Full Day Pro Fishing Trip - St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour advanced inshore fishing trip with Captain Jordan BuendiaTarget redfish, grouper, and trout across Tampa Bay watersProfessional charter designed for experienced anglers only
Captain Jordan Buendia knows Tampa Bay like the back of his hand, and this 8-hour advanced inshore charter puts that knowledge to work for serious anglers ready to fish at the highest level. Launching from Maximo Boat Ramp at first light, you'll spend a full day working the most productive waters around St. Petersburg, targeting everything from tailing redfish on shallow flats to gag grouper holding near structure. This isn't a beginner trip – it's built for experienced anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and put advanced techniques to the test across Tampa Bay's diverse fishing grounds.
This top-rated charter is all about mobility and strategy. Captain Jordan reads conditions like a book, adjusting your approach based on tides, weather, and fish activity throughout the day. You'll start early to capitalize on prime feeding windows, then move between productive spots as conditions change. One hour you might be sight-casting to redfish cruising grass flats in 18 inches of water, the next you're working live bait around channel edges for black drum or targeting structure for gag grouper. The 8-hour timeframe gives you flexibility to really work areas when the bite is hot, rather than rushing between spots. With only 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work without crowding. Captain Jordan brings the local expertise – you bring the fishing skills to match.
Tampa Bay's inshore waters offer world-class variety, and this charter takes full advantage of that diversity. You'll fish everything from skinny-water grass flats where redfish tail in knee-deep water to deeper channels where black drum and sheepshead hold near structure. Captain Jordan matches techniques to conditions – sight-casting with artificial lures when fish are active and visible, switching to live bait presentations when targeting bottom species or working deeper water. The boat stays mobile, covering prime flats around Weedon Island, productive channels near the Skyway, and nearshore structure that holds gag grouper and other species. Tackle selection changes throughout the day based on target species and conditions. Light spinning gear for sight-casting to reds, heavier setups for working structure, and everything dialed in for maximum effectiveness. This charter rewards anglers who can adapt their approach as conditions and targets change.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs put up legendary fights in shallow water. You'll find them year-round, but fall and winter offer some of the best action as schools move into predictable patterns. Reds average 20-28 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-size fish and the occasional oversized bull that'll test your drag system. They're visual feeders in shallow water, making for exciting sight-casting opportunities when conditions align. Black drum are another customer favorite, especially the big ones that lurk around structure and channel edges. These bottom-dwellers can top 30 pounds and fight like freight trains, making long, powerful runs that'll have you wondering if you hooked a small shark. They're most active during cooler months and respond well to cut bait presentations near oyster bars and bridge pilings. Gag grouper add a nearshore element to the mix, holding around hard bottom and structure in 15-25 feet of water. These aggressive predators hit hard and dive for cover immediately, making the first few seconds of the fight critical. They're excellent table fare and provide a nice change of pace from the shallow-water action. Crevalle jack bring pure power to the equation – these silver missiles school up in massive numbers and fight way above their weight class. When you hook into a school of jacks, every angler on the boat can get in on fast action that'll leave your arms burning. Florida pompano round out the target list as one of the most prized catches in these waters. These silvery, high-jumping fish are excellent eating and provide spectacular aerial displays when hooked. They're more seasonal than other targets but absolutely worth the effort when conditions are right.
This full-day pro charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – maximum time on productive water with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. The 8-hour format gives you real flexibility to work prime areas when the bite is hot, while Captain Jordan's local knowledge ensures you're always fishing the right spots with the right techniques. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds, working structure for grouper, or battling bull black drum in the channels, this charter puts Tampa Bay's renowned inshore fishery at your fingertips. With only 2 spots available, these trips fill up fast during peak seasons. Book your spot now and get ready for a full day of advanced inshore fishing that showcases why Tampa Bay consistently ranks among Florida's best fishing destinations.
Your ride for this full-day inshore adventure is a 2017 Skeeter 23', perfectly built for serious Tampa Bay fishing. This 23-foot motorboat runs on a reliable 200HP Yamaha engine that'll get you across the flats and into productive channels fast - cruising at up to 40 mph means more time with lines in the water. The Skeeter's shallow draft design handles everything from skinny water redfish spots to deeper structure where gag grouper hang out. With GPS navigation and a quality fish finder onboard, Captain Jordan can quickly locate schools and move between hot spots as conditions change. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, but with just 2 guests, you'll have plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. Built for stability and speed, this Skeeter is designed to handle Tampa Bay's varied terrain - from grass flats to oyster bars to nearshore structure - giving you the best shot at connecting with whatever species are biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are Tampa Bay's bottom-dwelling powerhouses, ranging from 5-pound juveniles to massive 40-pound giants that'll test heavy tackle. These dark, barrel-shaped fish cruise oyster bars and muddy flats, using powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in shallow water - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. What guests love is the raw pulling power and the challenge of working them away from structure. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make great eating, but the big ones are tough and better released. Fresh blue crab is the magic bait - cut it in chunks and fish it on the bottom near oyster beds. My local trick: when you hook a big drum, don't try to horse it up immediately - let it tire itself out first, then apply steady pressure to keep it from diving into the rocks.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the ocean's bulldogs - brassy-green fighters that'll test your drag system and your arms. These aggressive predators travel in schools, ranging from 3-pound juveniles to 20-pound brutes that'll straighten hooks. Look for diving birds working baitfish - that's where you'll find jacks feeding near the surface. They hit hard and fast, preferring silver spoons, topwater plugs, and anything that moves quickly. Summer and fall bring the best action when they push bait against structure or onto the flats. Guests love the raw power these fish deliver - no finesse needed, just hang on. They're not great eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Here's the trick: when you see a school working, cast past them and rip your lure back fast - jacks can't resist chasing down fleeing bait.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are Tampa Bay's premium table fare - silvery, flat-sided beauties with bright yellow fins that fight way above their 1-3 pound weight class. These members of the jack family cruise sandy flats and beach zones, feeding on crabs and mollusks. Summer and fall bring the best fishing when they school up in predictable patterns. What makes them special is the combination of spirited fights and buttery, flaky meat that commands top dollar in restaurants. They're tricky to catch though - small mouths mean small hooks and light tackle. Live sand fleas, fiddler crabs, and small jigs work best. The key is finding clean sandy bottom where they root for food. My tip: use bright yellow or orange jigs bounced along the bottom - pompano seem drawn to those colors, and keep your hooks small since their mouths are tiny compared to other inshore species.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bulldogs of Tampa Bay's structure, averaging 3-8 pounds with occasional giants pushing 20. These mottled brown fighters live around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom in 15-40 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best shots when they move shallow to feed. What makes them special is the tug-of-war - once hooked, they dive straight for cover trying to break you off in the rocks. The meat is outstanding too - firm, white fillets that grill perfectly. Most anglers love the challenge because it's all about technique and tackle. You need enough backbone to turn them before they reach their holes. Live pinfish and cut squid work best on the bottom. Here's my trick: the second you feel that thump, lock down your drag and lift hard - give them an inch and they'll find a crevice to bust you off in.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's signature shallow water fish, cruising oyster bars and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their copper-red backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-28 inches here, though big bulls over 30 pounds show up regularly. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, making them perfect for any angler's skill level. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding on the flats. What makes them special is their fight - they'll pull drag and make long runs in skinny water. Plus, the slot-size fish make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. My tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom.
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