Full Day Near Shore Fishing - St Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day nearshore fishing targets Cobia, Mackerel, Trout, FlounderAll equipment, bait, tackle provided plus catch cleaning serviceSmall group experience accommodates up to four guests maximum
St. Petersburg's near shore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing action on Florida's Gulf Coast, and this full day charter with Catch On Charters puts you right in the heart of it. We're talking about a solid 8-hour day targeting structure and grass flats where kingfish, cobia, and trout love to hang out. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety – one minute you're pulling up a nice gator trout from the grass, the next you're fighting a king that decided your live bait looked too good to pass up. With everything included from rods to bait, plus fish cleaning at the end of the day, you just need to show up ready to fish.
Your day starts early when you meet the crew at the dock, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active. We'll head out to productive near shore spots anywhere from 3 to 15 miles offshore, depending on where the fish are biting that day. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts the game plan based on tide, weather, and recent reports from other boats. You'll spend time working different structures – artificial reefs, natural hard bottom, and grass flats that hold different species throughout the day. The boat stays comfortable with up to 4 anglers, so everyone gets plenty of room to work and the captain can give personalized attention to help you land more fish. Don't worry about experience level either – beginners get coaching while seasoned anglers appreciate the local knowledge.
Near shore fishing around St. Pete means adapting your approach throughout the day as conditions change and different species become active. We'll start with live bait fishing using sardines, threadfins, or pinfish depending on what's available. The crew rigs everything from knocker rigs for bottom fishing to free-lined baits for kings cruising the surface. When the bite slows, we switch to artificials – spoons, jigs, and soft plastics that trigger reaction strikes. The tackle provided covers everything you need: medium to heavy spinning gear for most situations, plus some heavier conventional setups when we're targeting bigger cobia or kings. Circle hooks are standard for live bait to improve catch rates and fish survival. The captain reads the water constantly, watching for bird activity, bait schools, and structure on the fish finder to keep you on productive water all day long.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of near shore fishing here, and St. Pete's waters consistently produce fish in the 20 to 40-pound range from spring through fall. These speed demons hit live baits trolled near structure or free-lined in open water, and once hooked, they'll test your drag with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. Look for them around artificial reefs and temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate. Sea trout stick to the grass flats and are most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. These fish are perfect for light tackle action and make excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Cobia show up in spring and fall migrations, often following rays and sharks in shallow water. These brown sharks (as locals call them) are curious fish that sometimes swim right up to the boat, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. They average 20 to 50 pounds and put up a strong, steady fight that'll have your arms burning. Spanish mackerel provide non-stop action when schools move through, hitting small spoons and jigs with aggressive strikes. They're smaller than kings but make up for it with sheer numbers and great eating quality.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms near structure waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during cooler months and require patience, but a nice doormat flounder is one of the best fish you can put on the dinner table. The key is fishing slow with live or cut bait right on the bottom, and being ready for that subtle tap that signals a flounder has inhaled your offering.
A full day near shore trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything St. Petersburg's waters have to offer. With eight hours on the water, there's time to hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and adapt to whatever the fish are doing that day. The all-inclusive approach means you're getting top-quality gear and the freshest bait available, while the fish cleaning service lets you head home with fillets ready for the pan. Weather can change quickly on the Gulf, so having a full day gives the captain flexibility to find protected water when needed while still putting you on fish. Book ahead, especially during peak season from March through November when the fishing is at its absolute best.
Our motorboat is built for serious nearshore fishing in the productive waters around St Petersburg. This well-equipped 4-person vessel comes loaded with everything you need to target cobia, mackerel, trout, and flounder. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure while the GPS keeps you on productive spots. Ice box keeps your catch fresh, and VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. The boat handles the choppy nearshore conditions with ease, getting you to those prime fishing grounds where the bigger fish cruise just outside the bay. Perfect platform for casting lures at cruising cobia or dropping baits on the structure where grouper and snapper hang out.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of near-shore fishing - powerful, stubborn fighters that can reach 40-60 pounds. These bronze-colored bruisers love hanging around structure like wrecks, buoys, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Spring and early summer are peak seasons when they're moving through on migration. What makes cobia special is their curious nature and willingness to eat big baits, plus they're outstanding on the dinner table with firm, white meat. They fight dirty too - diving for structure and making long, powerful runs. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig worked vertically around structure. Once you find one cobia, work the area thoroughly since they're often solitary but multiple fish use the same spots.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are fast, aggressive fighters that'll test your drag system. These silvery speedsters typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see some pushing 50+ pounds in deeper water. You'll find them from 40-150 feet, often around structure or baitfish schools. Spring through fall are prime times when they're feeding heavily on our near-shore reefs. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll peel line like few other fish. The meat's excellent smoked or grilled, with a rich flavor that's worth the fight. Pro tip: always use a wire leader since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you hook one, keep steady pressure and be ready for multiple screaming runs.
Salmo TruttaSpotted trout are bread-and-butter fish that make every trip fun. These speckled beauties average 14-20 inches and fight well above their weight class. You'll catch them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around structure or drop-offs. They bite best during cooler months and low-light periods - dawn and dusk are money times. Guests love trout because they're aggressive biters, decent fighters, and make outstanding table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. They school up in winter, making for some fantastic action. The key is working your bait slowly along the bottom - trout are ambush predators that want an easy meal, so don't rush your presentation.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the ultimate ambush predators - flat, camouflaged bottom dwellers that can surprise you with their size and fight. These oddball fish typically run 15-18 inches but we catch some pushing 4-5 pounds. They love sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays, around docks, and near structure where they can hide. Fall and winter are prime times when they're fattening up for offshore spawning. What makes flounder fishing special is the challenge - you're hunting invisible fish on the bottom, and they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. The trick is slow presentations right on the bottom using live shrimp or finger mullet. Feel for that subtle tap-tap, then wait a few seconds before setting the hook - they need time to fully take the bait.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that provide non-stop action when they're around. These silver bullets average 1-3 pounds but make up for size with pure energy and numbers. Look for them in 15-40 feet over structure, grass beds, or wherever baitfish are schooling. They're most active during warmer months and bite best on moving baits. Guests love spanish macs because they hit hard, jump, and you can catch dozens when you find a school. They're also excellent eating - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The secret is using small, fast-moving lures like spoons or jigs. Keep your boat moving and cover water until you find the school, then work it hard while they're feeding.
Clearwater