Full Day Beginner Fishing - St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday beginner fishing trip in Tampa Bay watersCaptain provides handson instruction for casting and reeling techniquesTarget redfish, sea trout, and sheepshead on private charter
Captain Jordan Buendia knows exactly what it's like to hook your first redfish or watch a sheepshead put up a surprising fight. His full-day beginner fishing trip out of Maximo Boat Ramp is built around one simple idea: getting newcomers comfortable on the water while actually catching fish. You'll spend eight hours learning the ropes in Tampa Bay's productive inshore waters, where the fish are plentiful and the conditions stay manageable. This isn't about throwing you in the deep end – it's about building confidence with every cast while targeting some of Florida's most rewarding species.
Your day starts at Maximo Boat Ramp, where Captain Jordan will get you set up with everything you need before heading out into Tampa Bay's calm inshore flats and channels. The beauty of this trip is the pace – there's no rush, no pressure to perform like a pro angler right away. You'll work on basic casting techniques, learn how to read the water, and understand what different fish are looking for. The captain focuses on productive spots where beginners can build confidence, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to structure where black drum hang out. With only two guests maximum, you get plenty of one-on-one attention to work on your technique. The boat stays in protected waters, so you won't deal with rough seas or long runs to fishing spots.
Captain Jordan provides all the tackle and gear, which means you'll be using rods and reels that are perfectly matched for inshore fishing. You'll learn with medium-action spinning rods that are forgiving for beginners but still give you the feel you need to detect bites. The captain will show you how to work live bait like shrimp and pinfish, plus demonstrate artificial lure techniques with soft plastics and spoons. You'll practice different retrieves, learn to identify structure on the fish finder, and understand how tides affect fish behavior. The focus stays on foundational skills – proper hook sets, fighting fish without breaking them off, and reading subtle bites from species like sheepshead that are notorious for stealing bait.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18 to 27 inches in these waters and are known for their bulldogging runs when hooked. They feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster bars and grass flats during moving tides. What makes redfish perfect for beginners is their predictable behavior – they're not overly finicky about bait presentation, and once hooked, they give you a memorable fight without crazy jumps or long runs that can lead to lost fish.
Crevalle Jack bring pure excitement to any fishing trip, especially for newcomers who want to feel what a serious fish fight is all about. These silver torpedoes can show up anywhere from 2 to 15 pounds and are famous for their relentless runs and stamina. They hunt in schools around bait fish and will absolutely crush artificial lures. Captain Jordan loves introducing beginners to jacks because they're aggressive biters and will test your drag system – it's like getting a masterclass in fish fighting from a species that never gives up.
Gag Grouper represent the bottom-fishing side of inshore angling, typically found around hard structure, bridges, and deeper channels. These chunky fish run 16 to 24 inches in inshore waters and are prized for both their fight and their excellent table fare. They require a different approach than the shallow water species – you'll learn to feel bottom, work baits vertically, and detect the subtle thumping bite that grouper are known for. It's a great species for beginners to understand different fishing techniques beyond sight fishing.
Florida Pompano might be the most underrated fish in Tampa Bay for their combination of fight and flavor. These silvery, deep-bodied fish typically run 12 to 16 inches and are found around sandy areas, bridge pilings, and anywhere there's good current flow. Pompano have a reputation for being finicky, but Captain Jordan knows the spots and techniques that produce them consistently. They're perfect for teaching beginners about reading water conditions and understanding how different species prefer different environments.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of Tampa Bay's inshore waters, often weighing 5 to 20 pounds and providing steady, powerful fights that won't overwhelm new anglers. They're found around oyster beds, bridge pilings, and deeper grass flats, typically feeding on crabs and shrimp. What makes black drum excellent for beginners is their willingness to bite and their predictable fighting style – strong but manageable runs that give you time to learn proper fish-fighting techniques. They're also year-round residents, so Captain Jordan can target them regardless of season.
This top-rated beginner fishing experience gives you eight full hours to learn, practice, and catch fish with one of St. Petersburg's most patient and knowledgeable captains. You'll leave the dock as a beginner and come back with real fishing skills, plus stories about the fish you caught in Tampa Bay's world-class inshore waters. Captain Jordan's approach focuses on building confidence and understanding rather than just putting fish in the boat, though you'll do plenty of that too. With only two spots available per trip, this personalized fishing education books up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active.
Your fishing adventure launches from a sleek 2017 Skeeter 23' motorboat, perfectly suited for navigating Tampa Bay's inshore waters. This 23-foot vessel packs serious performance with its 200HP Yamaha engine, cruising at speeds up to 40 mph to get you quickly to the best fishing spots around St. Petersburg. The boat comfortably handles your group of 2, giving everyone plenty of room to cast lines and move around the deck. Captain Jordan relies on the onboard GPS navigation system to find productive flats and channels, while the fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, sea trout, and other target species below. Built for stability and speed, this motorboat handles choppy bay conditions with ease, letting you focus on learning proper fishing techniques rather than worrying about rough rides. The spacious layout provides ample casting room for beginners practicing their form.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the gentle giants of the flats, often mistaken for their redfish cousins but with distinctive chin whiskers and darker coloring. They range from 5-30 pounds, with the smaller ones being much better eating. You'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in shallow water, though big ones roam deeper channels. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning and make those famous drumming sounds underwater. What beginners love is their steady, bulldogging fight - not flashy, but they'll wear you out. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. They're bottom feeders, so fresh blue crab or cut shrimp works best. Here's the secret: fish dead slow and keep your bait right on the bottom. These fish won't chase anything, so patience pays off.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bullies of Tampa Bay - stocky, aggressive fish that'll test your arm strength. They average 3-5 pounds but can push 15+ pounds, with golden sides and that distinctive blunt head. Look for them around structure in 10-30 feet of water, especially near bridges and channels. They're year-round residents but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the raw power - these fish pull like a truck and never give up. They're not great table fare, but the fight is pure adrenaline. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of a feeding school. Here's the trick: once you find them, cast fast-moving lures like spoons or swimbaits right through the chaos. They can't resist aggressive retrieves.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are the gold standard for eating - sweet, buttery meat that commands top dollar in restaurants. These silvery, disc-shaped fish typically run 1-3 pounds and are surprisingly strong fighters for their size. You'll find them cruising sandy beaches and flats, especially where there's good current flow. Spring through fall are peak seasons, though they can be caught year-round in our warmer waters. They travel in small schools and feed on crabs, shrimp, and small mollusks along the bottom. What guests love is landing a "dinner fish" that actually tastes better than anything you'd buy. They're picky eaters with small mouths, so downsize your hooks and use fresh shrimp or sand fleas. My go-to trick is using bright yellow jigs bounced slowly along sandy bottom - something about that color drives them crazy.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the ultimate bottom dwellers, hanging around rocky structure and wrecks in 20-80 feet of water. They average 3-8 pounds with females being the larger, lighter-colored fish. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're more active and feeding heavily. What makes them exciting is the initial hit - they slam your bait then immediately try to drag it back to the rocks. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. You'll find them near hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs throughout the area. The key is getting them off the bottom fast once they bite - keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch. Live pinfish or cut bait works best, but make sure you're using circle hooks per Florida regulations.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for beginners - they're forgiving and fun to catch. You'll spot them by their signature black eyespot near the tail and copper-red coloring. Most fish we catch run 20-28 inches and put up a solid fight without being overwhelming. They love super shallow water, often in just 1-3 feet around oyster bars and grass flats throughout Tampa Bay. The cooler months from October through March are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is they're great eating with mild, flaky meat, plus they'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Pro tip: when you see their backs breaking the surface while feeding, cast beyond the school and work your bait back through - spooks them less than dropping it right on their heads.
undefined, undefined