St Petersburg Inshore Fishing Charter for 6
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting snook, redfish, and troutPrivate boat accommodates up to six guests with gear includedExpert guide covers St Petersburg backcountry and mangrove areas
If you're looking for a top-rated inshore fishing experience that covers some of the most productive waters along Florida's west coast, this 6-hour charter with Captain Gills delivers exactly what serious anglers want. We're talking about a comprehensive day on the water targeting the backcountry flats and mangrove shorelines around St Petersburg, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. This isn't your typical half-day trip – with six full hours, we have time to work multiple spots, adjust tactics based on conditions, and really dial in on where the fish are holding. Perfect for groups of up to six anglers who want the full inshore experience without feeling rushed.
This charter takes you deep into the Pinellas backcountry where the good stuff happens. We'll be working shallow flats, mangrove edges, oyster bars, and grass beds – all the structure that holds snook, redfish, and trout year-round. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is we can adapt to what's working best that day. Maybe the snook are fired up around the mangroves in the morning, then we'll slide over to some grass flats for trout action when the sun gets higher. Captain Gills knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with this much time, he can show you why this area consistently produces some of the best inshore fishing in Florida. Your group gets the boat to yourselves, so whether you've got seasoned anglers or first-timers in the mix, we'll fish at whatever pace works best for everyone. All your licenses, gear, and live bait are covered – just bring yourselves and get ready to fish.
We fish these backcountry waters with proven inshore techniques that match the conditions and target species. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on the grass flats for trout, while free-lined pinfish or greenbacks around the mangroves will fire up snook and redfish. When the bite calls for it, we'll switch to artificial lures – soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all have their place depending on water clarity, tide, and fish behavior. Captain Gills runs quality spinning gear spooled with braided line for the sensitivity and hook-setting power you need in these shallow, structure-heavy environments. The boat is rigged specifically for inshore work with a shallow draft to access those skinny water spots where big fish like to hide. We'll be sight fishing when conditions allow, but also working productive structure blind when that's the better play. The key is reading the water, understanding tidal movement, and putting baits where the fish want them – that's where having a seasoned local guide makes all the difference.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and the mangrove shorelines around St Petersburg hold some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, oyster bars – anywhere they can pin baitfish against cover. Snook are most active during warmer months from spring through fall, but you can find them year-round in deeper pockets and around warm-water discharges. What makes them so exciting is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight. A slot-sized snook will test your drag and give you a battle you won't forget. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters when you keep one within the legal slot.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats and a customer favorite for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol shallow grass beds, oyster bars, and mangrove edges looking for crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Reds are probably the most consistent biters we target – they feed aggressively and fight hard once hooked. You'll find them in schools during cooler months and as singles or small groups when it's warmer. The oversized fish we call "bulls" show up in late summer and fall, and hooking into a 30-plus-pound red in shallow water is about as good as inshore fishing gets. They're also incredibly hardy, so catch-and-release fishing is very successful with proper handling.
Sea Trout are abundant in the grass beds and provide steady action when other species are finicky. Spotted seatrout are year-round residents that school up over sandy bottom with scattered grass. They're willing biters that respond well to live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures. While they're not the biggest fighters pound-for-pound, trout make up for it with their willingness to bite and excellent table fare. The bigger "gator" trout that show up in spring and fall provide more of a challenge and are highly prized by local anglers.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage and a fun change of pace from the more common inshore species. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottom near structure, waiting to ambush passing prey. Flounder fishing is best from fall through early spring when they're most active. They require a different approach – slow presentations with live or cut bait worked along the bottom. When you hook a nice flounder, they'll make a few strong runs before coming to the surface. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, making them doubly rewarding to catch.
Florida Pompano are seasonal visitors that get every angler excited when they show up. These silvery, hard-fighting fish typically appear in spring and fall during their migrations. Pompano prefer sandy bottom areas and respond best to small jigs, live shrimp, and sand fleas. They're incredible fighters for their size, making blistering runs that will have your drag screaming. Beyond their fighting ability, pompano are considered the ultimate table fare – their white, flaky meat is prized by restaurants and anglers
Our 17-foot Carolina Skiff is purpose-built for working the shallow flats and backcountry waters around St. Petersburg. This stable fishing platform handles six anglers comfortably while staying light enough to slip into those skinny-water honey holes where the big snook and redfish hang out. The 115HP Suzuki outboard gets you to the productive spots fast, whether we're running the mangrove shorelines or hitting the grass flats near Indian Shores. Built tough for Florida's inshore fishing, this skiff draws minimal water so we can chase fish right up to the oyster bars and docks where they feed. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer sessions. GPS keeps us on the fish and gets us back to the dock safely. Perfect setup for families or groups wanting to experience real Florida backcountry fishing without the crowded party boat scene.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are the silver bullets of inshore fishing - fast, beautiful fish with bright yellow fins and a deeply forked tail. They typically run 1-3 pounds and 8-12 inches, but we occasionally hook into 6-8 pounders that'll test your drag. These members of the jack family love surf zones, sandy beaches, and areas with good current where they feed on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. Summer and fall bring the best action when they're actively feeding in schools. Guests go crazy for their aggressive strikes and blistering runs - they fight way above their weight class. Plus, they're considered some of the best eating fish in Florida with buttery, flaky meat. Here's the key: use small hooks with sand fleas or small jigs in bright colors, and fish the moving water during tide changes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable fighters - copper-colored fish with that signature black spot near the tail that fools predators. They range from schooling "rat reds" around 16-20 inches up to bull reds over 30 inches that'll pull drag for days. These fish love super shallow water - oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet where you can often see their backs. Year-round fishing with peak action in fall when they school up heavily. What guests love most is their power and endurance - they make long, determined runs and never give up easily. They're also great table fare in the slot size. The trick is sight fishing with live shrimp or cut bait on light tackle, keeping your distance and making quiet, accurate casts to avoid spooring them in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specs" as we call them, are beautiful fish covered in distinct black spots with a silvery body. Most range from 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, but gator trout over 24 inches are always possible. They prefer grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water throughout Tampa Bay. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. Guests love their willingness to bite and that distinctive "drumming" sound they make when caught. They're also some of the best eating fish we target - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The secret is fishing live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on the flats.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish - sleek predators with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloration. They typically range from 18-28 inches, though trophy fish over 30 inches make for lifetime memories. These temperature-sensitive fish love structure like mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in depths from 2-20 feet. May through September is peak season when they're spawning and their fins turn bright yellow. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. They're also excellent table fare when harvested within regulations. The key to success is working live pilchards or pinfish around structure during moving water. Cast upstream of the cover and let the current sweep your bait naturally into the strike zone.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of our best ambush predators - flat fish that bury themselves in sand and mud to surprise prey. These unique fish have both eyes on one side of their head and can change color to match the bottom. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 20+ pounds. They love shallow sandy areas, grass flats, and muddy bottoms in 2-15 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. Guests love the challenge of sight fishing for them and they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use live finger mullet on a Carolina rig and fish it slow along the bottom - when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook.
St. Petersburg