5.0(2 Reviews)Tampa Bay Private Solo Fishing Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour solo fishing adventure in Tampa Bay watersTarget snook, redfish, and mangrove snapper using multiple techniquesOneonone instruction with experienced charter captain included
Looking for some one-on-one time on the water? This 4-hour private solo angler trip with Crabtree Fishing Charters is exactly what you need. Captain Andrew knows Tampa Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why this fishery is considered one of Florida's best-kept secrets. Starting bright and early at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday, you'll have the boat all to yourself – perfect for learning new techniques or just enjoying some peaceful fishing without the crowd. We're talking about hitting the prime inshore and nearshore spots where the fish are biting, using everything from bottom rigs to trolling setups to put you on the action.
This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. With just you and Captain Andrew, you're getting personalized instruction and the flexibility to fish however you want. We'll cruise through Tampa Bay's maze of mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and deeper channels where the big fish hang out. The beauty of a solo trip is that we can adapt on the fly – if you're crushing it with live bait under the mangroves, we'll stay put. If the action's slow, we'll run to the next spot without waiting for other anglers to reel in. You'll get hands-on coaching with different techniques, whether you're a beginner wanting to learn the basics or an experienced angler looking to dial in your skills. The boat's equipped with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got favorites. We'll have you covered with everything from light spinning tackle for slot redfish to heavier bottom rigs when we're targeting grouper in deeper water.
Tampa Bay fishing is all about versatility, and we'll run through the techniques that work best in these waters. Bottom fishing is money when we're working the deeper holes and structure for grouper and big mangrove snapper – we're talking about dropping live pinfish or cut bait right to the bottom and waiting for that telltale thump. Trolling comes into play when we're covering water looking for crevalle jack or working the edges of grass flats for snook. We'll pull small jigs or live bait behind the boat at just the right speed to trigger strikes. Spinning with artificial lures is probably the most fun – casting soft plastics or topwater plugs to visible structure like docks, oyster bars, and mangrove edges. You'll learn to read the water, understand how tides affect fish movement, and pick up the subtle signs that separate productive water from dead zones. Captain Andrew will show you how to work a soft plastic through the grass without getting hung up, how to present live bait so it looks natural, and when to switch techniques based on what the fish are telling you.
"Captain Andrew of Crabtree Fishing Charters made our trip unforgettable! His expertise and passion for fishing ensured we had a fantastic day on the water. We caught plenty of fish and enjoyed every moment." - George. "An incredible fishing adventure with Crabtree Fishing Charters! Captain Andrew's experience and enthusiasm made our trip unforgettable. We caught a lot of fish and had a blast. Highly recommend!" - Franz
Gag Grouper are the heavyweight champions of Tampa Bay's deeper waters. These bruisers typically run 15-25 pounds and are known for their powerful runs straight back to the bottom when hooked. They're most active during cooler months from November through March, hanging around hard bottom areas and artificial reefs in 20-40 feet of water. What makes gag grouper so appealing to anglers is their fight – they'll test your drag and make you work for every inch of line you gain. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Snook are Tampa Bay's most prized inshore game fish, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black lateral line are ambush predators that love hanging around structure. They're extremely temperature sensitive, becoming most active when water temps are between 70-85 degrees. Spring and fall are prime time, though summer evenings can be phenomenal. Snook are famous for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and do everything possible to throw your hook. The slot limit keeps things interesting, as only fish between 28-33 inches can be kept, making every snook catch a measuring stick moment.
Summer Flounder, also known as fluke, are the masters of disguise in Tampa Bay. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottom areas and wait for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. They're typically most active from late spring through early fall, with the best action in 10-25 feet of water around structure transitions. Flounder fishing requires patience and a good feel for your bait – they often pick up your offering and swim with it before fully committing. When you do hook one, you're in for a different kind of fight as they use their flat profile to create maximum resistance in the water.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable year-round target and a favorite among anglers for their consistent appetite and strong fights. These copper-colored drum species love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. You'll often spot them tailing in skinny water or cruising in small schools. Reds in the 18-27 inch slot are perfect eating, while the bigger bulls over 27 inches provide arm-burning fights. They're not picky eaters, taking everything from live shrimp to cut bait to artificial lures, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Pacific Crevalle Jack bring non-stop action to Tampa Bay fishing trips. These hard-fighting members of the jack family are built for speed and endurance, often found in schools around bait pods or structure.
This 22-foot Skeeter bay boat cuts through Tampa Bay's waters with serious fishing power. The 2013 center console runs on a reliable 250HP Yamaha VMAX SHO engine that gets you to the fish fast and quiet when you switch to the wireless trolling motor. Perfect for solo anglers who want personalized attention while chasing snook, redfish, and jacks in the shallows. The GPS keeps you on target while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida mornings. Built to handle both nearshore runs and backwater fishing, this boat gets into skinny water where the big fish hide. Whether you're bottom fishing around structure or trolling the flats, you've got room to move and cast without bumping elbows. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, making it easy to work lures around mangroves or fight fish from any angle.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are one of Tampa Bay's most challenging bottom fish, averaging 20 inches but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These gray, marbled fighters love rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks in 20-60 feet of water. They're ambush predators that'll grab your bait and immediately try to drag it back into their hideout. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move into nearshore waters. What makes them special is the fight - once hooked, they'll pull straight down with surprising power for their size. The meat is firm, white, and excellent eating. Here's the key: when you feel that thump, don't give them any slack. Lock your drag and keep steady pressure to prevent them from reaching cover. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait near structure.
Caranx CaninusJack Crevalle are the brawlers of Tampa Bay - silver torpedoes that average 15-25 inches but can reach 40+ pounds. These schooling fish roam open water and structure, often near the surface where you'll see them "boiling" the water while feeding. They're most active in warmer months and love to chase moving baits. What draws anglers is their raw power and never-quit attitude - they'll fight until the boat. While not the best table fare, they're pure sport. Jacks travel in schools and are aggressive feeders, hitting topwater plugs, spoons, and live bait with reckless abandon. When you see birds diving and water churning, that's your cue - cast anything shiny or moving into the chaos. Use heavy tackle because once you hook one, the whole school might join the party.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable inshore target, running 20-30 inches on average with that distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them in super shallow water - grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet deep. They're year-round fish here, but spring and fall provide the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat and their bulldog fight in shallow water. They're also great on the table with firm, mild meat. These copper-colored fighters will take almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. The trick is staying quiet in skinny water and making accurate casts. When you see their backs out of the water or that telltale "wake" in the shallows, cast just ahead of them and let your bait settle to the bottom.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's signature inshore gamefish, easily recognized by that bold black lateral line running down their silver sides. Most run 18-24 inches, but big females can push 40+ inches. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. These fish are temperature sensitive, so warmer months from April through October offer the best opportunities. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, shake, and make powerful runs. The meat is sweet and flaky when prepared right. Snook are ambush feeders that hit fast-moving baits, so keep your lures moving. Here's a local trick: fish the shadow lines around docks and mangroves during moving water - that's where they wait to ambush baitfish.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder might not look like much lying flat on the bottom, but don't let that fool you - these "doormats" are skilled predators. Most run 15-20 inches, though big ones can hit 26 pounds. They're found on sandy and muddy bottoms in 10-40 feet, often near structure where baitfish gather. Fall months, especially September through November, are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What's fun about flounder fishing is the technique - you're sight-fishing for fish that can change color to match the bottom. They make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Since they bite sideways, you need to give them time to turn the bait before setting the hook. Try drifting with live minnows or bucktail jigs tipped with squid strips - keep moving until you find them.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Andrew of Crabtree Fishing Charters made our trip unforgettable! His expertise and passion for fishing ensured we had a fa...
An incredible fishing adventure with Crabtree Fishing Charters! Captain Andrew’s experience and enthusiasm made our trip unforgett...
Clearwater