Tarpon Springs Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour morning charter targets redfish, snook, and seatroutAll gear, licenses, and fish cleaning services includedAccommodates up to four guests with familyfriendly approach
Want to get on some solid inshore action without burning your whole day? This 3-hour morning charter out of Tarpon Springs puts you right where the fish are feeding. Captain runs a tight ship with all the gear you need, plus he handles the licenses and cleaning – you just focus on putting fish in the boat. Perfect for families wanting to introduce the kids to fishing or experienced anglers looking to dial in on some quality inshore species without the commitment of an all-day trip.
You'll be fishing the productive nearshore waters around Tarpon Springs, where grass flats meet deeper channels and structure holds plenty of gamefish. The morning bite is typically the strongest, so expect to be working lures and live bait around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and sandy potholes where these fish love to ambush prey. With just 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention from the captain and plenty of room to work without tangling lines. The boat comes rigged with quality tackle suited for the targeted species – think medium-action spinning rods with 15-20 pound test that can handle everything from schoolie snook to bull reds. You'll cover different zones based on tides, wind, and where the fish have been showing up recently.
Your captain will have you working a mix of artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions and target species. Expect to throw soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations around structure, plus topwater plugs during active feeding periods. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on the grass flats for trout and redfish, while free-lined pilchards or pinfish get the attention of snook hanging in the shadows. The tackle is sized perfectly for these inshore species – sensitive enough to feel light bites but with enough backbone to turn a fish away from structure. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, which means better hooksets and easier releases. The captain will position the boat using his trolling motor to keep you in the strike zone without spooking fish in shallow water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tarpon Springs inshore fishing. These copper-colored fighters cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fish ranging from slot-size 18-27 inchers up to oversized bulls pushing 40+ inches. They're aggressive feeders that will crush a well-presented soft plastic or live shrimp, and they put up a serious fight with their bulldogging runs. Fall and winter months often produce the most consistent action as cooler water concentrates baitfish.
Blacktip sharks add some serious excitement to any inshore trip. These athletic predators patrol the flats looking for easy meals and will absolutely smoke a live bait or cut fish. Most blacktips you'll encounter run 3-5 feet, perfect for testing your drag and getting the adrenaline pumping. They're most active during warmer months and incoming tides when baitfish are pushed into shallow water. The fight is spectacular – expect multiple jumps and long runs that'll have you questioning your knots.
Cobia show up as a bonus species, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These brown sharks (as locals call them) are curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities. A well-placed crab or eel will usually trigger a strike from these powerful fish. They're excellent table fare and can reach impressive sizes, with 30-40 pound fish not uncommon in these waters.
Spanish mackerel provide fast action when they're schooled up, typically from late spring through fall. These speedsters will hit small spoons, jigs, or live bait with authority, and they're perfect for keeping kids engaged when the bite gets tough. They make excellent cut bait for larger predators too, so nothing goes to waste.
Snook are the glamour species that every inshore angler wants to tangle with. These ambush predators hide along mangrove shorelines, docks, and bridges, waiting to crush unsuspecting prey. They're structure-oriented fish that require precise presentations and quick hooksets to keep them out of the roots. The fight is legendary – powerful initial runs followed by gill-rattling jumps. Currently catch and release only, but the experience of hooking a quality snook is worth the trip alone.
This top-rated morning charter delivers consistent action without eating up your entire vacation day. With all gear, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you can focus on what matters – putting quality fish in the boat and making memories on the water. The 3-hour window hits prime feeding times while leaving your afternoon free for other activities. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this trip offers the perfect introduction to world-class Tarpon Springs inshore fishing. Book now and get ready to experience why this area has become a customer favorite among Florida's inshore fishing destinations.
This 22-foot Sea Hunt is built for serious inshore fishing around Tarpon Springs' productive flats and nearshore waters. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of casting room and space to move around while fighting fish. You'll have access to a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to redfish and snook, plus a fish finder to locate those deeper trout and snapper. The onboard cooler keeps your drinks cold during those warm Florida mornings, and the multimedia system adds some entertainment between bites. Safety gear and VHF radio are standard, along with GPS navigation to hit all the best fishing spots. The boat's design makes it perfect for families and beginners while still being capable enough for experienced anglers looking to target the area's premier inshore species.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of our local waters, averaging 4-5 feet but capable of reaching over 9 feet. You'll recognize them by those signature black-tipped fins and their habit of launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. They patrol our nearshore waters in 30-100 feet, often around structure like reefs and wrecks. Spring and summer are prime time when they move into warmer Gulf waters. These sharks put on quite a show with their jumping ability - they can rocket 21 feet per second straight up! While they're not great table fare, the fight alone makes them worth targeting. They're actually pretty timid despite their exciting personality, so you need to be patient. My advice: use heavy braided line and circle hooks, then get ready for some serious aerial displays when you hook one.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of our fishing grounds - you'll rarely see more than one at a time. These brown, shark-looking fish average around 30-40 pounds but can push 100+ pounds. They cruise around structure like reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet of water, though we often spot them near the surface. Spring migration from April through June is your best bet when they're moving through our area to spawn. What sets cobia apart is their curiosity - they'll actually follow your boat and check out your lures. They're also phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf. The fight is strong and steady rather than flashy. Here's a local trick: when you see one following the boat, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it slowly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets around Tarpon Springs. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-28 inches and love cruising the shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their distinctive black eyespots near the tail and that reddish back that fades to white underneath. They hang around oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are warm. What makes redfish special is their powerful fight - they'll make long runs and really test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. My tip: when you see one tailing in shallow water, cast your bait well ahead of where it's heading and let it settle to the bottom.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's premier inshore gamefish and one of our most prized catches around Tarpon Springs. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches and love structure. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in shallow water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best shots when waters are warm. During spawning season (May-September), their fins turn bright yellow. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll try every trick to wrap your line around structure. They're also incredible table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the thing about snook: they change from male to female as they grow, so those big ones are usually females. My go-to technique is working soft plastics or topwater lures tight to cover - snook ambush their prey.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll give you fast, fun action on light tackle. These silvery fish with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and travel in big schools near the surface. You'll find them around structure in 20-60 feet of water, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They're some of the fastest swimmers out there, hitting lures at full speed and making screaming runs. What guests love is the nonstop action - when you find a school, everyone on the boat usually gets hooked up at once. They're also great eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. The key to success is using light line and small, flashy spoons or jigs. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lure in the water because the rest of the school will often follow the hooked fish right to the boat.
undefined, undefined