Near Shore Afternoon Fishing - St Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Cobia, Mackerels, Trout, and Flounder inshoreAll fishing gear and bait provided by charterProfessional catch cleaning service included with trip
When you're looking for consistent action without burning a whole day on the water, this afternoon near shore trip hits the sweet spot. St Petersburg's waters are loaded with hungry fish, and the afternoon bite can be absolutely fantastic. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most popular species in the productive waters just offshore, where the structure and current create perfect feeding zones. Captain and crew handle all the heavy lifting - gear, bait, tackle, even cleaning your catch - so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
This trip keeps things moving with a solid mix of techniques and target zones. We're talking near shore waters where the depth changes create natural ambush points for feeding fish. The afternoon window often fires up as baitfish start moving and predators get active. You'll be fishing with quality rods and reels that can handle anything from feisty trout to powerful cobia. The boat accommodates up to four anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to fish without getting tangled up. The beauty of near shore fishing here is the variety - you might start the trip bottom fishing for flounder and finish it battling a king mackerel that crushed a live bait. Each spot offers something different, and the captain reads the conditions to put you on the best action of the day.
Near shore fishing around St Petersburg calls for versatility, and that's exactly what you'll get. We're talking live bait fishing with sardines and cigar minnows for the bigger predators, plus bottom rigs loaded with shrimp for the structure fish. The gear is sized right for the job - medium to heavy action rods that can pull fish away from structure but still let you feel every head shake. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be slow trolling, drift fishing over grass flats, or working vertical presentations around hard bottom. The tackle box is stocked with everything from jigs and spoons to circle hooks and sinkers. When the bite gets hot, having the right setup makes all the difference between landing fish and telling stories about the ones that got away.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect near shore game fish, and St Petersburg's waters hold plenty of them. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They're most active during moving water and low light conditions, making afternoon trips prime time. What makes them so fun is their aggressive nature - they'll crush spoons, small jigs, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. The key is their speed and those razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise lying flat on sandy bottoms and grass edges. These flatfish can reach 5+ pounds in local waters and provide excellent table fare. They're ambush predators that wait for bait to drift by, then explode upward to grab it. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right presentation - usually live shrimp or small baitfish worked slowly along the bottom. The afternoon hours can be productive as they move into feeding positions along current edges.
King Mackerel are the apex predators that make your drag scream. These fish range from 10-30+ pounds in near shore waters and are built for speed. They patrol the deeper edges and structure, hunting schools of baitfish. Kings are notorious for long, blistering runs that will test your stamina and the boat's anchor system. Live bait trolled at the right depth is often the ticket, though they'll also crush well-presented dead bait when they're feeding aggressively.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Florida near shore fishing, and St Petersburg has some excellent trout fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 1-4 pounds and love grass flats and deeper holes. They're structure-oriented fish that respond well to live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures during the right conditions. Trout have relatively soft mouths, so fighting them requires finesse, but their willingness to bite makes them perfect for building confidence.
Redfish are the copper-colored fighters that anglers dream about. These drum can reach 20+ pounds in local waters and are known for their bulldogging fights and stubborn nature. They're often found around structure, grass flats, and current edges where they ambush crabs and baitfish. Reds are sight feeders with excellent vision, making presentation crucial. When hooked, they'll use their broad sides and powerful tails to test every knot and connection.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere and turn a good day into a great one. These brown sharks (that aren't actually sharks) can exceed 30 pounds and are incredibly curious fish. They're often found around structure, following rays, or just cruising in open water. Cobia are excellent eating and strong fighters that will test your tackle and technique. They're opportunistic feeders that respond to live bait, jigs, and even sight-cast presentations when conditions allow.
This afternoon near shore trip offers everything you want in a St Petersburg fishing charter - variety, action, and the chance at some serious fish. The weekday schedule means less crowded waters and often better fishing conditions. With all gear, tackle, and cleaning service included, you're getting outstanding value for a top-rated fishing experience. The four-angler capacity keeps things intimate while giving everyone room to fish effectively. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table or just enjoy some quality time on the water, this trip delivers the goods. Don't sleep on booking your spot - the afternoon bite has been consistent, and these trips fill up fast during the better fishing periods.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for St Petersburg's productive inshore waters. This vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while you target Cobia, Mackerels, Trout, and Flounder in the shallow flats and grass beds. The boat features a reliable ice box to keep your catch fresh, plus a fish finder that helps locate schools and structure where fish hang out. GPS navigation ensures we hit the best spots, while VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing reports. All your gear is provided - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and lures are ready to go. After a successful day on the water, we'll clean your catch so you can take home fresh fillets. The shallow draft design lets us access those hard-to-reach spots where the big ones hide along the mangroves and oyster bars.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of nearshore waters - big, brown, shark-looking fish that cruise solo around structure. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 6 feet long. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and buoys in 30-100 feet, especially during their spring migration from March through May. What gets anglers excited is sight fishing for them - they cruise just under the surface and will eat almost anything you throw at them. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Spring is prime time when they're moving through in numbers. My trick: keep a heavy bucktail jig rigged and ready. When you spot one, get ahead of it and let that jig sink right in front of its nose.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of the Gulf, averaging 20-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50-plus. These silver bullets patrol depths from 40-150 feet around structure, wrecks, and drop-offs. Summer through early fall is prime time when baitfish are thick and kings are feeding aggressively. What gets anglers hooked is the raw power - when a king hits your bait at 30 mph, you know it instantly. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. The key here is using wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. I always rig live bait with a stinger hook - kings love to hit the tail first, and that back hook saves a lot of missed fish. Troll fast and hold tight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight fishing target - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30-40 inches that have to go back. Look for them cruising oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water year-round. What makes them special is watching them hunt in skinny water - sometimes their backs are almost out of the water. They're strong fighters with excellent table fare, offering firm, mildly sweet meat. Fall and winter bring the biggest schools when they're feeding heavily. Here's the secret: when you spot a red, cast well ahead of where it's going and let your bait settle. They spook easy in shallow water, so stealth is everything.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, running 14-20 inches with occasional 3-4 pounders that really get your attention. They're drawn to grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow structure in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite and their distinctive spotted appearance. The meat is delicate and sweet - perfect for a fish fry. During cooler months, they school up in deeper holes and channels. My go-to approach: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork near grass beds. The key is keeping your drag light since their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you horse them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise - flat, brown fish that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some nice 3-5 pounders regularly. They love shallow bays, grass flats, and around oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. What makes them special is the challenge - you're sight fishing or feeling for that subtle tap on bottom. The reward is some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, white meat. My trick: use a light jighead with live shrimp and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that tick, count to three before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, schooling fish that typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh around 2-3 pounds. You'll find them in nearshore waters, often just under the surface where they chase baitfish like sardines and anchovies. They're drawn to structure - reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime times here in St. Pete waters when water temps hit the mid-70s. Guests love them for their speed and aggressive strikes on light tackle, plus they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Pro tip: when you see birds diving, get there quick - Spanish mackerel will be feeding below, and small silver spoons or jigs work magic.
Clearwater