5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Tampa Bay Fishing Charters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charters targeting Tarpon and CobiaAll gear, tackle, and fishing licenses included with captainAccommodates up to 4 guests in Tampa Bay waters
Captain Kirby's Fishing Charters brings you right into the heart of Tampa Bay's best fishing waters, where every cast could be the one that makes your day. This half-day adventure puts you smack in the middle of some of Florida's most productive inshore and nearshore fishing grounds, targeting hard-fighting species that'll test your skills and keep you talking about this trip for months. Captain Alex knows these waters like the back of his hand and has the local knowledge to put you on fish when others are coming back empty-handed. Whether you're an early bird looking to catch the morning bite or prefer a relaxed afternoon on the water, this charter delivers the goods with all gear, tackle, and licensing included.
Your half-day starts with Captain Alex setting you up with quality rods, reels, and tackle perfectly matched to what's biting that day. The beauty of Tampa Bay fishing lies in its diversity - one minute you might be sight-casting to cruising redfish in shallow grass flats, the next you're battling a monster tarpon that just rolled next to the boat. Alex reads the conditions like a pro, adjusting techniques and locations based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The boat stays primarily in protected inshore waters and ventures to nearby structure when conditions allow, keeping things comfortable while maximizing your chances at multiple species. You'll spend your time actively fishing with personalized instruction, whether you're a complete beginner or seasoned angler looking to dial in local techniques.
Captain Alex runs a variety of proven techniques depending on target species and conditions. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and sardines produces consistent action on snapper, redfish, and cobia around structure. Artificial lures come into play when sight-fishing shallow flats or working birds over baitfish schools. For tarpon, expect heavy tackle with circle hooks and live crabs or scaled sardines presented near bridges, channels, and rolling fish. The captain provides all rods from medium-light spinning setups for snapper to heavy conventional gear for tarpon battles. Terminal tackle includes a full selection of hooks, weights, and leaders appropriate for each technique. All equipment is maintained in top condition and replaced regularly, so you're fishing with gear you can trust when that fish of a lifetime hits.
"This was such a fun experience! Alex was a good fishing guide and knows where the fish are. He was so good with the kids! We will book again with him!" - Kristin
Tarpon are the undisputed kings of Tampa Bay, with fish ranging from 50 to 150+ pounds patrolling these waters year-round. Peak season runs from April through October when massive schools migrate through the area, but resident fish provide action throughout winter months. These silver kings are famous for their aerial acrobatics and bulldogging runs that can last 30 minutes or more. Landing one requires patience, proper technique, and a bit of luck, but the payoff is a fishing memory that lasts forever. Tampa Bay's tarpon fishing consistently ranks among the world's best, drawing anglers from across the globe.
Redfish cruise Tampa Bay's grass flats and mangrove shorelines in impressive numbers, with slot-sized fish averaging 18-27 inches and oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches. These copper-colored fighters are year-round residents that feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Spring and fall offer peak action when water temperatures trigger feeding frenzies. Reds are perfect for sight-fishing enthusiasts - watching a big red track down your lure in crystal-clear water gets the adrenaline pumping every time. Their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style make them a top choice for anglers wanting consistent action with quality fish.
Cobia show up around Tampa Bay's bridges, channel markers, and nearshore structure from March through November, with peak numbers during spring and fall migrations. These brown sharks (as locals call them) average 20-40 pounds and are notorious for their curious nature and willingness to eat almost any bait or lure. Cobia fights are characterized by strong initial runs followed by determined head-shaking battles near the boat. They're excellent table fare and considered one of the bay's premier sporting fish. Patient anglers often spot them swimming near the surface around structure before making precise casts.
Mangrove Snapper populate virtually every piece of structure in Tampa Bay, from shallow oyster bars to deep channel edges. These ruby-colored fighters typically run 12-20 inches with occasional larger fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're year-round residents with peak feeding during warmer months when baitfish are abundant. Snapper are notorious for their light bites and line-shy behavior, requiring finesse techniques and sharp hooks. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps make them favorites among light-tackle enthusiasts, plus they're outstanding on the dinner table.
Sheepshead gather around Tampa Bay's bridges, docks, and oyster bars in impressive numbers during their winter and spring spawning periods. These black-and-white striped convict fish are famous for their human-like teeth and ability to steal bait without getting hooked. Targeting sheepshead requires patience and specialized techniques, but rewards anglers with excellent table fare and a unique fishing challenge. Fish typically range from 2-8 pounds with occasional trophy-class fish over 10 pounds. Their powerful runs and head-shaking fights make them surprisingly sporty on appropriate tackle.
Captain Kirby's half-day Tampa Bay fishing charters deliver everything serious anglers expect - local expertise, quality equipment, and access to some of Florida's most productive fishing waters. Captain Alex's knowledge of seasonal patterns, tide movements, and fish behavior gives you the edge needed to make the most of your time on the water. With all gear provided and licensing handled, you just need to show up
Step aboard this pristine 2023 26ft Collier Boat Works and get ready to chase some serious fish in Tampa Bay's productive waters. Captain Alex keeps this beauty spotless and tournament-ready, powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki 4-stroke that'll get you to the hotspots fast and quiet. The boat's loaded with top-shelf gear and tackle for whatever's biting – whether you're battling silver kings, sight-casting to tailing redfish, or dropping baits for hungry snapper around the mangroves. You'll stay comfortable all day with the onboard icebox keeping your drinks cold, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the big ones hide. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites, and the GPS ensures you'll hit all the productive spots around Anna Maria Island and Palmetto. VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing reports. Perfect for up to 4 anglers who want to experience some of Florida's best inshore action without the long boat ride to the grounds.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - they're actually some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. These curious fish average 20-40 pounds and 3-4 feet, but we've boated some over 50 pounds. They cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers, usually in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they're moving through Tampa Bay. What guests love about cobia is their curious nature - they'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate. The meat is white, firm, and tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Pro tip: when you spot one cruising near the surface, cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of its path. They're followers, so be patient and let them come to you.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the ruby gems of deeper water fishing, and they fight like they mean it. These beautiful fish typically run 2-5 pounds and 12-18 inches around Tampa Bay, though bigger ones lurk in the deeper Gulf waters. You'll find them on hard bottom, wrecks, and structure in 40+ feet during their summer season. What makes snapper fishing exciting is that solid thump when they hit, followed by a bulldogging fight straight down to the rocks. They're also premium table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. Here's something I've learned over the years: use circle hooks with fresh cut bait, and when you feel that tap, don't jerk. Let the fish load up and swim off before setting the hook. They're notorious for short strikes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's copper-colored bruisers that'll give you a real tussle in shallow water. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up. What makes reds special is that visual fishing - watching them cruise the flats with their tails waving above water. They eat well too, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening. Here's a tip from years on these waters: if you see a red's tail up feeding, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle. They spook easy in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Tampa Bay with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we catch some bruisers up to 8 pounds around the right structure. They hang tight to docks, bridge pilings, and any barnacle-covered structure year-round, with winter and spring being prime time. These guys are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and steal your shrimp before you know it. But they're worth the patience because sheepshead are fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My tip: use small hooks and fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard. They've got those crusher teeth for a reason.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are what fishing dreams are made of. Tarpon average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though we've seen monsters over 200. They're famous for those heart-stopping jumps - sometimes 10 feet out of the water when hooked. In Tampa Bay, we find them around bridges, channels, and deeper holes, especially during their spring and summer migrations. They love live bait like crabs, pinfish, and mullet. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (they're catch and release) - it's that raw power and acrobatics. Here's a local tip: when one jumps, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the fish. It takes pressure off and keeps that hook from popping out during their aerial show.
5.0 out of 5.0This was such a fun experience! Alex was a good fishing guide and knows where the fish are. He was so good with the kids! We will ...
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