8 Hour Tampa Nearshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday nearshore fishing targeting Snapper, Grouper, and KingfishEight hours of bottom fishing and trolling around reefsAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses included onboard
Picture yourself on the water at first light, watching the sun climb over Tampa Bay while you're already rigged up and ready to fish. That's exactly what you get with FishHawk Charters' 8-hour nearshore adventure aboard their 35' Contender ProSport Series. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. With a full 8 hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to work different spots, adjust techniques, and really dial in on what's biting. The nearshore waters between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are loaded with structure, and Captain knows every ledge, reef, and drop-off that holds fish.
Your day kicks off at 8:00 AM sharp, giving you the best fishing hours when the water's still cool and fish are actively feeding. The 35' Contender is built for comfort and fishing efficiency, with plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to spread out without getting tangled up. You won't be crowded into tight quarters like some boats. The nearshore zone is perfect because you get the stability and comfort of staying relatively close to land while still accessing serious fish habitat. We're talking 15 to 40 feet of water where the bottom structure creates feeding zones that attract everything from snapper to kingfish. The ride out is smooth, and once we're on the grounds, it's game time. Your captain uses real-time conditions and local knowledge to keep you moving between productive spots throughout the day.
This trip combines the best of multiple fishing approaches to maximize your success. You'll start with bottom fishing over reefs and ledges using circle hooks and natural baits to target grouper and snapper holding tight to structure. When the bite slows down, we'll switch to light trolling with spoons and diving plugs to cover water and search for kingfish, cobia, and mahi that are cruising the area. Live bait fishing is where things get really exciting – nothing beats the anticipation of watching a live pilchard or pinfish get crushed by a hungry amberjack or cobia. All the gear is top-shelf stuff, properly rigged and ready to handle whatever we hook up with. Your captain will coach you through fighting techniques and help you land fish you might not be able to handle solo. The tackle box is stocked with everything from 20-pound spinning gear for smaller species up to 40-pound conventional setups for the bigger predators.
Goliath Grouper are the true giants of these nearshore waters, and while you'll need to release them, the experience of battling one of these 200+ pound monsters is something you'll never forget. They hang around structure in 20-40 feet of water and will absolutely smoke your drag when hooked. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. The fight is pure power – no long runs, just bulldogging straight down trying to get back to their rocky home.
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These silver bullets patrol the nearshore waters year-round but really fire up from spring through fall. They average 15-30 pounds in these waters, with some reaching 40+ pounds. Kings are notorious for their blistering initial runs and acrobatic jumps. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Mahi Mahi are every angler's favorite – beautiful, aggressive, and absolutely delicious. In Tampa's nearshore waters, they show up around floating debris, weed lines, and structure from late spring through early fall. These fish are pure excitement with their golden colors and aerial displays when hooked. Most nearshore mahi run 10-25 pounds, and they often travel in small schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef, using their broad tails and powerful bodies to test your endurance. These fish live around hard bottom and structure, and they'll immediately head for the rocks when hooked. Spring is peak season when they're spawning and most aggressive. A 30-40 pound amberjack will give you a workout you'll feel the next day, but their sweet, firm meat makes the battle worthwhile.
Cobia are one of the most sought-after species in these waters, known for their size, fight, and incredible eating quality. These brown sharks of the nearshore world cruise structure and open water, often following rays and other marine life. They're curious fish that will sometimes approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities. Spring migration brings the biggest fish through Tampa Bay, with many exceeding 30 pounds. Their white, flaky meat rivals any restaurant fish you've ever eaten.
Eight hours on the water with FishHawk Charters gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Tampa's nearshore fishery has to offer. You're not rushing from spot to spot or cutting the trip short when the fish start biting. The 35' Contender provides the perfect platform for serious fishing with serious comfort, and with everything included – rods, reels, bait, tackle, and licenses – all you need to bring is yourself and a cooler for your catch. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some new species to your list or someone wanting to experience world-class nearshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The combination of skilled captaining, quality gear, and productive waters makes this a customer favorite that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book your spot and let the captain worry about putting you on the fish.
Step aboard this 35' Contender built specifically for Tampa Bay's nearshore fishing grounds. This speed-focused vessel cuts through Gulf waters with serious stability, keeping you comfortable during those long fights with grouper and kingfish. The spacious deck gives everyone room to work, while the T-top provides welcome shade during Florida's intense sun. Advanced Raymarine electronics and fish finder help locate productive reefs and structure where snapper and cobia hang out. The large live bait tank keeps your offerings fresh, and the wireless trolling motor lets you approach fish quietly without spooking them. An enclosed head, icebox for drinks, and multimedia system add comfort to your 8-hour adventure. GPS and radar keep you on course and safe, while the captain's local knowledge puts you on fish from morning until late afternoon.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the neighborhood bullies of the nearshore waters - dark brown, shark-shaped fish that cruise solo looking for trouble. They average 30-50 pounds but can hit 100+. You'll find them around buoys, channel markers, and reefs in 20-80 feet, especially spring through fall when they're migrating. What makes them special is they're often sight-fishing targets - we'll spot them cruising just under the surface and cast right to them. They're also top-shelf eating with firm, white meat. These fish are aggressive and will eat almost anything, but bucktail jigs work great around structure. Here's the deal: when you see one, don't get excited and splash your bait right on their head. Lead them a bit and let the jig sink naturally in front of them - they'll usually crush it.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese giants are the real deal - we're talking about fish that can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds. You'll find them around our local reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 30-150 feet of water. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but hooking into one is a memory you won't forget. These bruisers live near structure and aren't shy about taking bait. They hit hard and try to get back to their holes fast, so you need heavy tackle - 50-80 class gear with strong line. Spring through fall gives you the best shot when they're more active. The fight is intense but usually short-lived. Here's the key: anchor close enough to the structure to get them interested, but far enough away that you can muscle them out before they break you off in the rocks.
Seriola dumeriliAJs are the bulldogs of the reef - stocky, powerful fish that'll give you a serious arm workout. These blue-grey bruisers average 30-40 pounds but can push 100+ around our deeper structure. Find them on wrecks, reefs, and ledges in 60-200 feet, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. They're not picky eaters and hit both live bait and jigs hard. What makes them popular is the raw power - they'll make long, strong runs and test your drag system. The meat is excellent when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. We target them with heavy tackle, dropping live pinfish or large jigs to the bottom around structure. The secret is getting them up and away from the reef quickly - once they get their head down and start bulldogging back to the bottom, it's a real battle.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and gear. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds, but we see plenty in the 40+ range around Tampa Bay's nearshore waters. They cruise 40-150 feet deep, especially around temperature breaks and bait schools. Spring through fall is prime time when they're chasing baitfish closer to shore. What makes them special? Pure speed and those blistering runs that'll strip line fast. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. We troll live bait or spoons around structure and current lines. The key trick is using a wire leader and rigging your bait with two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail section of baitfish, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter out here, flashing gold, green, and blue as they jump and run. Most range 15-29 pounds, but we regularly see bigger bulls. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall is best when they move closer to shore. What guests love most is the aerial show - these fish go airborne and change colors like a light show when hooked. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with mild, sweet meat. We troll around floating structure or cast to fish we spot on the surface. Pro tip: once you hook one, leave it in the water briefly while you get more lines ready. Mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will often keep the others around for multiple hookups.
Tierra Verde, FL