Half Day Fishing Trip - St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sea trout.Private charter accommodates two guests with experienced Captain Jordan.Launches from Maximo Boat Ramp exploring Tampa Bay waters.
Captain Jordan Buendia knows these St. Petersburg waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this action-packed 4-hour inshore adventure. Launching from Maximo Boat Ramp, you'll hit the productive flats, channels, and nearshore waters around Tampa Bay where the fish are biting and the scenery never gets old. This top-rated morning trip works perfectly whether you're a complete beginner or you've been wetting lines for decades. With just 2 anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between going home empty-handed and landing the fish of a lifetime. Captain Jordan's local knowledge and patient teaching style have made this charter a customer favorite for families and serious anglers alike.
Your day starts early at Maximo Boat Ramp, where Captain Jordan will have the boat rigged and ready to roll. The beauty of inshore fishing around St. Pete is the variety – one minute you're working the grass flats for redfish, the next you're drifting structure for sheepshead. The captain reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Maybe the tide's perfect for working the mangrove shorelines, or perhaps the bait schools are thick on the flats. Either way, you're in for steady action in some of the Gulf Coast's most productive waters. The relaxed pace means plenty of time to soak in the Florida sunshine while waiting for that rod tip to bend. Captain Jordan keeps things fun and educational, sharing stories about the local fishery and helping you understand what makes these waters so special.
Inshore fishing in Tampa Bay is all about matching your approach to the conditions and target species. Captain Jordan comes equipped with light tackle spinning gear that's perfect for the mix of species you'll encounter. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for sea trout, sight-fishing redfish with soft plastics on the flats, or bottom fishing with cut bait around structure for sheepshead and black drum. The water depths range from super shallow flats where you can see the grass bottom to channels dropping 15-20 feet. Live bait often produces the most consistent action, but don't be surprised if the captain breaks out some artificial lures when the fish are aggressive. The key is staying versatile and letting the fish tell you what they want. Captain Jordan handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on the fun part – fighting fish.
Gag grouper are the bruisers of the bunch, and when you hook into one of these reef dwellers, you'll know it immediately. They hit hard and dive straight for cover, testing your drag and your patience. In St. Petersburg waters, gags typically range from keeper-sized fish around 24 inches up to true giants pushing 30-plus pounds. Late fall through early spring offers the best shots at these world-class fighters, especially around hard bottom and structure in 20-40 feet of water. What makes gag grouper so exciting is their unpredictability – they might slam a live pinfish one minute or ignore everything you throw at them the next.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Tampa Bay holds some true giants. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to crush unsuspecting baitfish. A slot-sized snook in the 28-32 inch range puts up an amazing fight with multiple jumps and powerful runs. The warmer months from May through September offer the most consistent snook action, though these fish can be caught year-round in St. Pete's temperate waters. Their distinctive black lateral line and razor-sharp gill plates make them unmistakable, and their table fare is second to none when they're in season.
Sheepshead fishing requires finesse and patience, but these black-and-white striped convicts are worth the effort. Known for their human-like teeth and bait-stealing abilities, sheepshead hang around structure where they feed on barnacles, oysters, and crabs. Winter months from December through March bring the best sheepshead fishing as they school up for spawning. A 3-4 pound sheepshead might not sound huge, but they fight harder than fish twice their size and make excellent table fare. The trick is using small hooks, light line, and being ready to set the hook at the slightest tick.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing, providing consistent action throughout the year. These spotted beauties patrol the grass flats and can be caught on everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Spring and fall offer the best chances at trophy-sized gator trout over 24 inches, while the summer months provide steady action on keeper fish. What makes sea trout special is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights. They're perfect for beginners learning to fish, but big trout will humble even experienced anglers. The distinctive canine teeth and spotted pattern make them easy to identify.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore game fish, combining size, strength, and stunning copper-bronze coloration. Tampa Bay's reds range from schooling rat reds around 16-20 inches up to bull reds exceeding 30 pounds. These drum family members are most active during moving tides and can be sight-fished on shallow flats or caught blind-casting around oyster bars and mangroves. Fall months bring the best big red action as mature fish move toward the passes for spawning. The distinctive black spot near their tail and their bulldogging fight style make every redfish encounter memorable. They're also excellent eating when harvested within the slot limit.
Captain Jordan's half-day trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the
Your fishing adventure starts aboard Captain Jordan's reliable 2017 Skeeter 23', a proven performer built for St. Petersburg's inshore waters. This 23-foot boat handles Tampa Bay's flats and channels with ease, powered by a dependable 200HP Yamaha that gets you to the fish quickly and smoothly. The GPS navigation and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating productive spots where redfish, sea trout, and sheepshead are holding. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without feeling crowded. The Skeeter's shallow draft design is perfect for working the grass flats and oyster bars where the best action happens, while the stable platform keeps you comfortable whether you're sight fishing or working structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's signature species and the fish that put our flats on the map. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in our slot limit, with that classic black eyespot near the tail. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show above the surface. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being hottest. What makes reds special is their bulldogging fight - they'll peel line and make long, powerful runs. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild meat perfect for blackening. Local edge: look for nervous water and "tailing" fish on shallow flats during higher tides. Gold spoons and topwater plugs create explosive strikes you'll never forget.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing. These silver-sided beauties typically range from 18-28 inches around our local waters, with that distinctive black lateral line and yellow-tinted fins during spawning season. They love ambush spots - mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, creek mouths, and bridge shadows in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around moving water on tide changes. What hooks anglers is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test every knot you tied. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick: cast live shrimp or soft plastics tight to structure and be ready - when they hit, they hit hard and fast.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are Tampa Bay's most reliable inshore target. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-20 inches, perfect for families and great table fare. They cruise grass flats and shallow bays in 2-12 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, but summer evenings under lights can be magic. What anglers love is their willingness to bite and decent fight on light tackle. The white, flaky meat is excellent fried or grilled - not too strong, not too mild. Best local trick: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with live shrimp under a popping cork, or throw soft plastic shrimp imitations. They'll often hit multiple times in the same spot.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Tampa Bay with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that'll surprise first-time anglers. Most run 2-5 pounds and 12-18 inches, though we occasionally see 8-pounders around the deeper structures. They're structure junkies - bridge pilings, docks, and barnacle-covered areas in 5-25 feet of water. Winter and spring are peak season when they school up for spawning. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with delicate bites, but once hooked they put up a solid scrap. The payoff is some of the best-eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Secret weapon: use small hooks with fresh shrimp and keep it pinned tight to the bottom near pilings.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are one of the stronger fighters you'll hook around Tampa Bay's nearshore reefs and wrecks. These chunky fish typically run 3-8 pounds, though we sometimes land 15-20 pounders that'll really test your arms. They love hanging around structure in 20-60 feet of water - bridge pilings, artificial reefs, and rocky bottom areas. Fall and winter months are prime time when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is that powerful fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover trying to cut your line on the rocks. The meat is excellent table fare with firm white fillets. Pro tip: keep your drag locked tight and pull hard right away to get them away from structure before they wrap you up.
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