5.0(4 Reviews)Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing with Crabtree Charters
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing targeting snook, trout, and redfishAll tackle, bait, and licenses included with tripsMorning and afternoon departures with flexible scheduling options
Tampa Bay's shallow flats and mangrove-lined shorelines create some of Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds. With Crabtree Fishing Charters, you'll work these prime spots with Captain Andrew, who's spent years learning where the fish hold up during different tides and seasons. Whether you choose the 4-hour half day or stretch it out to 6 hours, you're getting a private charter experience that puts you on fish without the crowds. Every trip includes your tackle, live bait, fishing licenses, and a cooler with ice - just bring your favorite drinks in cans and any snacks you want.
Your Tampa Bay fishing adventure kicks off with either an 8 AM morning departure or a 2 PM afternoon start for the 4-hour trips. The 6-hour option launches at 8 AM, giving you maximum time to work different areas as conditions change throughout the day. Captain Andrew runs a well-maintained boat that handles Tampa Bay's variable conditions smoothly, whether you're drifting over grass flats in two feet of water or working deeper channels near the bridges. The morning trips often start cooler with calmer winds, making them perfect for families with kids who might get restless later in the day. Afternoon departures can be productive too, especially when the morning boat traffic dies down and fish start moving again. With a maximum of 2 guests, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to cast without tangling lines.
Captain Andrew switches up techniques based on what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll likely start with live shrimp under popping corks over grass flats, a deadly combination for trout and redfish. When targeting snook around structure, he'll rig up live pinfish or pilchards and show you how to present them near mangrove roots and dock pilings without getting hung up. Spanish mackerel action often means switching to small jigs or spoons, especially when you see birds working baitfish on the surface. The boat carries quality spinning tackle in various weights, so whether you're finesse fishing for trout in shallow water or need backbone to pull a gag grouper away from structure, you're covered. Captain Andrew knows the tidal movements that trigger feeding activity, positioning you on productive spots right when fish start chewing.
"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
"Had a wonderful time fishing with Captain Andrew. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and really knew where to find the fish. The trip was smooth and enjoyable, and we caught some big ones!" - Patrick
Spanish Mackerel are Tampa Bay's speed demons, hitting lures with aggressive strikes that'll wake you up fast. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class, making screaming runs that test your drag. They show up best during cooler months from October through April, often in schools that create feeding frenzies when they trap baitfish against the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue to get a small jig or spoon in the water quickly. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll need wire leader, but the payoff is some of the most exciting light-tackle action Tampa Bay offers.
Gag Grouper represent the heavyweight division of your potential catch list. These bottom dwellers hang around structure like bridge pilings, artificial reefs, and rocky outcroppings in 15-40 feet of water. A keeper gag runs 24 inches or better and can easily hit 5-10 pounds, with larger fish providing serious arm-burning fights. They're ambush predators that inhale live bait, then immediately head for cover, so you need to turn them fast or risk getting cut off in the rocks. Gag season typically runs from July through December, making them a prime target during warmer months when they're more active.
Snook are Tampa Bay's poster fish and for good reason - they're beautiful, fight like crazy, and challenge your skills around structure. These silvery-sided fighters love mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge shadows where they ambush passing bait. A slot-size snook runs 28-33 inches and provides multiple jumping, gill-rattling runs that'll have you questioning your knots. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round, with early morning and late afternoon being prime feeding times. Live bait presented just right gets eaten, but spook them and they'll shut down fast.
Sea Trout are Tampa Bay's most reliable performers, willing to bite throughout the year over grass flats and sandy potholes. These spotted fighters typically run 14-20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 24+ inches and several pounds. They're perfect for light tackle fishing, often caught on live shrimp under popping corks or soft plastic baits worked slowly over the bottom. Trout fishing stays consistent through most seasons, though they move to deeper water during cold fronts and come shallow again when temperatures warm up.
Redfish are the copper-colored bulldogs of the flats, known for powerful runs and stubborn fights in shallow water. Tampa
Our 2013 Skeeter Bay Boat puts you right in the heart of Tampa Bay's prime fishing grounds. This 22-foot center console is built for serious anglers who want to get on the fish fast. The 250HP Yamaha VMAX SHO engine gets you to the hot spots quickly, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure for snook and redfish. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of trout and mackerel, and GPS keeps you on productive waters. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, you'll have everything needed for productive fishing. Whether you're casting live bait around mangroves or working flats for tailing reds, this boat handles Tampa Bay's shallow waters perfectly. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, making it easy to fight fish from any angle.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are bottom-dwelling bruisers that average 20 inches but can grow much larger - up to 50+ pounds. They hang around hard structure like reefs, rocks, and wrecks, typically in 30-100 feet of water offshore. Younger fish sometimes show up in shallower inshore spots. Fall and winter are your best bets when they're more active and feeding heavily. What guests love about gags is the fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their rocky hideout. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat. My tip: keep your drag locked tight and don't let them freewheel after the hookup. You've got to muscle them up quickly before they can dive into a hole and cut you off on the rocks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and black eyespots near the tail. They average 18-27 inches (slot size), but we see plenty of oversized "bulls" over 28 inches that we release. They love super shallow water - sometimes with backs exposed - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall is peak season when they school up, but they bite year-round here. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water - nothing beats watching a red blow up on a surface plug. They're also great eating within the slot. Pro tip: look for them tailing in shallow water during high tide periods, and approach quietly since they spook easily in thin water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are year-round residents that typically run 12-18 inches with bigger fish in cooler months. They've got distinctive black spots and prefer grass flats, sandy bottoms, and deeper channels in 3-15 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime when they school up in deeper holes, but spring offers great shallow water action. Trout are perfect for beginners - they bite readily, fight decent for their size, and are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is not overcooking them since the meat is delicate. My go-to tip: look for them over grass beds during warmer months, but in winter, find the deeper pockets where they stack up. Popping cork with live shrimp is hard to beat for consistent action.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's signature inshore gamefish, with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped forehead. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy fish over 30 inches provide serious fights. They love structure - docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. Warmer months are peak season, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fight in shallow water. They're also catch-and-release only, making each one feel more valuable. The cooler months can be tough since they're temperature sensitive and go dormant below 60 degrees. Best tip: work your lures slowly along structure edges during moving water - incoming tide is usually money for snook fishing around here.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are sleek, fast-moving fish that typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh around 2-4 pounds in Tampa Bay. You'll recognize them by their silver bodies with yellowish spots scattered along the sides. These speedsters love to school up near the surface, especially around structure and bait pods. Spring through fall are prime times when water temps are warm - they're pretty temperature sensitive. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strikes and decent fight for their size. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you find one Spanish Mackerel, there's usually a whole school nearby, so work that area thoroughly with fast-moving lures or live bait.
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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