5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing in St. Petersburg
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting cobia, grouper, and kingfishAll tackle, rods, and gear included with experienced guideSmall group experience with maximum two guests per charter
Get ready to spend six solid hours fishing some of the most productive inshore waters Florida has to offer. This extended half-day trip out of St. Petersburg gives you serious time to work different spots and target multiple species without feeling rushed. You'll be fishing with Captain Hank, a local guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand and consistently puts anglers on fish. Whether you're after hard-fighting cobia or looking to fill the cooler with grouper, this trip covers all the bases with top-quality gear included.
This isn't your typical rushed four-hour trip - six hours gives you real fishing time to explore different areas and adjust tactics based on what's biting. Captain Hank runs a well-maintained boat that comfortably handles two anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to fish without getting tangled up. The all-inclusive setup means you don't need to worry about bringing anything except snacks and drinks. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, and Captain Hank stocks quality gear that can handle everything from finicky sheepshead to powerful kingfish. Expect to fish a variety of structures - from nearshore reefs where grouper hold to grass flats where flounder ambush baitfish. The captain reads conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working live bait around structure or casting artificials over sandy bottom.
You'll be fishing multiple techniques depending on the target species and conditions. For grouper, expect to drop heavy jigs and live bait down to rocky bottom and ledges where these fish hold tight. The tackle setup includes medium-heavy rods with enough backbone to pull fish away from structure before they can cut you off. When targeting cobia, you might be sight-fishing with live crabs or eels, requiring quick reactions and smooth drag systems. Sheepshead fishing calls for lighter tackle and small hooks baited with fiddler crabs or shrimp - these fish have incredible eyesight and won't tolerate sloppy presentations. For kingfish, you'll likely troll with wire leaders and spoons or slow-troll live bait around structure. Captain Hank switches up techniques throughout the day based on what's producing, so you'll learn multiple approaches and increase your chances of consistent action.
"Captain Hank did a great job and is very knowledgeable. He put us on the fish and fish several different areas. I will definitely be back to fish with him again. Can't recommend him enough." - Thomas Huffington
Southern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish average 2-4 pounds in local waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 6-8 pounds. Fall and early winter produce the best flounder action as they move toward deeper water for spawning. What makes flounder so rewarding to catch is their subtle bite - you need to stay alert and set the hook at the first sign of weight. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat.
Goliath Grouper are the giants of the reef, reaching massive sizes that can exceed 300 pounds. While you can't keep these protected fish, catching one is a bucket-list experience that'll test your tackle and technique. These prehistoric-looking fish are surprisingly common around St. Petersburg's artificial reefs and wrecks. Summer months offer the best shots at goliaths when they're most active. The fight is pure power - they'll try to get back to their hole immediately, so you need heavy tackle and a good drag system. The photo opportunities alone make encountering these gentle giants worth the trip.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world, known for stealing bait with surgical precision. These black-and-white striped fish average 2-5 pounds and are most active during cooler months from fall through early spring. What makes sheepshead fishing addictive is the challenge - they require perfect bait presentation and lightning-quick hook sets. Their human-like teeth can crush barnacles and crabs, making them one of the strongest pound-for-pound fighters you'll encounter. Plus, they're absolutely delicious with sweet, firm meat.
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and equipment. These torpedo-shaped fish commonly run 10-30 pounds in local waters, with larger fish possible during peak season from spring through fall. Kings are notorious for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're typically caught trolling spoons or slow-trolling live bait around structure and temperature breaks. The excitement comes from the explosive strike and subsequent battle - kings don't give up easily and will make multiple runs before coming to the boat.
Sea Trout are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species aren't cooperating. These spotted beauties average 1-3 pounds with occasional "gator" trout reaching 5+ pounds. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods and respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. What anglers love about trout fishing is the variety of techniques that work - from popping corks with live shrimp to working soft plastics along grass edges. They're also cooperative biters that help keep the action steady throughout the day.
Cobia are the bulldogs of inshore fishing, known for their curious nature and powerful fights. These brown-colored fish average 20-40 pounds and are most common during spring and fall migrations. Cobia fishing is often visual - you'll see them swimming near the surface or following rays and sharks. They're eager to eat live crabs, eels, or large jigs, but they can also be picky about presentation. What makes cobia special is their willingness to come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you multiple shot
Your fishing platform for this St. Petersburg adventure is a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling. The boat features a reliable ice box to keep your catch fresh throughout the 6-hour trip, plus a wireless trolling motor that lets you approach fish quietly without spooking them. The GPS navigation system ensures you'll hit all the prime fishing spots around St. Pete's waters, while the fish finder helps locate schools of Cobia, Grouper, and other target species. With space for 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines and land those bigger fish. The boat's setup is perfect for both bottom fishing and trolling techniques, giving you versatility to adapt to what's biting. Whether you're after Sheepshead around the structure or chasing Kingfish in open water, this boat has the tools and stability to make your fishing trip productive.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the "brown sharks" that get hearts racing until you see that single dorsal fin. These bronze-colored bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 100+, making them one of our most exciting sight-fishing targets. Spring migration (March-May) is prime time when they cruise the surface near buoys, rays, and floating debris in 20-60 feet. They're curious fish that often swim right up to the boat. Summer finds them around reefs and wrecks. The fight is bulldogging power - they'll make long runs and test your drag. Excellent eating with firm, white meat that's prized in restaurants. They're usually solitary except during spawning. Bucktail jigs work great, but they'll eat live bait, eels, and crabs too. Pro tip: when sight-fishing, cast well ahead of a cruising cobia and let your jig sink - they spook easily from direct presentations.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the gentle giants of our reefs - these monsters can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds, making every hookup a memory. They hang around wrecks, ledges, and artificial reefs in 40-150 feet, ambushing anything that swims by. Summer through fall gives us the best shots when they're most active and feeding. Remember, these fish are protected so it's strictly catch-and-release, but the fight alone makes it worthwhile - that first pull will test your gear and your grip on the boat. They're curious fish that aren't afraid of divers or boats. Use heavy tackle with 80-wide reels and 400+ pound line since they'll try to break you off in the structure. My tip: get your bait close to the reef but stay far enough to pull them away before they duck back into their holes.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings," are speed demons that'll test your drag system and give you a workout. These silver bullets typically weigh 20-30 pounds but can push 90+, and they're built for speed with razor-sharp teeth to match. We find them from 40-150 feet around structure, drop-offs, and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding and migrating through our waters. The initial run is pure adrenaline - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. They're excellent eating despite the mercury warnings for pregnant women and kids. Trolling with live bait or spoons works best, but they'll also hit vertical jigs. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the nose and a trailing hook, since kings love to bite baits in half.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are our bread-and-butter inshore fish that provide consistent action year-round in Tampa Bay. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their distinctive black spots making them easy to identify. Look for them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in 3-15 feet of water. Dawn and dusk are magic hours, especially during summer when they feed actively in the shallows. Winter brings bigger schools into deeper channels. They're scrappy fighters with delicate mouths, so don't horse them. The white, flaky meat is outstanding but cook it gently since it's tender. They hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp equally well. My tip: fish the grass edges during moving tides - specks use these areas as ambush points and the action can be non-stop.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're some of the smartest fish we target around St. Pete's bridges, docks, and jetties. They typically run 1-8 pounds but can hit 20+ if you're lucky. These guys have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles, crabs, and oysters off the pilings they love to live around. Winter and early spring are peak times when they school up for spawning. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel them nibbling before they commit, so keep your bait pinned tight and set the hook hard when you feel weight. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. Pro tip: scrape some barnacles off the pilings to create a chum slick - they'll come running to investigate the easy meal.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged until prey swims by. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though you can find some pushing 30+ inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique "flounder stare" everyone remembers. We find them year-round in our shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. They're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The fight isn't flashy but they're fun to target. Pro tip: bounce your bait right off the bottom to get their attention - these fish respond to movement and won't chase far from their hiding spots.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Hank did a great job and is very knowledgeable. He put us on the fish and fish several different areas. I will definitely ...
St. Petersburg, FL