Full Day Fishing Trip - St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targeting redfish, grouper, and sea troutPrivate fishing experience for up to two guests maximumMultiple fishing locations across Tampa Bay's flats and channels
When you're serious about fishing Tampa Bay but want the flexibility to really explore what these waters have to offer, Captain Jordan Buendia's full-day charter is your ticket to prime inshore action. Eight hours on the water means you're not rushed, not watching the clock, and definitely not heading back to the dock just when the bite starts heating up. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you get a taste and leave wanting more – this is the real deal for anglers who want to experience the full spectrum of what St. Petersburg's legendary flats and channels can deliver.
Your day kicks off at Maximo Boat Ramp, where Captain Jordan will have everything rigged and ready before you even step aboard. The beauty of a full-day trip is the variety – you'll hit multiple spots as conditions change throughout the day, from shallow grass flats in the morning to deeper channels when the sun gets high, maybe finishing near structure as the afternoon bite picks up. Captain Jordan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with just two anglers max, you're getting personalized attention whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod. The pace stays relaxed but productive, with time to really work each spot and adjust tactics based on what the fish are telling you. You'll cover everything from sight fishing in gin-clear shallows to working live bait around structure, giving you a complete education in Tampa Bay fishing.
Captain Jordan's approach varies with the conditions, but you'll likely experience several different fishing styles throughout your eight hours. Early morning often means working the grass flats with topwater plugs or soft plastics, sight casting to tailing redfish or cruising trout. As the day progresses, you might switch to live bait fishing around docks and structure, perfect for targeting black drum and sheepshead that love hanging around pilings. The beauty of Tampa Bay is the variety of structure – from oyster bars to channel edges to nearshore reefs where gag grouper hang out. Captain Jordan provides all the tackle, from light spinning gear perfect for trout and pompano to heavier setups when you're working around structure for grouper. Live bait, artificials, cut bait – whatever the situation calls for, it's all part of the program. The key is staying mobile and reading the water, something that really pays off when you have a full day to play with.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in the shallows. A good redfish will make multiple screaming runs, and in the shallow water where you'll be fishing, every fight feels magnified. They're smart fish too – you'll often see them tailing in inches of water, forcing you to make perfect casts and presentations. What makes reds special here is the variety of ways to catch them, from sight fishing with artificials to soaking cut bait around structure.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs once hooked. These bottom-dwellers love hanging around structure like docks and bridge pilings, where they use their powerful mouths to crush crabs and shellfish. During their spawning runs in late winter and early spring, you'll find massive schools in the shallows, and hooking into a big drum in three feet of water is something every angler should experience. They're perfect for beginners too – aggressive feeders that aren't too finicky about presentation.
Crevalle jack are the wild cards of Tampa Bay. When you find them, you know it – they travel in aggressive schools and attack anything that moves. These fish are pure muscle, built like footballs with attitudes to match. They're not the prettiest fish you'll catch, but pound for pound, few fish fight harder. Jacks are especially fun on light tackle, and Captain Jordan knows where to find them when they're around.
Florida pompano represent the premium catch on this trip. These silver bullets are prized for their fighting ability and incredible table fare. They're not always easy to find, but when conditions are right – usually around sandy bottoms with good current – pompano provide some of the most exciting light-tackle action you'll find. They're fast, acrobatic, and absolutely beautiful fish that photograph well and eat even better.
Gag grouper add a different dimension to the trip, often found around nearshore structure and deeper holes. These are the fish that separate the full-day trips from shorter outings – you need time to work different depths and structure types to consistently connect with quality gag. They're ambush predators that require precise presentations, but when you hook one, you'll know immediately. Gags are strong fish that head straight for cover, making every hookup a battle of strength and technique.
An eight-hour charter with Captain Jordan gives you everything you need for a complete Tampa Bay fishing experience. You're not just catching fish – you're learning these waters, understanding how conditions affect fishing, and getting the kind of hands-on education that makes you a better angler. The small group size means personalized attention, whether you need help with casting technique or want to understand why certain lures work better in specific conditions. With no meal included, you're free to pack your own favorites or keep it simple with snacks and drinks. This trip delivers the kind of variety and flexibility that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Ready to experience Tampa Bay fishing the right way? Captain Jordan's calendar fills up fast, especially during prime season.
Your fishing platform for this St. Petersburg adventure is a 2017 Skeeter 23', a purpose-built inshore machine that Captain Jordan relies on to cover Tampa Bay's diverse waters. This 23-foot boat packs a 200HP Yamaha that'll cruise at 40 mph, getting you from the flats to the channels without burning daylight. The hull design handles choppy bay conditions while staying stable when you're fighting fish in shallow water. With room for 2 anglers plus the captain, everyone has space to cast without tangling lines. The onboard GPS keeps track of productive spots, while the fish finder helps locate structure where redfish, grouper, and sea trout like to hang out. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or hitting deeper channels for bigger fish, this Skeeter gives you the speed to move between spots and the stability to fish them effectively throughout your full day on Tampa Bay.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Tampa Bay's shallow water game. These dark, powerful fish range from 5-30 pounds around here, with some monsters pushing 40+. They cruise oyster bars, mud flats, and creek mouths looking for crabs and shellfish to crush with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in shallow water, often so thick you can hear them drumming underwater. What guests love is their bulldogging fight and the challenge of sight-fishing them in skinny water. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. The secret is fresh crab bait fished right on bottom - they're suckers for peeler crabs and blue crab halves. Keep your drag loose initially since they'll make a strong initial run, then tighten up once you get their head turned.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the ultimate power fighters in Tampa Bay. These silver bulldogs average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds when the big schools move through. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign of jacks busting baitfish on the surface. They roam everywhere from grass flats to channel edges, but the action really heats up around structure like bridges and docks. Spring through fall brings the best action when bait schools are thick. Guests love jacks because they fight like fish twice their size, making screaming runs that'll test your equipment. They're not great table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. Here's the key: cast past the school and reel fast. These fish love the chase, so don't be afraid to burn your lure back to the boat.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are the golden ticket of inshore fishing - literally. These silvery fish with bright yellow fins are some of the best eating you'll find in Tampa Bay. Most run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, but they pack a surprising punch for their size. Look for them around sandy bottom areas, especially near passes and beaches where they dig for crabs and sand fleas. Fall and winter are prime time when cooler water brings them into the bay. What makes pompano special is their buttery, mild meat that commands top dollar in restaurants. They're also scrappy fighters that'll make multiple runs. Use small hooks since they have tiny mouths, and bright jigs or live shrimp work best. Pro tip: fish the moving tide around sandy flats, and keep your bait moving along the bottom to mimic their natural prey.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the prize catch when we venture to deeper structure around Tampa Bay. These bottom dwellers typically run 15-25 inches and love hanging around rocky areas, ledges, and artificial reefs in 20-60 feet of water. Spring and early summer offer the best shots before they head offshore to spawn. What guests love about gags is the initial surprise - you think you're snagged on bottom until that "snag" starts fighting back. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. The challenge is getting them up before they dive back into the rocks. Once you hook one, lock that reel down and keep steady pressure - don't let them get their head down. Live pinfish and cut bait work best, but keep your bait right on the bottom where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-30 inches around here, though we catch plenty of smaller "rat reds" too. They love cruising the shallow grass flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. You'll find them year-round, but fall and winter fishing is prime time when they school up. What makes reds so popular is their solid fight - they'll make strong runs and test your drag. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect for blackening. My tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sit still. They spook easily but once hooked, you're in for a battle.
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