St Pete Inshore Fishing with Captain Seth
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing trips targeting snook, redfish, trout, and tarponCaptain Seth provides expert guidance in local Saint Petersburg watersFlexible trip options from 2-hour blitz to 8-hour adventures
Captain Seth Hale knows these Tampa Bay waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. Fish The Burg Charters operates right out of Saint Petersburg, FL, where the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure-rich waters hold some of the best inshore action you'll find anywhere. Whether you've got two hours to burn or want to commit to a full eight-hour adventure, Seth's Captains Choice trips adapt to what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll target everything from slot redfish cruising the shallows to monster tarpon that'll test your drag system. With only three anglers max per trip, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work.
Captain Seth runs a top-rated operation that focuses on putting his clients on fish, not just showing them around. The beauty of a Captains Choice trip is flexibility – Seth reads the conditions, checks the tides, and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days you might start working the grass flats for trout and redfish, then move to structure for snapper and grouper as the tide changes. Other days, he'll have you sight-casting to cruising cobia or working the bridges for snook. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. Seth provides all the bait, tackle, and local knowledge you need. Just bring your Florida fishing license, some snacks if you're doing a longer trip, and maybe a cooler if you want to take fish home.
Saint Petersburg's inshore waters offer incredible variety, and Seth knows how to fish them all. You'll work everything from live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds to throwing artificial lures at structure. The flats around Weedon Island and the Skyway are prime real estate for redfish and trout, especially on moving water. When targeting snook, expect to work the mangrove edges and bridge pilings with live bait or jigs. For the bigger fish like tarpon and cobia, Seth might have you sight-fishing with live crabs or pinfish. The boat's rigged with a shallow draft that lets you get into skinny water where the fish feed, but it's stable enough to handle bigger waters when chasing tarpon. Circle hooks are the standard here for better fish survival, and Seth's good about teaching proper release techniques if you're new to catch and release.
Gag grouper are the bullies of the inshore structure, and around St. Pete, they're accessible without heading way offshore. These fish hang around bridge pilings, artificial reefs, and rocky bottom in 15-40 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders that'll slam a live pinfish or grunt, and once hooked, they'll try to cut you off on the nearest structure. Gags are excellent table fare and fight hard pound-for-pound. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move into shallower water to spawn.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Tampa Bay holds some serious fish. These ambush predators love structure – bridge pilings, mangrove overhangs, dock lights at night. They're incredibly line-shy and structure-oriented, making them a real challenge. A good snook will make multiple runs and jump repeatedly. The slot limit keeps the population healthy, but when you hook a keeper, you've earned some premium table fare. Summer nights under the lights and winter warm spells produce the most consistent action.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as the locals call them, are year-round residents that provide steady action. They're curious but cautious, often following baits before committing. These fish school up around structure and grass edges, and they're excellent eating. They fight harder than their size suggests and are perfect for newer anglers to build confidence. The key is light tackle and small baits – they've got excellent eyesight and won't be fooled by sloppy presentations.
Tarpon are the ultimate inshore gamefish, and St. Pete's waters host both resident fish and massive migrating schools. These silver kings can exceed 100 pounds and will test every part of your tackle and technique. They're jumpers that'll throw the hook if you don't bow to them, and fights can last 30 minutes or more. The resident fish are around year-round, but the big migrations happen in late spring and early summer. Even a small tarpon will give you a workout, and landing one is a badge of honor among serious anglers.
Cobia are the wanderers of the inshore world, often found following rays or cruising alone in open water. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, making them perfect for sight-casting. When hooked, they make long, powerful runs and fight like a much larger fish. Spring brings the best cobia fishing to Tampa Bay waters, and these fish are outstanding table fare. They're opportunistic feeders that'll take live bait, jigs, or even topwater lures when they're fired up.
Captain Seth's Captains Choice trips offer the kind of personalized fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With decades of local knowledge and a genuine passion for putting clients on fish, he's built a reputation as one of St. Pete's most reliable guides. The three-angler limit means you're not fighting for rod space or competing for the captain's attention. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods or a serious angler chasing a personal best, Seth adjusts his approach to match your goals. These Tampa Bay waters fish well year-round, but booking ahead ensures you get your preferred dates and tide times. Don't sleep on this opportunity to fish with a captain who truly knows these waters and cares about your success on the water.
Your fishing adventures around Saint Petersburg's inshore waters get a serious upgrade with this 2017 Canyon Bay 24-footer. Captain Seth Hale's center console runs on a powerful Suzuki 300HP that cuts through Tampa Bay's shallows and backcountry spots where the big snook and redfish hang out. The boat's designed for up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The fish finder keeps you on top of structure and baitfish while the GPS helps navigate the maze of mangrove creeks and grass flats. When you need to get into skinny water without spooking the fish, the wireless trolling motor lets you ghost right up on feeding tarpon and trout. The radar comes in handy during those early morning runs when fog rolls in off the Gulf. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox and stay entertained between spots with the onboard multimedia system. This setup handles everything from quick 2-hour trips targeting sheepshead around the bridges to full-day adventures chasing cobia and gag grouper in deeper waters. Perfect for both rookie anglers learning the ropes and experienced fishermen looking to dial in on Saint Pete's legendary inshore action.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of the Gulf - brown, powerful, and built for fighting. They average 30-50 pounds and 3-4 feet, but can reach 6 feet and over 100 pounds. These loners cruise shallow water around structure, often mistaken for sharks with their dark color and single dorsal fin. Spring migration from March to May is prime time when they move through our waters heading north. What guests love is the combination of great fight and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. They're curious fish that'll come right up to the boat. My trick: sight fish for them on calm days, and when you spot one, drop a bucktail jig or live crab right in front of them. They're usually willing biters if you don't spook them.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper might not win any beauty contests with their drab gray appearance, but they're solid fighters that'll test your gear. Most run 20 inches around here, though the big males can hit 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky structure, ledges, and wrecks in 30-80 feet of water. They love live pinfish and mullet, but cut bait works too. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when they're more active. What makes them special is the fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover trying to break you off on the rocks. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them any slack, or they'll wrap you around structure every time.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper, as we call them locally, are scrappy little fighters that pack a punch for their size. Most run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds, though offshore fish can hit 20 pounds. They're opportunistic feeders that hang around any kind of structure - docks, bridges, mangroves, rock piles. Being nocturnal, they're most active at dawn, dusk, and night. People love them because they're feisty fighters and make excellent table fare with sweet, white, flaky meat. They're also abundant, so you'll typically get steady action. Full moon periods are prime time for catching them. My go-to trick: use a 4/0 circle hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to bottom, then bring it up just a foot or two. Keep it still - they're ambush predators.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the gold standard of inshore fishing here in St. Pete waters. These sleek predators average 18-30 inches with that distinctive black lateral line running down their silver sides. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in shallow water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall are prime times when water temps stay above 70. What draws people back is their explosive strike and aerial acrobatics - they'll jump and thrash like crazy. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. They change from male to female as they mature, which is pretty unique. Here's my local trick: fish the moving water around structure during dawn or dusk with live shrimp or pinfish, and be ready for that lightning-fast hit.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate challenge fish - we call them the "silver king" for good reason. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, but can reach 8 feet and 280 pounds. They're migratory, showing up in our waters from late spring through summer. You'll spot them rolling on the surface in channels, around bridges, and along the flats. What makes them special isn't the meat (we release them all) - it's the fight. They'll jump 10 feet out of the water and run like freight trains. It's pure adrenaline. May through July are peak months when they're spawning and feeding heavily. My advice: use circle hooks, keep steady pressure, and when they jump, bow to the king - drop your rod tip so they don't throw the hook.
Clearwater