Tampa Inshore Family Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Familyfriendly inshore fishing with Captain Christopher in Apollo BeachTarget snook, redfish, trout, sharks, and seasonal tarponChoose between 2hour or 4hour trip options
Captain Christopher knows how to turn a regular day into something your family will talk about for years. Based out of Apollo Beach, Florida Reels Fishing Charters specializes in getting families hooked up with some of Tampa Bay's most sought-after fish species. Whether you choose the 2-hour sampler or dive into the full 4-hour adventure, you're looking at prime inshore waters where snook, redfish, and tarpon call home. This isn't your typical crowded party boat scene – it's just you, your crew of up to 4 anglers, and Captain Christopher's local knowledge working together to put fish in the boat.
Apollo Beach sits right in the sweet spot where Tampa Bay's shallow flats meet deeper channels, creating the perfect hunting grounds for inshore species. Captain Christopher runs these waters daily, so he knows exactly where the fish are staging based on tide, season, and recent patterns. Your trip kicks off from Apollo Beach, where you'll load up on a well-equipped charter boat stocked with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for everything from finicky trout to bull redfish. The family-friendly atmosphere means everyone from grandparents to kids gets hands-on coaching, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. Expect to cover different types of structure – grass flats for redfish, mangrove shorelines for snook, and open water for whatever's running hot that day.
Inshore fishing around Apollo Beach calls for versatility, and Captain Christopher's got the right gear dialed in for each situation. You'll primarily fish with medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the mix of species you're targeting. Live bait is king out here – expect to work with shrimp, pinfish, and scaled sardines depending on what's available and what the fish are eating. Artificial lures play a huge role too, especially soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations bounced along grass flats and drop-offs. When the bite gets tough, Captain Christopher might switch things up with topwater plugs during low-light periods or suspending twitch baits around structure. The shallow water means you'll often sight-fish, watching redfish cruise the flats or snook ambush bait around docks and mangroves.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect starter fish for families, especially during cooler months when they school up in massive numbers around Apollo Beach. These chrome rockets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit fast-moving lures with aggressive strikes that'll get everyone's attention. They're most active during fall and winter months when baitfish push into the bay. Kids love them because they fight hard for their size and aren't too difficult to land, plus they make excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and Apollo Beach offers some of the most consistent action you'll find. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, and bridge pilings where they can slam unsuspecting bait. Slot-sized snook run 18-28 inches and pack serious power, often jumping and making long runs that test your drag system. Summer and fall produce the best action, though they bite year-round. What makes snook special is their unpredictability – they might ignore 20 perfect presentations then crush the 21st cast.
Tarpon turn Apollo Beach into a world-class fishery during their seasonal migrations, typically May through September. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give your family a workout they won't forget, with their signature gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs. These silver kings often roll and daisy-chain in the deeper holes around Apollo Beach, giving you visual targets to cast at. Landing one requires teamwork – someone managing the drag, someone clearing other lines, and Captain Christopher coaching everyone through the fight.
Redfish might be the most reliable species you'll encounter, with Apollo Beach's grass flats holding healthy populations year-round. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling rats around 16-20 inches to oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches and 15+ pounds. They're notorious for their stubborn, head-shaking fights and tendency to make powerful runs toward structure. Spring and fall offer peak action, but summer produces sight-fishing opportunities where you can watch reds cruise the shallows with their backs out of water.
Cobia are the wildcards that can show up anytime from March through November, often following rays and sharks in the deeper grass flats around Apollo Beach. These brown sharks (as locals call them) are curious fish that respond well to sight-fishing techniques, often swimming right up to the boat to investigate. A good cobia runs 20-40 pounds and fights like a submarine, making long, powerful runs that can empty a spool if your drag isn't set right. They're excellent eating and always provide a surprise element to any trip.
Captain Christopher's reputation for putting families on fish while keeping things fun and educational makes Florida Reels Fishing Charters one of Apollo Beach's top-rated options. The combination of prime location, quality equipment, and genuine local expertise creates the perfect recipe for building lifelong fishing memories. Whether you're introducing kids to the sport or looking for a unique family bonding experience, these Tampa Bay inshore waters deliver consistent action with multiple species. Don't wait on this one – the best fishing days and prime time slots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hottest.
The Clearwater is your ticket to prime inshore fishing grounds around Apollo Beach. This 21-foot center console, powered by a reliable 115HP Suzuki engine, cuts through Tampa Bay waters at up to 45 knots to get you where the fish are biting. Built in 2019, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water - a fish finder to locate schools of snook and redfish, GPS navigation to hit those sweet spots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow flats where speckled trout hang out. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. With room for up to four anglers, there's plenty of space to cast lines without getting tangled up with your fishing buddies. Whether you're targeting tarpon during their seasonal runs or working the grass beds for cobia, this boat handles the varying conditions of Tampa Bay's inshore waters with ease.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like finding a brown shark that actually wants to eat your bait - they're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat. These chocolate-brown bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 6 feet long. They're loners, not schooling fish, usually found around structure, buoys, or floating debris in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best action, though we see them through fall. What makes them exciting is their size, strong fight, and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait, jigs, or even topwater lures. The trick is sight fishing - they cruise just under the surface and you can often see them coming. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig or live crab right in front of them. They're usually not shy about eating.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are probably our most reliable inshore fish and perfect for families. You can spot them by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. They hang out in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Most fish we catch run 18-30 inches, and they're year-round residents, though fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight - they're not jumpers but they'll pull hard. Plus, slot-size fish make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The secret is fishing topwater plugs early morning or late evening in shallow water. When you see their backs or tails, cast past them and work the lure back slowly.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore targets, and for good reason. These ambush predators hide around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water, waiting to attack anything that swims by. They average 18-28 inches but can push 40+ inches. The distinctive black lateral line makes them easy to identify. Best fishing is during warmer months - they're very temperature sensitive and cold snaps can shut them down completely. What guests love is their aggressive strike and strong fight, plus they change from male to female as they mature, which always sparks conversation. They're great table fare too with firm, white meat. Here's the key: work your lure slowly along structure and be ready for a violent hit. They'll often follow before striking, so don't pull it away too fast.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that'll give you a solid fight on light tackle. These silver speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and weigh 2-3 pounds around here. They travel in schools near the surface, so when you find one, there's usually more. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are warm - they move south in winter. Look for them around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish are schooling. What makes them fun is their speed and the way they'll hit spoons and jigs hard. Plus, they're great eating - firm, white meat that grills perfectly. Pro tip: use a wire leader because those sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you see birds diving, get over there quick.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - there's nothing quite like watching a 100-pound silver king launch 6 feet out of the water. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our area, though they can grow much larger. They're found in shallow bays, around bridges, and deeper channels, often rolling on the surface. Peak season here is late spring through summer when they migrate through. What makes them special isn't the eating (they're all catch-and-release) but the fight - pure athleticism and multiple jumps that'll test your tackle and patience. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure but not over-fighting them, especially in the heat. Use circle hooks and live bait like crabs or mullet. When they jump, bow to the king - drop your rod tip to give them slack or they'll throw the hook.
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