Full Day Family Fishing - St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour family fishing adventure with Captain Jordan BuendiaTarget redfish, black drum, sheepshead in calm Tampa Bay watersBeginnerfriendly instruction with comfortable pace for all ages
Captain Jordan Buendia knows how to make a family fishing day work for everyone. This 8-hour charter out of Maximo Boat Ramp is built around Tampa Bay's calm inshore waters, where kids can actually land fish and parents can relax knowing the conditions stay comfortable all day. We're talking about those protected flats and backwater spots where the action stays steady but the boat doesn't bounce around like you're riding a mechanical bull. Jordan keeps the pace easy, explains what's happening as you go, and makes sure everyone from your 6-year-old to grandpa gets a shot at bringing something to the boat.
You'll meet Jordan at Maximo Boat Ramp right here in St. Pete, which puts you minutes away from some of Tampa Bay's best family-friendly fishing spots. The beauty of this full-day trip is that there's no rush - Jordan can move around to different areas based on what's biting and how the family's doing. Maybe you start on some grass flats looking for redfish, then drift over shell bars for sheepshead, or work the mangrove edges where black drum like to hang out. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's a little breezy outside the bay, you're fishing in comfort. Jordan brings all the gear sized right for the group, from light tackle that kids can handle to rods that'll stop a bigger fish if one shows up. He's also great at reading the room - if the little ones are getting restless, he knows spots where the action picks up quick.
This isn't about complicated fishing - Jordan keeps it simple and effective. You'll mostly be using light spinning gear with live bait like shrimp, pinfish, or cut bait depending on what you're targeting. For redfish, he might have you throwing shrimp under a popping cork near the mangroves, which is perfect for beginners because you can see the cork disappear when a fish hits. When you're after sheepshead around dock pilings or bridge structures, it's more about dropping fiddler crabs or shrimp right to the bottom and feeling for that telltale tap. Black drum fishing often means using cut bait on the bottom in deeper holes, and Jordan will teach the kids how to tell the difference between a fish bite and just bumping the bottom. The great thing about Tampa Bay inshore fishing is that most of these fish don't require heavy tackle or complicated rigging - it's all about putting the right bait in the right spot and being patient.
Redfish are the stars of Tampa Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers run anywhere from slot-size keeper fish around 18-27 inches up to those big bull reds that'll test your drag system. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day and love cruising shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines looking for crabs and baitfish. What makes redfish perfect for families is that they fight hard but not crazy, and they're pretty forgiving if your hookset isn't perfect. You'll find them year-round in Tampa Bay, but fall and winter months often produce the most consistent action. Crevalle jack might not win any beauty contests, but they'll give you an arm workout you won't forget. These silver torpedoes show up in schools and hit baits like they're angry about something. Kids love them because they bend the rod over and make the reel scream, even though they're typically in the 2-5 pound range around here. They're most common during warmer months and often show up when you're targeting other species - which is half the fun.
Gag grouper are the smart guys of the bunch, hanging around structure and being picky about what they eat. In the deeper parts of Tampa Bay near channels and around bridge pilings, you might find juvenile gags that are perfect table fare. They're ambush predators, so Jordan will position you to drop baits right where they're hiding and wait for that solid thump that means business. Florida pompano are like finding gold - they don't always cooperate, but when they do, you're in for something special. These silvery, disc-shaped fish love sandy bottom areas and are absolute dynamite on light tackle. They hit fast and fight with surprising power for their size, typically running 1-3 pounds in these waters. Pompano fishing is often best during moving tides when they're actively feeding on small crabs and sand fleas. Black drum are the gentle giants of this group, often growing quite large but fighting with a steady, bulldogging style that's manageable for younger anglers. They love oyster bars and areas with shell bottom, using their pharyngeal teeth to crunch up crabs and shellfish. You'll often catch them on cut bait fished on the bottom, and they're excellent eating in the smaller sizes.
This is exactly the kind of trip that builds fishing memories for kids and gets families hooked on spending time on the water together. Captain Jordan's approach works because he understands that a successful family charter isn't just about catching fish - it's about making sure everyone has a good time and learns something along the way. With Tampa Bay's year-round fishing opportunities and Jordan's local knowledge, you're looking at a day where the odds are stacked in your favor. The 8-hour format gives you time to try different spots and techniques without feeling rushed, and the 2-person capacity keeps things personal and relaxed. Book with Fish Dream Charters and get ready for the kind of day that turns kids into lifelong anglers and reminds adults why they fell in love with fishing in the first place.
You'll spend your full day aboard Captain Jordan's 2017 Skeeter 23', a fast and stable motorboat that gets families to the best fishing spots quickly. This 23-footer runs on a reliable 200HP Yamaha engine, cruising at up to 40 mph to cover more water during your 8-hour adventure. The boat comfortably handles your group while you target redfish, black drum, and sea trout in Tampa Bay's calm inshore waters. Built-in fish finder technology helps locate schools beneath the surface, while GPS navigation ensures efficient movement between productive fishing areas. The Skeeter's design provides a smooth, family-friendly platform perfect for kids and beginners learning to fish. From Maximo Boat Ramp, you'll have quick access to prime fishing grounds where Captain Jordan tailors the experience to your family's pace and skill level.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our shallow waters, typically 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and mollusks with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. Younger fish under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are tough and better released. They're perfect for families since they fight steady rather than jumping around. Fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom works best. Keep your bait right on the structure. My go-to tip: use enough weight to stay planted in the current, and when you feel that steady pull, give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bullies of Tampa Bay - aggressive, strong fighters that typically run 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. Look for diving birds, that's your best sign. These fish push bait to the surface and create feeding frenzies. They travel in schools around grass flats, channel edges, and near any structure. Best fishing is spring through fall when bait is thick. Guests love the non-stop action and powerful runs these fish make. They'll test your drag and your arms! Use fast-moving baits - silver spoons, swimbaits, or live pilchards work great. Pro tip: cast beyond the school and retrieve quickly through it. Don't stop reeling even when you think you've lost them - they often follow and strike right at the boat.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are the prize of our inshore waters - these silvery, flat-bodied fish typically run 1-3 pounds and are pure gold on the dinner table. They cruise sandy beaches and grass flats in small schools, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small mollusks. Summer and fall are prime time when they're moving through Tampa Bay. Despite their size, they fight way above their weight class and have that buttery, delicate flavor that makes them expensive in restaurants. Use small hooks with live shrimp, sand fleas, or small jigs in bright colors. They have tiny mouths, so downsize your tackle. Local secret: look for them around crab traps and sandy potholes in the grass. When you find one, there's usually more nearby, so work the area thoroughly.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are hard-bottom specialists that average 20 inches but can reach 30+ pounds. Adults hang around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky areas in 40-100 feet, though juveniles stay closer inshore near structure. They're ambush predators with powerful jaws that love live pinfish, grunts, or cut bait. Best fishing is fall through early spring when they're shallow and active. Guests enjoy the challenge of pulling these bruisers off the bottom - they'll head straight for the rocks once hooked. The meat is top-shelf eating, firm and sweet. Circle hooks are required in Florida waters. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock your reel down tight and keep steady pressure. Don't let them get their head down or they'll wrap you up in the structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Tampa Bay's most reliable targets, running 18-30 inches on average with that distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, or soft plastics all work well. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and solid fight, plus they're excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. Here's a local trick: when you see their backs or tails breaking the surface, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom. They'll find it.
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