Tampa Bay Fishing - 6 Hour Trip For 6 Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesAll fishing equipment and gear provided by experienced guidesAccommodates up to six anglers with Flatout Fishing Florida
Tampa Bay is hands down one of Florida's most productive inshore fisheries, and this 6-hour charter puts you right in the middle of the action. You'll be fishing with Flatout Fishing Florida, a top-rated outfit that knows these waters like the back of their hand. With spots for up to 6 anglers, this trip is perfect for families, buddy groups, or anyone looking to get serious about some quality fishing time. The bay's grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines hold some of the best inshore species Florida has to offer - Redfish, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, and Southern Flounder are all on the menu. All your tackle and equipment comes included, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your captain will pick the spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Tampa Bay changes constantly - one day the fish are stacked up on the flats near Weedon Island, the next they're hugging structure around the Skyway Bridge. That's the beauty of fishing with a guide who lives and breathes these waters. You'll cover a lot of ground in 6 hours, moving between productive zones as conditions change throughout the day. The boat is set up for comfort and fishing efficiency, with plenty of rod holders, a good fish box, and all the tackle you need to handle whatever comes up from the depths. Expect to fish everything from shallow grass beds where you can sight-cast to tailing Redfish, to deeper channels where the Trout stack up during certain tides. The variety keeps things interesting, and there's always something different around the next mangrove point.
This is primarily light tackle fishing - spinning reels with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. You'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. The grass flats call for weedless presentations, while the oyster bars and dock pilings require a different approach to avoid getting hung up. Your guide will have you rigged up with the right setup for each spot, whether that's a Carolina rig for Flounder, a free-lined shrimp for Sheepshead around structure, or a suspending plug for Sea Trout over the grass. Artificial lures play a big role too - paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and topwater plugs when the conditions are right. The beauty of Tampa Bay fishing is the versatility - you might be sight fishing in 2 feet of water one minute, then dropping baits in 15 feet the next. Each technique targets different species and keeps everyone engaged throughout the trip.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in Tampa Bay's sandy bottoms and grass edges. These flatfish can grow up to 20 inches in local waters, with the best action typically happening during cooler months from November through March. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand, waiting for baitfish, shrimp, or crabs to pass overhead. What makes Flounder fishing so rewarding is the subtle bite - they'll often just pick up your bait and swim off slowly, requiring a sensitive touch to detect the take. Once hooked, they put up a surprising fight for a flatfish, and they're absolutely delicious table fare. The key to consistent Flounder fishing in Tampa Bay is working the transitions between grass and sand, especially around creek mouths and channel edges where they set up to ambush prey.
Sheepshead are Tampa Bay's convict fish, with their distinctive black and white stripes making them easy to identify. These structure-loving fish have some of the strongest jaws in the bay, capable of crushing barnacles, oysters, and crabs with ease. They're notorious bait stealers, requiring sharp hooks and quick reflexes to hook up consistently. The best Sheepshead action runs from December through April when they move into shallow water to spawn around docks, bridges, and oyster bars. A typical Tampa Bay Sheepshead runs 2-4 pounds, but 6-pound fish are caught regularly, and the occasional 8-pounder will test your tackle and technique. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The challenge and reward of Sheepshead fishing keeps anglers coming back - they'll humble you one minute and make you feel like a pro the next.
Sea Trout, or Spotted Seatrout, are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their silver sides and black spots are found throughout the bay's grass flats and sandy holes. They're most active during spring and fall when water temperatures are in the 70s and 80s. Sea Trout are aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. A good Tampa Bay Trout runs 15-20 inches, with plenty of slot-sized fish that make for great eating. They're known for their soft mouths, so a steady pressure rather than hard hook sets is key to landing them consistently. The beauty of Sea Trout fishing is their predictability - once you find a school, you can often catch several before they move on to the next spot.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's signature species and the fish that put Florida inshore fishing on the map. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars year-round. Tampa Bay Redfish typically range from 18 to 27 inches, with the slot fish being perfect for the table and the oversized bulls providing pure adrenaline. What makes Redfish special is their aggressive nature and willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. They'll crush a live shrimp, inhale a soft
Our fully-equipped motorboat is built for serious Tampa Bay fishing action. She's rigged with everything you need for a productive day on the water - a top-notch fish finder to locate schools of Redfish and Sea Trout, GPS navigation to hit the best fishing spots, and a wireless trolling motor for whisper-quiet approaches when targeting spooky Sheepshead and Flounder. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to fight fish and move around. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box, and when it's time to take a break between bites, crank up the multimedia system. All fishing gear is provided, so just bring your appetite for action and maybe some cold drinks. This boat knows Tampa Bay's inshore waters like the back of her hand, from the grass flats to the mangrove shorelines where the big ones hide.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are Tampa Bay's signature species with their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the bulls offshore can hit 40+ pounds. You'll find them in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They love oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats, especially on incoming tides. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime time. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike in skinny water - pure adrenaline. They're strong fighters that make long runs and the meat on slot fish is fantastic. The black spot near their tail fools predators into attacking the wrong end. My secret: look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up while they root for crabs. Cast a gold spoon or soft plastic past them and work it slowly back. Stay quiet and keep your distance - these fish spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are Tampa Bay favorites, running 14-24 inches and typically weighing 1-5 pounds. These silvery fish with black spots love shallow grass flats, especially at dawn and dusk. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around seagrass beds and sandy potholes. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're not picky eaters. The fight is solid but not overwhelming, making them perfect for all skill levels. The white, flaky meat is excellent eating, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. During winter, they school up in deeper channels and holes. My go-to technique is a popping cork with live shrimp, but soft plastics under corks work great too. Focus on those grass edges where the bottom drops off - that's where the bigger ones hang out.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese black and white striped fish earn their "convict fish" nickname with those bold vertical bars. What really sets them apart are their human-like teeth - perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off dock pilings. Most sheepshead we catch run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but the big ones can hit 20 pounds. You'll find them tight to any structure - bridges, docks, reefs, anywhere with barnacle-covered pilings. Spring is peak season when they spawn around channel passes. They're notorious bait thieves, so keep that hook sharp and set it hard when you feel them nibbling. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare. Here's the trick: get your bait right against the structure, not a foot away. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp, and when they start picking at it, don't wait - slam that hook home before they steal your bait.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms throughout Tampa Bay's shallow waters, especially around grass flats and channel edges. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique "left-handed" look. Fall and winter are prime time when they move into deeper holes and channels. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability - they actually change color to match the bottom. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: drift slowly over likely spots with a live shrimp or small jig head, keeping it right on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, don't hesitate - set the hook firm.
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