the deeper channels and bridge pilings where Snapper and Gag Grouper hang out seasonally. The key to our success is reading the tides and water temperature - we're constantly adjusting our approach based on current conditions. During summer months, we focus on early morning and late afternoon fishing when the fish are most active, while winter brings all-day opportunities as the water cools.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms near grass edges and channel drop-offs. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 20 inches in our area, with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches that'll really test your drag. Fall and early winter are prime time for Flounder fishing, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. What makes them so exciting is the surprise factor - you never know when that seemingly dead bottom will come alive with a solid thump on your line. They fight with surprising strength for their size, making long runs and using their flat profile to create maximum resistance.
Florida Pompano are hands-down one of the most prized catches in these waters, both for their incredible table fare and their acrobatic fighting style. These silver bullets typically run 12 to 16 inches but pack a punch that'll surprise first-time anglers. Spring through early summer is peak Pompano season, when they move into the shallow flats to feed on sand fleas and small crabs. They're notorious for their lightning-fast runs and ability to throw hooks with their hard mouths, making every hookup an adrenaline rush. Finding them often means locating schools of dozens of fish, turning a slow day into non-stop action in minutes.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around St Petersburg, and these waters hold some true giants. These ambush predators love structure - mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and oyster bars are prime real estate. Most of our Snook run between 20 and 28 inches, but the potential for a 30-plus inch fish keeps every cast interesting. Summer months see peak activity, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively hunting. What sets Snook apart is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll use every mangrove root and oyster bar to try breaking you off. Their gill-rattling jumps and that distinctive black lateral line make them an instant favorite for photographers too.
Sea Trout are the backbone of our inshore fishery, offering consistent action year-round with peak numbers during fall and winter months. These spotted beauties typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator trout" over 24 inches that becomes the fish of a lifetime. They school heavily over grass flats and respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. What makes Trout fishing so rewarding is the numbers game - it's not uncommon to boat 15-20 fish during a productive bite. Their aggressive nature and willingness to hit topwater lures also makes them perfect for light tackle enthusiasts and kids just learning to fish.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore gamefish, combining explosive power with stunning copper-bronze coloration and that signature black spot near their tail. Our Reds typically run 18 to 27 inches, staying within that sweet slot size that fights hard and tastes even better. Year-round residents, they're most active during spring and fall when water temperatures are optimal. What makes Redfish special is their versatility - you might sight-fish one tailing in six inches of water, then hook another in ten feet around a dock piling. Their bulldogging runs and ability to use their broad tail for leverage creates some of the most memorable fights you'll experience on light tackle.
Fish the productive flats around St Pete and Indian Shores aboard our reliable 17ft Carolina Skiff. This shallow-water workhorse is built specifically for navigating the grass flats and mangrove shorelines where snook, redfish, and trout like to hang out. With a stable design that handles six anglers comfortably, the skiff gets you into those skinny water spots where the fish are feeding. The 115HP Suzuki pushes us quickly between honey holes, so you spend more time with lines in the water. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, while GPS helps us mark the best spots for return visits. Whether you're targeting winter trout on the grass beds or summer snook around the mangroves, this boat puts you right where you need to be in the diverse Pinellas backcountry.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are pure gold on our local flats - literally and figuratively. These silvery beauties with bright yellow fins typically weigh 1-3 pounds but fight way above their size class. They cruise sandy bottoms and grass edges in small schools, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active in our shallow waters. Guests love them for two reasons: they're scrappy fighters that'll test your drag, and they're absolutely delicious - some of the best table fare in Florida waters. The key is using small hooks since they have tiny mouths. I always tell my guests to downsize their tackle. A #1 or #2 hook with live shrimp or small jigs works best. Look for nervous water over the flats - that's usually pompano working the bottom.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our shallow water fishing, and for good reason. These bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in our area. They patrol oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter months are prime when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love reds because they're powerful fighters that make long runs and they're fantastic eating. Plus, spotting them tailing in skinny water is pure excitement. Here's my local trick: when you see them with their tails up feeding, cast well ahead of them and let your bait sit still. A live shrimp on a 1/4-ounce jig head or weedless spoon works perfectly. Patience pays off with these fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout, or "specs" as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of our grass flats fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches and love cruising shallow seagrass beds hunting shrimp and small baitfish. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water, especially around pot holes and grass edges. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. What makes them special for guests is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent eating quality - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The secret is working the grass flats early morning or late evening with soft plastics. A 1/8-ounce jig head with a paddle tail or DOA shrimp bounced slowly along the bottom will usually find them. Listen for that telltale "pop" when they hit.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around our mangrove shorelines. These golden beauties with that signature black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches in our waters. They love ambush points - dock lights, bridge pilings, mangrove cuts, and grass bed edges where they can surprise prey. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. Guests go crazy for snook because they're explosive fighters with gill-rattling jumps, plus they make outstanding table fare when in season. The trick is getting your bait right to their face without spooking them. My go-to advice: cast past the structure and work your lure back through the strike zone. Live shrimp under a cork or a well-placed soft plastic usually does the trick.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the masters of disguise on our grass flats. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and can change color to match the bottom perfectly. They bury in sand and mud, waiting to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll find them in shallow water around structure - oyster bars, channel edges, and grass bed drop-offs are prime spots. Fall through spring offers the best action when they're actively feeding before moving offshore to spawn. What guests love most is the challenge of spotting them and the sweet, flaky meat they provide for dinner. My tip: when drift fishing, use a light jig with live shrimp and let it bounce slowly along the bottom. Keep your rod tip low and feel for that subtle tap - they don't slam the bait like other species.
St. Petersburg