5.0(4 Reviews)Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing Charters
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing targeting snook, trout, and redfishAll tackle, bait, and licenses included with tripsChoose between 4hour or 6hour charter options
Tampa Bay's inshore waters offer some of Florida's most consistent and rewarding fishing action, and Captain Andrew knows these flats, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines like the back of his hand. Whether you're looking for a quick morning strike mission or want to spend the better part of the day working different techniques, Crabtree Fishing Charters delivers the kind of personalized experience that keeps anglers coming back. With just two spots on the boat, you'll get the attention and local knowledge that makes all the difference between a good day and a legendary one.
Your Tampa Bay adventure kicks off bright and early at 8:00 AM for both the 4-hour half-day and 6-hour three-quarter day options, though afternoon departures at 2:00 PM are available for the shorter trip. Captain Andrew runs a tight ship with everything you need already on board - quality tackle, fresh live bait, fishing licenses, and a cooler packed with ice to keep your catch fresh. The beauty of these private charters is the flexibility to adapt your fishing style based on conditions, tides, and what's biting that day. Morning trips often produce the most consistent action as predator fish are actively feeding, while afternoon outings can surprise you with aggressive topwater strikes as the sun starts to drop. The 6-hour trip really shines when you want to cover serious water and try multiple techniques, from sight fishing the shallows to working structure in deeper channels.
Tampa Bay's diverse inshore environment calls for a variety of approaches, and Captain Andrew has dialed in the most productive methods for each season and condition. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards is the bread and butter technique that consistently produces quality fish, especially when working mangrove edges and grass flats where snook and redfish ambush prey. Artificial lures come into play when fish are actively feeding - soft plastics on jig heads for working the bottom structure, topwater plugs during dawn and dusk feeding periods, and spoons for covering water when spanish mackerel and trout are schooled up. The tackle provided is tournament-grade spinning gear matched to the target species, with lighter setups for trout and snapper, and beefier rods for handling bull reds and snook around heavy cover. Captain Andrew reads the water like a book, positioning the boat to take advantage of tide changes, current breaks, and seasonal fish movements that casual anglers often miss.
"We had an amazing time with Captain Andrew. He knew all the best spots and helped us catch some impressive fish. The boat was comfortable and the equipment top-notch. Highly recommend Crabtree Fishing Charters!" - Tan
"Our day on the water with Captain Andrew was exceptional! He knew exactly where to find the fish and ensured everyone had a great time. The boat was clean and the equipment excellent. Highly recommend Crabtree Fishing Charters!" - Tom
"Captain Andrew and Crabtree Fishing Charters exceeded our expectations! We caught more fish than we imagined and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. Captain Andrew's expertise made all the difference." - Gilbert
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of Tampa Bay, and when they're running, the action is fast and furious. These chrome-sided rockets typically show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, often feeding in schools that create surface disturbances visible from a distance. They hit spoons and small jigs with authority, making screaming runs that test your drag system. Most spanish run between 1-3 pounds, but the larger "smoker kings" can push 5+ pounds and really bend the rod. What makes them special is their willingness to bite throughout the day - when other species go quiet during midday heat, spanish mackerel often keep the action alive.
Gag Grouper represent the heavy hitters in Tampa Bay's deeper structure, and landing one is always a battle worth bragging about. These bottom dwellers hang around hard structure, ledges, and deeper grass edges, typically in 15-30 feet of water. Gags are ambush predators that inhale live bait or well-presented jigs, then immediately head for cover. The fight is all about stopping that first powerful run before they reach structure and cut you off. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they move into shallower water to spawn. A keeper gag (24-inch minimum) provides excellent table fare and represents a trophy catch for most Tampa Bay anglers.
Snook are Tampa Bay's signature gamefish, combining explosive strikes with acrobatic fights and challenging feeding patterns that keep anglers coming back for more. These ambush predators love structure - mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, bridge shadows, and creek mouths where they wait to attack baitfish. The key to consistent snook fishing is understanding their seasonal movements and feeding windows. Summer finds them in cooler, deeper water during the day, with dawn and dusk providing the best bite. Winter pushes them into warm-water refuges where they can be caught during warmer afternoons. Live bait presented near structure is deadly effective, but artificial lures allow you to cover more water and target aggressive fish.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are Tampa Bay's most reliable year-round species and the perfect fish for building confidence and keeping the action steady. These grass flat specialists feed aggressively on shrimp, small fish, and crabs throughout the water column. Trout are particularly responsive to live shrimp fished under popping corks, a technique that allows you to cover water while keeping bait in the strike zone. They're also excellent targets for artificial lures, especially soft plastics and topwater plugs during low-light periods. Most trout run 12-16 inches, but the coveted "gator trout" over 20 inches
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 2013 Skeeter Bay Boat, a 22-foot center console built to handle Tampa Bay's waters with ease. This versatile fishing machine packs serious power with its 250HP Yamaha VMAX SHO engine, getting you to the hottest fishing spots quickly while staying smooth on the water. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for casting to schooling Spanish Mackerel or working structure for Snook and Redfish. Our wireless trolling motor lets us position silently over grass flats where Trout hide, while the fish finder helps locate baitfish and structure that holds your target species. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those warm Tampa Bay afternoons. With GPS navigation, we'll efficiently move between productive areas, maximizing your time with lines in the water. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing Reds in shallow water or drifting live bait for Mangrove Snapper, this boat handles it all with room for up to 2 anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are bulldogs that live around hard structure and fight like they mean it. Most run 20-30 inches, but we see some pushing 40+ pounds around deeper reefs and wrecks. They love rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial structure in 30-100+ feet of water. Fall and winter months are best when they move shallower to feed. What makes them special is that pure power - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to their hole. The meat is top-shelf white and flaky, perfect for any recipe. My advice: use heavy tackle with 40+ pound line and circle hooks. Soon as you feel that thump, lock down the drag and don't give them an inch. If you let them get their head down and run to structure, it's game over. Keep steady pressure and work them up quick.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most exciting shallow water target - copper-colored bulldogs with distinctive black spots near their tails. They range from 18-30 inches here, with some bigger fish mixed in during cooler months. Hunt for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes reds special is their power and that distinctive "thump" when they eat - they'll make long, strong runs in shallow water. Excellent eating too, with firm white meat. The secret is sight fishing when possible - look for tailing fish or copper flashes in shallow water. Live shrimp and cut bait work great, but topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and be patient - they use every inch of water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are Tampa Bay bread-and-butter fish that'll keep you busy all day. Most run 12-18 inches with plenty of 2-3 pounders mixed in during good years. They love grass flats, especially where the bottom drops from 3 to 8 feet deep. Spring through fall is prime time, with early morning and evening being best. What guests love about trout is they're aggressive feeders and great table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They school up, so where you catch one, there's usually more. The trick is finding the right depth on the flats based on tide and temperature. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but soft plastics on 1/4 oz jig heads work just as well. Keep moving until you find them - once you do, work that area thoroughly before moving on.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's premier inshore gamefish - sleek, golden fighters with that distinctive black lateral line. They typically run 18-30 inches around here, but trophy fish over 35 inches show up regularly. Look for them around mangroves, docks, bridge pilings, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons, especially around structure changes at dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and use every trick to throw your hook. They're catch-and-release only, which keeps the fishery strong. Here's the key: they're ambush predators, so work baits slow around cover. Live shrimp under a popping cork works great, but don't overlook topwater plugs at first light. Keep your drag smooth - they have soft mouths.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver streaks that'll test your reflexes here in Tampa Bay. These streamlined fish typically run 1-2 feet long and 2-4 pounds, though bigger ones show up. You'll find them schooling near the surface around structure - bridges, piers, and grass flats. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps are up. They hit hard and fast, making screaming runs that get everyone excited. Great eating too - mild, flaky white meat that grills perfectly. Pro tip: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get your spoons and small jigs ready. They spook easily, so keep your distance and cast past the school, then work your lure through it. Wire leader helps since those razor teeth will slice mono in a heartbeat.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an amazing time with Captain Andrew. He knew all the best spots and helped us catch some impressive fish. The boat was comf...
Our day on the water with Captain Andrew was exceptional! He knew exactly where to find the fish and ensured everyone had a great ...
Captain Andrew and Crabtree Fishing Charters exceeded our expectations! We caught more fish than we imagined and enjoyed the beaut...
Had a wonderful time fishing with Captain Andrew. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and really knew where to find the fish. The trip...
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