St. Petersburg Sunset Fishing Tour
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
3hour sunset cruise exploring St. Petersburg's waterfront viewsExpert captain guides guests to premium sunset viewing locationsPerfect for families, couples, and small groups of 4
There's nothing quite like watching the sun dip below the horizon while you're out on Tampa Bay with a rod in your hands. Down Range Charters brings you the best of both worlds - prime fishing waters around St. Petersburg and some of the most spectacular sunsets you'll ever see. This 3-hour trip is perfect for anglers who want to experience the magic hour when fish get active and the sky puts on a show. Whether you're bringing the family, planning a romantic evening, or just want to unwind with friends, our sunset fishing tour delivers exactly what you're looking for.
We launch from St. Petersburg's waters during the golden hours when the fishing really heats up. Captain and crew know these inshore waters like the back of their hands - every grass flat, oyster bar, and drop-off that holds fish. You'll spend three hours working the productive spots around Tampa Bay while the sun slowly makes its way toward the water. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, so you won't feel crowded and everyone gets plenty of room to cast. As evening approaches, the water usually calms down and the fish start feeding more aggressively. It's one of those times when everything just clicks - the weather's usually perfect, the scenery's stunning, and the bite picks up right when you need it most. Don't worry about experience level either; our captain works with everyone from first-timers to seasoned anglers.
We fish the inshore waters using light to medium tackle that's perfect for the species we're targeting. Most of the time you'll be using live bait or proven artificials, depending on what's working best that day. The captain provides all the gear you need, from quality rods and reels to tackle and bait. We focus on sight fishing and structure fishing around the grass flats and oyster beds where fish love to hang out during the evening hours. You'll learn how to read the water, spot feeding fish, and present your bait in ways that get results. The shallow waters around St. Pete are perfect for this style of fishing - you can actually see what's happening below the surface a lot of the time. We'll anchor up on productive spots or drift fish depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. The captain's always ready to switch tactics if one approach isn't working, so you're constantly learning new techniques throughout the trip.
Redfish are the stars of the show in these waters, especially during evening hours when they move up into the shallows to feed. These copper-colored fighters typically run anywhere from 18 to 30 inches around St. Petersburg, with some real bulls pushing over the slot limit. They love cruising the grass flats and oyster bars as the sun gets low, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. What makes reds so exciting is how they fight - they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides to pull hard against your drag. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive spot near their tail. Best time to target them is definitely during these sunset hours when they're most active and easiest to spot in the shallow water.
Spotted sea trout are another favorite that really turn on during the evening bite. These fish are scrappy fighters that love the grass flats around Tampa Bay. They typically range from 15 to 25 inches, with some nice gator trout mixed in during cooler months. What's great about specks is they're willing biters - they'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. They make beautiful jumps when hooked and their distinctive spots make them easy to identify. Evening fishing is prime time for trout because they move up shallow to feed on shrimp and baitfish. The cooler months from fall through spring offer the best action, but you can find them year-round in these productive waters.
Snook are the ultimate prize fish in St. Petersburg's inshore waters. These ambush predators love structure like docks, mangroves, and oyster bars where they can hide and attack unsuspecting prey. They typically run from 20 to 35 inches, with some real giants lurking around the best spots. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fighting style - they'll jump, run, and do everything possible to throw your hook. They're also beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Snook fishing is best during warmer months, and evening hours are prime time when they move out of cover to feed. The slot limit keeps the fishery healthy, so you'll often catch and release these prized gamefish.
This sunset fishing tour combines everything that makes St. Petersburg fishing special - productive waters, beautiful scenery, and that perfect evening bite when fish really get active. Down Range Charters has put together a trip that works for everyone, whether you're serious about fishing or just want to enjoy a peaceful evening on the water. The three-hour window gives you plenty of time to hit multiple spots and try different techniques while still getting back to the dock at a reasonable hour. With space for up to four anglers, it's sized perfectly for families or small groups who want personal attention from an experienced captain. Don't wait too long to book - sunset trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when everyone wants to be on the water during those magic hours.
Meet Mako, your ride for chasing that perfect St. Pete sunset bite! This classic 24-foot center console has been working these inshore waters since '87, powered by a reliable 225HP Johnson Evinrude that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a solid 35 knots. With room for up to 4 anglers, she's built for serious fishing with a spacious deck layout perfect for casting and fighting fish. The boat comes equipped with everything you need for a successful evening on the water - GPS to navigate the flats and channels, fish finder to locate those holding spots where snook and redfish like to ambush baitfish during the golden hour. Keep your catch fresh and drinks cold in the onboard icebox while you work the mangroves and grass beds as the sun drops low over Tampa Bay. This isn't just about pretty views - the best fishing often happens during that magic sunset window when the water comes alive. Mako's shallow draft gets you into those productive backcountry spots where the big ones feed as daylight fades.
Cleveland