Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing with Captain Richard
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing trips with Captain Richard covering all equipment and licensesTarget Flounder, Redfish, King Mackerel and Crevalle Jack in Tampa BayMorning, afternoon or fullday options tailored for all ages
Captain Richard knows Tampa Bay's waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish from the moment you step aboard. Whether you're looking for a quick morning strike or want to spend the whole day working the flats, Down2Fish Charters delivers the kind of inshore action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – Captain Richard tailors every trip to match your group's skill level and gets especially excited about getting kids hooked on fishing. Just let him know their ages when you book, and he'll adjust his approach to make sure everyone has a blast.
Your Tampa Bay adventure kicks off with Captain Richard's no-nonsense approach to finding fish fast. He's got the local knowledge to read the tides, wind, and structure that make the difference between a good day and a great day. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, and your fishing licenses are already handled – you just need to show up ready to cast. Morning trips catch the early bite when fish are most active, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still get solid action. Full-day trips are where things get really interesting, giving you time to work different spots and target multiple species as conditions change. Captain Richard keeps things moving at a pace that works for your group, whether that means staying put on a hot bite or exploring new water when the action slows.
Tampa Bay's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Captain Richard runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. Live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards works magic around structure and grass flats, especially when redfish and snook are feeding aggressively. Artificial lures shine when you need to cover water quickly – soft plastics bounced along the bottom can trigger strikes from flounder and sheepshead, while topwater plugs create explosive action during low-light periods. The captain provides all the gear you'll need, from spinning rods perfect for beginners to more specialized setups for experienced anglers who want to challenge bigger fish. He'll show you how to work different lures, read your line for subtle bites, and position yourself for the best hooksets. The boat stays positioned upwind or up-current of productive spots, letting you present baits naturally while staying in the strike zone longer.
Southern Flounder are the bay's most consistent producers, and these flatfish provide steady action for anglers of all skill levels. They love sandy bottoms near grass edges and creek mouths, typically running 14 to 18 inches with occasional doormat specimens pushing 20-plus inches. Spring through fall offers the best flounder action, with cooler months seeing fish stack up in deeper holes. What makes flounder so appealing is their willingness to eat – they'll crush live shrimp, gulp down soft plastics, and even attack small jigs bounced along the bottom. The fight isn't flashy, but that first thump on your line and the subsequent head-shaking battle makes every hookup satisfying.
Snook represent Tampa Bay's premier gamefish, and Captain Richard knows exactly where these silver-sided fighters like to hang out. Bridge pilings, dock lights, and mangrove shorelines hold snook year-round, but summer months bring the most consistent action. These fish average 20 to 28 inches, with slot-sized specimens providing incredible fights on light tackle. Snook have serious attitude – they'll explode on topwater baits at dawn and dusk, then switch to finicky feeding that demands precise presentations. Their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward structure keep you on your toes from hookset to net. Current regulations protect these fish during spawning seasons, so Captain Richard stays current on all rules to ensure sustainable fishing.
Sheepshead might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute masters at testing your patience and skill. These black-striped convicts hang around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and any structure covered in barnacles and crustaceans. Fall and winter provide peak sheepshead action when cooler water concentrates these fish in predictable spots. They typically run 12 to 16 inches, with occasional slabs pushing 18 inches and several pounds. Sheepshead have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, making them notorious bait thieves. Captain Richard teaches the subtle techniques needed to detect their light bites and set hooks before they spit your offering. Fresh shrimp and fiddler crabs work best, presented on light tackle that lets you feel every nibble.
King Mackerel bring speed and power to Tampa Bay's inshore scene, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These chrome-bright speedsters average 15 to 25 pounds, with bigger fish always possible when conditions align. Kings patrol the edges of shipping channels and deeper grass flats, often following bait schools in spectacular feeding frenzies. Live bait fishing with large shiners or blue runners produces consistent results, while fast-trolled spoons and diving plugs trigger reaction strikes. The initial run of a hooked king mackerel will test your drag settings and your nerves – these fish can peel line like few other species. Captain Richard carries the wire leaders and heavy tackle needed to handle kings properly while keeping the fight sporting.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's signature species, and these bronze beauties offer everything you want in a gamefish. They feed aggressively, fight hard, and show up in fishable numbers throughout the year. Slot-sized reds typically run 18 to 27 inches, with their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spots making them unmistakable. Spring and fall provide peak action as water temperatures hit that sweet spot that gets reds feeding heavily. These fish patrol grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges, often cruising in water so shallow their backs break the surface. Captain Richard excels at sight fishing for reds, positioning the boat for clean shots at cruising fish
Hit the productive waters of Tampa Bay aboard our reliable 2017 Robalo 25-footer with Captain Richard. This center console fishing machine packs a Yamaha 250HP engine that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots. With room for 6 anglers, she's equipped with everything serious fishermen need - GPS to navigate the flats, fish finder to locate structure where redfish and snook hang out, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The open layout gives everyone plenty of casting room whether you're working the grass flats for trout or targeting crevalle jacks around the bridges. Captain Richard knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines wet instead of searching around. Perfect setup for Tampa Bay's diverse inshore fishing opportunities.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel bring serious speed and excitement to Tampa Bay fishing, especially during spring and fall migrations. These torpedo-shaped speedsters typically run 10-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds when conditions are right. We find them in 40-80 feet of water around structure, bait schools, and temperature breaks. What guests love most is their blistering runs - they'll peel 100 yards of line in seconds and jump like tarpon. They're also excellent eating with rich, flaky meat perfect for grilling or smoking. The key to success is trolling live bait or spoons at 6-8 knots, using wire leaders because of their razor-sharp teeth. Pro tip: when one hits, immediately get other lines in the water nearby - kings often travel in schools and you might double up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most popular inshore target, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties average 18-27 inches with distinctive black spots near their tails. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing. Year-round fishing with peak action during moving tides at first light and late afternoon. Guests love their powerful runs and head-shaking fights, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. What makes them special is sight fishing opportunities - watching them cruise and cast ahead of moving fish. My secret weapon is a gold spoon worked slowly over grass beds. The flash drives them crazy, and when they hit, hold on tight because they'll make long, strong runs toward structure.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are Tampa Bay's most challenging and rewarding targets, earning the nickname "convict fish" for their black stripes. These 2-5 pound fighters hang around every dock, bridge, and piling in the bay, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. Winter months are best when they school up for spawning. What makes them special is their incredible fight for their size and outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. The challenge is their notorious bait-stealing ability; they'll clean your hook without you knowing. My trick is to use the smallest hook possible with fresh shrimp, keep tension on the line, and set the hook at the first tick. Once you learn their subtle bite, you'll be addicted to these crafty fish.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's signature game fish and absolute crowd favorites on every trip. These sleek predators average 20-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line, but the real thrill comes when you hook into a 30+ inch female around mangrove shorelines and dock lights. They love structure - bridges, mangroves, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall are peak seasons, especially during moving tides at dawn and dusk. Guests go crazy for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're catch-and-release only, which makes each one special. Here's my local secret: work your lure parallel to the mangrove edge, not away from it. Snook ambush from cover, so keep that bait tight to structure and be ready for a violent hit.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that make Tampa Bay trips memorable for guests. These ambush predators lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms, typically running 15-18 inches and 3-5 pounds, though we occasionally see them up to 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, around docks, and near grass beds where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is watching both eyes on one side of their head track your bait, plus they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using a slow drift with live shrimp on a light jig head - let it bounce bottom and watch for that subtle tap. They're notorious bait stealers, so patience pays off.
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