8 Hour Tampa Bay FL Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour charter targets inshore and nearshore Tampa Bay watersExpertguided bottom fishing, trolling, and jigging with varied tackleAccommodates four guests pursuing snook, redfish, grouper, and tarpon
When you're looking for the real deal in Florida fishing, Tampa Bay delivers like nowhere else. I'm talking about waters that hold everything from schooling redfish to monster tarpon, and with Cody Beckman Charters, you get eight solid hours to chase them all. This isn't your typical half-day quickie - we're talking about a full commitment to putting you on fish. The bay's got character, with grass flats that stretch for miles, deep channels where the big boys cruise, and structure that holds snapper year-round. You'll cover serious ground, from the shallow backcountry where snook ambush bait to the nearshore reefs where grouper stack up like cordwood.
This eight-hour adventure starts before the sun gets too high, when the fish are still feeding and the water's got that perfect morning glass. Captain Cody knows these waters like his own backyard - every oyster bar, every drop-off, every piece of structure that holds fish. You're not just buying boat time; you're getting decades of local knowledge packed into one epic day. The bay changes with the tides, and we fish it accordingly. Morning might find us working live shrimp around mangrove shorelines for snook and redfish, while afternoon could have us drifting over deeper structure for grouper and snapper. The beauty of an eight-hour charter is flexibility - when the fish move, we move with them. Groups of up to four anglers get personalized attention, meaning everyone gets their shot at the good stuff. No crowded party boats here, just quality fishing with room to cast and fight fish properly.
We're equipped for whatever Tampa Bay throws at us, with both light and heavy tackle setups ready to go. Light spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound test handles most inshore work - perfect for working soft plastics around grass flats or tossing topwater plugs at breaking fish. When we're targeting bigger species or fishing deeper structure, we'll step up to conventional reels with 30-50 pound line. Bottom fishing is a staple here, especially when targeting grouper and snapper around rocky structure and artificial reefs. We're talking about dropping live pinfish, sardines, or cut bait down to fish that know exactly what they want. Trolling comes into play when covering water for pelagic species like cero mackerel and cobia - we'll pull spoons, plugs, or live bait behind the boat at varying speeds and depths. Jigging is deadly effective around structure, using both bucktails and vertical jigs to trigger strikes from aggressive feeders. The captain provides all tackle, bait, and terminal gear, but feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge structures where they can pin baitfish against cover. They're most active during dawn and dusk, making them perfect targets for our early morning and late afternoon fishing. Snook fight like they're twice their size, with explosive runs and gill-rattling jumps that'll test your drag system. The slot limit keeps things interesting - you need fish between 28 and 33 inches to take home, but the fun is in the fight anyway. Goliath grouper are the true giants of these waters, often exceeding 200 pounds and providing battles you'll remember for years. These prehistoric-looking bruisers hang around structure and wrecks, inhaling anything that looks like an easy meal. While they're catch and release only, watching a goliath engulf your bait and then try to drag your rod to the bottom is pure adrenaline. Tarpon are Tampa Bay's signature species, with fish ranging from juvenile "poons" in the 20-40 pound range to mature adults pushing 100-plus pounds. May through August is prime time, when schools of tarpon roll through the bay like silver submarines. Their aerial displays are legendary - these fish can clear the water by six feet or more, shaking their heads and throwing hooks with the best of them. Cobia show up in spring and fall, cruising the flats and hanging around structure like curious underwater dogs. They're excellent table fare and fight with surprising strength for their size. Tripletail are the oddballs of the bunch, floating near the surface and mimicking floating debris until an unsuspecting shrimp or crab swims by. They're fantastic eating and provide sporty fights on light tackle.
Eight hours on Tampa Bay with a captain who lives and breathes these waters - that's what separates a good day from a great one. You're not just buying fishing time; you're investing in local expertise, quality equipment, and access to spots that most anglers never see. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or a newcomer wanting to experience Florida fishing at its finest, this charter delivers the goods. The species diversity here is off the charts, meaning you never know what's going to grab your line next. Book with Cody Beckman Charters and get ready for eight hours of pure Tampa Bay fishing action.
Step aboard our restored 2007 Andros Boatworks Center Console, your gateway to Tampa Bay's legendary fishing grounds. This powerhouse comes equipped with a 300HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising smoothly at 45 knots across the flats and nearshore waters. The boat's loaded with serious fishing tech—GPS navigation keeps us on target, radar cuts through morning fog, and our fish finder pinpoints where the Snook and Redfish are hiding. Built for serious anglers, this rig handles everything from light tackle sight-fishing in the shallows to heavy bottom fishing for Grouper and Cobia in deeper water. With room for up to 4 guests, you'll have plenty of space to work the rods while chasing Tarpon, Speckled Trout, and whatever else Tampa Bay serves up. This boat's restoration brings modern reliability to proven design—perfect for long days on the water targeting Florida's most prized species.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the best eating fish we target, with firm white meat that's excellent grilled or blackened. These brown, shark-like fish average 20-50 pounds and are usually loners cruising near the surface. We spot them around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 15-60 feet of water. Spring migration from March to June is peak season when they're moving through Tampa Bay. They're aggressive feeders and put up a strong, bulldogging fight. What's cool is you can often see them swimming just under the surface, making for exciting sight fishing. My go-to technique: use a bucktail jig in any color and work it near structure - cobia aren't picky about lure color but they love movement.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese are the giants of our reefs - Goliath Grouper can reach 6-8 feet and several hundred pounds. We find them around wrecks, ledges, and structure in 20-150 feet of water. They're curious fish that will actually follow divers around, showing little fear. Summer months are prime time when they gather for spawning. The thrill is in that first powerful run - they'll test your gear and your arm strength immediately. While they make great table fare, all Goliaths must be released since they're protected. My advice: use heavy tackle and circle hooks, and be ready for that initial surge when they feel the hook. Once you get them away from structure, the fight gets more manageable.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Tampa Bay's most prized gamefish, averaging 1-3 feet with that signature black lateral line running down their silver sides. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and current breaks in shallow water. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps are warm. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and thrash like crazy. Plus they're fantastic eating with flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly - snook are ambush predators that like to hide in cover before attacking.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket list fish - these silver kings average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around Tampa Bay. We target them in shallow flats, around bridges, and in deeper channels from spring through fall. When hooked, they'll launch themselves completely out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. The fight can last an hour with multiple jumps and long runs. Most anglers release tarpon since they're bony and not great eating. Prime time is May through August during their migration. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during their aerial show.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are Tampa Bay's sneaky fighters - they look like floating debris until you get close, then they explode into action. These chunky, mottled fish average 2-15 pounds and taste similar to grouper or snapper. We find them floating near weed lines, buoys, and channel markers in summer and fall. They're masters of camouflage, lying on their sides to mimic floating seaweed. The fight is surprisingly acrobatic for such a stocky fish. What makes them fun is the sight fishing aspect - once you spot one, you have to be stealthy and make a perfect cast. Key tip: cast well past the fish and slowly work your bait toward them. Get too close with your initial cast and they'll spook every time.
Tampa