Guided Fishing Trip In St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target grouper, cobia, permit, and sheepshead inshoreAll fishing gear and licenses included with charterSmall group experience with maximum two guests
St. Petersburg's inshore waters are hands down some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, and Deep Color Fishing knows exactly where to find the action. This isn't your typical tourist charter – we're talking about a serious fishing operation that puts you on fish consistently. Captain and crew have been working these flats, grass beds, and nearshore structure for years, building a reputation as one of the top-rated charters in the area. Whether you're looking to bend the rod on some quality grouper or test your skills against a bulldogging cobia, this trip delivers the goods every single time.
Your day starts early when you meet the crew at the dock, ready to hit productive waters while conditions are prime. This is an intimate fishing experience with just two anglers max, which means personalized attention and more shots at quality fish. The boat heads out to target-rich areas where grouper stack up on hard bottom, sheepshead cruise the structure, and cobia patrol the flats looking for an easy meal. You'll spend your time working different techniques depending on what's biting – maybe dropping baits to the bottom for grouper, sight-fishing for cruising cobia, or finessing trout in the grass. The crew handles all the details so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. Everything's included from rods and reels to tackle and licenses, plus they'll clean your catch at the end of the day.
Deep Color Fishing runs a variety of proven techniques that consistently produce results in St. Pete's diverse inshore environment. Bottom fishing with heavy tackle and circle hooks is the go-to method for grouper, using fresh cut bait or live pinfish to entice these reef dwellers out of their rocky hideouts. For cobia, the crew switches gears to sight-fishing mode, scanning the surface for these bronze-colored predators and presenting live crabs or jigs when opportunities arise. Sheepshead require a more finesse approach – light tackle with small hooks and fiddler crabs or shrimp, worked around pilings and structure where these black-and-white striped fighters like to hang. Trout fishing means covering grass flats with soft plastics or live shrimp, targeting areas where baitfish are active. The captain reads conditions constantly, adjusting locations and techniques based on tides, weather, and fish behavior to keep you connected to quality catches all day long.
Goliath Grouper are the true giants of these waters, and hooking one is an experience you'll never forget. These massive fish can exceed 400 pounds and provide an epic battle that tests both angler skill and tackle limits. They're year-round residents around structure and wrecks, with summer months offering the most consistent action. What makes them special is the sheer power – when a goliath decides to head back to its hole, you're along for the ride whether you like it or not.
Sheepshead are pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters in the bay, with their stubborn, head-shaking battles and notorious bait-stealing abilities. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they school up around structure to spawn. These convict-striped fighters require patience and skill – they're notorious for picking baits clean without getting hooked, earning them the nickname "bait thieves" among local anglers.
King Mackerel bring serious speed and aerial acrobatics to the mix, especially during their spring and fall migrations when they move through nearshore waters in large schools. These silver bullets can strip line off your reel faster than almost any other fish, often launching themselves completely out of the water in spectacular jumps. Their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs make every hookup an adrenaline rush.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter species that keep action consistent throughout the trip, with spotted seatrout being especially abundant in the grass flats around St. Petersburg. They bite year-round but really turn on during warmer months, providing excellent light tackle action and making great table fare. Their distinctive spotted pattern and soft mouth require careful handling, but their willingness to bite makes them perfect for building confidence.
Permit are considered one of the most challenging inshore species to catch, making any permit hookup a real trophy moment. These disc-shaped fighters are incredibly spooky and selective, but when conditions align and you present the right bait perfectly, the reward is an unforgettable battle. They're most active during warmer months around structure and flats edges.
Cobia are aggressive predators that offer some of the most visual and exciting fishing in the area. These bronze-colored bruisers often cruise near the surface, allowing for sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart pumping. Spring through fall provides the best cobia action, with fish ranging from 20 to 50+ pounds putting serious pressure on your drag system.
St. Petersburg's inshore fishing scene doesn't get much better than this, and Deep Color Fishing has earned their reputation by putting clients on fish consistently. The combination of productive waters, experienced crew, and intimate boat capacity creates the perfect recipe for a world-class fishing experience. With all gear, licenses, and expertise included, plus the flexibility to cancel up to one day prior, there's really no reason to wait. These spots fill up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot and word spreads fast among the angling community. Book your trip today and get ready to experience why so many anglers consider St. Pete's inshore waters some of Florida's finest fishing destinations.
Your fishing platform for St. Petersburg's inshore waters is a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling. Built for a captain plus 2 anglers, this boat cuts through Tampa Bay's shallows with ease while staying quiet enough not to spook the fish. The wireless trolling motor lets you position perfectly over structure where grouper hide, while the fish finder reveals exactly what's below - whether it's a school of trout or that prized cobia cruising the flats. GPS navigation gets you to the productive spots quickly, and the onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh from hook to dock. This setup handles everything from sight fishing for permit in shallow grass beds to working deeper channels for grouper. The boat's size makes it perfect for maneuvering around docks, bridges, and oyster bars where sheepshead love to feed. Every piece of gear is chosen specifically for Florida's inshore fishing - built to handle the salt, the sun, and whatever fights back when you set the hook.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are fantastic fish that look like sharks with their brown coloration and single dorsal fin. They average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them one of our bigger targets. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, buoys, and structures in 30-70 feet of water, though they can go as deep as 300 feet. Spring through fall is best, especially during their spawning runs. What makes them popular is they're aggressive predators that hit hard and make strong runs, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat. They're usually solitary, so we sight fish for them near the surface. Bucktail jigs work great, and color doesn't seem to matter much - 4-8 ounce jigs are perfect. Look for them cruising along current breaks and structure edges where they're hunting crabs and smaller fish.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese giants can grow up to 8 feet and 800 pounds, making them the largest grouper in the Atlantic. You'll find them around shallow reefs, wrecks, and structures in 30-150 feet of water. They're curious fish that will actually stalk divers and aren't shy about taking bait. What makes them special is they're completely protected - it's catch and release only, which helps preserve these amazing creatures that can live 50-100 years. The fight is intense but short-lived, and that first pull will test your gear and your grip on the rod. Best fishing is spring through fall when they're most active. My tip: use heavy tackle with 400-600 pound mono and big circle hooks, and anchor close enough to structure that they'll come out but far enough that you can pull them away from cover before they break you off.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are built for speed and known for blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Most average around 30 pounds, but we see fish over 90 pounds in these waters. They cruise in 40-150 feet, hunting blue runners, jacks, and anything else they can catch. Spring through fall is peak season when they're migrating along our coast. What makes them exciting is that explosive initial run - they'll peel line like nothing else out here. The meat is rich and flavorful, though it's high in oil content. We typically troll with planers and heavy tackle, or use live bait on wire leaders since their teeth are razor sharp. Pro tip: always rig two hooks when using live bait - one in the nose and a trailing hook, because kings love to hit the tail section of a baitfish first.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - they're incredibly smart and spooky, with golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees. They average 36 inches but can hit 48 inches and 60 pounds. You'll find juveniles in shallow flats in just 2 feet of water, while adults hang around offshore wrecks and structures. April through October is prime time during spawning season. What makes them special is the challenge - they're probably the toughest fish to fool in these waters, harder than tarpon or bonefish. They have excellent eyesight and will bolt at the slightest movement. Blue crabs are the go-to bait, though crab imitations work too. The key is a perfect presentation - get that crab right in front of them without spooking them. Once hooked, they make strong runs and put up a serious fight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they feed aggressively. You'll find them in 2-10 feet of water around structure and drop-offs. Spring through fall is best, but they bite year-round in our area. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit artificial lures - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and jigs all work great. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The fight is fun but not overpowering, making them great for kids and beginners. My advice is to work the grass flats early morning or late evening, and don't overcook them - the meat is delicate and gets mushy if you're not careful.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese guys are nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, and they're famous for their human-like teeth that crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but you can find 20-pounders if you're lucky. They hang tight around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs where they feed on barnacles and crustaceans. Winter through spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with incredible eyesight, so it takes skill to hook them. Plus, they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is getting your bait right against the structure and setting the hook hard when you feel that telltale nibble. They'll pick your bait clean if you're not quick.
St. Petersburg, FL