Full Day Fishing Trip - St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore fishing adventure across Tampa Bay watersTarget redfish, grouper, sheepshead and multiple seasonal speciesPrivate charter with experienced Captain Jordan providing local expertise
If you're looking to really get into the heart of Tampa Bay's fishing scene, Captain Jordan Buendia's 8-hour charter is exactly what you need. Departing from Maximo Boat Ramp, this full-day adventure gives you the time to truly explore what makes St. Petersburg one of Florida's top-rated inshore destinations. With just two guests max, you'll get personalized attention whether you're a first-timer learning to read the water or a seasoned angler wanting to dial in your technique. This isn't your typical rushed half-day trip – we're talking about a proper day on the water where you can settle into the rhythm and let the fishing come to you.
Captain Jordan knows Tampa Bay like the back of his hand, and with a full 8 hours, he's got the flexibility to adapt to whatever Mother Nature throws your way. You'll start early, hitting the productive flats when the fish are most active, then work your way through channels and nearshore structure as conditions change throughout the day. The beauty of an extended trip is that you're not racing against the clock – if the bite is hot at one spot, you can stay and capitalize. If it slows down, there's plenty of time to relocate and find where the fish have moved. The captain provides all the local knowledge you need, pointing out subtle signs like baitfish movement, tide changes, and structural features that hold fish. This is fishing the way it should be done – relaxed, strategic, and with enough time to really understand what's happening beneath the surface.
Tampa Bay's diverse structure means you'll be using a variety of techniques throughout the day. Captain Jordan will have you working live bait around grass flats for redfish and sea trout, then switching to jigs and soft plastics when targeting structure-oriented species like grouper and sheepshead. The shallow flats require a different approach than the deeper channels – you'll learn to adjust your presentation based on water depth, current flow, and fish behavior. When working the nearshore waters, heavier tackle comes into play for species like crevalle jack and black drum that can really test your drag system. The captain provides all tackle, but if you have favorite rods or reels, feel free to bring them along. Part of the experience is understanding how different baits and presentations work in various conditions, and with 8 hours on the water, you'll get hands-on experience with multiple techniques that will make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
The redfish around St. Petersburg are absolutely world-class, with fish ranging from slot-sized reds perfect for dinner to oversized bulls that'll give you the fight of your life. These copper-colored beauties love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars throughout Tampa Bay, especially during the cooler months when they school up in impressive numbers. What makes redfish so exciting is their willingness to eat – they're aggressive feeders that will crush live shrimp, pinfish, or artificial lures with equal enthusiasm. The best action typically happens during moving tides when these fish push up into skinny water to feed.
Crevalle jack are the bulldogs of Tampa Bay, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These silver torpedoes can exceed 20 pounds and will test both your tackle and your endurance. They travel in schools and are incredibly aggressive, often competing with each other to hit your bait first. Jack fishing is at its peak during warmer months when they cruise the flats and channels in large numbers. Captain Jordan knows exactly where to find them, and the explosive strikes and bulldogging fights make them a customer favorite despite not being table fare.
Gag grouper represent some of the best eating fish in these waters, and the nearshore structure around St. Petersburg holds some real quality fish. These bottom-dwellers require a different approach – you'll be working heavier jigs and live bait around hard bottom, rocks, and artificial reefs. Gag grouper are smart fish that require stealth and proper presentation, but when you connect with a good one, the fight is spectacular. They'll try every trick in the book to get back to their hole, making multiple runs and using their broad sides to fight the current. The satisfaction of landing a nice gag grouper and knowing you've got some of the finest table fare in the Gulf is hard to beat.
Florida pompano are considered by many to be the ultimate inshore gamefish – they're beautiful, fight well for their size, and are absolutely delicious. These silver speedsters prefer sandy bottom areas and are often found around structure changes and current breaks. Pompano fishing requires finesse and the right bait presentation, typically small jigs tipped with shrimp or live sand fleas. They're most active during cooler months and can be finicky, but Captain Jordan's local knowledge gives you the best shot at connecting with these prized fish.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with mature fish capable of reaching 30+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster bars and structure where they can use their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. The fight of a big black drum is unlike anything else – they're not fast, but they're incredibly strong and stubborn. You'll feel every pound as they use their broad sides and powerful bodies to resist coming to the boat. While they're not the prettiest fish in the bay, the challenge of landing a trophy black drum keeps anglers coming back for more.
This full-day charter represents the best way to experience Tampa Bay's renowned inshore fishing scene. With Captain Jordan's expertise, top-quality tackle, and the flexibility that comes with an 8-hour trip, you're set up for success whether you're targeting dinner or just looking to bend some rods. The intimate 2-person capacity means you'll get personalized instruction and prime fishing spots without the crowds. St. Petersburg's year-round fishery
Captain Jordan's 2017 Skeeter 23' is your ticket to Tampa Bay's best fishing spots. This sleek 23-foot boat packs a reliable 200HP Yamaha engine that'll cruise at 40 mph, getting you to productive waters fast and keeping you comfortable all day long. Built for serious fishing, she handles beautifully whether you're working the shallow flats for redfish or heading to deeper channels for grouper and sea trout. The GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate those hidden schools. With room for up to 2 guests, you'll have plenty of space to cast, fight fish, and move around without feeling cramped during your 8-hour adventure. The boat's designed for stability, so even when you hook into that trophy fish, you'll have a solid platform to work from. Perfect for exploring St. Pete's diverse waters from sunrise to sunset.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are Tampa Bay's heavyweights, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90+ pounds. These gray-black powerhouses have strong, crushing jaws perfect for eating oysters and crabs around structure. Find them on shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around dock pilings in brackish water where fresh meets salt. Spring spawning season brings the best fishing when they school up and make their signature drumming sounds underwater. What guests love is their bulldogging fight and the chance at a true giant - plus smaller drum under 15 pounds make good eating. Bigger fish get tough and aren't worth keeping. They're bottom feeders, so live or fresh dead crabs work best since catfish won't steal crab baits as quickly as shrimp. Pro tip: use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom and be patient - drum take their time inspecting baits before committing, so don't set the hook at the first tap.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the muscle cars of Tampa Bay - built for speed and power. These brassy-gold bulldogs average 12-24 inches but can hit 4 feet and really test your drag system. Look for them around structure like bridges, docks, and nearshore reefs, plus they love chasing baitfish in open water. The dead giveaway is diving birds - jacks push mullet and sardines to the surface where the birds attack from above. They're year-round residents but summer and fall bring the best action. Guests love them because they fight way above their weight class with blistering runs and head-shaking battles. While they're not great table fare, the fight is what you're after. Here's the key: when you find a school feeding on top, cast past them and reel back through fast. Jacks are aggressive and love chasing down a fleeing baitfish, so keep that lure moving quickly to trigger strikes.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are Tampa Bay's silver bullets - fast, beautiful, and absolutely delicious. These compressed, silvery fish with bright yellow fins typically run 12 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones occasionally show up. You'll find them along sandy beaches, inlet mouths, and grass flats where they root around for crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. Summer and fall bring peak action as they school up and feed heavily before winter. Guests love pompano because they're scrappy fighters that punch above their weight, plus they're considered premium table fare with sweet, buttery meat that commands top dollar in restaurants. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. The trick with pompano is using small hooks since they have tiny mouths - a big hook will turn them off completely. Live sand fleas or shrimp work best, and bright yellow or orange jigs can be deadly in clear water.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are Tampa Bay's prized bottom dwellers, averaging 20 inches but capable of reaching 50+ inches and 80 pounds. These mottled gray fighters love hard structure - rocks, reefs, wrecks, and bridge pilings where they can ambush prey. You'll find them in 15-100 feet around Tampa Bay, with bigger fish preferring deeper water. Cool weather months from fall through spring offer peak fishing when they move shallower to feed. What makes gags special is their bulldogging fight and outstanding table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. Once hooked, they'll try to dive straight back to structure to cut you off, so keep steady pressure and don't give them slack. Best baits are live pinfish, mullet, or cut bait like squid. My go-to tip: once you hook one, keep your rod low and reel steady - don't let them get their head down or they'll wrap you around the bottom structure every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's signature shallow water fish, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches and put up a solid fight in the shallows. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs all work great. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom - they feed with their heads down and you don't want to spook them with a splash right on top.
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